City of Brantford will be presenting a range of family-friendly activities during the Family Day long weekend as part of Brantford’s Winter Fun Fest.
Enjoy ice-skating and swimming at the Wayne Gretzky Sports Centre, pre-book a tour of the Bell Homestead National Historic Site for a special rate or join the excitement downtown at Harmony Square and One Market where fun activities for all ages will be offered.
On Sunday, February 15, join us in Harmony Square and 1 Market Square from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. for indoor family fun, classic s’mores by a campfire and so much more. Enjoy a Horse Drawn Trolley ride through downtown Brantford from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., for $2 per person.
Perfect for families, friends, and community groups, another featured attraction is the Hungry Human Hippos, a high-energy, life-sized version of the classic game hosted by Jam Sport on Harmony Square’s outdoor ice rink (weather permitting). Registration is required in advance and now available at www.JamSports.com/Tournaments. Registration is $25 for family teams (ages 5+, max two adults) and $40 for adult teams (18+). Family games run from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m., followed by adult games from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Full refunds will be issued if weather causes cancellations. Follow Harmony Square’s Facebook page for updates on Hungry Hippos or skating.
“Brantford’s Winter Fun Fest is all about bringing people together and celebrating the season,” says Brantford Ward 2 Councillor Gino Caputo. “Events like this showcase the vibrancy of our city and create opportunities for people to come together, enjoy the season, and spend time in our community.”
The outdoor ice rink at Harmony Square will be open, for everyone to enjoy on Saturday, February 14, and Monday, February 16 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday, February 15, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., 2026, weather permitting. The outdoor ice rink will be closed during the Hungry Hippos game on Sunday, February 15. For those in need of gently used ice-skates, learn more about Brantford’s Community Skate Exchange at www.Brantford.ca/SkateExchange.
The fun continues on Sunday, February 15 in the lower level of One Market, where Wilfrid Laurier University Brantford Campus will offer a variety of free and fun activities, including Doug “The Great” Hunt, Guinness Book World Record Stilt Walker in Brantford in 2001 and 2023, Marco the Clown creating fun balloon animals, Character Meet and Greets, face painting and a Crock A Doodle hands-on activity for children. The first 100 children will receive a free 4-inch tile to paint and take home. Additional tiles will be available for purchase for $12 for a 6-inch tile or $25 for a party animal tile.
The fun continues at the Wayne Gretzky Sports Centre with public swims offered from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. over the Family Day long weekend on Saturday, February 14, Sunday, February 15 and Monday, February 16, 2026. Regular swim rates and swim admission requirements will apply. Wayne Gretzky Sports Centre facility and pool membership holders can swim for free. Families can also drop-in and enjoy public skating on Sunday, February 15 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Admission is $4.50 per person, or free for children aged 4 and under. Wayne Gretzky Sports Centre facility members can skate for free.
