New Year's Eve celebrations; What's Open and Closed New Year's Eve, Day

NEW YEAR'S EVE

• some retailers, including grocery stores, will be closing earlier than usual
• beer stores close by 6 p.m., some will close earlier source, The Beer Store website
• LCBO closing times vary, most by 6 p.m. (Bayfield and Hanmer location open until 8 p.m.) source, LCBO website

OPEN

• Georgian Mall - 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
• Bayfield Mall - 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
• Kozlov Centre - closed
• Orillia Square Mall - 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
• Tanger Outlets - 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
• Upper Canada Mall - 10 a.m. 6 p.m.
• Vaughan Mills - 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

• Some drug stores will be open late: Click below for which locations are open and hours
  • Shoppers Drug Mart
  • Rexall
  • Guardian
• convenience stores
• gas stations
• some coffee shops
• some restaurants
• movie theatres
• Casino Rama - Orillia
• Gateway Casinos - Innisfil

Public Transit

• Barrie - regular Sunday schedule; service will be free on New Year’s Eve starting at 5 p.m., and Route 1 and Route 8 will operate until 3 a.m.
• Orillia - regular Sunday schedule; service will be free from 7:45 p.m. until 1:45 a.m. Last departure from the downtown terminal is Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023 at 1:15 a.m. 
• Bradford - no service
• Clearview - regular Sunday schedule
• Colltrans - regular Sunday schedule
• Midland/Penetanguishene - last run starts at 4:15 p.m.
• Simcoe County Linx - regular Sunday service
• GO Transit - free service starting at 7 p.m. There will be special train service added to most corridors and some late-night bus trips have been adjusted.
  • Special trains operating from Union Station after midnight – and throughout the night - on New Year’s Eve:
    • 12:55 a.m. Union Station to Aurora GO, arriving at 1:45 a.m.
    • 2:15 a.m. Union Station to Allandale Waterfront GO, arriving at 3:58 a.m.
    • 4:10 a.m. Union Station to Aurora GO, arriving at 5 a.m.
    • Additional service adjustments on Dec. 31:
      • The 9:54 p.m. and 10:54 p.m. northbound trains from Union Station will make all stops to Aurora GO. Note: Stops between Newmarket GO and Bradford GO will not be operating to make way for additional New Year’s Eve service.

Celebrations

BARRIE - DOWNTOWN COUNTDOWN - The City of Barrie’s Downtown Countdown event will take place at Barrie City Hall (70 Collier Street) starting at 6 p.m. This free evening of fun and entertainment has become one of Central Ontario's largest New Year's Eve celebrations.

In addition to the headliner Big Wreck and children’s performers Sonshine and Broccoli, the musical lineup will feature local band The Faculty and opening act Bleeker.

There will be two fireworks shows – the first at approximately 8pm and the second at midnight.

• Collier Street from Owen Street to Mulcaster Street: 6 a.m. December 30 to 12 noon January 1
• Collier Street from Mulcaster Street to Poyntz Street: 3 p.m. December 31 to 2 a.m. January 1
• Mulcaster Street from Dunlop Street to Worsley Street: 3 p.m. December 31 to 2 a.m. January 1

Barrie Transit service will be free on New Year’s Eve starting at 5 p.m., and all routes will operate until 3 a.m.

ORILLIA - NEW YEAR'S EVE BASH - Orillia Recreation Centre (255 West St. S.); from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Included in this year’s festivities is the annual balloon drop with biodegradable balloons, face painting, crafts, table tennis and other games, two open swims, and a variety of bouncy castles and other inflatables. Complimentary popcorn and cotton candy. In addition to the New Year’s Eve Bash, holiday skating will take place on New Year’s Eve at the Rotary Place Arena (100 University Ave.) from 1 to 3 p.m. Free transit will be available in Orillia on New Year’s Eve from 4:45 p.m. to 1:45 a.m.

BRADFORD - FAMILY FIRST NIGHT - BWG Leisure Centre (471 West Park Ave.)​​, ​6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m., Events and activities for families and friends to enjoy! Activities will be available free of charge to event participants.​

NEW YEAR'S DAY

CLOSED

• Government offices
• Canada Post
• Banks
• most shopping malls
• most grocery stores
• beer stores
• liquor stores

OPEN

• Upper Canada Mall - 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
• Vaughan Mills - modified hours per website
• Some drug stores: Click below for which locations are open and hours
  • Shoppers Drug Mart
  • Rexall
  • Guardian
• convenience stores
• gas stations
• some coffee shops
• some restaurants
• movie theatres
• Casino Rama - Orillia
• Gateway Casinos - Innisfil

Public Transit

• Barrie - none
• Bradford - none
• Clearview - none
• Colltrans - none
• Midland - none
• Orillia - none
• Simcoe County Linx - none, except Route 4, which will be operating on a Sunday schedule
• GO Transit - Saturday schedule

Garbage Collection

• Barrie - no collection today, collection will be a day late this week; Christmas tree collection occurs throughout January on regular collection day
• Orillia - no collection today, collection will be a day late this week; Christmas tree collection runs through to Jan. 13
• Simcoe County - regular collection day; Christmas tree collection occurs throughout January