Grand River Arts Festival 2026
Schedule
Fri, 18 Sep, 2026 at 05:00 pm to Sat, 19 Sep, 2026 at 06:00 pm
UTC-04:00Location
20 Ava Rd, Brantford, ON, Canada, Ontario N3T 5G9 | Brantford, ON
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The Grand River Arts Festival (GRAF) 2026 is a two-day outdoor arts and culture festival taking place September 18–19, 2026 at Glenhyrst Art Gallery in Brantford. In it's fourth year GRAF celebrates visual arts, music, theatre, performance art, food, and community creativity.
Dates & Format
Friday, Sept. 18 (5:00 PM – 9:00 PM): Opening night / “Evening Prelude,” a ticketed 19+ licensed event featuring music, art previews, drinks, and food vendors. Ticket price listed at $40, including the first drink.
Saturday, Sept. 19 (11:00 AM – 6:00 PM): Main festival day with free admission, family-friendly programming, artist vendors, performances, theatre, and food.
Main Attractions
Curated artist marketplace featuring fine art, craft, ceramics, textiles, jewellery, sculpture, painting, woodwork, mixed media, and more.
Live music from Southern Ontario performers (full lineup to be announced).
Theatre & performance art, including roaming acts and stage performances and live art creation.
10-Minute Play Competition on the historic Coach House Stage, with cash prizes for winners.
Food & drink vendors throughout the grounds.
What Makes It Unique
GRAF combines an art fair, music festival, and theatre showcase in one scenic riverside setting. It emphasizes community engagement, regional talent, and accessibility, transforming the Glenhyrst gardens into an interactive arts space that reflects a genuine and authentic vibe. Environmental sustainability is also a huge priority for our festival and GRAF makes every attempt to be gentle to mother nature.
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Where is it happening?
20 Ava Rd, Brantford, ON, Canada, Ontario N3T 5G9Event Location & Nearby Stays:
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