Winnipeg
Do you think there is nothing to do in Spring? Think again.
In Manitoba, Spring is a favourite season because it means the end of a long winter, and Summer is just around the corner. Many festivals begin,and places like The Forks get ready for all of their outdoor entertainment.
We have a list of 45 things you might want to do this Spring in Manitoba. From events to tours and places to visit, you’ll want to cram this whole list into the next three months.
- If you haven’t already, book your Manitoba Parks camping sites. The reservations started on March 18 for the 2019 season with 3 separate phases of booking. It is not yet late to snag your favourite campground for the weekend of your choice.
- The hockey season starts to wrap up as Spring comes around. When that happens, it turns into playoff time. Winnipeg Jets have qualified for the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs! Round 1 will commence the week of April 8th, 2019. Take in a game and see hockey like never before. If you cannot splurge for the tickets, join for Whiteout parties that will take over Downtown Winnipeg and see the game on giant screens!
- The annual Asessippi Slush Cup is on their last day of the skiing season. You’re sure to kick off Spring with a splash as you ski right into the water.
- Experience Ballet like never before with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet’s Ballet and the Band shows. Between the choreography from the dancers and the music from Juno-award winning The Bros Landreth, this is an event you won’t want to miss.
- The Old St Andrews Church is celebrating its 170th Anniversary with a series of special events. The first event is a concert with the youth singing group Enharmony on Saturday, April 6th at 7pm.
- Starting in April until the end of May, Fort Whyte Alive hosts Birding and Breakfast in the morning. You get a guided hike to see how many bird species you can find. Wrap it up with a delicious breakfast at the Buffalo Stone Café.
- Learn how to make beautiful pysanka at the Oseredok Pysanka Workshops. Attend the spring fair at Oseredok where you can find pysanky, rushnysky, candles and more!
- Compete in the Bill Bannock Classic Ice Fishing Derby on April 6, 2019 at Clearwater Lake.
- Visit Saint Pierre Jolys Museum, to celebrate the arrival of spring and the production of local Manitoba Maple Syrup. Learn first-hand about the production of maple syrup, taste delicious “taffy on the snow”, taking a tour of the museum and the Goulet House, enjoy a horse-drawn wagon ride! and go home laden with maple candies, maple syrup and all things maple!
- Fascinating fossils from every Canadian province and territory at Fossil Favourites from Across Canada. It features contributions from 11 museums across Canada, showcasing noteworthy fossils that represent significant discoveries and research at these institutions. March 8 – May 26, 2019
- Test your wit and teamwork skills as your group of 3-6 people try to escape the private railcar of William Van Horne! Learn about the history of the Canadian Pacific Railway and discover old government secrets as you try to escape! Don’t miss Escape le Rideau from April 8 – May 8, 2019 @ Fort la Reine Museum, Portage la Prairie.
- If you’ve never had the chance to view the ice breakup on Lake Winnipeg, you’ll want to do that this spring. At Gimli, it’s one of the best places to see the spectacle of the ice crackling and popping as it breaks apart.
- McCreary’s Manitoba Maple Syrup Festival celebrates by experience the local producers, the culture, the heritage and the land that dominates this region. April 12 – 13, 2019
- As the snow melts and the sun shines, it’s time to get things that cool us down. Ice-cream is a wonderful spring and summer treat, and as spring blooms, many of the seasonal ice-cream shops open their windows. Try out one of these popular ice-cream places in Manitoba.
- Enjoy a bite-sized version of Central Canada Comic Con! Manitoba Comic Con at RBC Convention Centre, Winnipeg
- Every month Bella’s Castle celebrates a particular style of cuisine. In April, they’ll be celebrating Manitoban specials. You’ll be treated to favourites from the province, along with live entertainment.
- All Nations Tribal Days is a combination of activities for the Portage la Prairie area and surrounding communities. It engages sports, entertainment and provides a new opportunity to build and enhance relationships.
- Watch the spring migration of amazing hawks and eagles through Manitoba’s scenic Pembina Valley. La Riviere Raptor Festival 2019 on April 13, 2019. Enjoy guided walking tours and spotting and counting of birds at posting stations. You will be able to watch for Bald Eagles, Sharp-shinned Hawks, Red-tailed Hawks, Turkey Vultures and Perigrine Falcons to name a few. Dress for the weather, bring camera and binoculars and enjoy some time outdoors.
- Don’t miss the opportunity to see what’s under the skin of more than 100 animal specimens. Body Worlds: Animal Inside Out at The Manitoba Museum on April 17 – September 1, 2019
- From April 19 to 20, enjoy Manitoba Metalfest.
- Spring is a great time to go outside. Although the greenery hasn’t bloomed yet, the breaking and melting ice leaves behind picturesque scenery. Go for a hike and enjoy Spring!.
- Enjoy the Wines of Spain at the Winnipeg Wine Festival. There is a full week of festivities for you to enjoy with many WineDown Events, Gala Dinner & Auction, and signature Public Tastings. April 28 – May 4, 2019
- Canada’s funniest comics converge on Winnipeg for seven days of hilarious stand-up, sketch, and improvisational comedy. This nationally televised festival delivers the laughs at venues throughout Winnipeg ranging from large theatres to intimate clubs.
- The Architecture + Design Film Festival (A+DFF) presents critically acclaimed films focusing on the importance of architecture and design in everyday life.
- L. Frank Baum’s tale of family, friendship, and courage is vividly brought to life in The Wizard of Oz. Join Dorothy, the Scarecrow, Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion as they journey down the Yellow Brick Road to the Emerald City at Centennial Concert Hall in Winnipeg.
- Plan to attend the annual Rippin’ and Roarin’ Bull Riding held at the Shamrock Centre in the Paterson Arena. The bulls and riders as well as the rodeo clown put on a great show for the crowd on May 3, 2019.
- The ever so popular St. Norbert Farmers’ Market heads outdoors in May. This market has been around for 30 years and is still one of Manitoba’s most popular markets
- Celebrate Arbor Day with tree plantings and tree climbing demonstrations along with games and activities for kids on May 11, 2019. On May 12, 2019, bring Mom to the International Peace Garden for our Mother’s Day Brunch. Enjoy and roast beef and chicken buffet and then take in our world class collection at The Conservatory which is one of the largest unique species collections in the world boasting over 5000+ unique species. Peace Garden
- Ignite your spirit and join over 800 dancers at the 2018 Manito Ahbee International Pow Wow! In addition, the Manito Ahbee Festival features an indigenous marketplace and trade show, jigging and square dance competition. May 15 – 19, 2019
- Manitoba’s premier Science Fiction & Fantasy Literary Convention focuses on science fiction, fantasy and related literary genres in any form. Keycon 36 on May 17 – 19, 2019.
- Celebrate Family Fun Days at Assiniboia Downs with pony rides, petting farm, bouncy castles and face painting.
- The Forks in Winnipeg really becomes alive in Spring into Summer. If you’ve never been to The Forks, you should go during the Spring months to listen to the buskers. Hundreds of buskers compete to against one another to be one of the handfuls of buskers who can perform. You’ll be entertained with music all day.
- This spring, experience an up-close encounter with amazing stingrays at Stingray Beach! Dip your hands in the shallow pool to feel cownose and southern stingrays flutter past your fingers. This exhibit will officially open on Thursday, May 16, 2019
- Participate in the Epic East Gate Trail Run on May 25, 2019 at the Riding Mountain National Park.
- Pride Winnipeg is one of the largest celebrations between Toronto and Vancouver of LGBTTQ people and their allies, supporters and friends. May 24 to June 2, 2019.
- The warmer it gets in spring, the closer you get to the snakes emerging from their dens at the Narcisse Snake Dens. Snake viewing lasts until about the beginning of June before they head back to their dens over the summer months. Mid-to-late May is the best time to go in spring.
- The annual Falcon Lake Walleye Masters Cup is on June 1st. Grab your fishing buddies and enter in a team to try and win the fishing derby.
- Celebrate the kick off to summer with midway rides, fair food, traditional Home Craft competitions, classic car show, demo derby and quality family entertainment. Manitoba Summer Fair on June 5 – 9, 2019 in Brandon.
- The On the Trail of Monarch Butterfly exhibit at the New Iceland Heritage Museum ends on May 1st. You’ll want to see this exhibit as it’s in collaboration with the Embassy of Mexico, the Canada Aviation and Space Museum.
- Spring can get busy, so take a weekend with the family to relax and unwind. Head to Falcon Trails Resort to enjoy one of the most beautiful areas of Whiteshell Provincial Park.
- Join the migration of returning Snow Geese. and explore the excellent birding opportunities to be found in Churchill. See a wide variety of bird species, while keeping a sharp eye out for such rarities as the Ross’s Gull, Bohemian Waxwing and Harris’s Sparrow. Led by a birding expert, this 6-day program is focused on full-time birding! June 6 – 11, 2019 at Churchill Northern Studies Centre. Spring’s Wings: Birding in Churchill.
- The Mandela: Struggle for Freedom exhibit at the Canadian Museum of Human Rights will wrap up this year. If you’re looking for something to do in early spring when it’s still a bit chilly out, take a look at this exhibit to learn more about Nelson Mandela and his movement.
- Manitoba’s largest Filipino community event, the Manitoba Filipino Festival takes place on June 8 – 9, 2019. There are over 50 community associations participating in the parade, cultural celebrations and performances.
- The Dream Factory River City Dragon Boat Festival on June 7 & 8, 2019 is a fantastic opportunity for fun, entertainment, racing, and most importantly, to help us to Make more Dreams Come True!
The 11th annual Chickendaze Event falls on June 14-16, 2019. Children can enjoy Al Simmons, Teakle family circus, glitterbug family, and a petting zoo. - Hit Main Street Steinbach to taste and see the world in highlighting foods from around the world and watch some cultural performances. Have some fun on the midway, visit the food trucks, eat mini donuts, shop the vendor booths. Summer in the City on June 14 – 16, 2019
- Join nearly 11,000 runners in a Celebration of Fitness, Family, and Fundraising on June 16, 2019 at the Manitoba Marathon.
- Is Red River Ex, a spring festival or a summer one? Which ever list it belongs to, the festival is a great way to welcome Summer! From June 13 to 23, enjoy hundreds of new and favourite events and activities at the Red River Ex.
