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Downtown Countdown 2020/21

Ring in the New Year in downtown Barrie! Traveling from near and far, thousands join together in downtown Barrie to celebrate with a free evening of fun, live entertainment, and fireworks at one of Central Ontario's largest New Year's Eve celebrations.

As 2020 announcements are made, they will be posted here. You can also follow @creativebarrie on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram​ for exciting Downtown Countdown updates.

Downtown Countdown 2019/20

While we plan for 2020, check out the amazing line-up of fun and music that took place in Barrie this past New Year's Eve:

Activities

​6pm–Midnight @ Barrie City Hall



​Under the twinkling lights on the arch of Old City Hall enjoy:



​Skating on the Circle at the Centre rink. Bring your skates! Indoor changerooms available.

Horse-drawn wagon rides

Roaming performers

Family fun - face painting, Speaking of Wildlife, Snow Valley's mini tube slide, inflatable snowglobe, and more

Bonfire warming zone

Food vendors

Fireworks - two shows! The first following the family celebration and the second at midnight to ring in 2020!​

​Entertainment



​In partnership with Rock 95, 107.5 Kool FM and Barrie 360, the City of Barrie presents an awesome line-up of live music featuring a special performance and countdown for families, local talent, a Canadian headliner, countdown to midnight, fireworks, and more!



The Trews: Canadian favourites, The Trews, have earned legions of fans with hits such as Not Ready to Go, Tired of Waiting, Hold Me In Your Arms, Highway of Heroes, and Hope and Ruin. They've toured extensively over more than 15 years together and have been nominated for 6 Juno Awards. In 2018 they released their 6th studio album, Civilianaires, after undertaking a new creative process. With roots in Nova Scotia, they now call Hamilton home and have performed with the likes of the Rolling Stones, Robert Plant, Bruce Springsteen, and Weezer.​ They've built up a reputation of putting on a stellar live show that will make the Downtown Countdown the place to ring in the New Year!

Craig Cardiff: This year's line-up will also include Canadian troubadour, Craig Cardiff. Described as "a songwriter that needs to be heard" by Gordon Lightfoot, Cardiff sings songs that expose the human condition, putting a magnifying glass to the clumsier and less proud moments. He can turn any setting into an intimate affair, infusing his music and lyrics with an uncompromising humanism and making a point to keep the relationship with his fans personal. Armed with an extensive cataloque of songs and sharp wit, Cardiff has played with and opened for artists such as Blue Rodeo, Gord Downie, Sarah Harmer, Skydiggers, and Hawksley Workman.

Splash 'n Boots: Splash 'n Boots​ rose to prominence in the hearts and minds of families through music, live shows, and television. Their music creates family dance parties and is the soundtrack of bedtimes, mealtime and fun moments in between. They've released twelve albums resulting in five JUNO Award nominations for Children's Album of the Year. Their most recent album, "You, Me and the Sea", co-written and produced by Alan Doyle, won the 2019 JUNO Award for Children's Album of the Year. On television, they appear daily in over 8.5 million homes across Canada with their number one TV show broadcast daily on Treehouse TV and Disney Jr. Canada, as well as the worldwide streaming platform Kidoodle, garnering over 1 million views in the first 6 months. Splash 'n Boots will be sure to put on an inspiring and energetic show that will have the whole family up dancing.



The Hillbirds: Every year, the City of Barrie invites bands from Barrie and area to submit for the opportunity to perform on the Downtown Countdown stage. From over 30 submissions, the 2019/20 year's featured band was The Hillbirds! The Hillbirds are an indie/folk/pop band from Barrie who keep things real with their meaningful lyrics and high energy performances. Formed by husband/wife musical duo Nicole & Nick Duquette, The Hillbirds have filled out their sound with Tanner Greatrix on drums and David Rakusin on bass. Having only formed in 2019, they've had a great run so far with performances at venues and festivals throughout Ontario and are currently recording in the studio. We are excited to welcome them to the Downtown Countdown stage!

​Getting Around & Parking



On New Year's Eve, Barrie Transit service is FREE from 5:00pm to 3:00am to help get you and your family to and from your celebrations safely. if you plan to drive to the event, there is plenty of FREE downtown parking​ available within walking distance, including covered parking in the Collier Street Parkade.

Road closures for the event include:

Collier Street from Owen Street to Mulcaster Street

6:00am December 30 to 12:00 noon January 1

Collier Street from Mulcaster Street to Berczy Street

3:00pm December 31 to 2:00am January 1

Mulcaster Street from Dunlop Street to Worsley Street

3:00pm December 31 to 2:00am January 1