In addition to its outdoor festivals and athletic activities, Barrie also has a broad mix of cultural and sports centres that enrich community life.​

Barrie's MacLaren Art Centre, has a permanent collection of contemporary Canadian art and presents a year-round programme of exhibitions, education activities, and special events.

The Five Points Theatre is a fully-equipped theatre offering theatre, music, and dance performances.

The city's 4,195-seat, multi-purpose Sadlon Arena not only hosts international concerts, but is home to the Ontario Hockey League's Barrie Colts. The Colts came in second in the 2024-25 season.

Medal-winning Olympic figure skaters (e.g., Brian Orser, Elvis Stojko, Jeff Buttle) trained at the Mariposa School of Skating, which provides both figure skating and hockey lessons. In fact, their Pre-CanSkate program takes kids as young as 2 years old! Yes, we start them young in Canada! I will never forget the two-year-old, skating confidently along the ice, with a soother in her mouth!