Winter in Barrie reaches its peak with Winterfest, one of Ontario’s top cold-weather festivals. Set along the city’s beautiful waterfront and beyond, this free community event brings together families, friends, and visitors for two full days of outdoor fun, live entertainment, food, and winter tradition.
Whether you’re into ice sculptures, lumberjack shows, or warming up with maple taffy, Winterfest 2026 has something for everyone.
❄️ What to Expect This Year
📍 Location: Centennial Park & locations across Barrie
📅 Dates: Saturday, February 7 | 10:00am–5:00pm, Sunday, February 8 | 10:00am–4:00pm
💵 Admission: Free (no ticket required)
From sunrise to sunset, Barrie Winterfest brings out the best of winter with a full lineup of events and activities for all ages:
🎨 Featured Attractions at Centennial Park
Expect to see everything from:
- Snow Valley’s Mini Tube Slide
- Live animal exhibits featuring Speaking of Wildlife and The Eyrie Birds of Prey
- Ice sculpture carving demos, with this year’s theme set as Tropical Beach
- Fire shows, buskers, lumberjack performances, and roaming entertainers
- Inflatables, games, marshmallow roasting, maple taffy, and a warming zone
- Toronto Kite Fliers’ aerial displays, weather permitting
The ice sculptures alone are worth the visit. Created live on site using massive 300lb blocks, these dazzling pieces of frozen art remain in the park all weekend long, lit at night for an even more magical experience.
Saturday, February 7 | 10:00am–5:00pm
Warm Up at the Winter Food Vendor Village
Located at Centennial Park, the Winter Food Vendor Village offers everything from comfort foods to sweet indulgences. Cozy up near a fire pit, grab a hot chocolate, and enjoy snacks from local favorites like:
- BeaverTails Simcoe Muskoka
- Smoke’s Poutinerie
- Off the Rails Grill
- Miss Richie’s Kitchen
- Sweetiez
- Mr. C’s Freeze Dried Treats
- Chungchun Rice Dog
- Miller’s Meats
- Domino’s Pizza
- …and more.
Live Entertainment All Weekend
Beyond the activities, Winterfest features a schedule of live shows, music, and family programming throughout the weekend. Expect entertainment areas set up across the park, with rotating performances and drop-in activities for all ages.
Fire performances and lumberjack competitions bring the energy. Storytelling, skating demos, and interactive games offer moments of magic and memory-making.
🎭 Events at Other Locations Around Barrie
There’s more happening all weekend long:
Saturday, Feb 7
- 🥞 Barrie Lions Pancake Breakfast | 9am–12pm at Collier Street United Church
- 🎉 Jurassic Dino Dance & Beach Party | 10am–5pm at Five Points Theatre
- ⛸️ Learn to Skate Showcase | 12pm–1pm at City Hall outdoor rink
Sunday, Feb 8
- ⛸️ Learn to Skate Showcase | 12pm–1pm at City Hall outdoor rink
- 🎉 Jurassic Dino Dance & Beach Party | 10am–4pm at Five Points Theatre
- 📖 Storytime by the Fireplace | 12:30pm at MacLaren Art Centre
- 🎨 Falling Snowflakes Art Workshop | 1:00pm & 2:30pm at MacLaren Art Centre
🚍 Getting There
Free Shuttle Service:
Barrie Transit is offering a free Winterfest Shuttle all weekend with stops at:
- Allandale Recreation Centre (Park & Ride)
- Barrie Allandale Transit Terminal
- Downtown Transit Hub
- Lakeshore Drive stops
🅿️ Parking:
Downtown and waterfront lots are free on weekends. Residents can register for a digital waterfront parking permit to access additional lots.
More info: barrie.ca/parking
📸 Share Your Winterfest
Tag the City of Barrie or Tourism Barrie on Instagram, Facebook or X and use the hashtag #BarrieWinterfest to show off your favorite moments!
Why You Should Go
Barrie Winterfest is more than a weekend event. It’s a celebration of what makes this city shine in the colder months. With dozens of free attractions, exciting performances, and local flavor around every corner, it’s a perfect winter escape without ever leaving town.
Whether you’re skating with the kids, sipping maple taffy, or taking in the sparkle of ice sculptures under the stars, Winterfest has something for everyone.
What Makes Winterfest Special?
At its core, Barrie Winterfest is a celebration of community. It brings together local artists, small businesses, food vendors, city departments, and residents of all ages. It is a chance to bundle up, step outside, and rediscover the joy of winter – whether that’s through a glowing ice sculpture, a hot drink by the fire, or a child’s first snow tube ride.
Every year, Winterfest also marks the kickoff to Hello Winter, a citywide celebration of outdoor, arts, and cultural events running throughout February. It’s just the beginning of all that’s happening across Barrie this season.
Before You Go
Check event pages or barrie.ca/Winterfest for last-minute updates on weather, timing, or changes.
Dress in warm layers, especially if you’re spending the full day outdoors.
Bring cash for food vendors and local pop-up shops.
Tag your photos with @barrieuncovered on Instagram or Facebook to share the fun.
See You at Barrie Winterfest 2026
Whether you’re visiting with kids, heading downtown with friends, or simply curious about what makes Barrie so vibrant in the winter, Winterfest is a perfect reason to come together and celebrate the season.
February 7 and 8 – you won’t want to miss it.
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📷 Tag @BarrieUncovered in your event photos
🔁 Share this list with someone you want to attend with
Frequently Asked Questions: Barrie Winterfest 2026
