Barrie rings in 2026 with Canadian rock icon

Canadian rock icon Kim Mitchell.

Barrie is shaking up its New Year’s Eve tradition with a new location, an earlier schedule and a big-name Canadian rocker to headline the party.

Multi-platinum, JUNO Award-winning artist Kim Mitchell will take the stage at Meridian Place on Dec. 31 at around 7:50 p.m. as part of the city’s revamped celebration.

The free event runs from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and promises an evening packed with family-friendly activities, live entertainment and a fireworks finale.

“Downtown Barrie is the place to be for our community to come together and celebrate the New Year,” Mayor Alex Nuttall said in a statement. “Welcome 2026 with Kim Mitchell, along with an exciting line-up of entertainment, a variety of family activities and of course, the grand finale, a spectacular fireworks display.”

The move marks the end of Barrie’s long-running Downtown Countdown, which featured late-night concerts outside City Hall and a midnight fireworks show for 25 years. City staff say the change reflects growing demand for earlier, family-focused festivities.

What’s new this year?

• Location: Meridian Place in the heart of downtown Barrie
• Schedule: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., with fireworks at 9 p.m. from Heritage Park
• Activities: Inflatables, interactive games, face painting, button-making, busker performances, bonfire warming zone and food trucks ($)
• Music: Live performances starting at 5:30 p.m., with Kim Mitchell headlining from 7:50 to 8:55 p.m.

Mitchell, who rose to fame as frontman of Max Webster in the 1970s before launching a successful solo career, has earned three JUNO Awards and was inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2021.

Barrie Transit will offer free bus service starting at 5 p.m., with extended hourly routes until 3 a.m. Downtown parking will also be free after 5 p.m.