Barrie cancels NYE celebrations amid severe winter weather

Firework display in Downtown Barrie, Ont. (Barrie BIA)

What was meant to ring in 2026 with music and fireworks will instead be a quiet, snowy night in Barrie, after city officials cancelled the New Year’s Eve celebration due to severe winter weather and possible safety risks.

The city announced the cancellation of the NYE celebration at Meridian Place on Wednesday morning, stating deteriorating conditions and an Environment Canada Orange Warning have led to the decision.

Staff say the ongoing snow ‘has created challenges for event setup and presents potentially unsafe conditions.’

“In addition to operational considerations, the substantial snowfall and deteriorating weather conditions present significant safety concerns,” said Kevin Datema, director of recreation and culture services. “We regret that circumstances beyond our control are preventing us from hosting the event as planned; however, we will always prioritize the safety of the public, staff, performers, and vendors.”

A significant weather event still remains in effect across Barrie and some bordering townships. The city has also declared a winter maintenance event. This means on-street parking will not be permitted to allow crews to clear snow more effectively.

Another Kim Mitchell cancellation

While the celebration has been cancelled, the city says plans are already in place to reschedule the festivities.

Kim Mitchell’s performance and the fireworks display are expected to be moved to Winterfest, scheduled for the weekend of Feb. 7 and 8, 2026.

Kim Mitchell, who was set to take the stage at Meridian Place NYE night, has won three JUNO Awards and achieved gold and multi-platinum status over his career.

This isn’t the first time Mitchell was slated to perform in Barrie until cancellations took the forefront. In 2017, he was set to take the stage before it was called off last minute, disappointing fans.

During this time, motorists and residents are advised to use extra caution in and around the area, as the city says it may not be able to meet its maintenance standards for roads, bike lanes, and sidewalks.