Things To Do in Simcoe County in February
In the bleak mid-winter on dreary cold days, curling up under a blanket by the fire seems to be about the best option. But those new year resolutions of keeping active would only go to waste. And who says carnivals and festivals are only for summer!? If you hibernate this winter, you will be missing out on all of the amazing excitement happening around our region this month!
Discovery Harbour Ice Skating Trail
When: Mid-Jan – Mid-March
Where: Discovery Harbour
What Is It: Lace up your skates and hit Georgian Bay’s newest skating site, the Discovery Harbour Ice Skating Trail. This 2 km trail is a new attraction for 2017 offering a leisurely skate along the shoreline in Penetanguishene. Admission is $8 plus tax per person. http://www.discoveryharbour.on.ca/dh/en/SpecialEvents/index.htm
February Blues Festival
When: Feb 2 – Feb 5
Where: Barrie
What Is It: The 20th annual February Blues Festival invites you to shake off those winter blues and enjoy live musical performances at various venues throughout the city. www.barriejazzbluesfest.com
February Blues
When: Feb 3, 6 pm – 9pm & Feb 4, 11 am – 2 pm
Where: Innisfil ideaLAB, 967 Innisfil Beach Rd.
What Is It: A mid-winter music festival featuring the delightful sounds of local Blues artists. http://www.innisfil.library.on.ca/february-blues
Midland Winterfest
When: Feb 3 – Feb 4
Where: Downtown Midland
What Is It: A weekend of activity and fun for all ages to beat the blustery winter blues. Participate in winter-themed activities including a polar bear dip, snowmobile rides, puddle jump show, lumberjack show, dogsled rides, wagon rides, hockey and basketball tournaments, “Seniors Got Talent,” spelling bee, toboggan races and so much more! http://www.midland.ca/quick-links/events
Sunnidale Winterama
When: Feb 3 – Feb 5
Where: New Lowell
What Is It: “The Greatest Little Show on Snow!” Celebrated for over 40 years, this year’s winter carnival celebrates the theme of “Canada 150.” Enjoy a Friday night Yuk Yuk’s On Tour comedy show, delicious pancake breakfast on Saturday, a winter parade and indoor and outdoor fun for all ages! www.sunnidalewinterama.com
Sending It For Sarah: A Girl’s Day
When : Feb 4, 8 am – 5 pm
Where: Horseshoe Resort
What Is It: A full day of activity for women dedicated to the memory and legacy of Sarah Burke, athlete, activist and philanthropist who grew up in Midland and tragically lost her life in a skiing accident in 2012. Enjoy a yoga session, skiing and snowboarding, an after party at the Crazy Horse and silent auction. All proceeds support the Sarah Burke Foundation. Tickets $75 by advanced registration. https://horseshoeresort.com/events/sending-it-for-sarah-girls-day
Barrie Winterfest
When: Feb 4 – Feb 5
Where: Kempenfelt Bay, Lakeshore
What Is It: Recognized as being one of the top 100 festivals and events in Ontario, the Barrie Winterfest brings a world of wintery fun to the Barrie waterfront. Participate in activities for all ages including wagon rides, mini tube slides, an ice maze, dog cart rides, mini golf, curling and more! View spectacular ice and snow sculptures , live performances and enjoy the hot chocolate trail. http://www.barrie.ca/Culture/Festivals/Pages/Winterfest.aspx
Midwinter Beer Fest Hosted by Ciboulette et Cie
When: Feb 4, 4 pm – 10 pm
Where: Georgian Bay Native Friendship Centre, 175 Yonge St., Midland
What Is It: Toast away the winters blues with local music, tastings from 8 of Ontarios Finest Craft Breweries, and delicious food from two of Midland’s finest caterers! Enjoy the 16 beers on tap, with $2 tastings. A portion of all proceeds raised will be donated to the Georgian Bay Cancer Support Centre. Please note that this is a cash only event. http://www.cibouletteetcie.ca/event/beer-fest-2017
Blue Rodeo Concert
When: Feb 10, 8 pm
Where: Barrie Molson Centre
What Is It: Canada’s Country and Blues legends Blue Rodeo hit the stage at the BMC for an evening of music you will not want to miss! Tickets $39 – $63.50 plus tax and fees. http://www.ticketmaster.ca/blue-rodeo-barrie-ontario-02-10-2017/event/1000514CD557323A?artistid=734594&majorcatid=10001&minorcatid=1
Orillia Winter Carnival
When: Feb 10 – Feb 11
Where: Downtown Orillia
What Is It: Downtown Orillia is transformed into a spectacular winter carnival complete with midway, a giant ice castle and Mount Mississauga ice slide. Admission free! http://brucegreysimcoe.com/festivals-events/small-events/orillia-winter-carnival-(1)
Carnaval D’Hiver
When: Feb 11, 11 am – 2 pm
Where: Perkinsfield Park Pavilion, 43 County Rd 6 S., Tiny Township
What Is It: Celebrate the best of winter with a winter carnival! Enjoy snow tube slides, performances from the Elmvale Skating club, a sledge hockey demo, snow taffy, mini sticks, free use of snowshoes and skates, live music and more! http://www.tiny.ca/news-events/calendar
Ultimate Moonlight Snowshoe and Fondue
When: Feb 11, 6:30 pm – 10 pm
Where: Hardwood Ski and Bike
What Is It: Enjoy a guided evening of snowshoeing through woodland trails followed by a unique fondue dinner party warming up in the chalet or by a toasty bonfire. Adults – $125. Pass holders and members – $115. http://www.hardwoodskiandbike.ca/event/5959/?instance_id=171
Winterama
When: Feb 17 – Feb 20
Where: Downtown Penetanguishene, 10 Robert St. W.
What Is It: Ontario’s oldest winter carnival, the 69th annual Winterama will offer a jam-packed weekend of indoor and outdoor activities to celebrate winter in Penetanguishene including a Winterama Parade, Polar Plunge, Body Zorbs, local artists and artisans, food trucks, and more! http://www.penetanguishene.ca/en/discover/Events.asp
Snowman-Mania
When: Feb 17 – Feb 20
Where: Wasaga Beach
What Is It: Wasaga Beach comes alive for the 12th annual Snowman-Mania! Enjoy 4 days of live music, food, competitions, talent showcases and winter sports. Admission $2 with the purchase of a Snowman-Mania button. http://www.wasagabeach.com/event-calendar
Newmarket Winterfest
When: Feb 18, 8 am – 4 pm
Where: Ray Twinney Recreation Complex, 100 Eagle St. W.
What Is It: A full day of indoor and outdoor fun. Enjoy a pancake breakfast, horse and wagon rides, face painting, stage shows, a barbeque lunch, free family swimming and free skating. http://www.newmarket.ca/ThingsToDo/Pages/Recreation%20and%20Culture/Events/Winterfest.aspx
Hockey Day in BWG
When: Feb 18, 8 am – 12:30 pm
Where: Bud Brown Park, 2892 Simcoe County Rd. 27
What Is It: Celebrate Canada’s favourite game, hockey! Cheer on your favourite local team from the Bradford West Gwillimbury Minor Hockey Association at this friendly competition. http://www.townofbwg.com/CommEvents/events
Ontario Family Fishing Weekend and Ice Fishing Tournament
When: Feb 18 – Feb 20
Where: Kempenfelt Bay, Barrie
What Is It: Enjoy a weekend of license-free ice fishing fun for the whole family. If you think you’ve got the biggest catch, enter the 11th annual SCHBA Ice Fishing Tournament at the South Shore Centre. http://www.ontariofamilyfishing.com
Family Day Nature Festival
When: Feb 20, 10 am – 3 pm
Where: Tiffin Centre, 8195 8th Line, Utopia
What Is It: What better way to spend Family Day than enjoying fun-filled events and activities for all ages! Enjoy kick sledding, snowshoeing, hiking, a winter scavenger hunt, Sojourn Mountaineering display, a War of 1812 demonstration, great food and more! http://nvca.on.ca
Polar Rush
When: Feb 25
Where: Horseshoe Resort
What Is It: A 5 km winter wonderland obstacle challenge course featuring 12+ obstacles including tube runs, web crawls, crazy carpet rides and so much more! Gather with friends and family for a fun afternoon of competition. https://horseshoeresort.com/events/horseshoe-polar-rush
Megathon
When: Feb 25
Where: Bradford West Gwillimbury Leisure Centre, 471 West Park Ave.
What Is It: Participate in a morning of physical activity aiming to raise funds in support of Southlake Regional Health Centre’s Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation Program. Activities include spin classes, yoga, walking, a bootcamp class, Kelani, MMA circuit, step, Tai Chi and aquafit. Join in one activity for $10 or five activities for $30. http://www.townofbwg.com/CommEvents/events
Coldest Night of the Year
When: Feb 25, 4 pm – 8 pm
Where: Lions Oval Public School, 25 Brant St W., Orillia
What Is It: An evening walk to raise funds and support The Lighthouse Orillia, a soup kitchen providing meals to anyone in need and shelter for men. Walkers have the option to participate in a 2 km, 5 km or 10 km walk course, ending with a warm, light meal. https://canada.cnoy.org/location/orillia