Barrie, ON – The wait is almost over! This Saturday, July 11, Downtown Barrie transforms into Ontario’s sweetest destination as the 3rd Annual Open Air Dunlop Butter Tart Festival returns for a full day of butter tarts, local shopping, live entertainment, and community celebration.

Whether you’re on the hunt for the province’s best butter tart, cheering on the annual baking competition, browsing local vendors, or planning to cap off the evening with Kim Mitchell, here’s your guide to making the most of your day.

10:00 AM – Festival Opens!

The streets are officially open!

Stroll through Downtown Barrie’s Dunlop Street and Meridian Place, where you’ll discover:

20 of Ontario’s top butter tart creators

100+ vendors, including bakers, artisans, makers, specialty food vendors, and local retailers.

Be sure to visit returning festival favourites:

• Maids Cottage
• King’s Daughter
• Doo Doo’s
• Bruno’s — the reigning Butter Tart Champion

Come hungry—there’s no better day to sample classic recipes and creative new flavours.

11:00 AM – 1:00 PM – The Butter Tart Competition

MERIDIAN PLACE

One of the festival’s most anticipated traditions returns as Ontario’s talented bakers compete for butter tart bragging rights.

A panel of community judges will taste, score, and crown the 2026 Butter Tart Champions in two categories:

Traditional
Celebrating the timeless favourites—plain, raisin, pecan, walnut, maple, currants, coconut, and more.

Bliss
Creative butter tarts with imaginative twists, unique ingredients, and dessert-inspired combinations.

Grab a seat and follow the judging as every bite brings us closer to crowning this year’s winners.

Celebrate a Canadian Classic

Did you know the original butter tart recipe is believed to have been created by the Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre Auxiliary in 1903?

The festival proudly celebrates this delicious piece of Canadian history while supporting the RVH Keep Life Wild Campaign, helping strengthen healthcare throughout our community.

All Day Long (10:00 AM – 5:00 PM)

Between butter tarts, take time to explore everything Downtown Barrie has to offer.

Shop local boutiques and specialty retailers

Meet talented Ontario makers and artisans

Enjoy patios, cafés, restaurants, and sweet treats around every corner

Find your next favourite butter tart—and maybe take a dozen home!

7:30 PM – Kim Mitchell Live in Meridian Place

The sweet day turns into an unforgettable summer night.

Legendary Canadian rock icon Kim Mitchell takes the Meridian Place stage for a special concert presented by the City of Barrie.

Originally planned for New Year’s Eve, this long-awaited performance has found the perfect summer home.

So dust off that New Year’s resolution and come celebrate with classics like Go for Soda, Patio Lanterns, and more.

Before You Go

3rd Annual Open Air Dunlop Butter Tart Festival

Saturday, July 11, 2026

Festival Hours: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Downtown Barrie — Dunlop Street & Meridian Place

Admission is FREE

Whether you’re visiting for your first butter tart or returning for another year of sweet traditions, this is one summer celebration you won’t want to miss.

We’ll see you in Downtown Barrie for the sweetest day of the summer!