Mid-Winter Social: Experience winter
Join us on Family Day weekend 2025
About the Mid-Winter Social
Discovery Harbour celebrates winter by welcoming visitors to the historic site on February 15-17, 2025 from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. daily. This event runs in tandem with the Town of Penetanguishene’s 77th Annual Winterama.
All the activities (Saturday, Sunday and Monday – see below for specific times.)
OUTDOOR ADVENTURE
- Jump on the tractor-pulled wagon ride
- Experience the thrill of a kids’ snow tube run – we provide the tubes!*
- Strap on snowshoes and stomp along the snowshoeing track*
*Some activities are weather dependent*
HISTORIC EXPERIENCE
- Explore historic Keating House, watch historic cooking demonstrations and sample warm maple syrup
- Watch the sparks fly at the historic blacksmith demonstration
- Be mesmerized while watching the Black Powder Musket firing demonstration
- Dress up like a 19th century British soldier in the soldiers’ encampment
- Enjoy guided tours of the original establishment’s Officers’ Quarters and explore a 19th century soldiers’ encampment
- Explore the H.M.S. Tecumseth Centre and check out the real Tecumseth shipwreck and other museum displays
- Listen to traditional Métis storytelling in the Métis dwelling
GAMES, CRAFTS AND MORE!
- Say hello to costumed characters! More info and details coming soon!
- Join the fun of the new Mini Winter Olympics – a variety of games held throughout the historic site
- Try the hands-on traditional activities of candle-making and beading in our cozy cabins
- Transform in your favourite animal at our face painting station!
- Join the Endorphin Boost Challenge and help spread smiles and joy!
- Games and activities in the HMS Tecumseth Centre
- Discover your inner artist at our Arctic Art Adventure in the HMS Tecumseth Centre
SWEETS, TREATS AND SHOPPING
- Warm up with hot chocolate and a variety of snacks at the Cocoa Corner in the HMS Tecumseth Centre and Theatre Treats at the Kings’ Wharf Theatre
- Roast bannock over a crackling open fire
- Visit local artisans and vendors in Garrison Hall
EVERYTHING ELSE
- Gather your team of 4-6 players and try to escape the Brig in our Escape Room Experience (additional charge)
- Kid-approved live performances in the Kings’ Wharf Theatre (more info coming soon!)
- Enjoy a delicious meal at Captain Roberts’ Table
Mid-Winter Social tickets
- Tickets are $12.00 per person (tax inclusive)
- Cash, credit & debit accepted
- Reservations are not required. Walk up, walk in!
- Free parking is available at 93 Jury Drive
- Tickets will be available for purchase in mid-January
FREE ADMISSION DETAILS
- Kids 5 & under are FREE!
- Indigenous. Métis and Inuit people with valid ID
- Support persons accompanying a paying person
- Season Pass Holders
- Canadian Armed Forces Members
Please note that the Escape Room is not included in the free admission programs.
GOOD TO KNOW
- Service animals only will be permitted at this special event, please leave your pets at home
- The event will run in most types of weather (sun, rain, snow, ice)
- The event will take part almost entirely outdoors, please dress for conditions
Make your Family Day weekend epic:
book your Escape Room experience!
Running during the Mid-Winter Social: Experience Winter event is our captivating Escape Room experience.
Gather your team of 4-6 players and solve puzzles and challenges to escape!
You and your guests have run afoul of perhaps the toughest Bo’sun in His Majesty’s Royal Navy, Bo’sun Starkweather! Oh, he is a “Jack Nasty Face”, no doubt about it, and has a sense of humour as dark as the night sky. Which is why he has concocted a series of puzzles and challenges designed to frustrate, confuse and mislead you. Beat him at his game and you gain your freedom! Fail, and the black-souled Bo’sun may leave you in this dank, dark place for good! Look lively now! The clock is ticking. You and your mates are running out of time!
Experience our epic Escape Room!
Please click each image below to see a larger version.
Dates & times:
Saturday, February 15 – Monday, February 17
- Times 11:00am, 1:00pm, 3:00pm
- Reservations are required
Escape Room experience tickets:
- Tickets are $36.00 per person
- Includes HST and admission to the Mid-Winter Social event
- Cash, credit & debit accepted
- Season passes not valid for the escape room
- Passes & coupons can not be accepted for the Escape Room
Escape Room capacity:
- The Escape Room requires a minimum of 4 people and a maximum of 6 players to complete
- Bookings without the minimum number of people will be cancelled with no additional notice
Good to know:
- This experience is suitable for those 12 years and older
- You will need at least 4 players 16 years or older to successfully complete the challenges
- Teams will have up to 1 hour to escape from the Brig, using clues and solving puzzles
- As part of your experience, your team will be accompanied by the “Jail Guard”. They will offer you hints if you ask.
- Please arrive at least 15-20 minutes before the start of your experience to allow for parking and admission
Apply to be a vendor at the 2025 Mid-Winter Social event!
Do you create one-of-a-kind products for sale? Would you like to be part of this emerging vendor market? Apply to be an artisan or food vendor at Mid-Winter Social!
Captain Roberts’ Table will be open during the event!
Hours: 11:00 am to 4:00 pm
Check back for more details and special menu items.
Come play at the Mid-Winter Social!
While we love our furry friends, we are not able to accommodate pets at this special event (service dogs are welcomed of course). Thank you for your understanding.
- Please arrive 15-20 minutes early to allow time to allow for parking and admissions.
- Taking photos is encouraged.
- Smoking or vaping (including marijuana) is not permitted on Discovery Harbour property.
- Light snacks will be available for purchase from the Snack Shack.
- Please note this event takes place mostly outdoors and, visitors should plan to dress accordingly for weather and terrain.
93 Jury Drive, Penetanguishene, L9M 1G1
Parking info
Please park in the parking lot provided and make your way on foot through the black entrance gates to the boardwalk area and The Charthouse (Admissions building).
Need more info?
Please contact us at hhp@ontario.ca or (705) 549-8064 if you have any questions.
Discovery Harbour traces its roots back to the original British naval and military base in Penetanguishene, built to safeguard access to Upper Canada after the War of 1812.
“His Majesty’s Naval Establishment on Lake Huron”, (as it was first called) kept ships prepared to supply British posts to the northwest. By 1820, it was home to over 70 people, including sailors, officers, shipwrights, and soldiers. Five large ships, 15 smaller vessels, and numerous workshops and dwellings were built.
In 1828, a British garrison on Drummond Island was relocated to Penetanguishene. By 1834, Canada was defended exclusively by these forces. An impressive stone Officers’ Quarters was built in 1845. The military occupied the site until 1856.
Discovery Harbour is operated by Huronia Historical Parks, and is an Attraction of the Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries.
