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Experience the magic of winter in Wasaga Beach

SnowmanMania Returns to Wasaga Beach This Family Day Long Weekend with First-Ever Collaboration at Nancy Island Historic Site

By Town of Wasaga Beach - Jan 20, 2026

“SnowmanMania is a long-standing tradition in Wasaga Beach and a celebration of what makes our community special. For more than two decades, this winter festival has brought people together from across our community and the province to discover the magic of winter in Wasaga, and this year’s partnership with Nancy Island Historic Site adds an exciting new dimension. It’s another great example of how we are working together to create meaningful new experiences for residents and visitors and build Destination Wasaga.”

- Mayor Brian Smith

WASAGA BEACH, ON – SnowmanMania, Wasaga Beach’s annual winter festival, returns this February for four days of family-friendly fun, live entertainment, and winter activities—celebrating 21 years of bringing the community together. Taking place over Family Day weekend, and coinciding with Valentine’s Day, the 2026 festival also marks an exciting milestone with a first-ever collaboration with Nancy Island Historic Site.

 

“SnowmanMania is one of Ontario’s great homegrown events, bringing families and friends together to enjoy everything that makes winter in Wasaga unforgettable,” said Stan Cho, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming. “This year, I'm thrilled to see Huronia Historical Parks join in the fun by offering additional activities on Nancy Island. Family Day weekend is a great time for people of all ages to visit Wasaga and discover this special, long-standing festival.”

 

Set against the beautiful winter landscape of Wasaga Beach, SnowmanMania runs from Friday, February 13 to Monday, February 16 and offers something for all ages—from creative, interactive experiences to live performances and classic winter fun.

2026 Highlights

  • Winter Wanderland: The Town's signature outdoor SnowmanMania experience at the RecPlex, featuring illuminated Valentine's-inspired swings, cozy fire pits with Muskoka chairs, S'mores and marshmallow roasting stations, a live DJ, igloo building activity for kids and families, and skating at Oakview Woods Park.
  • Sweet Treats of Winter: Enjoy the flavours of winter in Wasaga with Beavertails, S'mores, marshmallow roasting, hot chocolate, and more!
  • Annual SnowmanMania Chili Cookoff: A long-running, competitive crowd-favourite.
  • Fire & Ice: Live fire performance featuring NorthFIRE Circus Duo, and ice carving in action.
  • The Snowman Challenge: This year, grab your friends and family and head to Nancy Island to show off your snowman-building and decorating skills (weather permitting). The top prize includes a trophy and bragging rights.
  • Sledfest: In support of Sledheads for Kids! and food banks across Simcoe County, join Snowmobilers from across the province in an attempt to beat the existing Guinness record for the World's Largest Snowmobile Parade.

Back by popular demand are SuperDogs and Rock Solid Wrestling.

New for 2026

Nancy Island Historic Site joins the festival as a presenting partner, expanding SnowmanMania’s footprint and offering visitors a new way to experience one of Wasaga Beach’s most significant heritage sites during the winter season. In addition to a family-friendly snow tubing, snowshoeing on the island, snowman building and decorating, hockey target shooting, maple taffy on snow, and more—inside the museum, SnowmanMania guests will be invited to warm up and take part in hands-on winter crafts, see the charred hull of the HMS Nancy and explore museum exhibits.

“We’re thrilled to be part of SnowmanMania for the first time,” said Will Baird of Huronia Parks. “Nancy Island Historic Site is an important place for learning, reflection, and community connection, and this partnership allows us to welcome visitors in a new way while celebrating winter and local heritage together.”

All SnowmanMania festivities are included with the purchase of a $3 SnowmanMania pin, unless otherwise noted. Proceeds help support the delivery of this long-running community event. Pins can be purchased at:

·       Town Hall

·       The RecPlex

·       Wasaga Beach Fire Hall

·       Wasaga Beach Public Library

·       Wasaga Stars Arena

·       120 Glenwood Drive Municipal Offices

Quick facts

  • In 2026, residents and visitors are invited to enjoy SnowmanMania across three locations: The RecPlex (1724 Mosley Street), the Wasaga Stars Arena (544 River Road West), and Nancy Island Historic Site (119 Mosely Street).
  • Public transit is free all weekend long.

Learn more at wasagabeach.com/SnowmanMania.

 

For full festival details, event schedules, and updates, visit wasagabeach.com/festivals-events or follow the Town of Wasaga Beach on social media.

SnowmanMania - 2026 Festival Guide

Friday, February 13

 At the RecPlex:  
5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. ❄️ Outdoor Skating at Oakview Woods Park
4:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m 🔥Winter Warm-Up Open Swim
7:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. 🔥SnowmanMania Winter Trivia Night (19+)

Saturday, February 14 (Valentine's Day)

At the RecPlex:  
11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. 🔥Kids Fun Zone featuring crafts, face painting, balloon twisting, interactive games and performances, and an inflatable maze.
11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m ❄️Winter Wanderland at Oakview Woods Park featuring illuminated swings, ice carving in action, cozy fire pits, Muskoka chairs, a live DJ, and igloo-building activities for kids. 
11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. ❄️Sweet Treats of Winter at Oakview Woods Park, featuring Beavertails, S'mores, and hot Chocolate.
11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m 🔥Winter Bird Feeder Building, presented by Wasaga Woodworkers.
11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m 🔥Winter Whirl Variety and Hula Hoop Show featuring Kiki Totally Outrageous 
12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. ❄️Annual SnowmanMania Chili Cook-off 
12:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. ❄️ Outdoor Skating at Oakview Woods Park
12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. 🔥Winter Warm-Up Open Swim
3:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. ❄️Fire and Ice: live fire performance, featuring NorthFIRE Circus Duo
At the Wasaga Stars Arena:  
11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. 🔥Kids Chill Zone featuring crafts, bracelet making, face painting, movies and more! 
11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. 🔥Kids Fun Zone featuring The Great Arctic Plunge Slide and
Brrr-illiant Bouncy Carnival.
At Nancy Island:  
11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m 🔥Visit the Nancy Island museum, participate in hands-on winter crafts, see the charred hull of the HMS Nancy, and explore museum exhibits. 
11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m ❄️Nancy Island hosts snowman building and decorating (weather permitting), snow tubing, snowshoeing, hockey target shooting, snowball toss, crafts for all ages, marshmallow roasting, sample maple taffy on snow, and more!

Sunday, February 15

At the RecPlex:  
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m 🔥Annual SnowmanMania Pancake Breakfast, presented by the Lion's Club.
10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m 🔥Winter Warm-Up Open Swim
12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. ❄️Outdoor Skating at Oakview Woods Park*
11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.      🔥Superdogs
At Nancy Island:  
11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m 🔥Visit the Nancy Island museum, participate in hands-on winter crafts, see the charred hull of the HMS Nancy, and explore museum exhibits. 
11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m ❄️Nancy Island hosts snowman building and decorating (weather permitting), snow tubing, snowshoeing, hockey target shooting, snowball toss, crafts for all ages, marshmallow roasting, sample maple taffy on snow, and more!

Monday, February 16 (Family Day)

At the RecPlex:  
12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. ❄️Outdoor Skating at Oakview Woods Park*
10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m 🔥Winter Warm-Up Open Swim
1:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. 🔥Snow Day Smackdown featuring Rock Solid Wrestling
At Nancy Island:  
11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m 🔥Visit the Nancy Island museum, participate in hands-on winter crafts, see the charred hull of the HMS Nancy, and explore museum exhibits. 
11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m ❄️Nancy Island hosts snowman building and decorating (weather permitting), snow tubing, snowshoeing, hockey target shooting, snowball toss, crafts for all ages, marshmallow roasting, sample maple taffy on snow, and more!

*Some events are subject to change depending on the weather.

For full festival details, event schedules, and updates, visit wasagabeach.com/snowmanmania or follow the Town of Wasaga Beach on social media.

Media Contact

Sandra Watts
Director of Strategic Communications & Intergovernmental Affairs
705.443.9248
Email Sandra

Candice Moreau
Manager of Marketing and Sales, Huronia Historical Parks, MTCG | Sainte-Marie among the Hurons, Discovery Harbour & Nancy Island
705.427.1063
candice.moreau@ontario.ca

 

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