Circus under canvas offers something no arena or theatre can replicate. The tent creates an intimate atmosphere where you’re close to the action, feeling the energy of every gasp and applause from the crowd around you. At The Great Benjamins Circus, performers work without nets on many acts, showcasing genuine skill and years of training. You’ll see aerialists spinning high above, acrobats executing precision tumbling, and comedic performers who know how to work a live audience.

The 90-minute show moves at a brisk pace, designed to keep children engaged while delivering enough technical prowess to impress adults. Doors open one hour before showtime, giving families time to find seats, grab refreshments, and soak in the pre-show atmosphere. The tent accommodates audiences of all ages, with seating that ensures good sightlines throughout.

📅 Thursday September 10th to Sunday September 13th.

📍 Georgian Mall, Barrie

In partnership with Kreative Dance Co.

🎃👻 SPOOKY STEPS & HOLLY JOLLY DANCE PARTIES! 🎄🎅

Get ready for TWO magical mornings filled with dancing, fun, friendship, and Kreative magic! ✨

👻 SPOOKY STEPS DANCE PARTY
📅 Sunday, October 25
🧡 Ages 2–4: 9:30–10:00 AM
🖤 Ages 4–6: 10:05–10:35 AM
💰 $15 + HST

Come dressed in your favourite Halloween costume for spooky dancing, games, and fun! 🎃

🎄 HOLLY JOLLY DANCE PARTY
📅 Saturday, December 12
🎅 Ages 2–4: 9:00–9:45 AM
🎅 Ages 4–6: 9:45–10:30 AM
💰 $36 + HST

Wear your favourite festive outfit or Christmas jammies and enjoy a holiday dance class PLUS a special visit from SANTA! 🎅📸

🎟️ Spaces are LIMITED! Register today and save your spot for these unforgettable seasonal celebrations! ✨

Throughout the day, Downtown Barrie will come alive with the Troubadour Street Stage, live entertainment, food vendors, family activities and interactive experiences, creating plenty of reasons to arrive early and make a day of it.

Festival-goers can explore downtown Barrie's restaurants, cafés, retailers and patios, catch performances beyond the main stage, and enjoy the waterfront before gathering in Meridian Place for the evening concert.

Beginning at 5 p.m. in Meridian Place, the final Local Opener Showcase features Evan Denley, Candace & Michael and Barstool Confession. Following the Local Opener Showcase, Mitch Zorn will bring his own brand of Canadian country music to Meridian Place as the featured opening artist for Tim Hicks.

📆 Saturday September 12th

📍Meridian Place, Barrie

Be a MacLaren BFF and celebrate the MacLaren’s 40th anniversary in creative style! Here’s your chance to gather with community and add your artistic mark to our celebration! Led by regional artist Laura Bradley, families will explore a variety of watercolour painting techniques to create their very own heart—creatively reflecting their own personal connection to the MacLaren Art Centre.

A smaller painted heart will then be included in a special 40th Anniversary button that each participant will take home as a memento! The artwork created with be a part of I “Heart” MacLaren group exhibition in the PIE Education Centre from September 10 to October 18, 2026.

📆 Sunday September 13th or September 20th

📍MacLaren Art Centre - Pie Education Centre, Barrie

Nothing says fun like mashing up two of our favourite dinners into one, especially when it means getting all the flavors and comfort you love in a less labor-intensive package. In this recipe, its saucy, red-wine spiked ground beef and vegetable mixture gets loaded into hollowed-out russet potatoes, topped with Parmesan mashed potatoes, and baked until all of the flavors mingle and meld.

🚶‍♂ Barrie to host Parkinson Canada SuperWalk this weekend. Read more.

🚁 New drone will support county’s hazard assessment, recovery work. Read more.

🐴 Oro-Medonte equestrian representing Canada at overseas event. Read more.

🚑 ‘Encouraging news’: County sees rising demand for community paramedicine. Read more.

🎤 Russell Peters, Theory of a Deadman coming to Casino Rama. Read more.

💉 Immunization clinics coming to local high schools starting Thursday. Read more.

🔬 ‘Great opportunity’: Students begin to pack new Barrie STEM Hub. Read more.

💵 ‘Barrie boy’ donates $1M to RVH to advance cardiac care. Read more.

🥒 Share your garden’s bounty, grow community during HarvestShare. Read more.

🎤 This year’s Lightfoot Festival will feature youth singing contest. Read more.

Friday

✂ Craft & Connect @ Barrie Library - Downtown Branch - 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Learn more.

🎈 Parachute Play @ Barrie Library - Holly Branch - 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Learn more.

🎥 Friday Flicks @ the Barrie Library - Painswick Branch - 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Learn more.

Saturday

🧑‍🌾 Barrie Farmer’s Market @ City Hall - 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Learn more.

🧺 Curated Collective Market @ Georgian Mall - 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Learn more.

✂ Creative Tales @ the Barrie Library Holly Branch - 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Learn more.

🧸 Rise & Shine Playtime @ the Barrie Library Downtown Branch - 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Learn more.

🤖 Robots, Robots, Robots @ the Barrie Library Holly Branch - 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Learn more.

🍂 Sound Immersion with Lisa @ Sunnidale Park - 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. RSVP.

Sunday

🚶 Barrie Parkinson’s Superwalk 2026 @ Sunnidale Park - 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Learn more.

🧸 Rise & Shine Playtime @ the Barrie Library - Painswick Branch - 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Learn more.

🧺 Curated Collective Market @ Georgian Mall - 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Learn more.

🌊 Family Fun: Water Games @ Friday Harbour Beach - 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Learn more.

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