Barrie 
Credit: Horseshoe Resort
Are you looking for something fun and adventure this winter? Do you want to be challenged and learn new things? Would you like to experience the beauty of winter while remaining in range of civilization? We know exactly the spot for your next-day trip: Barrie! Yes, Barrie! Often overlooked as a destination spot, Barrie boasts so many great outdoor winter activities!
Whether you want to get away for the day and have some family fun or plan a romantic weekend away with your special someone, Barrie has something for you!
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Events and Festivals
Something Old… Something New
This show’s theme, “Something Old, Something New,” brings together nostalgic favourites and fresh new pieces performed by featured local acts. Expect a variety of musical theatre pieces, contemporary hits and blasts from the past! Enjoy a cozy, cabaret-style atmosphere with table seating and food and drink permitted inside the theatre.
Dates: Saturday, January 10, 2026 | 7:30 PM
Address: The Five Points Theatre, 1 Dunlop St W, Barrie
Frozen in Time – Children’s Sing-Along
Join your two favourite princesses for a magical afternoon! This event will be filled with storytelling and singing along to all your favourite songs! This show is a perfect family get together that kids of all ages will enjoy, and the family can enjoy together. To make the afternoon more special, everyone is encouraged to come dressed as their favourite prince, princess, character or even villain.
Dates: Saturday, January 10, 2026 | 11:00 AM & 2:00 PM
Address: Georgian Theatre, 1 Georgian Dr, Bldg C Barrie
All The Cows Are Dead
All The Cows Are Dead follows an artisan butcher who instructs his petulant and misanthropic nephew how to be more like him, leading both to discover how both the butcher and the poet are, in fact, the same.
Dates: January 22-31, 2026
Address: 80 Bradford Street, Barrie
Harlem Globetrotters 100 Year Tour
From gravity-defying dunks to game-changing tricks, experience the team that redefined basketball! This is history you can feel and a celebration of 100 years of over-the-top FUN with all-new surprises like the Golden Basketball by Spalding®. This is fan celebration from the moment you arrive with epic new pre-game magic, unforgettable post-game interactions, and the most fan-fueled experience in sports. This is your only chance to be part of The Harlem Globetrotters 100 Year Tour.
Dates: Friday, January 30, 2026 | 7:00 PM
Address: Sadlon Arena, 555 Bayview Dr, Barrie
Barrie WinterFest
The City of Barrie proudly presents Barrie Winterfest, one of the winter festival in Ontario. Enjoy Ice & Snow Sculptures, Horse-Drawn Wagon Rides, Lumberjack Shows and more! Check out the outdoor winter inflatable funzone!
Dates: February 7 – 8, 2026
Black History Month Tribute to Maestro Fresh Wes
Presented by AfroCaribbean Multicultural Association, Maestro Fresh Wes takes the stage at The Five Points Theatre as part of Black History Month.
Dates: Saturday, February 14, 2026 | 7:30 PM
Address: The Five Points Theatre, 1 Dunlop St W, Barrie
Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella
The timeless enchantment of a magical fairy tale is reborn with the Rodgers & Hammerstein hallmarks of originality, charm and elegance. Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella is the new Broadway adaptation of the classic musical. This contemporary take on the classic tale features Rodgers & Hammerstein’s most beloved songs, including “In My Own Little Corner,” “Impossible/It’s Possible” and “Ten Minutes Ago,” alongside an up-to-date, hilarious and romantic libretto by Tony Award nominee Douglas Carter Beane.
Dates: February 5-15, 2026
Address: Georgian Theatre, 1 Georgian Dr, Bldg C Barrie
Braestone Winter Classic
Round up the crew and register for Braestone Winter Classic, a charity pond hockey tournament in support of RVH’s Keep Life Wild campaign and the Simcoe Muskoka Regional Cancer Centre.
Dates: February 15, 2026
Address: 3288 9 Line North, Coldwater
Lost Heroes of Oro
The LHOO is an immersive narrative that transports you through the historical events of the 1700s-1800s, shedding light on a significant chapter of Canada’s past: slavery.
Dates: February 27 & 28, 2026
Address: Georgian Theatre, 1 Georgian Dr, Bldg C, Barrie
Cheer Barrie Colts
Support the Colts, Barrie’s junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League, as they compete at their home turf, Sadlon Arena. Join the local excitement and cheer them on in their quest for victory, showcasing the spirit and talent of this Canadian hockey team.
Big Air All-Stars Live
Get ready, Barrie! On Saturday, February 28th, 2026, Sadlon Arena will explode with adrenaline-pumping action as some of Canada’s most electrifying performers take to the air in Big Air All-Stars Live! This is no ordinary show—it’s a non-stop competition featuring the biggest names in motorsports and BMX, pushing their limits with tricks that will take your breath away.
Dates: Saturday, February 28, 2026 | 4:00 PM
Address: Sadlon Arena, 555 Bayview Dr, Barrie
Music of the Night: The Concert Tour
This concert celebration of Andrew Lloyd Webber comes to Barrie having toured across Canada to sold out audiences from Victoria to Halifax! With a live band and many incredible and celebrated singers, we welcome you to experience this concert of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s most iconic theatrical music – including selections from Phantom of the Opera, Evita, Cats, Jesus Christ Superstar, Sunset Blvd, and more!
Dates: Thursday, March 12, 2026 | 7:30 PM
Address: Georgian Theatre, 1 Georgian Dr Bldg C, Barrie
Snowed In Comedy Tour
The Snowed In Comedy Tour is will be in Barrie on March 21st. What started 17 years ago as a wild idea in the middle of a Canadian winter has snowballed into a full-blown national phenomenon — now the biggest comedy tour in Canada.
Dates: Saturday, March 21, 2026 | 7:30 PM
Address: Georgian Theatre, 1 Georgian Dr Bldg C, Barrie
Attractions & Outdoor Adventures
Hot Cocoa Trail
In February, Downtown Barrie’s Business Improvement Area (BIA) presents a delightful experience featuring inventive hot chocolate-inspired treats. Local coffee shops, cafés, and restaurants are participating, offering an array of unique beverages and dishes. This event invites visitors to enjoy a warm sip while shopping and exploring art galleries, all in support of local businesses. It’s a perfect blend of culinary exploration and community support.
Walk Along the Beach at Minet’s Point Park
The city of Barrie is known for its beautiful waterfront and bay area, with several beach-lined parks. One of the best is Minet’s Point Park. Take a stroll along the beach, sip a hot drink (I would recommend a hot cocoa) and enjoy the natural beauty of the area. Keep in mind that the park’s restroom facilities are closed for the winter season.
Address: 10 Lismer Boulevard, Barrie
Winter Fun at Horseshoe Resort
Credit:: Horseshoe Resort
Do you love the rush of the cold winter air hitting your face as you speed downhill on a set of skis? Well, why not spend the day at Horseshoe Resort, which boasts multiple ski hills of differing skill levels. The resort also has fine-dining restaurants, spas, and quaint shops to pursue.
The resort also offers plenty of winter activities including outdoor skating, tubing, cross-country skiing, fat biking and more! Horseshoe Resort offers accommodation so you can stay near resort amenities and the ski hill.
Address: 1101 Horseshoe Valley Rd. Barrie; Phone: 705-835-2790
Website
Glide down the winter-groomed trails on Barrie’s North Shore Trail
Come and take a breath of fresh air as you ski down these immaculately groomed trails, running deep into the hardwood forests of Barrie’s surrounding area. The North Shore Trail is a 3-kilometre-long gravel path and is considered to be ‘easy’ as far as skiing skill level goes. The trail is open from 5:00 am to 10:00 pm daily.
Address: The North Shore Trail is accessible from Johnson Beach parking lot at 2 Johnson St.
Go Skating at Barrie City Hall’s Outdoor Skating Rink
Skating is a much-loved winter activity and is great for spending time with loved ones while also engaging in some physical activity. The city of Barrie offers free, drop-in-style outdoor skating all winter long at City Hall.
Address: 70 Collier St, Barrie
Hear the Sleigh Bells Ring, on this Sleigh Ride at Rainbow View Farms
Credit: Rainbow View Farms
Sit back and relax as the esquarian professionals at Rainbow View Farms take you on a magical journey through the snow-drizzled forests of the Barrie area. Cuddle up with a warm blanket and sip a hot drink. This will be a ride you’re not likely to forget! Please call, (705) 322-3609 to make a reservation.
Address: 1274 Rainbow Valley Rd W. Phelpston
Go Bird Watching at One of Barrie’s Many Parks
Kempenfelt Bay is known for more than just ice fishing! The large amount of small fish and aquatic invertebrates attracts migratory birds of all shapes and sizes, from Grebes, Goldeneyes, Kingfishers, Loons, Bonaparte Gulls, Black-backed Gulls, Common Mergansers, Buffleheads, Cormorants, Lesser Scaups, Red-heads and many others. Other great birdwatching parks in the Barrie area include: Lovers Creek Ravine and Sandringham Park. Bring your binoculars and enjoy the spectacle.
Address: Kempenfelt Bay at Barrie’s waterfront area located in downtown Barrie.
Try Your Hand at Fishing on Kempenfelt Bay
Credit: Tourism Barrie
If you’ve ever been to Barrie in the winter, you may have noticed a huge number of tiny huts sitting on the frozen surface of Kempenfelt Bay or Barrie’s waterfront area. Ice fishing is a very popular recreation for nature enthusiasts and lovers of a fresh local food. Why not bundle up, grab some friends and family and take that first step out onto the frozen water? It is recommended that you visit a website on Ice Fishing safety and make yourself aware of weather conditions before going out on your excursion.
Address: Downtown Barrie
Take a Hike on one of Barrie’s Many Trails
Wander the hardwood forests and admire the glorious scent of fresh winter pine, as you explore the extensive trail network of Barrie. Barrie and its surrounding area has some great trails ranging in difficulty from very easy (great for a family outing) to quite difficult.
For a wildly immersive experience try walking the over 17-kilometres of trails at Ardagh Bluffs, a huge park on environmentally protected lands.
On your way to the trail, pick up a guide to the trail systems in and around Barrie at Tourism Barrie.
Address: located between Ardagh Road and Mapleview Drive, west of Essa Road.
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Join Many Centuries of Explorers and Walk the Nine Mile Portage Heritage Trail
Another great walking and hiking trail in and around Barrie, that deserves a listing all on its own is the Nine Mile Portage Heritage Trail. If you are into history, you will love the significance of this trail! The Nine Mile Portage trail is an ancestor of the exact trail that aboriginals of the area have been using for centuries. It was first used by fur traders in the seventeenth century and has been famed for its use during the War of 1812.#
Driving Directions: Memorial Square is located at the north end of Kempenfelt Bay, between Dunlop Street West and Lakeshore Drive, and contains Barrie’s Veterans Monument. Start the trail from the Nine Mile Portage heritage plaque located in Memorial Square.
Go for a Wild Adventure on a Dog Sled at Wind Drift Kennel
Come be a part of a Canadian tradition that has spanned several centuries: dog-sledding through the snow. The staff at Wind Drift Kennel will teach you how to harness and hook up your own team of dogs. They also take the time to teach patrons about the dogs, and how they’ve been trained and answer any of your questions. Half hour tours are available every 45 minutes daily from December to March.
Address: Located 30 minutes North of Barrie; 705-325-0919
Snowshoe & Sip at Heritage Estates
Credit: Heritage Estate Winery & Cidery
Embark on a magical winter journey at Heritage Estate, Barrie’s only boutique winery and cidery. Experience our Snowshoe & Sip Adventure, where you’ll traverse 40 acres of snow-draped vineyards and orchards, followed by a cozy guided tasting of hand-crafted wines and ciders, made from estate-grown grapes and 100% Ontario apples.
Address: 421 Penetanguishine Rd., Barrie; 705-797-1919
Check out Barrie’s Unique and Massive Spirit Catcher
Visit Barrie’s waterfront and admire the city’s unique spirit catcher sculpture. You will be impressed by this 21-metre-high, 25-metre -wide iron piece of art, which is meant to inspire local artists.
Address: 15 Lakeshore Dr, Barrie
Hop on your Toboggan and Slide down the hill at Arboretum Sunnidale Park
Arboretum Sunnidale Park boasts beautiful wintery scenery, trails meandering through the woods and of course, a grand toboggan hill! Race down what is considered by the locals as being one of the best toboggan hills in the area. Remember to dress in layers, bring some snow pants and enjoy the adrenaline rush of plummeting down hill!
Address: 227 Sunnidale Rd., Barrie.
Rent a Bike and Hit the Trails at Lover’s Creek Ravine
Credit: Bike Land
Strap on your helmet and head over the Lover’s Creek Ravine for a dazzling ride through the forest on immaculately trimmed winter trails. If you didn’t bring your bike with you, you could always rent one from Bike Land, located in Barrie. To make a reservation, call ahead or email them at info@bikeland.ca.
Addresses: 75 Dyment Rd, Barrie; Phone: 705-726-7372
Support Local and Shop at Barrie Farmers’ Market
Credit: Barrie Farmers’ Market
It has never been more important to support local small businesses, entrepreneurs, and artisans. And what better time of the year to do so than Christmas time? You are bound to find exactly what you are looking for be it, a hot cup of coffee, a breakfast pie or fresh meat and produce. Take your time and peruse the many unique stalls of candlemakers, stationary artists, culinary treasures such as maple syrup and chutney, and many, many more. (This is not an outdoor activity.)
Address: Barrie City Hall, 70 Collier St, Barrie
