Winnipeg 
The Red River Ex is back at Red River Exhibition Park in Winnipeg, bringing together the familiar sights, sounds and tastes of Manitoba’s summer fair season.
Red River Ex
Across 10 days, visitors can expect midway rides, live music, food vendors, family attractions, creative competitions, cultural programming and special daily events. The fair takes place at 3977 Portage Avenue, with advance gate admission at $15 plus GST and fees, and $20 on event days. Children six and under can enter for free.
For many families, the EX is not just a place to stop by for a few hours, but a seasonal tradition built around rides, food, entertainment and time spent together.
1. Start with the midway rides
Height requirements will apply for individual attractions, so families should check posted rules before joining ride lines. For visitors who plan their day around rides, the midway offers enough variety to make a full visit out of it.
2. Catch live music and stage performances
The EX will feature more than 200 hours of live performances over its 10-day run. The schedule includes local bands, tribute acts, dancers, cultural performers and community groups.
Performers include Dirty Catfish Brass Band, RCAF Band, High Profile, Rozmai Ukrainian Dancers, Rusalka Dancers, Ivan Flett Memorial Dancers, MMF House Band and United Thunder. The entertainment ranges from rock and country to cultural showcases and dance performances.
View this post on Instagram
3. Plan around free admission times
The fair includes three free gate admission periods, which can help families and larger groups reduce the cost of attending. Free admission is scheduled on opening day from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., on Family Day from noon to 1 p.m., and on Kids Day and Indigenous Peoples Day from noon to 1 p.m. During these times, visitors can enter the grounds without paying gate admission.
Donation boxes will be available at the gates for the Red River Exhibition Foundation. The foundation supports 33 scholarships and bursaries each year for Manitoba students pursuing post-secondary education.
4. Spend time in the Free Family Fun Zone
Families who want more than midway rides will find a full activity area at The LOOP.
The Free Family Fun Zone will be open daily until 9 p.m. and includes several attractions designed for younger visitors and families. Listed activities include Barnyard Buddies Adventure Zone, Corn Maze, Dino Dig, Extinction Park, Extreme Dogs, Hula Hoop Hut and Junior’s Firefighter Challenge. The Great Big Sand Box and Haunted CarnEVIL are also included in the family programming. This area makes the fair more flexible for parents, especially when children need a break from ride lines or louder midway areas.
View this post on Instagram
5. Try fair food, local bites and sweet treats
Food is a major part of the Red River Ex experience, and this year’s vendor list includes both familiar fair staples and more distinctive offerings. Visitors will find names such as Attavio’s Fries, Bacon Nation, BBK’s BBQ Wpg, Big Bubba’s Rootbeer, The Burger Joint and Poutine King. Other vendors include Curly’s Curds, The Colossal Onion, Dubai Chocolate Strawberries & Tanghulu, The Indigenous Kitchen, Treaty Sweetie and Wok This Way. You have choices ranging from fries, barbecue and poutine to sweets, specialty drinks and cultural food options.
6. See Manitoba creativity on display
7. Watch Marriage on the Midway
One of the most distinctive events this year is Marriage on the Midway. One couple will be married in a decorated area set up in the heart of the midway, surrounded by the activity of The EX. The package includes photography by Dyan Stephanie Photography and an officiant from Marry Me, Hunnie. It also includes a horse-and-carriage ride by KB Clydesdales, a private helicopter ride for two by Prairie Helicopters, decor by Planned Perfectly, and floral arrangements by Angela Moisey Creative.
Ride passes for up to 20 guests are also included, making it one of the more memorable events on the schedule.
View this post on Instagram
8. Browse the Shoppers Market
The Shoppers Market gives visitors another way to spend time at the fair between rides, meals and shows. It will operate indoors in Exhibition Place and outdoors on Expressway Alley. Indoor vendors listed for the market include African Pot, Bellezza Moda, Brilliantly Creative, Candy Candy, Henna Tattoo by Aruna & Usha, Intergalactic Sauces, Odin’s Eye Tattoo Pop Up, Recycle Everywhere, Refuge The Crystals and Violet Gibb. Products include clothing, jewelry, crafts, toys, hot sauce, beauty items, crystals, accessories and handmade goods.
9. Take a swing at the Longest Drive Challenge
Visitors can test their golf swing at the Longest Drive Challenge at the DryveBy Mobile Golf Simulator. Participants try to hit their longest drive and compete for a spot on the leaderboard. The setup is suited to both casual players and those looking for a more competitive challenge. Daily winners can take home $200 in cash, with $2,000 in prizes awarded over the course of the fair.
View this post on Instagram
10. Use the theme days to plan your visit
The EX schedule includes several theme days that give each part of the fair a slightly different focus. Opening Day, Family Day, Heroes Day, Seniors Day, Filipino Day, Kids Day and Indigenous Peoples Day are all part of the 10-day program. Heroes Day includes free gate admission for military members, first responders, nurses and teachers who show ID, while Seniors Day includes free rides on the Big Wheel and Merry-Go-Round, along with coffee and donuts for the first 100 senior guests. Filipino Day and Indigenous Peoples Day add cultural programming to the schedule, giving visitors another way to decide when to go.
Beyond the theme days, the fair also includes one-day highlights such as fireworks, Thrill Seeker Day programming, the Mardi Gras Midway Parade, Ukrainian Night with a perogy eating contest, line dancing lessons and a DJ foam party. Together, these daily features make the schedule worth checking before planning a visit.
You might like: More Things to Do This Weekend in Winnipeg
Red River Ex – Trip Planning
What: Manitoba’s largest summer fair.
The EX offers visitors several ways to plan a day at the fair, whether they are going for rides, stage performances, food, shopping or family activities. With free admission windows, theme days and special events spread across the schedule, the fair gives returning visitors and first-time attendees different options depending on when they go. For those planning a summer outing in Winnipeg, The EX remains a broad, multi-generational event with enough variety to fill more than a short visit.
When: June 12 – 21, 2026
Where: Red River Exhibition Park, 3977 Portage Ave, Winnipeg
How much: Gate Admission $15 – $20
