Doors Open Ontario is an Ontario Heritage Trust program inviting communities across the province to open the doors, gates and courtyards of their unique and most fascinating cultural sites so residents and visitors can see inside! It’s a chance to explore Ontario’s heritage treasures at free public events across the province.

Sites to Explore:

📅 Saturday September 26th - times vary based on venue

Blueberry Moon is teaming up with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Barrie-Innisfil to offer a morning of fun for grown ups and their littles. Join them for a story time at 11:15, crafts at The Big Table and a casual information session & registration drive for Dolly’s Imagination Library! That’s right, Dolly’s incredible book-giving charity is available to Canadian residents as well! Come and learn more Friday morning, crafts and living room play starting at 10 a.m.

📅 Friday September 25th - times vary based on venue

In partnership with Smart Moves Play Place

Looking for a fun day out where the kids can play, explore and learn while you actually get a chance to sit back and relax? Smart Moves Play Place in Barrie is a STEM-themed indoor play centre for kids up to 12, packed with climbing, slides, and hands-on play.

And when it’s time to celebrate, we make birthdays easy too! Our STEM-themed birthday parties include private party rooms and plenty of playtime, so you can focus on celebrating while we take care of the setup, cleanup and mess.

If you are thinking to host your kids birthday checkout their birthday packages here.

Bring the kids, grab a coffee, sit back and enjoy a little downtime. We’ve got the rest!

Oma’s Ride is a community cycling event bringing together riders, families, friends, sponsors, and supporters for a day of cycling, connection, and community impact. Come to ride, or cheer on riders and enjoy a day at Quayle’s, nestled in the hills of Oro-Medonte, between lower Georgian Bay and Lake Simcoe and established in 2016 as a re-creation of a 19th-century local landmark, the Musical Barn.

You can register for Oma's Ride up until Friday, September 25th at 12:00pm. The cost of registration is $50 per rider, with the option to purchase a lunch ticket for $25. Registration costs are kept low in the hopes you can help fundraise for your ride. All proceeds stay with this local Alzheimer Society! 

📆 Sunday September 27th *rain or shine*

📍Quayles Brewery, 4567 Line 12 N, Coldwater

5th Annual By The Bay Fall Fest is on this Sunday - HOEDOWN Edition!

We’re bringing the fall vibes back to the Barrie waterfront for our 5th Annual By The Bay Fall Fest — and this year, it’s got a little country flair!

What to expect:
• Shop local makers
• Delicious bites & fall-inspired treats
• Family-friendly fun by the bay
• Cozy autumn atmosphere with a hoedown twist
• FREE admission

📆 Sunday September 27th - 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

📍Will Dwyer Park - Barrie

Somewhere between a blondie and cookie, these sugar cookie bars are thick and soft with buttercream spread on top. They take less time than scooping individual cookies and are just as good.

🐶 Low-cost rabies vaccination clinics coming to SImcoe County. Read more.

🐱 Fees reduced during SPCA’s fall adoption days. Read more.

🍂 Autumnfest falls into Midhurst next weekend with packed schedule. Read more.

🧑‍🎓 St. Peter’s pupil elected to 2-year term as student trustee. Read more.

🍂 Warm fall ahead for Barrie after near-perfect summer. Read more.

💉 Drop-in immunization clinics open across Simcoe Muskoka, including Barrie. Read more.

🤗 Barrie Today currently accepting nominations for Random Acts of Kindness. Read more.

🏆 Deadline extended for Newcomer Recognition Awards nominations. Read more.

📽 Barrie director to helm national premiere of ‘major Canadian story’. Read more.

🚚 Purolator launches annual Red Bag campaign to support food banks. Read more.

🎄 Barrie & District Christmas Cheer launches 2026 campaign early with $500,000 fundraising goal. 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.

🎤 Comedy Night @ Lake Club Restaurant Friday Harbour - 6 p.m. Get tickets.

🎥 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.

🍂 MIdhurst Autumnfest Fall Fair @ Midhurst Pavillion - 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Learn more.

🎃 Pumpkin Mania @ Rounds Ranch - 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Learn more.

🛠 Repair Cafe @ Barrie Library Painswick Branch - 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 11:30 p.m. to 1 p.m. Register here.

🧸 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.

👯 Culture Days - Chinese Dance Demonstration @ Barrie Library Downtown - 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Learn more.

🟦 Lego Drop In @ the Barrie Library Downtown - 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Learn more.

🧩 Board Games & Puzzles @ the Barrie Library Holly Branch - 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Learn more.

💃 Culture Days - Latin Dance Demonstration @ the Barrie Library Downtown - 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Learn more.

🎤 Damn Good Comedy Show @ Rec Room Barrie - 7:30 p.m. Get tickets.

🎤 Sin Bin Comedy Show @ Grillicious Barrie - 8:30 p.m. Get tickets.

Sunday

🖤 Culture Days - Black Excellence and Culture Gallery @ the Barrie Library Painswick Branch - 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Learn more.

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

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

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

🎃 Pumpkin Mania @ Rounds Ranch - 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Learn more.

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

🎨 Paint Nite (ages 13+) @ Harbour House Grill Innisfil - 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Get tickets.

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