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? 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.
