Get ready for a festive adventure in Barrie with our guide. Discover all the exciting holiday events. Whether Barrie is your everyday reality or your dream destination, our guide brings holiday magic to life.
Kick off the holiday season with the beloved Barrie Santa Claus Parade, featuring joyous floats and cheerful community spirit. Embrace the joy of giving through the Christmas Cheer Program, providing much-needed support to local families. And the Festival of Trees is something you definitely don't want to miss, showcasing stunningly decorated trees that light up the season. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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The Top Christmas Events in Barrie
- Barrie Santa Claus Parade
- Christmas Cheer Program
- Festival of Trees
- Holiday Market
- Christmas Craft Show
- Barrie Christmas Market
- Holiday Tree Lighting
- Horse-Drawn Wagon Rides
- Holiday Light Tour
- Winter Wonderland
Barrie Holiday Light Displays
Holiday Tree Lighting
What to Expect:
Incorporates a community sing-along
Description:
Barrie's Holiday Tree Lighting ceremony unites the community in song and celebration. As the massive evergreen illuminates, hundreds of voices join together in a heartwarming sing-along of classic carols. The event sparkles with thousands of twinkling lights, creating a captivating backdrop for family photos. You can participate in the countdown to the grand illumination. This tradition has been a cornerstone of Barrie's holiday festivities for over three decades, growing from a simple lighting ceremony to a full-fledged community gathering.
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Holiday Light Tour
What to Expect:
Self-guided tour of elaborately decorated homes
Description:
The Holiday Light Tour in Barrie invites visitors to embark on a self-guided adventure through neighborhoods aglow with festive displays. Homeowners compete to create the most elaborate and creative light installations, turning entire streets into dazzling spectacles. The tour map guides participants to hidden gems and local favorites, revealing the community's passion for holiday decorating. You can vote for your favorite display using a mobile app. This grassroots event has grown organically over the years, fostering friendly competition and community spirit among Barrie residents.
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Barrie Holiday Markets and Shopping
Holiday Market
What to Expect:
Focuses on locally made artisanal gifts and products
Description:
Barrie's Holiday Market celebrates the talent of local artisans and craftspeople. The market bustles with activity as shoppers peruse stalls filled with handcrafted jewelry, homemade preserves, and unique artwork. The aroma of freshly baked goods wafts through the air, tempting visitors to indulge in seasonal treats. You can chat with makers and learn the stories behind their creations. This market has grown from a small gathering of vendors to a significant event that showcases the rich artistic community of Simcoe County.
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Christmas Craft Show
What to Expect:
Offers hands-on craft-making experiences
Description:
The Christmas Craft Show in Barrie stands out by offering interactive craft-making stations alongside traditional vendor booths. Attendees can try their hand at creating personalized ornaments, wreath-making, or holiday card design under the guidance of skilled artisans. The show hums with creative energy as people of all ages discover their artistic talents. You can take home a unique, handmade souvenir from your experience. This event has evolved over the years to focus on engaging visitors in the craft-making process, fostering a deeper appreciation for handmade holiday items.
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Barrie Christmas Market
What to Expect:
Combines European-style market with Canadian winter traditions
Description:
Barrie's Christmas Market blends the charm of European holiday markets with distinctly Canadian winter traditions. Wooden chalets line the streets, offering everything from artisanal cheeses to hand-knitted mittens. The market comes alive with the sounds of live music performances and the laughter of children enjoying outdoor ice skating. You can warm up with a cup of mulled wine while browsing the unique gifts. This market, inspired by the famous Christkindlmarkts of Germany, has become a beloved annual event since its introduction to Barrie in 2010.
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Barrie Holiday Giving Opportunities
Christmas Cheer Program
What to Expect:
Community-driven holiday assistance program
Description:
The Christmas Cheer Program in Barrie embodies the spirit of community support during the holiday season. This grassroots initiative rallies local volunteers to provide food hampers and gifts to families in need. Barrie residents come together to sort donations, pack boxes, and ensure every child has a present to unwrap. You can contribute by donating items or volunteering your time. The program has deep roots in the city, having started in the 1970s as a small church outreach and growing into a city-wide effort that assists thousands each year.
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Barrie Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Barrie Santa Claus Parade
What to Expect:
Largest holiday parade in Simcoe County
Description:
Barrie's Santa Claus Parade transforms the city streets into a moving spectacle of holiday cheer. As the largest parade in Simcoe County, it features over 50 elaborately decorated floats, marching bands, and community groups. The air fills with the sound of joyful carols as participants showcase their creativity. You can join thousands of spectators lining the route, waving to Santa as he makes his grand appearance. This beloved tradition dates back to 1945, bringing generations of families together to kick off the holiday season.
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Festival of Trees
What to Expect:
Showcases uniquely decorated trees by local organizations
Description:
The Festival of Trees in Barrie dazzles visitors with a forest of creatively adorned Christmas trees. Local businesses, schools, and community groups compete to design the most eye-catching tree, resulting in a diverse display of holiday artistry. The event space buzzes with excitement as attendees vote for their favorite creations. You can explore the winter wonderland and gain inspiration for your own holiday decorating. This festival has become a cherished Barrie tradition since its inception in 1995, raising funds for local charities while spreading holiday cheer.
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Church Christmas Concert
What to Expect:
Showcases a mix of traditional and contemporary holiday music
Description:
The Church Christmas Concert in Barrie bridges the gap between classic carols and modern holiday tunes. The historic church's vaulted ceilings resonate with the harmonies of a diverse choir, accompanied by both traditional organ music and contemporary instruments. The concert features local soloists and musicians, highlighting the wealth of talent in the Barrie community. You can experience the contrast of centuries-old hymns alongside newly composed holiday pieces. This annual event has evolved over the years to embrace a wide range of musical styles, attracting audiences of all ages and backgrounds.
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Handel's Messiah Concert
What to Expect:
Combines professional musicians with a community chorus
Description:
The Handel's Messiah Concert in Barrie unites professional soloists and orchestra members with a large community chorus. The performance resonates through the concert hall, bringing this timeless oratorio to life with both technical precision and heartfelt enthusiasm. The event showcases the musical talent fostered in Barrie's schools and community programs alongside seasoned professionals. You can experience the power of Handel's masterpiece performed by over 100 voices and instruments. This annual concert has been a cornerstone of Barrie's classical music scene for over 40 years, drawing audiences from across the region.
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Barrie Other Holiday Activities
Horse-Drawn Wagon Rides
What to Expect:
Travels through historic downtown Barrie
Description:
Horse-Drawn Wagon Rides in Barrie offer a nostalgic journey through the city's charming downtown core. The clip-clop of hooves on pavement transports riders to a bygone era as they pass by heritage buildings adorned with holiday decorations. Blanket-covered passengers can admire the architectural details of Barrie's historic district from a unique vantage point. You can learn about the city's past from knowledgeable guides during the ride. This activity has been delighting visitors and locals alike for over 20 years, providing a slower-paced alternative to explore Barrie's winter beauty.
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Winter Wonderland
What to Expect:
Combines outdoor winter activities with holiday celebrations
Description:
Barrie's Winter Wonderland transforms the waterfront into a hub of cold-weather fun and holiday cheer. Visitors can glide across the outdoor ice rink, zoom down snow tubing hills, and warm up by fire pits while sipping hot cocoa. The event grounds come alive with the laughter of children building snowmen and adults trying their hand at ice sculpting. You can challenge friends to a friendly snowball target practice competition. This annual event celebrates Barrie's embrace of winter, showcasing the city's natural beauty and outdoor recreational opportunities during the holiday season.
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Breakfast with Santa
What to Expect:
Includes a toy-making workshop with elves
Description:
Breakfast with Santa in Barrie goes beyond the typical meet-and-greet, offering children a chance to work alongside Santa's elves in a special toy-making workshop. The event bustles with excitement as little ones craft their own holiday gifts under expert guidance. The aroma of freshly made pancakes fills the air as families enjoy a hearty breakfast together. You can capture memories with a professional photo session with Santa himself. This interactive experience has been delighting Barrie's children for over a decade, providing a unique twist on the traditional Santa breakfast.
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Christmas Break Camp
What to Expect:
Focuses on outdoor winter skills and holiday crafts
Description:
The Christmas Break Camp in Barrie combines outdoor winter adventure with holiday-themed activities. Children learn valuable cold-weather skills like building quinzhees (snow shelters) and identifying animal tracks, interspersed with festive craft sessions. The camp buzzes with energy as kids try their hand at ice fishing, snowshoeing, and creating natural holiday decorations. You can watch your child gain confidence in the winter environment while making new friends. This unique camp program, developed in partnership with local outdoor education experts, has been nurturing a love for winter in Barrie's youth since 2015.
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Holiday Craft Workshops
What to Expect:
Focuses on eco-friendly and upcycled holiday crafts
Description:
Holiday Craft Workshops in Barrie emphasize sustainability and creativity in festive decorating. Participants learn to create beautiful ornaments, wreaths, and gifts using recycled materials and natural elements found in the local environment. The workshops buzz with activity as attendees transform old sweaters into cozy stockings or fashion pinecones into elegant table centerpieces. You can discover new ways to reduce holiday waste while creating unique decorations. These workshops, initiated by local environmental groups, have been inspiring eco-conscious holiday celebrations in Barrie since 2018.
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Santa's Village
What to Expect:
Interactive North Pole experience with themed rooms
Description:
Santa's Village in Barrie immerses visitors in a multi-room North Pole adventure. Each themed area brings a different aspect of Santa's world to life, from Mrs. Claus's bustling kitchen to the elf workshop filled with whirring toy-making machines. The village hums with activity as children participate in hands-on activities like cookie decorating and present wrapping. You can help the elves sort letters to Santa in the North Pole post office. This elaborate setup, designed by local theater professionals, has been expanding and evolving since its debut in 2012, becoming a must-visit holiday destination in Barrie.
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New Year's Eve Bash
What to Expect:
Combines indoor and outdoor celebrations with a unique countdown
Description:
Barrie's New Year's Eve Bash spans both indoor venues and outdoor spaces, culminating in a spectacular lakeside fireworks display. The event features live music performances, ice sculpture demonstrations, and food vendors offering global cuisine. As midnight approaches, the crowd gathers for a unique countdown projected onto the frozen surface of Kempenfelt Bay. You can join the throngs of revelers in a mass snowball toss at the stroke of midnight. This city-wide celebration has grown from a small gathering to a major regional event, attracting thousands of visitors to ring in the New Year in Barrie's picturesque waterfront setting.