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Activate Downtown Brampton

Activate Downtown Brampton

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ Activate Downtown Brampton Logo​Activate Downtown Brampton is a series of interactive installations and activations that take place in Downtown Brampton’s laneways and public gathering spaces. The project is a collaborative partnership between 8 80 Cities, The City of Brampton, and the Downtown Brampton Business Improvement Area (DBBIA). Activate Downtown Brampton (ADB) was established to attract local residents to the heart of the city and create opportunities for social connection in underutilized public spaces through bold laneway installations, community programming, and live musical showcases that celebrate the City’s rich cultural diversity.​

The Activate Dow​ntown Brampton 2022 pilot was funded through the My Main Street Community Activator Program and was supported by the Government of Canada through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario.

​​Media Release​​​​​

Lawn Games

​Activate Downtown Brampton: Thursday Game Nights!​​

Join ​us for family friendly lawn games Thursday evenings from 5pm to 7 pm at various locations in the downtown. Whether you are a seasoned gamer or just looking for some outdoor fun, Thursday Game Nights are the perfect way to unwind and connect with your community.

Residents will enjoy classic lawn games such as connect four, giant jenga and ring toss. Connect with friends and neighbours while soaking up the summer vibes.

Location: Garden Square
Dates: May 16, May 30, July 11​
Time: 5:00 - 7:00 PM

Location: Nelson Square Pocket Park (20 George Street North, Brampton)
Dates: May 23, June 13 (Cancelled), June 20 Raincheck (Cancelled), July 25​, August 22
Time: 5:00 - 7:00 PM​

Location: Ken Whillans Square
Dates: June 27, August 8
Time: 5:00 - 7:00 PM

Events may be cancelled or rescheduled due to weather conditions. In May, events will be cancelled if there is inclement weath​er. From June through August, if there is inclement weather, all Game Nights will be rescheduled for the following Thursday at the Nelson Square Pocket Park.​


Nelson Square Pocket Park (2023)

This year, the ADB program delivered the Nelson Square Pocket Park, a pilot project that opened in ​August 2023, and will remain open until August 2024. This activation is located in the corner of the Nelson Street Surface Parking Lot (20 George St N) and this site has been transformed into a vibrant, seasonally responsive public space for social gathering and passive recreation.​​

Harmsworth Lane (2023)

The City in partnership with STEPs installed two vibrant murals to revitalize Harmsworth Lane in June 2023 as part of the Activate Downtown Brampton (ADB) program. Vibrancy in Harmsworth Lane, the mural done by artist Ashley Beerdat on the concrete knee wall along 16 John St., celebrates Brampton as an inviting vibrant and urban city by using bright and vivid imagery of plants native to Brampton including roses, honeysuckle, speckled elder, little bluestem, black medic, alfalfa, and cheese weed.

Growth, located on the back stairwell of the building was done by artist Chelsea Charles, explores the relationship between the Flower City Brampton’s landscape and its citizens. With the city’s diversity being Chelsea’s main influence, the mural uses bold and bright colours to showcase the unique cultures, traditions, and experiences that make Brampton such a special place.

Photo attribution: Alicia Reid (@lensoflici)​

Vivian Lane (2022)

In 2022, as part of the launch of the Activate Downtown Brampton (ADB) program, Vivian Lane in downtown Brampton was transformed into a vibrant laneway with colourful artwork, movable seating, more plants, shade, and programming. Local Brampton artist Abiola Idowu transformed the lane with a bright, bold and colourful ground mural that reflects the objectives of Activate Downtown Brampton. Within eight weeks, 29 events were hosted, 30 local vendors were engaged and 40+ community volunteers were engaged in Vivian Lane.​​​​

23 Weeks of ​Live Music (2022)

Activate Downtown Brampton (ADB) created a series of exciting interactive installations and activations to Downtown Brampton’s laneways and public gathering spaces from May to October in 2022. 90 bands and 269 musicians performed at locations in Downtown Brampton (Brampton Daily Times Square, Main St. South Patio, Segovia Coffee Co. Patio, and Vivian Lane). A diverse genre of music and a wide array of amazing musical talents were on display for residents and visitors alike. 60% of the musicians were also from right here in Brampton!

Photo credits: @brampton_bits_and_bites​​

For additional information on the Activate Downtown Brampton project, please contact the project leads: