Kim Mitchell to headline New Year’s Eve event in downtown Barrie

Event begins at 5 p.m. Wednesday; numerous food trucks will be on hand at Meridian Place

NEWS RELEASE
DOWNTOWN BARRIE BIA
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Downtown Barrie is ready to welcome the New Year in style as the City of Barrie’s annual New Year’s Eve Celebration moves to a new downtown location at Meridian Place for 2025. Taking place on Wednesday, Dec. 31, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., this free, family-friendly event invites the community to celebrate the arrival of 2026 against the backdrop of Barrie’s beautiful waterfront and vibrant downtown core.

Since 1998, Barrie’s New Year’s Eve festivities have drawn thousands from near and far. This year’s move to Meridian Place creates an exciting opportunity to showcase one of the city’s premier public spaces while making the event even more accessible for families and visitors.

An Evening of Free Family-Friendly Fun

The NYE Celebration at Meridian Place will feature the activities residents know and love, including:

• Live music and entertainment
• Roaming performers and buskers
• Inflatables and interactive games
• Cozy bonfire warming zone
• Community art activity and photo opportunities
• A variety of food trucks offering delicious treats

The celebration will conclude with a spectacular fireworks finale at 9 p.m., lighting up the sky over Heritage Park and the downtown waterfront.

Live Music Lineup

Schedule subject to change

• 5–9 p.m. – Activities & vendors open
  Event Emcee: Scott Jackson
• 5:30–6 p.m. – The Munich Layover
• 6:30–7:15 p.m. – Barstool Confession
• 7:50–8:55 p.m. – Kim Mitchell, multi-platinum, JUNO Award–winning Canadian rock icon
• 8:55 p.m. – Greetings from dignitaries
• 9 p.m. – Fireworks finale over Heritage Park

Keep the Celebration Going Downtown

After the fireworks, visitors are encouraged to continue ringing in the New Year at one of Downtown Barrie’s many restaurants, pubs, and gathering spots—perfect for celebrating with friends, neighbours, and colleagues all the way to midnight.

Community Art Activity: Share Your 2025 Magic

Families and visitors are invited to take part in Share Your 2025 Magic, a reflective community art experience where participants decorate wooden ornaments with words, messages, or drawings inspired by moments of joy, wonder, and connection from the past year. These ornaments will form a temporary public art installation in Meridian Place through Jan. 5, 2026.

Food Trucks On Site

• BeaverTails
• Domino’s Pizza
• Drizzled By Adrienne
• Foodiez Barrie
• Miss Richie’s Kitchen
• Smoke’s Poutinerie
• Space Station Sweets
• Stevie’s Kettle Corn

Transit, Parking & Road Closures

• Barrie Transit will be free starting at 5 p.m., with extended service until 3 a.m.
• Downtown parking is free after 5 p.m., including the Collier Street Parkade
• Simcoe Street (Bayfield to Dunlop/Mulcaster) will be closed 2-11 p.m. on Dec. 31
  (Local traffic only for Lakeshore Mews & Heritage parking lots)

Sponsors and Partners

The Barrie New Year’s Eve Celebration is generously sponsored by Alectra, with in-kind support from the Downtown Barrie BIA and Moonwalk Entertainment.

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