Creative Barrie is excited to showcase a wealth of arts and culture activities this fall! Culture Days is a national celebration of arts and culture, where millions of people attend thousands of free, hands-on events across Canada.
From Friday, September 19 through Sunday, October 12, 2025, explore everything Barrie’s arts and culture community has to offer. This year’s programming is inclusive, accessible, free (or pay-what-you-can), hands-on, educational, and community-building.
Here are the Top 5 Reasons to join the celebration:
1. Go Behind the Scenes at Doors Open Barrie
On Saturday, September 27 (10am – 4pm), Doors Open Barrie invites you to tour 19+ unique sites across the city. Discover Barrie’s heritage, arts, and business landmarks, with special behind-the-scenes access. From touring the creative grounds of the Spare Room artist’s studio to unmasking the storied history of the Five Point’s Simcoe Hotel (McFinn’s Traditional Irish Pub), don’t miss out on this experience!
2. Free, Hands-On Activities
Culture Days is all about participation. Over 24 days, enjoy free interactive activities across the city — from the Steel Spirit online gallery and webinar, to Mural Paint “A Street in Barrie” with Scott Crew, to relaxing evenings of Landscape Painting & Live Music at The Arts House.
Visual arts not your jam? Step into a world of music and mystery with The Muscape Room, hosted by the Community Creative or join the Barrie Soundwaves in Learning the Art of A Capella!
3. All Ages Welcome
Culture Days has programming for everyone — kids, families, and older adults. The Barrie Farmers’ Market features live music and children’s activities every Saturday from 9 AM to 1 PM and Simcoe Contemporary Dancers welcome kids, teens, and adults to join them for Interplay Improv Jams, bringing music, dance and visual art together in creative ways.
Concerts of Care warmly welcomes care partners and individuals aged 55+ to enjoy music, relaxation, and connection. Professional musicians bring stories, sound, and inspiration to life. This program is free, but pre-registration is required at 705-737-0755.
4. Celebrate Culture, Cultivate Community
Experience the vibrancy of Barrie’s multicultural community through festivals and workshops. Diwali Magical Mela invites participants to learn, dance, and create through Indian cultural traditions of Diwali, with storytelling and crafts. Meanwhile, the Islamic Heritage & Unity event brings people together in a family-friendly celebration featuring henna art, Arabic calligraphy, crafts, and much more — a joyful invitation to experience Islamic culture in the community.
5. Discover Something New
Spend an evening at Open Mic Poetry Night, where every voice matters. Share your words, stories, or poetry, or simply come to listen. The atmosphere at Brūd Bar + Bottle Shop is warm, welcoming, and inspiring. You can also visit the Barrie Public Library’s downtown branch for daily live painting demonstrations by members of the Barrie Art Club, and experience a special piano chamber performance by the Arco D’Oro quintet, hosted by the Arts House.
Culture Days is your chance to learn, play, celebrate, and connect with the creative heartbeat of Barrie. Check out all the event listings on the City of Barrie’s and Culture Days Barrie Hub, and join the celebration!
Want to keep up with Barrie’s arts and culture scene year-round? Subscribe to the Culture Pop! newsletter, and follow Creative Barrie on Instagram, Facebook and X.