Sunday, December 31, 2023 | 6:00–11:59pm
Location
Barrie City Hall
Address: 70 Collier Street, Barrie
Event Schedule
6pm to midnight: | Activities & vendors open |
7pm: | Scott Jackson & Kobbler Jay |
7:10pm: | Sonshine and Broccoli |
8pm: | Family countdown & fireworks |
8:30pm: | The Faculty |
9:30pm: | Bleeker |
10:40pm: | Big Wreck |
11:55pm: | Greetings from dignitaries |
Midnight: | Countdown & fireworks |
Activities
Between 6pm & midnight, under the twinkling lights on the arch of Old City Hall, enjoy:
- Skating on the Circle at the Centre rink (open weather-dependent).
Indoor change rooms available. Skate and helmet rentals available. - Roaming performers
- Family fun: face painting, inflatables and more!
- Bonfire warming zone
- Food vendors
- Two fireworks shows! The first at 8pm following the family celebration and the second at midnight to ring in 2024. Fireworks will be viewable from various vantage points along the waterfront, but best viewed closer to Barrie’s downtown.
Getting Around
Transit & Parking
Barrie Transit service will be free on New Year’s Eve starting at 5pm and all routes will operate until 3am. View the extended New Year's Eve schedule. Downtown parking is FREE on weekends and available within walking distance (including the Collier Street Parkade).
Road Closures
The following road closures are in effect for the Downtown Countdown:
Collier Street, Owen to Mulcaster | 6am December 30 to 12 noon January 1 |
Collier Street, Mulcaster to Poyntz | 3pm December 31 to 2am January 1 |
Mulcaster Street, Dunlop to Worsley | 3pm December 31 to 2am January 1 |
Downtown Barrie is the place to be to ring in the New Year! Since 1998, the Downtown Countdown has brought thousands together from near and far to celebrate the arrival of the new year. Thank you to Rock 95, 107.5 Kool FM and Barrie 360 for their support!
This year’s free, family-friendly celebration features rock band Big Wreck as the headliner, Bleeker as the opening act, Sonshine and Broccoli as the children’s performer, and The Faculty as the featured local artist.
This free evening of fun and celebration is one of Central Ontario’s largest celebrations. In addition to the musical performances, the Downtown Countdown celebration includes family activities, roaming buskers and two fireworks shows – the first at approximately 8pm and the second at midnight.
We are capturing photos/videos of this event that may be used by the City or its partners in publications, promotional materials, social media or other communications without subject notice or compensation.