Things to Do in Simcoe County in February 2018
Blustery flurries and the deep freeze of winter days could have you wanting to do nothing more than to wrap yourself up in a blanket by the fireplace…but then you’d be missing out on all of the fun-filled activities of winter! Bundle up and get outside to check out some of these spectacular events happening around the region this month!
Collingwood Whiskylicious
When: February 1 – 10
Where: Various Restaurants Throughout Collingwood
What Is It: Inspired by local Collingwood Whisky, local chefs will be showcasing their talents and offering specially prepared dishes for this 10-day festival. At more than 15 local restaurants, enjoy a bar tending competition, art auction benefitting the Collingwood lighthouse, personalized bottle engravings, a Historic Collingwood Distillery photo exhibit, delicious masterfully prepared meals and more.
http://whiskylicious.visitsouthgeorgianbay.ca
February Blues Festival
When: February 1 – 4
Where: Various Locations Throughout Barrie
What Is It: Celebrate the history and art of jazz music taking in performances from local artists at various locations throughout Barrie.
www.barriejazzbluesfest.com/The%20February%20Blues%20Festival.htm
Public Skating Presented by Canadian Tire
When: February 2, 11:00 am – 12:20 pm
Where: South Innisfil Community Centre, Lefroy
What Is It: Sponsored by Canadian Tire in Innisfil, everyone is invited to join this free family skate at the community centre.
https://innisfil.ca/events/calendar#
Midland Winterfest
When: February 2 – 3
Where: Museum, Huron/Ouendat Village and the NSSRC, Midland
What Is It: Winterfest comes to Midland with numerous activities for the whole family! Enjoy a free public skate, “Dinner in Your Hands” meal over an outdoor fire, pancake breakfast, hockey tournaments, vendors, entertainment and more!
www.midland.ca/quick-links/events
Clearview Winterama
When: February 2 – 4
Where: New Lowell Recreation Park, Clearview Township
What Is It: “The Greatest Little Show on Snow” kicks off their 41st annual event with a fireworks display on Friday evening followed by stand-up comedy at the Legion. Participate in the Morgan Taylor Memorial Run, a snowmobile Poker Run or family activities throughout the weekend.
www.clearview.ca/home/information/calendars
Wasaga Nordic-Moonlight Ski
When: February 3, 5:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Where: Wasaga Nordic and Trail Centre, Wasaga Beach
What Is It: Enjoy an evening ski along a 4 km trail lit by glow sticks and tiki torches. Keep warm with a cup of hot chocolate around an open fire at the main chalet and the half-way point shelter. Free for participants with their own skis or $5 for ski rental.
www.wasagabeach.com/event-calendar
Barrie Winterfest
When: February 3 – 4
Where: Heritage Park, Barrie
What Is It: Experience all things winter at Barrie’s annual Winterfest! Enjoy outdoor activities for the whole family including ice sculpting, lumberjack shows, a polar bear dip, live entertainment and so much more!
www.barrie.ca/Culture/Festivals/Pages/Winterfest.aspx
Frostarama
When: February 4, 3:30 pm – 6:30 pm
Where: Talbot Park, Port McNicoll
What Is It: Enjoy an afternoon of outdoor winter fun participating in a public skate, games and snow pitch. Grab a sweet treat from the bake sale or enjoy hot dogs and hot chocolate.
www.tay.ca/en/Calendar/Events/Default.aspx
Jazz and Blues Festival
When: February 4, 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Where: Bradford West Gwillimbury Public Library
What Is It: Inviting all music lovers and jazz enthusiasts to an afternoon of live music. The BWG Friends of the Library and the Barrie Jazz and Blues Festival bring you the musical stylings of renowned blues guitarist Jack de Keyzer.
www.barriejazzbluesfest.com/The%20February%20Blues%20Festival.htm
Apple Pie Trail FEEST
When: February 9
Where: Blue Mountain Village
What Is It: This winter culinary event gives you an exclusive evening of food tastings in firelit cabins and on moonlit snowshoe trails.
www.applepietrail.com/feest
Snowman Mania
When: February 16 – 19
Where: Wasaga Beach
What Is It: Starting off as a snowman making competition, this event has now grown into a four-day festival over the Family Day weekend. Enjoy food competitions, live entertainment, charity fundraising, and outdoor activities for the whole family!
www.wasagabeach.com/smm
Winterama
When: February 16 – 19
Where: Penetanguishene
What Is It: Come out and celebrate the heritage of Penetanguishene with a weekend of fun-filled family events and activities. Enjoy local fare, live entertainment and fun for all!
www.penetanguishene.ca/en/discover/Winterama.asp
Bowl for Kids Sake Waterside Wii Bowling Event
When: February 17, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
Where: Waterside Retirement Lodge, Wasaga Beach
What Is It: Supporting the awareness of the Big Brothers Big Sisters youth mentorship program, enjoy an afternoon of fun Wii interactive bowling.
www.wasagabeach.com/event-calendar
Winterfest
When: February 17, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Where: Riverwalk Commons, Newmarket
What Is It: Start the day with a traditional pancake breakfast from 8:00 am to 11:00 am, then participate in family fun for all ages. Enjoy an outdoor public skate, ride on the Tim Hortons Express Train, learn to curl, shop numerous vendors and so much more.
www.newmarket.ca/events
Family Day Weekend
When: February 17 – 19
Where: Blue Mountain Village
What Is It: Spend Family Day weekend enjoying active adventures and fun at Blue Mountain Village. Participate in a scavenger hunt, groove dancing, watch a fireworks show and more!
http://bluemountainvillage.ca/familyday
Collingwood Family Jam
When: February 19
Where: Collingwood
What Is It: Spend the Family Day holiday enjoying activities for all ages in Collingwood.
www.collingwood.ca/familyday
Family Fun Day at the Tiffin Centre
When: February 19, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Where: Tiffin Conservation Area
What Is It: Spend Family Day with some good old-fashioned outdoor winter fun! Bring your skates to skate on the pond, participate in workshops, snowshoeing, a scanvenger hunt and more!
www.essatownship.on.ca/community/communityevents
Family Day at the Simcoe County Museum
When: February 19 @ 10am – 4pm
Where: Simcoe County Museum, Minesing
What Is It: Spend the day with good old-fashioned family fun. Strap on your snowshoes for a winter hike, slide down the hill on our toboggan and visit the museum for their Family Day Extravaganza!
https://museum.simcoe.ca
Family Day at the Wye Marsh
When: February 19, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Where: Wye Marsh, Midland
What Is It: The Wye Marsh invites you to experience the outdoors this Family Day. Enjoy winter wonderland trail exploration by snowshoe or skis, hand-feed chickadees, roast bannock over an open fire, and sip hot cider or tea. All visitors are entered to win a family membership!
www.wyemarsh.com/family-day
Family Day at the Leisure Centre
When: February 19, 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
Where: Bradford West Gwillimbury Leisure Centre
What Is It: Enjoy a full day of activity at the Leisure Centre! Participate in a leisure swim, Zumba, stretch class, drop-in sports or open gym activities.
www.bwgleisurecentre.ca
Family Fun Day
When: February 19, 6:00 am – 4:00pm
Where: Magna Centre, Recreation Youth Centre and Sk8 Park, Newmarket
What Is It: Spend Family Day participating in fun-filled activities all day long. For just $2 per activity, enjoy a fun skate, swimming, gym sports, fitness classes and drop-in activities for all ages.
www.newmarket.ca/events
Megathon
When: February 24 @ 7:45 am – 11:45 am
Where: Bradford West Gwillimbury Leisure Centre
What Is It: Megathon is a day of fundraising and fun. Participate in one or a number of different fitness classes at the leisure centre with all funds raised supporting the Southlake Regional Health Centre’s Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation “Walk of Life.” Classes include Aquafit, Kelani Spirit, Kettlebell, Bootcamp, Yoga, Cycle, Barre and Spin N’ Skip. $10 for one class or $30 for five classes. Advance registration required.
www.bwgleisurecentre.ca/megathon
Polar Bear Dip
When: February 24, 1:30 pm
Where: Innisfil Beach Park, Innisfil
What Is It: Participate in this classic chilly winter event taking a plunge into the frigid waters of Lake Simcoe. Proceeds support local charities and community causes. www.icecorp.org/polar-bear-dip
Coldest Night of the Year
When: February 24
Where: Various Locations throughout the region
What Is It: Canada’s National Walk for Homelessness! This family-friendly fundraiser raises donations to support local charities serving hungry, homeless and hurting families and youth. Participate in a 2, 5 or 10 km walk.
https://cnoy.org/home