Things to do in Simcoe County in February 2019
February is a great time to take your family and friends along as you try some new activities while enjoying the best of winter.
There’s plenty to do in and around Barrie this month! Check out some of these fun winter events and festivals:
Barrie Events
Barrielicious
When: January 18th– February 3rd
Where: Various restaurants throughout Barrie
What Is It: Delight in savoury culinary fare at numerous restaurants throughout the city of Barrie. Enjoy prix fixe full course meals ranging from $15 – $30 per person, all expertly curated for this annual event.
The February Blues Festival
When: January 31st– February 4th
Where: Various venues throughout Barrie & Simcoe County
What Is It: Begin your month the right way! Attend The February Blues Festival for a full weekend of live music, great food, and an array of venues throughout the region.
The February Blues Festival
RVH MASH Bash
When: Friday, February 1st – 10:00am – 4:00pm
Where: Snow Valley Ski Resort
What Is It: Hosted by Snow Valley Ski Resort, this 32ndannual MASH Bash event is set to raise funds for the NICU at Royal Victoria Hospital. Tickets are $25, or $15 for Snow Valley season pass-holders, military, hospital and EMS presenting a valid ID.
MASH Bash
Barrie Winterfest 2019
When: Saturday, February 2nd & Sunday, February 3rd
Where: Heritage Park
What Is It: Perfect for families looking to get out and enjoy the winter season, Barrie’s annual Winterfest presents a weekend of horse-drawn wagon rides, incredible ice sculptures, miniature golf, top shot hockey, and so much more.
Moonlight Snowshoeing
When: Saturday, February 2nd, 9th, 16th, & 23rd – 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Where: Horseshoe Valley Resort
What Is It: Enjoy an evening snowshoeing through the Copeland Forest lit by moonlight. For $17 a person, this 2km walk includes your snowshoe and headlight rental and concludes with hot chocolate and s’mores gathered around a warm fire. Horseshoe Valley is a pet-friendly resort so your furry friends are welcome to come along.
Huronia Symphony Family Concert
When: Sunday, February 10th – 3:30 pm – 6:00 pm
Where: Collier Street United Church
What Is It: Conducted by Oliver Balaburski, enjoy an evening of music with this “Family Concert: Love, Trust, and Fairy Tales”. Tickets are available at the door, and they are $25 for adults, $10 for students, and $5 for children.
Huronia Symphony Family Concert
Fire on Ice Winter Extravaganza
When: Saturday, February 16th – noon – 4:00 pm
Where: Grange Hall
What Is It: All ages are welcome to the Lefroy Volunteer Firefighter’s annual Fire on Ice Extravaganza. This fishing derby is a weekend of family fun with proceeds benefiting other local organizations to assist with their community projects and events.
Fire on Ice Winter Extravaganza
Innisfil Polar Bear Dip
When: Saturday, February 23rd – 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm
Where: Innisfil Beach Park
What Is It: Hosted by the Innisfil Community Events Corporation, the annual Polar Bear Dip for charity is a fun way for the whole family to raise money for local initiatives. Polar Dippers are encouraged to dress up and wear fun outfits or costumes for the jump. The registration desk opens at noon and there is a minimum pledge of $25.
Orillia Events
Random Fandom Trivia
When: Saturday, February 2nd– 6:30pm – 9:00pm
Where: Orillia Public Library
What Is It: Calling all Orillia Library members! Join us at 201 Grill & Game Bar for our Random Fandom Trivia Night with sign-in starting at 6:00 pm. Gather a team of up to 4 people with a $5 entry per person.
Moonlight Snowshoeing
When: Saturday, February 2nd, 9th, 16th, and 23rd– 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Where: Horseshoe Valley Resort
What Is It: Perfect for your whole family, enjoy a 2km guided snowshoe through the Copeland Forest lit by moonlight. Conclude the evening fireside with some marshmallows and a cup of hot chocolate, and don’t forget your furry friends! The evening is just $17 per person plus HST and includes your rentals and hot chocolate.
Public Skating
When: Sunday February 3rd– 6:00pm – 7:30pm
Where: Brian Orser Arena
What Is It: Free public skating event for all ages. Check out the link below for additional public skate times.
Diary of Anne Frank
When: February 7th– February 17th– 2:00 pm or 7:30 pm
Where: Orillia Opera House
What Is It: Presented by Mariposa Arts, Diary of Anne Frank is a powerful new adaptation about the lives of eight people hiding from the Nazis in a concealed attic. Tickets are $25 per person and can be purchased online through the Orillia Opera House’s website.
Orillia Opera House – Diary of Anne Frank
Orillia Snow-Ga
When: Sunday, February 10th– 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Where: Stephen Leacock Museum
What Is It: Come join us for a fundraiser hosted by Sunrise Yoga Studio at the Stephen Leacock Museum. Enjoy a 45-minute outdoor yoga session for all levels and ages, with proceeds going to The Sharing Place Foodbank. Please bring a cash donation to the class.
Ukulele Jam
When: Tuesday, February 12th– 5:45 pm – 7:45 pm
Where: Orillia Public Library
What Is It: Bring your ukulele to play with others for fun at the Orillia Public Library. Hosted by the Sunshine Ukulele Network, everyone is welcome to this event and no registration is required.
Family Day Crafternoon
When: Monday, February 18th– 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Where: Orillia Waterfront Centre
What Is It: Come get crafty with us this Family Day at the boater’s lounge. Enjoy an afternoon full of arts, crafts, and free hot chocolate.
Orillia Cardboard Toboggan Race
When: Saturday, February 23rd– 9:00 am-noon
Where: Couchiching Golf Club
What Is It: Bring your whole family for this morning of fun and laughter! Get creative and bring your designed carboard toboggans to Couchiching Golf & Country Club by 9:30 am for registration. Please note, all entries must be registered. For more information including rules and regulations click the link below.
Nerf Battle
When: Saturday, February 23rd– 4:45 pm – 7:30 pm
Where: Orillia Public Library
What Is It: Happening after-hours at the Orillia Public Library, bring your favourite unmodified Nerf guns for a fun game of capture the flag. Entry is just $5 per person, and all entrants must be 18+ with a valid library card.
Coldest Night of the Year
When: Saturday, February 23rd– 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Where: Lion’s Oval Public School
What Is It: Walk 2, 5, or 10 kilometres while raising funds for the Lighthouse Soup Kitchen and Shelter. For registration and information, click the link below.
Midland Events
Discovery Harbour Ice Skating Trail
When: Mid-Jan – Mid-March
Where: Discovery Harbour
What Is It: Lace up your skates and hit Penetanguishene’s 2km skate trail at Discovery Harbour. This trail offers a leisurely skate along the shoreline of Georgian Bay and admission is just $8 per person.
Midland Winterfest 2019
When: February 1st & 2nd
Where: Downtown Midland & Little Lake Park
What Is It: Welcoming all ages, Midland’s annual Winterfest is kicking off with their 7thannual road hockey tournament along King Street on Friday, February 1st. Outdoor activities will be held on Saturday, February 2nd at Little Lake Park from 11:00 am until 3:00 pm.
Snowshoe Eco-Tours at Wye Marsh
When: Saturday, February 16th & Sunday, February 17th
Where: The Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre
What Is It: Experience the winter wonderland at Wye Marsh and discover areas that aren’t otherwise open to the general public. After a short lesson on snowshoeing, you can head out on a 4km walk to see the stunning sights of winter and wildlife, while hand feeding the chickadees. Times verify for both dates, and tickets are available online for $65 per person.
Marsh by Moonlight Snowshoe Series
When: Saturday, February 16th& 23rd
Where: The Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre
What Is It: Experience the nighttime magic at Wye Marsh with a walk through the trails lit by moonlight. After learning all about the local nighttime wildlife warm up and relax around the fire while enjoying a roasted snack and a warm drink. Times verify for each date and space is limited to ensure the best wildlife encounter. Tickets are just $55 per person and include your rentals.
Wasaga Beach 14thAnnual Snowman Mania
When: February 15th & 16th
Where: RecPlex Community Centre
What Is It: Running for the 14th year, this annual event in Wasaga Beach is a great family fun weekend with activities including a chilli cook-off, a dance, polar bear plunge, and much more!
Winterama Blast
When: February 15th – 18th
Where: 2 Main Street, Penetanguishene
What Is It: Annually taking place on the Family Day weekend, you will find plenty of things to do at Winterama. This year the weekend will include a kick-off celebration at Discovery Harbour, a demolition derby, parade, horse-drawn wagon rides, a polar plunge, and so much more!
Family Day at Wye Marsh
When: Monday, February 18th – 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Where: Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre
What Is It: Bring your whole family to Wye Marsh to enjoy a fun and educational day while experiencing the best of winter. Offering interactive activities throughout the day, explore the trails by ski or snowshoe while stopping along the way to feed the chickadees, then conclude your day around an open fire.
A Red Carpet Evening
When: Saturday, February 23rd– 5:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Where: Quality Inn and Conference Centre
What Is It: Hosted by Community Living Huronia, enjoy a luxurious red carpet evening at the Quality Inn and Conference Centre in Midland with a performance by Steven Page and live and silent auctions. Tickets are $150 per person and include a champagne reception and a 3-course gourmet dinner.
Karma Yoga
When: Sunday, February 24th– 4:00 pm – 5:15 pm
Where: Wasaga Beach Yoga
What Is It: Relax and recharge with this Restorative Yoga class in support of the Wasaga Beach Food Bank. Registration is offered online and the class is free with a food or cash donation brought to the class.
Alliston Events
The February Blues Festival
When: January 31st– February 4th
Where: Various venues throughout Barrie & Simcoe County
What Is It: Begin your month the right way! Attend The February Blues Festival for a full weekend of live music, great food, and an array of venues throughout the region.
The February Blues Festival
SuperBowl Party at the Alliston Legion
When: Sunday, February 3rd – 3:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Where: Alliston Legion
What Is It: Come enjoy the 53rd SuperBowl at the Alliston Legion. Starting at 3:00 pm in the Corvette Lounge, enjoy beverages, pub-style food, friends, and games including darts and pool prior to the game. Entry is free but food and beverages must be purchased.
No Parents A. Loud Student Open Mic
When: Thursday, February 14th– 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Where: Gibson Centre
What Is It: Hosted and moderated by Chris Rapin, “No Parents Allowed” is an open mic opportunity for students in Grades 4-12 to musically perform for each other. Music teachers from Alliston schools are responsible for the supervision, and parents can stay but don’t need to.
Blood Donation Clinic
When: Wednesday, February 27th4:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Where: Tottenham Community Centre
What Is It: February is the month of love, and we would LOVE for you to donate blood this month. Donors are needed every day to ensure hospital patients have the blood they need, when they need it!
