Barrie Theatre Festival

August 7–17, 2025 | Preview: Thursday, August 7 | Opening Night Gala: Friday, August 8
Presented by Tourism Barrie
Supported by Experience Ontario and Canada Summer Jobs

The Barrie Theatre Festival launches in its reimagined format as a fully professional 10-day celebration of storytelling and stagecraft. Each performance is between 45 minutes to 1 hour in length, with shows programmed in complementary pairs, offering double-bill evenings, family matinees, and an accessible $110 Festival Pass that covers all six productions. With over 30 performances across three distinct curated series, the festival is designed to serve audiences of all ages while championing Canadian and regional talent:

• The Canadian Series – Acclaimed works by celebrated Canadian playwrights, including Dora and Toronto Fringe Festival Award-Winning shows.
• The Central Ontario Series – Regionally rooted stories from emerging local creators, including underrepresented and equity-deserving voices
• The Young Audiences Series – Professionally produced 45–60 minute performances created for youth and families, with themes of belonging, resilience, and imagination

“This is a cultural anchor event for our city,” says Doug Jure, Chair of the Board. “It’s designed to attract audiences, inspire artists, and create economic ripple effects through tourism and local business.”

Kathleen Trainor, Executive Director of Tourism Barrie, adds:
“People want experiential moments—something special to escape to and engage with. Theatre