In-person New Year’s Eve celebration in Brampton to proceed as planned

The City of Brampton intends to proceed with the planned, in-person New Year’s Eve celebration on Friday (December 31).

During a press conference on Wednesday (December 29), Mayor Patrick Brown announced, while some additional protocols have been implemented, the show will proceed as planned.

“I know there’s been a movement to cancel outdoor events, but that’s not the advice I’ve been getting from public health,” Brown said. “Unless I get the recommendation from public health to cancel the event, it will go ahead as planned.”

The additional protocols will include a mask mandate for all attendees—masks will be required to be worn at all times—as well as seating for attendees, which will facilitate physical distancing.

Further, attendees will need to be vaccinated, and there will be someone checking vaccination status before entry will be permitted.

Moreover, there will be capacity limits, which will be based on a first-come, first-served basis.

“We have added additional protocols to our New Year’s Eve celebration to make it as safe as possible,” Brown said. “The basic understanding is that outdoor events are lower risk, open-air events are relatively safe environments.”

The celebration will feature a live fireworks show, as well as musical performances from Toronto-based singer-songwriter Ameerah, Toronto-based Oji-Cree singer-songwriter Aysanabee, and Juno Award-winning Canadian rock band Sam Roberts Band.

The festivities will be held at Garden Square starting at 9 p.m., and they will culminate in fireworks at 12 a.m. to celebrate the arrival of 2022.