Winter Wonderland Meets Learning Wonderland: Your Guide to Barrie Winterfest 2025

Barrie Winterfest is back and ready to bring the community together for two exciting days of winter fun! On February 1st and 2nd, families can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities, live entertainment, ice sculptures, and so much more at this annual event organized by the City of Barrie Special Events Team. At Teachers on Call, our in-person and online tutoring team believes that learning happens everywhere—whether it’s in the classroom, at home, or even at a community event like Winterfest. That’s why we encourage families to embrace this incredible opportunity for both fun and learning. We're excited to share an inside look at Barrie Winterfest through a special interview with the organizing team—read on for all the details!

Barrie Winterfest is one of the city’s most anticipated events, eagerly awaited by the entire community for its fun-filled activities, creative experiences, and winter adventures for all ages! The event offers a chance for kids to explore their creative side with art and crafts, develop problem-solving skills during fun challenges, and experience winter sports like ice skating. Parents will also find Barrie Winterfest to be a great way to bond with their children while enjoying the winter season together. In addition to the hands-on learning experiences, we’re thrilled to announce that we’ll be sharing an exclusive interview with Ashley Chappell, Supervisor of Special Events for the City of Barrie, where she’ll give us an inside look at the planning behind Winterfest and what makes it so special for the Barrie community.

Participating Barrie Winterfest Locations

In 2025, Winterfest is Taking Seasonal Fun to New Venues in Barrie. The City of Barrie is located in Central Ontario, nestled on the western shore of Lake Simcoe. Just a short drive north of Toronto, it is positioned between the cities of Vaughan to the south, Orillia to the north, and Innisfil to the west. Barrie is known for its vibrant waterfront, outdoor recreational activities, and stunning natural landscapes, making it a popular destination year-round.

• Centennial Park 297 Lakeshore Dr, Barrie ON, L4N 7Y9  
• Will Dwyer Park 81 Lakeshore Dr, Barrie ON, L4N 7Y9
• Five Points Theatre 1 Dunlop St W, Barrie ON, L4N 1A1

Behind the Snowflakes: A Sneak Peek with Ashley Chappell on What’s in Store for Barrie Winterfest!

Could you tell us about the history of Barrie Winterfest? What year did it begin, and how has the event evolved over the years? 

Barrie’s Winterfest has a history rooted in the original Barrie Winter Carnival, which was first hosted in 1957.  While the event organizers and festival name has changed over the years, the desire to celebrate all things winter in Barrie remains today.

Is there an entry cost to participate in Barrie Winterfest events and activities, or are there any specific ticketed experiences visitors should be aware of?

Admission to Winterfest as a whole is free with many free activities to participate in including Snow Valley’s mini tube slide, winter animals exhibit by Speaking of Wildlife, busker-style entertainment, snow & ice sculptures and fireside marshmallow roasting.  There are few activities which do have a cost associated with them including helicopter rides over Kempenfelt Bay, Food and artisan vendors and a winter cookout in support of the Scouts.  New this year, Winterfest is also pleased to present the Dino Experience in partnership with Moonwalk Entertainment at Five Points Theatre ($5/child admission fee).  At the Dino Experience, kids will be able to meet and interact with life-like dinosaurs and view a fossil display and pretend fossil dig.

How many visitors are you expecting for Winterfest in 2025, and where do most of the attendees typically travel from to attend?

In 2024, Winterfest had over 35,000 attendees  with over 10% travelling from over 40km away. The overall economic impact of this event for the City of Barrie is over $1.7 million (source: Tourism Barrie).

What food vendors or opportunities will be available during Winterfest? Are there any nearby local restaurants you’d recommend for families to grab dinner after the festival? 

There will be a number of food vendors on site to enjoy, as well as the Cookout presented by the Scouts.  We also encourage everyone to explore the downtown restaurants participating in the Hot Cocoa Trail which can be found at Hot Cocoa Trail - 2025 - Downtown Barrie BIA.

What educational activities or family-friendly attractions can attendees expect to enjoy during Winterfest?

City of Barrie is pleased to present Speaking of Wildlife who provide free educational presentations and discuss various animals in winter.  New this year, Winterfest is also pleased to present the Dino Experience in partnership with Moonwalk Entertainment at Five Points Theatre ($5/child admission fee).  At the Dino Experience, kids will be able to meet and interact with life-like dinosaurs and view a fossil display and pretend fossil dig.

Are there volunteer opportunities for students looking to complete their high school graduation community service hours? How can they sign up to get involved with Winterfest?

City of Barrie is always looking for volunteers for this event and others.  We encourage interested students to reach out to us at events@barrie.ca for information on upcoming opportunities.

Check out What Students in Ontario Need to Know About Volunteering.

What outdoor activities will be offered for families this year, and are there any special attractions or events unique to the 2025 Winterfest?

• Snow Valley’s mini tube slide
• Speaking of Wildlife exhibit
• Inflatables and games
• Buskers & family entertainment
• Fire pit warming zone
• Shinny hockey at the Will Dwyer Park Community Ice Rink
• 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 permitting)
• Maple taffy samples
• Fireside Marshmallow Roasting: Back by popular demand, the fireside marshmallow roasting experience. Roast a marshmallow over the warm glow of the hardwood fire.
• Nature Play Trailer: Play with the ice and snow in a unique way. The Sandy Shores Snow Kitchen will have an assortment of loose natural parks with a full kitchen set up along with a Snow Hut among the evergreens.
• Scouts winter cookout ($)
• Helicopter rides ($) Weather permitting; $90/person; Saturday 10am–4pm, Sunday 10am–3pm
• Vendor market ($) featuring: BeaverTails Simcoe Muskoka Mobile; Captain Cook de Fries; Foodiez Barrie; Hungarian Bites; Kono Pizza; Link Haus; Mr.C's Freeze Dried Treats; Smoke’s Poutinerie; Spiducci Shack; ; The Fry-R Truck; Urban Grind Coffee Co.; and more!

What do you hope the Barrie community and its visitors take away from the 2025 Winterfest experience in terms of community spirit, engagement, and enjoyment? 

We hope that folks will be encouraged to get out and enjoy the winter weather with these outdoor activities and beat the winter blues.  Winterfest is also a multi-year winner of Festivals and Events Ontario Top 100 Festivals, which we always hope residents of Barrie can be proud of.

Winterfest is Heating Up Downtown Barrie, and there’s no better way to embrace the season than by getting out and enjoying all that this fantastic event has to offer. Whether you're ice skating, exploring the Dino Experience, or learning about wildlife adaptations in the winter through educational presentations, Winterfest offers fun, science, and hands-on learning for all ages. It's the perfect opportunity for families to combine outdoor play with engaging scientific discoveries, from the fascinating world of dinosaurs to the wonders of winter ecology.

So, bundle up, bring your loved ones, and join us in celebrating the magic of winter through science, creativity, and community spirit. Don’t miss out on this chance to make lasting memories and experience a winter wonderland in the heart of Barrie. Want to explore more seasonal festivals this year? Be sure to check out our blog, where we round up family-friendly events happening from coast to coast: Winter Fun Awaits: Family-Friendly Adventures Across Canada This Season!