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50+ Free Things to Do This Summer Around Winnipeg – 2026

Published by To Do Canada On June 1, 2026

Hurray!!! Summer is here! Time for fun and frolic! Here is a list of 50+ things you can enjoy this summer in and around Winnipeg. And the best of all, they are FREE!!!

 
  1. Winnipeg Night Market will light up True North Square & Graham Ave. with bold street eats, local makers, music, and nonstop night vibes with different cultural themes every Friday and Saturday from June 26 to August 1, 2026
  2. Set against the backdrop of a National Historic Site, Alleyways in the Exchange features a market, a gallery, audio performances, and an art lounge. June 19, July 17 & August 21, 2026.
  3. Join us at Assiniboine Park on Sunday, June 20 for a day filled with music, entertainment, and fun in recognition of Indigenous Peoples Day!
  4. Discover the diverse forms of art and culture at Le Patio 340. Le Patio opens on June 12th with a free program featuring DJ GeNie, Ukrainian folk music by Zrada, slam poet Mikaël Desforges, and jig dance by Les Gais Manitobains! Most events are free or pay what you can at this bilingual pop-up summer bar.
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    Le Patio 340

  5. Enjoy a variety of music at the Leaf for free on Saturdays in July. Garden Concerts at The Leaf
  6. CaRaVaN at the Cube is back for the summer with their open mic and open stage night, running on Mondays at 6:30 pm from June 1.
  7. Enjoy the first days of Summer at the “Saint-Boniface célèbre” festival.
  8. Red River Ex offers free gate admission on Friday, June 12th, from 5 pm to 6 pm. Enjoy free admission from Noon to 1:00 pm at Red River Ex on Sunday, June 14 and June 21, 2026.
  9. Be transported to an African marketplace bursting with color, sound, and energy. Whether it’s Afrobeat music, spicy jollof rice, or unique handcrafted goods, this is where you want to be on July 4, 2026.
  10. Year after year, new murals are added at many places in Winnipeg. Check out these artistic creations!
  11. Walk The Loop. It is an 8 km long walk with 49 stops connecting the city’s central neighbourhoods.
  12. Every Friday & Saturday in June, July, and August, enjoy a free concert from a local artist from 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM during the Corydon Avenue B.I.Z. Concert Series.
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    Credit: Downtown Winnipeg BIZ

  13. When it gets scorching hot outside, take a dip in the pool.
     
  14. Put on your hiking shoes and explore Winnipeg. Some hiking trails may be restricted or closed due to wildfire concerns. Do confirm any travel restrictions before your trip.
  15. Have you taken the kids to this mystic magical place that are the home of the elves? The rock gardens at the Viking Park, built around the famous Viking statue, in Gimli are home to the mysterious Huldufólk. According to Icelandic folklore these hidden people, live outdoors in rocky caves and nooks. Take a walk through the park and see if you can catch a sight.
  16. Spend the day exploring Winnipeg. Don’t know where to start? Check out our list of self-guided tours you can do!
  17. Free outdoor screenings of French-language films with English subtitles can be enjoyed throughout summer at the Saint-Boniface Cathedral. Movies under the Stars
  18. The Canadian Immigrant Fair is returning to Winnipeg on July 20, 2026. The Fair is a free, one-stop event connecting newcomers with information and inspiration on the three pillars of immigrant success: Careers, Education and Settlement.
  19. Head down to Gimli during the Gimli Film Festival. Though the festival is ticketed, beachside screenings are free to enjoy.
  20. See some of the world’s best contemporary artworks at the Plug In Institute of Contemporary Art.
  21. Delve into the rich history of Seven Oaks and Ross House like never before. Experience rare archival photos and artworks as you stroll through the very sites where history unfolded.
  22. Shop from handmade vendors at the Transcona BIZ Community Markets. Wednesday, July 1 & Thursdays, June 25 – August 27, 2026
  23. Sing Happy Birthday, Canada! There are lots of activities to enjoy this year.
  24. Attend the Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival held from July 15 to 26. The Old Market Square brims with entertainment and activity from noon to midnight every day as it comes alive with incredible music, talented street performers, a variety of food options, beverage pavilions, and merchant vendors.
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    Credit: Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival

  25. Early August, celebrate Icelandic culture, heritage, and the joy of Islendingadagurinn. Walk around the Viking Village, and enjoy Icelandic food and everything Viking from July 31 to August 3, 2026.
  26. Visit the Sculpture Garden every Thursday evening from June 4 to August 27, 2026! Enjoy a variety of activities including workshops, live music, BBQ, and more organized by La Maison des artistes visuels francophones.
  27. It’s time for Winnipeg Beach’s Boardwalk Days (July 17 – 19, 2026). You and your kids will have a wonderful time enjoying the live band, the parade, and of course, the amazing fireworks display. The midway rides are ticketed.
     
  28. Drop-in tours, pop-up concerts, hands-on activities, and more will be offered at The Manitoba Museum as part of First Fridays. General admission is free to all three of the Museum’s core attractions – the Museum Galleries, the Science Gallery, and the Planetarium. Every First Friday of the month from 4 pm to 9 pm. No tickets are required for First Friday’s programming unless otherwise specified.
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    Manitoba Museum

  29. Get a trail’s eye view of Winnipeg. Select from over 30 detailed trails created by Winnipeg Trails Association and the Prairie Pathfinders.
  30. Enjoy the summer weather and discover your next favorite sport during Game day on July 5, 2025! Families and kids aged 7-12 can try out over 20 sports stations, including athletics, baseball, soccer, fencing, and more.
  31. A petting zoo, giant parade, and face painting are just a few things for kids to enjoy at Altona’s Manitoba Sunflower Festival on July 24 – 26, 2026.
  32. Customize your own mini nature journal, and use the prompts to draw, write, and observe the natural world! Saturday, June 27, 22026 at Living Prairie.
  33. Enjoy various family fun activities at the Winkler Harvest Festival. August 7-9, 2026
  34. Cheer for your favourite team during the September Dragon Boat Challenge. Saturday, September 13, 2026
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    Credit: Manitoba Paddling Association

  35. Get books from the Winnipeg Public Library and read them all summer. There are programs for everyone.
  36. Enjoy free family fun and be entertained at the Summer Entertainment Series at Assiniboine Park. From movies to live concerts, there is something for every member of the family. July 5 – August 30, 2026
  37. Check out WAG-Qaumajuq for free during Canada Life Free Sundays@WAG!
  38. Fridays from August 7 to August 28 are movie nights. Movies in the Park screens two free movies every night at the Lyric Theatre.
  39.  
    Bring your chair to the Transcona Centennial Square and enjoy free movie nights for four nights during the Movie Nights in the Square.
  40. Discover Manitoba’s Ukrainian heritage at the Oseredok Museum.
  41. Celebrate the Annual Monarch Butterfly Festival. Enjoy presentations by local scientists, crafts, guided hikes, face painting, exhibits, live butterflies, and more!
  42. Explore the magnificently landscaped grounds of the Manitoba Legislative Building. Try to decipher the hidden meaning behind the various displays and statues.
     
  43. Have a fun day with your family in a park in Winnipeg.
  44. Come explore Winnipeg by bike!
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    Bike Winnipeg

  45. Spend a day at Assiniboine Park. Admire stunning works of art, relax as your child enjoys the playgrounds or take a stroll through the various gardens.
  46. Spend the first Fridays at the Exchange. It’s full-on creativity where Galleries, artists, shops & restaurants welcome your visit on the 1st Friday of each month.
  47. The Second Winnipeg Lantern Festival returns with illuminated lantern displays, cultural performances, food and artisan vendors, and family-friendly activities, creating a magical evening experience for all ages. September 12 – 13, 2026
  48. Celebrate Canadian Multiculturalism Day with live performances and art installations in Osborne Village. Village Music Fest takes place on Saturday, June 27, 2026
  49. Splash at one of the Wading Pools. They are free for kids 12 and under.
  50. Enjoy a day at The Forks.
  51. Explore Manitoba’s largest open-air market – St. Norbert Farmers’ Market.image
  52. Kids can have a fun time crafting at the Transcona Museum. Craft with Us runs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and is free with admission.
  53. Have fun throughout the day at the Portage Potato Festival. The event takes place every year on the second weekend in August. Don’t miss one of the most popular features of the event – free French Fries!
  54. Enjoy artistry in motion with family, friends, and nature at Assiniboine Park during Ballet in the Park. July 28 – 30, 2026
  55. Visit the Winnipeg Police Museum.
     
  56. If hot, buttered, Corn-on-the-Cob and the sweetest apple juice makes your mouth water, then it’s time to take a 90-minute drive to the Morden Corn and Apple Festival held from August 28 – 30, 2026. There are also tons of free entertainment, activities, buskers, and parades to enjoy.
  57. Experience the inaugural season of Crave Nite, a reimagined late-night festival designed to satisfy your hunger for culture, craft, and connection. This is a curated summer destination where food, experience, local artistry, and great Manitoba vibes meet. July 24–25 & September 4–6, 2026
  58. The Canadian Museum for Human Rights offers free admission on the first Sunday of the month from 10 am to 5 pm.
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    Canadian Museum for Human Rights

  59. Have you been to the Public Orchard at The Forks? The orchard contains 61 fruit trees including apple, apricot, cherry, pear and plum, and as many as 75 fruit-bearing shrubs.
  60. Every year the Winnipeg Arts Council offers a diverse slate of Public Art Tours. The summer will be packed with walking and cycling tours all over Winnipeg. Public art tours are for people of all ages and abilities.
  61. Mondays in July and August are Family Fun at Assiniboia Downs. Enjoy free kids activities, bouncy castles, face painting, and live entertainment!
  62. Culture Days is an opportunity to celebrate cultural expression and creativity in our lives as artists, audience, patrons and participants. September 18 – October 4, 2026
  63. Nuit Blanche Winnipeg is a free nighttime exploration and celebration of contemporary art that takes place on the opening Saturday of Culture Days. September 26, 2026
  64. Learn about some of the most endangered habitats in the world at the Living Prairie Museum. The trails are open to exploring from dawn until dusk.

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