The Hottest – and Coolest – Festival returns to Downtown Bracebridge, Ontario
The popular Fire & Ice event is back in “Muskoka’s Downtown” with family fun activities and incredible entertainment.
On Saturday January 25, 2025, Bracebridge, Ontario is once again the place to be to embrace the best a Canadian winter has to offer, including indoor and outdoor adventures galore. This year it is even easier to join in the fun with festival tickets being sold online.
The highlight of the event is the town’s main street which is transformed overnight by a dedicated group of volunteers into the now-famous tube hill run down to the centre of Bracebridge. Glide past onlookers, shops and restaurants to all the action below – an unforgettable experience (and make sure someone has a camera ready to capture the action).
Returning this year is Axed so everyone can get a taste of the lumberjack life with some axe throwing. Don’t miss out on buskers and the popular Great Canadian Lumberjack Shows as well, taking place throughout the day. There are plenty of spots to eat and to warm up during the festival, including a pancake breakfast at Bracebridge Active Living Centre, maple taffy, fresh fireside popcorn, or drop in to Bracebridge Hall, a renovated 20th century carriage house, which will be hosting an 80s-inspired ski chalet party. If it gets too warm, enjoy a cold brew at the Biergarten hosted by Bracebridge Hall.
All Day Activities
The town is split into four main zones for the Fire & Ice Festival:
Memorial Park will be hosting the winter village with axe throwing, food trucks, kid’s snowshoeing, the Great Canadian Lumberjack Show (noon, 2pm and 4pm), ice sculpting from 2 to 5pm and a beer garden.
Midtown is where the tube run is located, along with a mini tube slide, Science North and from 8.30 to 11am pancake breakfast at the Bracebridge Active Living Centre.
Downtown features carnival games, a marshmallow roast, arts and crafts at The Annex, popcorn over and open fire, cupcake decorating, a drum circle and the end of festival fireworks at 6pm.
Taylor Road, at the bottom of the tube run, is where the buskers will be along with the Birds of Prey show.
Downtown Delights
As well as a day full of family activities, the Fire & Ice Festival gets to show off this amazing town and all its businesses. The town is known for its unique art galleries, clothing boutiques, outfitters, antique and bric-a-brac emporiums, specialty stores – with everything from kitchen supplies and housewares to toys or Funko Pops – and some great vintage and second-hand stores. Don’t forget the incredible array of bakeries, restaurants, tea shops and bars that will make you want to plan a return visit in every season!
