Join the City in honouring Remembrance Day
The City of Barrie and the Royal Canadian Legion invite the public to participate in the Remembrance Day Parade and Ceremony on November 11 at 10 a.m. Two minutes of silence will be observed at 11 a.m. followed by the laying of wreaths. Veterans and one companion can ride Barrie Transit free on Remembrance Day with proof of service.
Also, residents can check out the downtown and waterfront Remembrance Day flags that display photos of area veterans, as well as an online story map honouring local heroes. For more information, visit barrie.ca/RemembranceDay.
2026 Mayor’s Innovation Awards: Last chance to nominate or design the trophy!
The 2026 Mayor’s Innovation Awards recognize businesses, individuals and community groups that have demonstrated innovation, adaptability, creativity and leadership over the past year. If you know someone making a positive impact in our community, now is the time to nominate them.
Artists and graphic designers working in the digital field are also encouraged to submit a concept for the Mayor’s Innovation Awards trophy.
Nominations and trophy design entries are open until November 18 at 11:59 p.m.
Rent a community garden spot for next season
Registration for the 2027 gardening season is open. If you have a green thumb and are interested in renting a garden plot where you can plant your favourite flowers and veggies in a shared community space, then this is for you!
Garden plots are at six locations across the city.
- Community Garden locations:
- Dunsmore Park
- Golden Meadow Park
- Grzegorz “Greg” Pierzchala Park
- Lampman Lane Park
- Riverwood Park
- Shear Park
Learn more and register at barrie.ca/CommunityGardens.
Pumpkins go in the organics cart!
After Halloween, place pumpkins in your organics cart instead of the garbage. Be sure to remove candles and decorations first. If the pumpkin is too large, break it into smaller pieces or place it whole near the cart. Spoiled garden fruits and vegetables can go in too!
See a full list of accepted materials at barrie.ca/OrganicsCollection.
New program helps local food and beverage entrepreneurs grow
The Small Business Centre of Barrie, Simcoe County and Orillia has partnered with Foodpreneur Advantage to offer a free program designed to help food and beverage entrepreneurs start, grow and scale their businesses. Through a series of webinars and expert guidance, participants will gain practical knowledge on regulatory compliance, food safety, branding, pricing, sales, packaging and market readiness.Upcoming webinars run from October 29 to December 3.
Learn more and register for the webinars at investbarrie.ca/events.
Mayor’s Christmas card contest – call for entries!
Capture the festive spirit of Barrie and see your artwork featured on the Mayor’s official Christmas card. Open to all Barrie residents. Submit your original artwork by Friday, November 18, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. The artwork may be a photograph, painting, drawing, etc., should be suitable for use as a Christmas card and should depict a City of Barrie scene or event. The winning entry will receive a $600 award.
For more information on criteria and details on how to apply, visit barrie.ca/CardContest.
Santa arrives in Barrie on November 21
Presented by the Barrie Chamber of Commerce, this year’s Santa Claus Parade takes place on Saturday, November 21 at 5 p.m. Featuring floats, marching bands, and festive decorations, the parade fills the streets with holiday spirit that brings smiles to all ages! The parade is followed by the Noella tree lighting downtown.
For more information and event details, visit barrie.ca/events.
Mark your calendars for winter recreation and holiday programs registration!
Residents can register for the City of Barrie’s winter recreation and culture programs beginning December 8, with registration opening for non-residents on December 15. Wish list for viewing opens December 1. This winter’s lineup offers a wide range of activities designed for all ages, interests, and abilities.
Throughout December, residents can take part in special holiday-themed programming, including the 12 Days of Fitmas Challenge, Winter Break Camps, festive family activities, and holiday skating opportunities. Whether you’re looking to stay active, learn a new skill, keep children engaged during the school break, or enjoy seasonal recreation with family and friends, there are plenty of options to choose from.
For program details and registration, visit play.barrie.ca. For the latest schedule of drop-in recreation opportunities, visit barrie.ca/RecDropins.
Overnight parking restrictions start December 1
The City reminds residents that from December 1 to March 31, on-street parking is not permitted on City streets from 12:01 to 7 a.m., and from 3 to 6 a.m. within the Downtown Business Improvement Area. This ensures that the streets can be completely cleared of snow and that emergency vehicles can get down the street. Outside of this time period, overnight on-street parking is not permitted if a “Winter Maintenance Event” is declared.
For more information, visit barrie.ca/snow.
Get involved! Apply to serve on a committee or board
The City is accepting applications from individuals interested in serving on statutory committees and boards during the 2027–2030 Council term. The deadline to apply is Friday, November 6, 2026, at 4:30pm.
Learn more and apply at barrie.ca/Committees.
Presented by The City of Barrie
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of The City of Barrie and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of iPolitics.
