The Town of Bracebridge has received the Municipal World WinterLife Award, recognizing its efforts to create engaging winter experiences that bring residents, visitors, businesses and volunteers together throughout the colder months.
The award celebrates communities that demonstrate excellence in winter community engagement. Bracebridge’s submission highlighted signature events including the Festival of Lights and the Fire & Ice Festival, as well as the widespread community support that helps make those events successful year after year.
The Festival of Lights, delivered through a partnership between the Town of Bracebridge and the Downtown Bracebridge BIA, marks the unofficial start of the holiday season. The event features live entertainment, family activities, Santa Claus, a holiday train and a fireworks countdown. Seasonal initiatives such as the Let It Glow holiday window display contest and the BIA’s Elf on the Shelf Scavenger Hunt help keep residents and visitors engaged throughout the festive season while supporting local businesses.
Winter celebrations continue in January with the annual Fire & Ice Festival, which transforms downtown Bracebridge into a winter-themed destination. Manitoba Street becomes home to the festival’s popular tube run, along with skating, snowshoeing, ice sculpting, curling, mini hockey, fire pits, live entertainment and food vendors.
The 2026 Fire & Ice Festival was supported by approximately 110 volunteers ranging in age from 14 to 75, reflecting the broad community involvement behind the event. Organizers say those contributions are one example of the town-wide participation that makes Bracebridge’s winter programming possible.
Town officials also noted the economic benefits of winter events. While tourism activity is typically slower during the colder months, festivals such as Fire & Ice help attract residents and visitors to the downtown core, supporting local retailers, restaurants and accommodations.
The Municipal World WinterLife Award recognizes those combined efforts and highlights Bracebridge’s commitment to embracing winter as a season for community connection, celebration and economic activity.
