The Grand River Arts Festival is returning to the Glenhyrst Art Gallery of Brant in Brantford, Ontario, for its fourth year this September. The popular event, which celebrates visual arts, music, and theatre, will take place on September 18-19, 2026.
Organizers have announced that the festival will begin with a ticketed opening night on Friday, September 18, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tickets for this evening are $40 and include the first drink. The following day, Saturday, September 19, will be open to the public as a free community event from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
This year’s lineup includes new attractions such as roving theatre performances by Big Cityyy Arts and visual art installations by local artist Dave Hind. The festival continues to prioritize community involvement through its 10-Minute Play Competition. Applications for the competition, which includes prizes such as the Martin Smith Award in Original Playwriting, are open until April 13, 2026.
The festival, which began in 2023, has grown significantly, drawing over a thousand visitors to the gallery grounds during its 2025 edition. The event is supported by the Green Team Brantford, which works to maintain the festival as a waste-conscious event. Interested residents can visit the gallery website for more information on how to participate as an artist, performer, or volunteer.
