The county of Simcoe houses some of the best festivals in Ontario! You will find the best events like Kempnfest, the Mariposa Folk Festival and many others. If you are looking for fun events to attend this year, I gathered the best festivals in the county of Simcoe!
As a local, I have lived in the Simcoe County region for over 30 years and I love the wide range of events organized throughout the year. If you are looking for fun things to do in the county of Simcoe, there is an event according to your style. You will find everything, from music festivals to those who celebrate special food – such as Midland Butter Tart Festival.
Many of the best events in Simcoe County take place in summer. And with many destinations in the county of Simcoe just an hour of Toronto, many make a perfect day excursion!
Top Festivals of the Simcoe County at a glance
- Kempnfest
- Midland butter pie festival
- Mariposa folk festival
Best Simcoe County festivals to attend
Kempnfest
The most popular festival in the region is Kempnfest. Appointed among the 100 best Ontario festivals, this epic summer festival takes up the Barrie seafront.
Thousands of people flock to barrie every long weekend in August. Run for over 50 years, Kempenfest ranks at the top of Barrie festivals In terms of pleasure, size and volume of traffic.
Kempnfest is home to a host of fun activities during the 3 -day event. My favorite is the craft village which has more than 350 stands. Each year, I browse antiques and unique pieces made by local craftsmen such as jewelry and recycled clothes.
With endless sellers, popular attraction is the environment. It has a ferris wheel, carnival games and rides.
Kempenfest’s other attractions include a children’s village and live entertainment all weekend at two different stages. One thing to note is that even if the kempenfest is free, the evening concerts on the main scene are labeled.
I also highly recommend coming to Kempnfest! There is always a variety of fantastic food sellers dispersed along the seafront. Choose from an assortment of articles ranging from sweet treats to Putin and more.
If you are looking for fun Things to do in Barrie in summerThat’s it! Even with the crowd, on a beautiful day with a comforting breeze that drifts from the water, you can’t help but have fun.
Local advice: During Kempnfest, trying to find a parking lot in downtown Barrie is a nightmare. I highly recommend enjoying their free shuttle service.
Date: 1-4 August 2025
Midland butter pie festival
The Simcoe County gastronomic festival is the Midland Butter Tart Festival! Taking control of the city center for a day in June, the butter pie festival is one of the The best things to do in Midland!
King Street Street in downtown Midland is around 200 sellers. Many sell a variety of butter pies and butter -flavored goodies. One of my articles flavored with favorite butter pie that I tried is a popsicle!
Butter pies are the main star, and you will find a long list of different flavors. The festival sells more than 10,000 butter pies that are all, from the traditional coffee and flavored fruit.
In addition to all butter pies and other food sellers, you will find people who sell everything, from hand -made items to local memories. If you need to get out of the candies, don’t worry, there are also a number of food trucks.
The other fun events at the Butter Tart Festival include live music, street artists and a competition for the best butter pies!
Initiate advice: many of the best butter pies are sold quickly! So, if you want to buy butter pies, arrive in the morning (the festival starts at 9 a.m. so as not to miss.
Date: June 14, 2025
Mariposa folk festival
Pounded along the shores of Lac Couchiching is the Tudhope park, the location for the Mariposa folk festival. Since he started in 1961, the festival has been one of Orillia’s best attractions every summer.
The Mariposa Folk Festival is a 3 -day Canadian music festival that welcomes more than 50 artists each year. Taking up every July, the festival is a beloved event for the whole family.
Many artists from Canada have honored Mariposa’s scenes, including icons like Gordan Lightfoot and Leonard Cohen. Among the other stands, let us quote Tegan and Sara, KT Tunstall and Joni Mitchell.
With the multiple stages of music, the festival has fantastic craftsmen and food sellers. In addition, there are also areas for children’s activities.
Initiate Council: If this is your first participation, don’t forget a garden chair, a sunscreen and your dance shoes!
Date: July 4 to 6, 2025
Are you looking for another fun orillia festival? Check Press Maple in Orillia For fun stops to visit during the maple syrup season!
Alliston potato festival
Basically known now for the Honda factory, Alliston grew up thanks to the farmers of the region’s potato. It is therefore not surprising that an potato festival has pushed!
Every August, since 1972, the Alliston potato festival takes care of the city. Starting with the great parade, the 3 -day event takes place in Alliston Fairgrounds and other places in the city.
There is something for the whole family at the festival! The opening evening is the start of the outdoor coffee and halfway. In addition, there is live music takes place on the main outdoor coffee scene all weekend.
The Alliston potato festival has an assortment of fun shows. These range from a baby competition to a classic automotive show.
It would not be one of the best gastronomic festivals in Simcoe county without many things to eat! Start with a breakfast at the potato pancake on Saturday morning. Then discover the other sellers and restoration trucks who sell everything, from candies to hamburgers.
Other fun events that take place at the festival include a children’s zoo, a dog agility lounge and a facial paint.
Date: August 8 to 10, 2025
Boots and Hearts music festival
For those looking for the best Simcoe county music festivals, add the Boots and Hearts music festival to your list of summer buckets!
Since 2012, this several day event has become the largest festival of country and camping music in Canada! It takes place every August in Burl’s Creek Event Grounds located in Oro-Medonte, just north of Barrie.
Burl’s Creek covers more than 600 acres and is the largest outdoor event place in Canada. Make it the ideal place to organize this lively country music concert of the year.
Boots and Hearts Music Festival always has a stellar range of artists. The ancient emblematic artists include Tim McGraw, Florida Georgia Line, Alan Jackson and Shania Twain.
Date: August 7 to 10, 2025
Noella festival
If you like to check Free Christmas Light HitsBuying a real local tree and kicking off a vacation in style, then consult the Noella de Barrie festival.
The Noella festival is one of the best Christmas festivals in the county of Simcoe and takes place in downtown Barrie. From mid-November to December to December each year, the festival is full of fun and free entertainment.
Take advantage of free rides and family art activities. In addition, if you bring a toy or non -perishable gift, you will receive a free hot chocolate from Tim Horton. The singers are also on site to help you put yourself in the holiday spirit.
Santa Claus made his debut with an annual parade the first night of the Noella festival. To complete the festivities, admire the lighting of the trees to Meridian Place followed by fireworks.
The next day, one of the best Christmas markets in the city takes place. It presents local craftsmen and is the ideal place to grasp unique gifts. There is everything, handmade articles to food.
In partnership with the festival of holidays is another fun addition, the Rotary Festival of Trees. Along the seafront, in Heritage Park, there are a number of light screens.
In addition, if you want to buy a real tree for the holidays, the festival sells Christmas trees and crowns. The trees come from one of the Best Christmas tree farms in OntarioDRYSDALE, with all the profits, go to the charity.
Date: 2025 dates to announce
In conclusion
The county of Simcoe offers a dynamic tapestry of festivals which celebrate its rich cultural heritage and its dynamic community spirit. From fascinating festivities to Kempenfest to the attractive delights of the butter pie festival, there is something for everyone. These festivals present not only the various attractions of the region, but also unite inhabitants and visitors to unforgettable experiences. Kiss the celebration spirit and make sure you mark your calendars for these exceptional events.
Are you looking for more fun things to do in the county of Simcoe?
Upper hikes in the county of Simcoe
Take advantage of the theater live in Barrie at Kempenfelt Players Theater
Pin image for subsequent reference!
