Each year, the City of Barrie is proud to celebrate Culture Days, a Canada-wide celebration designed to catalyze and inspire public participation in arts and culture.
Culture Days programs invite the public to show appreciation for arts and culture in their own communities and nationwide. The Culture Days organization supports a Canada-wide network of arts, culture, and heritage organizers to facilitate free public events in their communities every year.
Culture Days 2025 takes place from Friday, September 19 to Sunday, October 12, delivering three glorious weeks of colour, creativity and community.
This year, Doors Open Barrie (September 27) was incorporated into Culture Days programming. Paired with Culture Days, Doors Open provided a unique opportunity to present free, hands-on arts activities in participating sites, giving residents and visitors a chance to learn about Barrie’s arts, heritage and business community.
2025 Programming
Culture Days programming is accessible and free, taking place in person, online, and through self-guided exploration. For even more related programming, visit the Barrie Public Library’s Calendar of Events and check out the Maclaren Art Centre’s current exhibitions.
Ongoing Programming
Previous 2025 Events
2024 Culture Days Highlights
Barrie was recognized by Culture Days in 2024 as one of Canada’s Top Participating Communities, ranking in the Top 10 Mid-Size Cities. One of our funded activities, “Nature’s Threads” by artist Ebru Winegard, won Culture Days’ People's Choice Spotlight Award. 2024 highlights:
- 55 total activities
- 13 activities funded by the City
- $11,775 invested by the City
- 32 sites animated
- 44 artists engaged
- 18 organizations & businesses engaged
Partners
Culture Days wouldn't be possible without the coordination of many in Barrie's arts sector. Thank you to all our partners for your passion and dedication to a healthy and vibrant cultural sector: Barrie Public Library, The Campus Gallery (Georgian College) and MacLaren Art Centre.
For even more programming, visit the Barrie Public Library’s Calendar of Events and check out the Maclaren Art Centre’s current exhibitions.