The City of Barrie’s annual Winterfest event returns February 1 and 2 with free activities and programming taking place in a new location – Centennial Park & Will Dwyer Park, as well as downtown Barrie and other venues in the city.
Winterfest is a community tradition and is regularly named one of the top winter festivals in Ontario. The event typically attracts visitors from all over the province.
The outdoor activities and entertainment are hosted at Centennial Park and Will Dwyer Park on Saturday, February 1 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, February 2 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
In addition to the scheduled entertainment, attendees can enjoy watching ice sculptures carved from 300-pound blocks of ice by professional sculptors on Friday night, Saturday, and Sunday.
This year's theme will take you on a journey to explore the incredible world of the dinosaurs and will be lit to enjoy at night.
Top off the event experience by visiting one of Downtown Barrie's many restaurants.
Scheduled activities happening at Centennial/Will Dwyer Park:
- Snow Valley’s mini tube slide
- Nature in Winter programming
- Speaking of Wildlife exhibit
- Inflatables and games
- Buskers & family entertainment
- Maple taffy samples
- Fire pit warming zone
- Snow Sculpture Maze by artist Siggi Buhler
- Toronto Kite Fliers showcase of kites of all sizes, shapes, and colours in a special winter aerial display (weather/wind permitting)
- Scouts winter cookout ($)
- Helicopter rides ($) (weather permitting; $90/person, Saturday 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.)
- Food Trucks ($)
- Vendor market ($)
Activities at other locations include:
- Dino Experience at the Five Points Theatre ($)
- Skating
- Barrie Lions Club Winterfest Pancake Breakfast at Collier Street United Church (Saturday only)
- Barrie Farmers’ Market (Saturday only)
- February Blues Festival performances at various locations
- Downtown Barrie’s Hot Cocoa Trail
- MacLaren Art Centre activities
Outdoor activities are weather permitting. For full details on the events, activities and programs happening Winterfest weekend, visit barrie.ca/winterfest.
Barrie's News Delivered To Your Inbox
By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: Central Ontario Broadcasting, 431 Huronia Rd, Barrie, Ontario, CA, https://www.cobroadcasting.com. You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact
Winterfest Park ‘N Ride Shuttle
A free shuttle will operate Saturday from 9:50 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 9:50 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Park behind the Bayfield Mall off Coulter Street, easily accessed from Highway 400, and the shuttle will pick up and drop off at Barrie Transit stop #203 located on Coulter Street.
Stops will also include the Downtown Terminal, Lakeshore Drive at Victoria Street, and Lakeshore Drive at Centennial Park, so you can park and hop on/off conveniently along the route.
Visit MyRideBarrie.ca/News to view the shuttle schedule and map.
Parking
There’s plenty of parking available within walking distance. Downtown parking is free on weekends. Waterfront parking areas and Hybrid Parking Lots (Spirit Catcher, Lakeshore Drive and North Marina) are free for vehicles registered with a digital waterfront parking permit.
Parking rates are $10 per hour or $50 per day.
Hello Winter
Winterfest kicks off Hello Winter; a month-long celebration of winter in Barrie, with events, activities and programs happening around the city throughout February.
For more information visit barrie.ca/HelloWinter.
