When the holidays arrive, Simcoe County transforms into a true winter playground. Between Christmas and New Year’s, the region offers a mix of outdoor adventure, family fun, cozy indoor experiences, and seasonal magic. Whether you're hosting relatives, keeping the kids busy, or looking for a festive outing close to home, there’s something here for everyone.
Here are some great ways to make the most of the holiday break around Simcoe County.
Snow Valley’s tubing hill is a popular pick during the holidays thanks to its smooth lanes, conveyor lift, and fun atmosphere. It’s an easy, energetic outing that works for all ages—and a great way to enjoy time outdoors over the break.
Get the full details here
Location: Wye Marsh, Midland
Wye Marsh offers kilometres of serene trails perfect for hiking or snowshoeing during the winter months. Explore forests, boardwalks, and open marshland while enjoying the quiet beauty of the season.
Get the full details here
Location: Simcoe County Museum, Minesing
The museum hosts themed programming throughout winter break, offering indoor crafts, hands-on activities, and outdoor fun like snowshoeing or tobogganing. It’s a great option for days when you want a mix of warm indoor spaces and seasonal outdoor adventures.
Get the full event details here
Location: Bradford Greenhouses Garden Gallery, Barrie
For a lively indoor outing, Jurassic Jump! brings oversized, dinosaur-themed inflatables to Barrie for a limited time. It’s perfect for younger kids who want to burn off energy between Christmas and New Year’s—especially when the weather isn’t cooperating.
Get the full event details here
A Barrie Colts game is always exciting, and the atmosphere is festive during the holidays. It’s a fun outing for families, hockey fans, or visiting relatives looking for something local to enjoy.
Get the full event details here
Location: Quayle’s Brewery, Coldwater
Hop aboard a classic horse-drawn sleigh for a charming countryside experience. The trails at Quayle’s are scenic and peaceful, and pairing the ride with a warm drink inside the brewery makes for a perfect winter outing.
Get the full event details here
Location: Friday Harbour, Innisfil
Friday Harbour feels especially festive during the holidays, with seasonal décor, skating, market stalls, restaurants, and lakeside views. It’s a relaxing spot for shopping, wandering, or enjoying an afternoon with family and friends.
Get the full event details here
Location: Horseshoe Resort, 1101 Horseshoe Valley Rd W, Barrie
Head out for a magical winter experience with a guided nighttime snowshoe tour. You’ll explore snowy forest trails under the stars, often ending by a fire to warm up. It’s peaceful, active, and a memorable winter adventure.
Get the full event details here
Location: Simcoe County Museum, Minesing
This forest skating trail offers a calm, scenic winter experience. Instead of a traditional rink, you glide through the woods, creating a peaceful backdrop for a family outing or seasonal date night. Opening date and hours to be announced— weather dependent.
Get the full details here
Location: The Paint Bar, Barrie
For a cozy indoor activity, The Paint Bar hosts guided Paint Night Saturdays where you create a themed piece with step-by-step instruction. If you’re looking for something more flexible, drop-in painting or pottery is available throughout the week—perfect for families, date nights, or a spontaneous creative afternoon.
Get the full event details here
Pack up the car, cue your favourite Christmas playlist, and take a drive through this dazzling light display at Springwater Park. Magic of Lights features over a million LED lights and giant holiday scenes that sparkle from every angle. It’s a holiday classic for families, couples, and anyone who loves a little extra sparkle.
Get the full event details here
Make the Most of Winter Close to Home
Whether you’re hoping to get outside, try something active, or stay warm and cozy indoors, Simcoe County offers countless ways to enjoy the holiday break. Save this list for easy planning and take advantage of everything our region has to offer this winter!
Here are some great ways to make the most of the holiday break around Simcoe County.
1. Snow Tubing at Snow Valley
Price: Paid admission (varies by age and session)Location: Snow Valley, MinesingSnow Valley’s tubing hill is a popular pick during the holidays thanks to its smooth lanes, conveyor lift, and fun atmosphere. It’s an easy, energetic outing that works for all ages—and a great way to enjoy time outdoors over the break.
Get the full details here
2. Winter Hiking or Snowshoeing at Wye Marsh
Price: General admission $12 | Snow Shoe Rentals $4 to $6Location: Wye Marsh, Midland
Wye Marsh offers kilometres of serene trails perfect for hiking or snowshoeing during the winter months. Explore forests, boardwalks, and open marshland while enjoying the quiet beauty of the season.
Get the full details here
3. Winter Break Activities at Simcoe County Museum
Price: Regular admission; some activities may require additional materialsLocation: Simcoe County Museum, Minesing
The museum hosts themed programming throughout winter break, offering indoor crafts, hands-on activities, and outdoor fun like snowshoeing or tobogganing. It’s a great option for days when you want a mix of warm indoor spaces and seasonal outdoor adventures.
Get the full event details here
4. Jurassic Jump! – December 27–30, 2025
Price: Child Admission: $20.00 + fees & taxes — includes one free adult (Online Special Pricing)Location: Bradford Greenhouses Garden Gallery, Barrie
For a lively indoor outing, Jurassic Jump! brings oversized, dinosaur-themed inflatables to Barrie for a limited time. It’s perfect for younger kids who want to burn off energy between Christmas and New Year’s—especially when the weather isn’t cooperating.
Get the full event details here
5. Cheer on the Barrie Colts
Price: Ticketed event (prices vary by seat selection)Location: Sadlon Arena, 555 Bayview Dr, BarrieA Barrie Colts game is always exciting, and the atmosphere is festive during the holidays. It’s a fun outing for families, hockey fans, or visiting relatives looking for something local to enjoy.
Get the full event details here
6. Sunday Sleigh Rides at Quayle’s Brewery - Sundays in January
Price: Ticketed sleigh ride (advance booking recommended)Location: Quayle’s Brewery, Coldwater
Hop aboard a classic horse-drawn sleigh for a charming countryside experience. The trails at Quayle’s are scenic and peaceful, and pairing the ride with a warm drink inside the brewery makes for a perfect winter outing.
Get the full event details here
7. Explore Friday Harbour’s Winter Activities
Price: Free to explore; activities, dining, and skating may have separate feesLocation: Friday Harbour, Innisfil
Friday Harbour feels especially festive during the holidays, with seasonal décor, skating, market stalls, restaurants, and lakeside views. It’s a relaxing spot for shopping, wandering, or enjoying an afternoon with family and friends.
Get the full event details here
8. Guided Snowshoeing Under the Stars at Horseshoe Valley
Price: $25 +HSTLocation: Horseshoe Resort, 1101 Horseshoe Valley Rd W, Barrie
Head out for a magical winter experience with a guided nighttime snowshoe tour. You’ll explore snowy forest trails under the stars, often ending by a fire to warm up. It’s peaceful, active, and a memorable winter adventure.
Get the full event details here
9. Skate Through the Forest at Simcoe County Museum
Price: Adults $10 | Children $8Location: Simcoe County Museum, Minesing
This forest skating trail offers a calm, scenic winter experience. Instead of a traditional rink, you glide through the woods, creating a peaceful backdrop for a family outing or seasonal date night. Opening date and hours to be announced— weather dependent.
Get the full details here
10. Paint Night Saturdays & Drop-In Art at The Paint Bar (Downtown Barrie)
Price: Paint nights are ticketed from $38.00 to $48.00 ; drop-in projects vary by materialLocation: The Paint Bar, Barrie
For a cozy indoor activity, The Paint Bar hosts guided Paint Night Saturdays where you create a themed piece with step-by-step instruction. If you’re looking for something more flexible, drop-in painting or pottery is available throughout the week—perfect for families, date nights, or a spontaneous creative afternoon.
Get the full event details here
11. Magic of Lights - Runs through to January 3
Price: Approx. $30 per carSpringwater Provincial Park, MidhurstPack up the car, cue your favourite Christmas playlist, and take a drive through this dazzling light display at Springwater Park. Magic of Lights features over a million LED lights and giant holiday scenes that sparkle from every angle. It’s a holiday classic for families, couples, and anyone who loves a little extra sparkle.
Get the full event details here
Make the Most of Winter Close to Home
Whether you’re hoping to get outside, try something active, or stay warm and cozy indoors, Simcoe County offers countless ways to enjoy the holiday break. Save this list for easy planning and take advantage of everything our region has to offer this winter!
