Doors Open: Step Inside Barrie’s Hidden Spaces This Saturday (Sept 26)

Barrie residents and visitors will have access to rarely seen spaces during Doors Open Barrie 2026, taking place Saturday, September 26, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Credit: Tourism Barrie

This year’s program features 17 locations across the city, highlighting architecture, heritage, arts, and community institutions.

You can explore the new net-zero Barrie Allandale Transit Terminal, tour Barrie Fire and Emergency Services Headquarters and the Barrie Simcoe Emergency Services Campus, visit the Grey and Simcoe Foresters Regimental Museum, and take part in art activities at the MacLaren Art Centre.

Culture Days programming adds Japanese calligraphy at Aardvark Learning Academy, Chinese and Brazilian dance workshops at the Barrie Public Library, and piping and snare drumming at Military Heritage Park.

Other stops include Barrie Mosque, Am Shalom Congregation, Barrie Art Club, the Canadian Musicians Co-operative and the new Barrie YMCA site. A historic walking tour from Meridian Place explores 19th-century Barrie through the story of architect Shearman Bird and Amy “Amoi” Bird. Participating sites also offer guided or self-guided tours.

Trip Planning – Doors Open Barrie 2026

Locations:

Aardvark Learning Academy – #203-555 Mapleview Drive West: Try Japanese Shodo calligraphy while visiting a learning centre offering language, math and tutoring programs.
Am Shalom Congregation – 767 Huronia Road: Attend Shabbat services and learn about Barrie’s Reform Jewish community during the Sukkot holiday celebration.
Barrie Allandale Transit Terminal – 20 Essa Road: Tour Barrie’s new net-zero transit hub connecting GO, Ontario Northland and local transit services together.
Barrie Art Club – 11 King Street, Unit 8: Visit a volunteer-run studio and gallery that has supported artists for more than 75 years.
Barrie Fire and Emergency Services Headquarters – 155 Dunlop Street West: See Barrie’s central fire operations hub, training facilities, operational units and its on-site museum firsthand.
Barrie Mosque, Noor Ul Islam – 155 Ferris Lane: Tour Barrie’s only mosque, meet community members and learn about local Muslim life and worship.
Barrie Public Library – 60 Worsley Street: Explore distinctive downtown architecture and enjoy Culture Days programming, including Chinese and Brazilian dance workshops.
Barrie Simcoe Emergency Services Campus – 110 Fairview Road: Tour a shared emergency campus housing Barrie Police, paramedics and backup fire dispatch operations together.
Barrie Visitor Information Centre – 4 Essa Road: See one of old Allandale’s last surviving buildings, designed to fit an unusually shaped lot.
Barrie YMCA – 535 Bayview Drive: Preview Barrie’s new YMCA site, explore its history and see family activities and program demonstrations.
Canadian Musicians Co-operative – 80 Bradford Street, Unit 601: Step inside a working creative hub with recording and livestream studios supporting emerging Canadian musicians.
Grey and Simcoe Foresters Regimental Museum – 36 Mulcaster Street: Explore Barrie’s 1888-89 military headquarters, now a museum preserving Grey and Simcoe Foresters history today.
Historic Walking Tour, Grand Designs: Building a Life in 19th Century Barrie – Meridian Place, 30 Simcoe Street: Follow Shearman and Amy Bird through historic neighbourhoods, notable architecture and views over Kempenfelt Bay.
MacLaren Art Centre – 37 Mulcaster Street: Tour a heritage Carnegie library transformed into galleries, education spaces, café, shop and contemporary architecture.
Military Heritage Park – 225 Lakeshore Drive: Explore military memorials, Vimy Oaks and a former railway station, with piping and drumming activities.
St. Margaret of Scotland Anglican Church – 161 Hanmer Street West: Visit a growing Anglican parish building and learn how the congregation’s facilities continue evolving today.
Trinity Anglican Church Barrie – 24 Collier Street: See an 1864 sanctuary with carved woodwork, historic plaques, vaulted ceilings and stained-glass windows inside.