Multi-platinum, JUNO Award-winning Canadian rock icon Kim Mitchell will perform a free concert at Meridian Place on July 11. Residents and visitors are encouraged to make a full day of it downtown, starting with the Downtown Barrie Butter Tart Festival and ending with a free evening concert at Meridian Place. 

Kim Mitchell has won three JUNO Awards and achieved gold and multi-platinum status over his career, from his time as lead of Canadian rock band Max Webster in the 1970s to a long and successful solo career. Mitchell was inducted into the Canadian Songwriters' Hall of Fame in 2021.

📅 Saturday July 11th - 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

🎟 Free

📍 Meridian Place, Barrie

This free, family-friendly celebration presented by the Downtown Barrie BIA continues to grow into one of Ontario’s premiere summer food festivals. This year’s event promises to be the biggest yet, featuring more than 100 vendors, including artisan bakers, makers, specialty food producers, and local retailers, all celebrating one of Canada’s most iconic desserts.

At the heart of the festival will be 20 of Ontario’s finest butter tart creators, serving up everything from timeless family recipes to imaginative new creations. Festival favourites including Maids Cottage, King’s Daughter, Doo Doo’s, and reigning Butter Tart Champion Bruno’s will all be returning, giving visitors the perfect excuse to sample, compare, and discover a new favourite.

From 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM in Meridian Place, a community panel of judges will sample, score, debate, and ultimately crown the 2026 Butter Tart Champions.

📆 Saturday July 11th - 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

📍 Downtown Barrie

Detour to Friday Harbour on Saturday, July 11th, for Cars & Jazz, in collaboration with Saturns Drives and Ace Spade Rally. Experience a fusion of super, exotic, and high-end sports cars set to the vibrant energy of electro-jazz.

Explore the Promenade’s collection of restaurants and retail, or shop The Market, with a curated lineup of local vendors.

📆 Saturday July 11th - 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

🎟 Complimentary guest admission and on-site parking.

📍 Friday Harbour Promenade

Smoky, slightly spicy, chipotle roasted salmon, with cilantro vinaigrette, served over bowls of steamed rice with a salted feta and avocado salad…plus some creamy chipotle mayo too.  These colorful and fresh salmon bowls might seem involved, but they’re simple to make and full of so much flavour.

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Friday

🌳 BPL @ the Park - Mapleton Park - 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Learn more.

🛝 BPL @ the Park - Painswick Park - 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Learn more.

🌊 BPL on the Move - Waterfront & Downtown - 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Learn more.

🎥 Friday Flicks @ the Barrie Library - Painswick Branch - 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Learn more.

🔬 Science Kids - Summer Reading @ the Barrie Library Holly Branch - 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Learn more.

🎤 DJ Donovan @ CIBC Pier Friday Harbour - 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Learn more.

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

📽 Flashback Friday’s: The Shawshank Redemption @ The Five Points Theatre - 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Learn more.

🎤 Tumor Humour: A Comedy Night Fundraiser @ Liberty North - 7 p.m. Learn more.

🪄 Magic Guys at Work: Mulligans and Mind Games @ Linx Kitchen + Social - 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Learn more.

Saturday

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

🪲 National Itch Check Day @ Allandale Veterinary Hospital - 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Learn more.

✂ Crafty Kids @ 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.

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

🧺 The Market @ Friday Harbour - 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. Learn more.

🐟 Little Naturalist Summer Series: Fin-Tastic Fun @ Friday Harbour Beach - 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Learn more.

🎤 Live Music @ Friday Harbour CIBC Pier - 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Learn more.

Sunday

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

🧺 The Market @ Friday Harbour - 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Learn more.

🦈 The Shark Attack Scavenger Hunt @ Friday Harbour Beach - 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Learn more.

🐟 Family Fun: Sharks and Minnows @ Friday Harbour Beach - 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Learn more.

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

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