It’s going to be a holly jolly weekend in downtown Barrie.
This Saturday (Nov. 18) is the return of the Noella Tree Lighting Celebration, in partnership with the Barrie Chamber of Commerce Santa Claus Parade.
The Downtown Barrie BIA says there’s a full day of festive fun planned, leading up to the parade starting at 5 p.m., the tree-lighting and fireworks at 6 p.m., followed by a free concert with My Son the Hurricane!
Full details are available at downtownbarrie.ca.
Head back downtown on Sunday (Nov. 19) for the first Noella Festive Market from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. It will include unique gifts, handcrafted by local artisans, as well as delicious treats.
The BIA urges people to treat themselves to brunch at a downtown locale before heading to Meridian Place for the market.
Then stop by the Meridian Stage for a visit with Santa Claus.
There will also be Christmas carolers and lumberjack performances, as well as a chance to get creative with free art activities for all ages.
Be sure to check out the festive window displays throughout downtown Barrie and visit local merchants.
And as the sun starts to set, the BIA says it's a chance to take a wintry walk by the waterfront and enjoy the Rotary Club of Barrie’s annual Festival of Trees.
With this weekend's events, several road closures are also coming to downtown Barrie to make way for the annual Santa Claus parade.
Road closures, times and detours include:
- Full road closure on Dunlop Street between High Street and Bayfield Street as well as Mulcaster Street to Poyntz Street from 6 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. Note that roads intersecting Dunlop Street will be open until 4 p.m. for the parade's arrival.
- Full road closure on Dunlop Street between Bayfield and Mulcaster streets from 6 a.m. until 8:30 p.m.
- Full road closure on Owen Street between Collier and Dunlop streets from 6 a.m. until 8:30 p.m.
- Westbound lane closure on Lakeshore Drive between Minet’s Point Road and Tiffin Street from 1 p.m. until 6:30 p.m.
- Full road closure on Lakeshore Drive between Tiffin and Toronto streets from 2 p.m. until 7 p.m.
- Full road closure on Mulcaster Street between Collier and Dunlop streets from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m.
- Full road closure on Simcoe Street between Bayfield and Dunlop streets 5 p.m. until 8:30 p.m.
Detours route in effect will include:
Westbound: Hurst Drive – Minet’s Point Road – Yonge Street – Burton Avenue – Essa Road – Bradford Street – High Street – Dunlop Street – Eccles Street – Wellington Street – Ross Street – Bayfield Street – Collier Street – Blake Street.
Eastbound: Blake Street – Collier Street – Bayfield Street – Ross Street – Wellington Street – Eccles Street – Dunlop Street – High Street – Bradford Street – Tiffin Street – Lakeshore Drive.
