Award-winning comedy, music and local storytelling returns to Barrie for 10-day special

Short excerpts from the shows featured in the 2026 Barrie Theatre Festival at the Five Points Theatre in Barrie, Ont., on June 4, 2026. (CTV News/Chris Garry)

The Barrie Theatre Festival has returned to the city, offering a unique blend of comedy, high-energy music, dance and local storytelling over a 10-day span.

This month’s festival, presented by Tourism Barrie, runs now until June 13 and showcases six productions from professional artists and theatre companies across Ontario.

The festival’s Featured Series includes two award-winning comedies.

Milk Milk Lemonade from Mallowmarsh Productions – Presented by Adams Hamilton – 7 p.m. (June 4-13)

Milk Milk Lemonade follows a group of elementary school students navigating everything from schoolyard politics to health class mishaps.

The fast-paced comedy won multiple awards at the 2025 Toronto Fringe Festival and stars Emma Nelles and Jonas Trottier.

SwordPlay: A Play of Swords Sex T-Rex – Presented by A. Jones Wealth & Estate Planning – 8:30 p.m. (June 4-13)

Returning to Barrie after appearing at last year’s festival, Toronto comedy troupe Sex T-Rex will present SwordPlay: A Play of Swords.

The adventure comedy parodies classic fantasy stories, swashbuckling films and retro video games. The show has received numerous awards across Canada, like a Dora Mavor Moore Award for Outstanding Ensemble.

Village Idiots by Ben Anderson – Presented by Plumbtech – 4 p.m. (June 4-8)

Village Idiots by Ben Anderson is an absurd comedy about three small-town council members whose plans for a long weekend are interrupted by reports of a bear heading toward their village.

You, Me and the Big Screen performed by Danny Cannis – Presented by Chartwell – 5 p.m. (June 4-8)

Musician Danny Cannis brings You, Me and the Big Screen to the festival, a 45 minute musical performance featuring songs inspired by popular films including Rocky, Top Gun and Flashdance.

There Are Enemies By Michael Whyte – Presented by Barriston Law – 4 p.m. (June 9-13)

There Are Enemies by Michael Whyte is set in Parry Sound during the Second World War and is inspired by rumours that enemy spies were operating in the region.

How Do You Live? Simcoe Contemporary Dancers – Supported by the DV Bell Foundation – 5 p.m. (June 9-13)

The festival will also feature How Do You Live? by Simcoe Contemporary Dancers, a dance production that explores themes of grief, joy, change and human connection through movement. The work focuses on how people move through change, uncertainty and emotional transition.

Festival performances take place at Five Points Theatre on Dunlop Street.