If you are busting for butter tarts, then there is no better place to be than downtown Barrie.
On Saturday, July 11, 2026, the downtown will be the sweetest destination for the 3rd annual Open Air Dunlop Butter Tart Festival.
The festival begins at 10 a.m. and features 20 of Ontario's top butter tart creators.
There will also be more than 100 vendors, including bakers, artisans, specialty food vendors, and local retailers.
One of the highlights of the day will be the butter tart competition ( 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.), as bakers compete for butter tart bragging rights. A panel of judges will taste, score, and crown the champions. This year's competition features two delicious categories:
Traditional - celebrating the classics, including plain, raisin, pecan, walnut, maple, currants, coconut, and other family favourites.
Bliss - featuring inventive butter tarts with unexpected ingredients, exciting flavour combinations, and imaginative dessert-inspired twists
According to the Downtown Barrie BIA, the festival honours the believed origins of Canada's first butter tart recipe, developed by the Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre Auxiliary in 1903. To continue the legacy, the festival supports the RVH Keel Life Wild Campaign, helping to strengthen healthcare throughout the region.
"The Butter Tart Festival has quickly become one of those signature Downtown Barrie experiences that people circle on their calendars," says Steve Ricalis, Chair of the Downtown Barrie BIA and owner of Donaleigh's Irish Public House and Dunlop Diner. "It's incredible to watch our downtown streets come alive with families, friends, visitors, and local businesses all celebrating together. Whether you're searching for the perfect butter tart or simply enjoying the atmosphere, there's something special about seeing our community gather in the heart of Barrie."
The butter tart portion of Open Air Dunlop winds down at 5 p.m., but the celebration continues at Meridian Place with a free concert at 7:30 p.m. by legendary rock icon Kim Mitchell. The show was originally scheduled as part of Barrie's New Year's Eve Celebration, but was cancelled due to severe weather.
