Things to Do in Barrie in December

December Weather in Barrie

32°F (0°C) High Temp

18°F (-8°C) Low Temp

2.9 inches (74 mm) Rainfall

70% Humidity

Is December Right for You?

Advantages

Heritage Park and Simcoe County Museum transform into winter wonderlands with cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails - equipment rentals typically cost $25-35 CAD per day
Kempenfest Bay freezes solid by mid-December, creating natural ice skating and ice fishing opportunities directly in downtown Barrie
Scenic Caves Nature Reserve offers ice cave formations and frozen waterfall views accessible via heated shuttle service from downtown
Christmas markets and holiday festivals run throughout December, with the Barrie Winter Festival typically occurring third weekend of December

Considerations

Lake Huron effect snow creates unpredictable driving conditions - Highway 400 can close with 2-4 hours notice during storms
Many seasonal attractions like Centennial Beach and lakefront activities shut down completely from December through March
Extremely short daylight hours - sun sets by 5 PM, limiting outdoor photography and sightseeing time

Best Activities in December

Scenic Caves Winter Adventures

December transforms Scenic Caves into an ice wonderland with frozen waterfalls and ice cave formations. Snow-covered suspension bridges and heated visitor facilities make this accessible even in -8°C weather. Best visited between 10 AM-2 PM for optimal lighting and warmth.

Booking Tip: Book online 5-7 days ahead for weekend visits. Winter admission typically costs $18-22 CAD adults. Heated shuttle service available from Blue Mountain village. Look for operators offering ice climbing instruction and winter photography tours.

Muskoka Winter Scenic Tours

December offers crystal-clear views of frozen Muskoka lakes and snow-covered cottage country. Professional heated coach tours navigate winter roads safely while you enjoy hot beverages and blanket service. Lakes freeze completely by late December creating postcard landscapes.

Booking Tip: Half-day tours typically cost $75-95 CAD including lunch stops. Book through established tour companies with winter-equipped vehicles. See current options in booking section below for tours departing from Barrie.

Barrie Ice Fishing Experiences

Kempenfest Bay and surrounding lakes offer excellent ice fishing once ice reaches safe thickness (typically mid-December). Heated huts, equipment, and local guide services available. December ice fishing targets lake trout, perch, and pike in 3-8 meter (10-26 ft) depths.

Booking Tip: Guided experiences cost $120-180 CAD for 4-6 hours including equipment and heated shelter. Verify ice thickness reports before booking - local operators monitor conditions daily. Most include fish cleaning and basic cooking instruction.

Snow Valley Ski Resort Day Trips

Located just 15 km (9.3 miles) from downtown Barrie, Snow Valley typically opens by early December with machine-made snow supplementing natural snowfall. Night skiing available until 10 PM with heated chalets and equipment rentals on-site.

Booking Tip: Lift tickets range $45-65 CAD depending on weekday/weekend. Equipment rental packages $35-45 CAD. Purchase multi-day passes online for 15-20% savings. Ski lessons recommended for beginners cost $60-80 CAD including equipment.

Horse-Drawn Sleigh Tours

Multiple farms within 30 km (18.6 miles) of Barrie offer traditional sleigh rides through snow-covered forests and fields. December provides ideal snow conditions and festive atmosphere. Most tours include hot chocolate stops and blanket service.

Booking Tip: One-hour tours typically cost $25-40 CAD per person. Weekend evening tours often include bonfire experiences for $45-60 CAD. Book 2-3 weeks ahead for December weekends. Look for farms offering heated waiting areas and indoor washroom facilities.

Collingwood Christmas Markets

Historic downtown Collingwood, 45 km (28 miles) from Barrie, hosts elaborate Christmas markets throughout December. Local artisans, hot food vendors, and live entertainment in heated tents. Combines well with Blue Mountain winter activities.

Booking Tip: Free admission to most markets, food and crafts typically $8-25 CAD per item. Parking can be challenging on weekends - consider tour transportation from Barrie costing $35-45 CAD round trip. Markets usually run weekends plus daily December 15-23.

December Events & Festivals

Third weekend of December

Barrie Winter Festival

Annual celebration featuring ice sculptures, outdoor skating rink, hot food vendors, and live entertainment in downtown Meridian Place. Local artisans showcase winter crafts and traditional Canadian winter foods like beaver tails and hot maple taffy.

Late December (ice conditions permitting)

Kempenfest Bay Ice Fishing Derby

Community ice fishing competition open to visitors once bay ice reaches safe thickness. Equipment rentals available, prizes for various categories, heated registration tent with hot food service.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Insulated winter boots rated to -20°C (-4°F) with good tread - sidewalks and trails can be icy for weeks

Layering system: thermal base layer, fleece mid-layer, waterproof winter parka for -8°C temperatures with wind chill

Waterproof winter gloves plus liner gloves - outdoor activities require dexterity in sub-freezing temperatures

Warm winter hat that covers ears completely - heat loss through head significant in 70% humidity cold conditions

Wool or synthetic blend socks - cotton becomes dangerous when wet in freezing temperatures

Sunglasses for snow glare - UV reflects strongly off snow even with UV index of 2

Lip balm and moisturizer - indoor heating and cold dry air cause severe chapping

Portable phone charger - batteries drain 40-50% faster in sub-freezing temperatures

Ice cleats or microspikes for boots - attachment devices provide traction on icy surfaces throughout downtown

Hand and foot warmers - disposable heat packs essential for outdoor activities lasting more than 2 hours

Insider Knowledge

Tim Hortons locations become informal weather update centers - locals gather here during storm warnings and share real-time road conditions

Many restaurants offer 'winter warmup' specials in December featuring traditional Canadian comfort foods - ask about daily soup and stew features not on regular menus

Parking meters downtown are often buried under snow - bring extra quarters and small shovel/brush from car rental agency to clear meter faces

Local radio station KICX 91.7 FM provides most accurate hyper-local weather updates including lake effect snow warnings specific to Barrie area

Avoid These Mistakes

Underestimating lake effect snow impact - weather can change from clear to whiteout conditions in 30 minutes when winds shift off Georgian Bay

Booking outdoor activities without weather contingency plans - December averages 10 days with precipitation that can cancel tours

Assuming all winter activities operate daily - many outdoor attractions run weekend-only schedules from December through February