Celebrate winter at Barrie's Winterfest
Horse-drawn wagon rides will once again clip-clop their way through downtown Barrie.
The city’s annual Winterfest brings back the historical village that was Barrie and presents the new downtown, complete with snow tube and helicopter rides.
A community tradition, Winterfest has been named one of the top winter festivals in Ontario.
The outdoor activities are held at Heritage Park and Meridian Place on Sat., Feb. 4 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sun., Feb. 5 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Downtown activities include:
- Ice sculptures;
- Lumberjack shows (Saturday only);
- “Nature in Winter” program
- Shows by Speaking of Wildlife;
- Horse-drawn wagon rides;
- Snow Valley’s mini tube slide;
- Inflatables;
- Buskers and family entertainment, including Team T&J, FireGuy, and NorthFIRE Fire and Ice Circus Show;
- Fire pit warming zone;
- Helicopter rides (fee associated), and
- Vendors.
Other locations include:
- Polar Bear Dip at Centennial Beach (Sunday only);
- Skating, including a Showcase and Learn to Skate program hosted by Barrie Skating Club at the Circle at the Centre Ice Rink;
- Barrie Lions Club Winterfest Pancake Breakfast at Collier Street United Church (Saturday only);
- STEAM family programming at the Downtown Branch of the Barrie Public Library;
- Barrie Farmers’ Market snowflake hunt (Saturday only), and
- February Blues Festival performances at various locations, including the Barrie Public Library and City Hall Rotunda.
Outdoor activities are weather dependent. For full details on the events, activities, and programs visit Winterfest online.
Winterfest Park ‘N Ride Shuttle
A free shuttle will operate Saturday from 9:45 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 9:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. The shuttle will pick up and drop off at Barrie Transit stop #203, located on Coulter Street behind the Bayfield Mall. Riders can park at the Bayfield Mall, accessed off Highway 400 and Bayfield Street. The shuttle will bring riders downtown to Platform 13 of the Barrie Transit Terminal, located at 24 Maple Avenue. From the terminal, it’s a short walk to Heritage Park and Meridian Place. MyRideBarrie.ca/News
Parking
Downtown and waterfront parking is available within close walking distance to Heritage Park and downtown Barrie, including in the Collier Street Parkade, located between Owen Street and Clapperton Street. Downtown parking rates are not enforced on weekends. Waterfront parking areas and Hybrid Parking Lots (Spirit Catcher, Lakeshore Drive and North Marina) are enforced 24/7/365. When planning your trip, review municipal parking guidelines to see the rates and available parking options.
Road closure
Simcoe Street will be closed from Maple Avenue to Dunlop Street from 6 a.m. on Feb. 4 to 6 p.m. on Feb. 5.
Winterfest kicks off Hello Winter; a month-long celebration of winter in Barrie, with events, activities and programs happening around the city throughout February, including a Family Day Winter Adventure at the Barrie Community Sports Complex.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Broadcaster and commentator Rex Murphy dead at 77: National Post
The National Post is reporting that Rex Murphy, the pundit and columnist who hosted a national call-in radio show for decades, has died.
Pearson gold heist suspect arrested after flying into Toronto from India
Another suspect is in custody in connection with the gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport last year, police say.
Millions of cyberattacks per hour as B.C. government investigates multiple breaches
Careful attention to government statements and legislation is required to get a handle on the level of risk British Columbians’ information is under, as investigators probe multiple breaches under a continued barrage of attacks.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Debate on abortion rights erupts on Parliament Hill, Poilievre vows he won't legislate
A Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre would not legislate on, nor use the notwithstanding clause, on abortion, his office says, as anti-abortion protesters gather on Parliament Hill.
Justin and Hailey Bieber are expecting their first child together
Hailey and Justin Bieber are going to be parents. The couple announced the news on Thursday on Instagram, both sharing a video that showcases Hailey Bieber's growing belly.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
New 'Lord of the Rings' film coming in 2026
The Oscar-winning team behind the nearly US$6 billion blockbuster 'Lord of the Rings' and 'The Hobbit' trilogies is reuniting to produce two new films.