Winnipeg
Celebrate Winter in Manitoba! Here is a list of great events & festivals in Manitoba to fill your winter weekends. From splendid lights that light up the cold winter night to a pop-up bar on a frozen lake to sled dog race, there is plenty to do in Manitoba to warm-up your winter nights and days!
Power Smart Waterfall of Lights
Photo Credit: Tourism Brandon
Skating through the dazzling display of holiday lighting! Details
When:
December through until the end of February, weather permitting | 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM
Where:
west of the City of Brandon’s Community Services Complex on McGregor Avenue, Brandon
How much:
Free
Canad Inns Winter Wonderland
Canad Inns Winter Wonderland is Manitoba’s largest drive-thru light show and provides a brilliant presentation of over one million lights in 26 different theme areas. Details
When:
November 30, 2018 to January 5, 2019 | 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Where:
3977 Portage Avenue at the Red River Exhibition Park, Winnipeg
How much:
Advance: Family vehicle: $15
Gate: Family vehicle: $20
Kidfish Ice Derby
Bundle up, grab your fishing lines, and head out on to the ice for the annual Kids Fishing For A Cure Ice Fishing Derby! Details
When:
January 6, 2019 | 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Where:
Float Plane Base, 1007-1009 Breezy Point Rd, Selkirk, MB
Selkirk Float Base is located just north of the City of Selkirk.
How much:
$25.00
Raw:Almond
Raw Almond is an annual pop-up restaurant and Canadian Tourism Award winner, with multi-course meals prepared by some of North America’s (and Winnipeg’s) finest chefs served on long communal tables in an elaborate tent on the frozen Assiniboine River. Details
When:
January 26 to February 17, 2019
Where:
The Forks, 1 Forks Market Road, Winnipeg
How much:
Tickets available online on December 15 | 8:00 AM
2018 – $140 plus 17% service and 13% PST/GST
Big Fun Festival
The Big Fun Festival is an annual, five day music festival showcasing multiple genres of music showcasing the best of Manitoba’s current and upcoming artists as well as some hand picked acts from across Canada. Details
When:
January 23 – 27, 2019
Where:
Downtown Winnipeg
How much:
$60 – $80
Snowdance Festival of Winter and Music
Find those mittens your grandma made for you. Borrow your roommate’s boots. Put on all your long johns at once. Wear that really cool scarf that brings out the blue in your eyes. And head out to the woods for Snowdance, the wintery music festival at the Falcon Ridge Ski Slopes. Details
When:
January 18 – 20, 2019
Where:
Various venues
Friday January 18 @ Whiteshell Community Club
Saturday January 19 @ Falcon Ridge Ski Slopes & Falcon Lake Bar
Saturday January 20 @ Falcon Ridge Ski Slopes
How much:
$65
Winnipeg New Music Festival
Winnipeg New Music Fesitval is all about celebrating ‘contemporary classical music’. Details
When:
January 25 – February 1, 2019
Where:
Various venues, Winnipeg
How much:
Regular $25 – $40; Student $12 – $25; Passes: Regular $99
Ironman Outdoor Curling Bonspiel
Curling outdoors on the river is a unique experience, participants from all over North America have come to our FUN-raiser event to experience outdoor curling. Canada’s Largest Outdoor Curling Bonspiel. Details
When:
February 1 – 3, 2019
Where:
The Forks, Winnipeg
How much:
Registration required to participate
Northern Manitoba Trappers Festival
Photo Credit: Northern Manitoba Trappers’ Festival
Held annually in The Pas, the Northern Manitoba Trappers’ Festival celebrates the diverse cultural heritage of the northern pioneer. The major events are the World Championship Dog Race and the King, Queen and youth Trapper events with contests based on the lifestyle, livelihood and survival of the trapper. Details
When:
Usually in the third weekend of February
February 13 – 17, 2019
Where:
Northern Manitoba Trappers Festival, 324 Ross Avenue, The Pas, Manitoba
How much:
Some events are free, while others have a small admission fee
Festival du Voyageur
Western Canada’s largest winter festival for the whole family with lots of entertainment including music, dancing, jigging, French-Canadian food, meeting historical characters, sculptures and much more. Details
When:
February 15 – 24, 2019
Where:
Voyageur Park, 233 Provencher Boulevard, Winnipeg
How much:
All Day Tickets: Adult (18 – 59) $25.00; Youth (13 – 17)/Senior $15.00; Child (6 – 12) $5; Child ( 5 & under) Free
Wonderful Winter Weekend
A winter weekend filled with curling, fishing, skating, fireworks and more family activities at the Winnipeg Beach. Participate in chili contest, baking contest, cookie contest, poster contest, snowmobile radar runs, ice fishing derby or just go there to soak up the festive atmosphere. Details
When:
February 15 – 18, 2019
Where:
Various venues, Winnipeg Beach
How much:
Some events are free, while others have a small admission fee
Skate the Lake
Skate the Lake is a two day pond hockey tournament where teams of 5 copete in a 4-on-4 phond hockey format with two 15 miute halves. There are no goalies, no refs and no limit to the fun! Details
When:
February 16 – 17, 2019
Where:
Minnedosa Lake, Minnedosa
How much:
Spectators: Free
Wild Winter Canoe Race
Test your voyageur grit and sense of humor on the Red River Trail at The Forks! This is an inclusive, wildly unusual and high-energy outdoor steeplechase. This high-octane contest is held on a snow-packed 200-meter course, using tripping canoes. The only “paddling” required comes from the team’s legs – one leg in the canoe, one leg out – a synchronized crew that works foot power to glide to the finish line. Details
When:
Saturday, February 16, 2019
Where:
Shaw Park, Winnipeg
How much:
Team Registration: $100.00/person (5 persons per team).
Free for spectators
Lake of the Prairies Ice Fishing Derby
Photo Credit: Asessippi Parkland Tourism
Annual ice fishing competition held at the Asessippi Provincial Park! Details
When:
February 23, 2019 | 11:00 AM – 03:00 PM
Where:
Asessippi Provincial Park
How much:
Early Bird $60 ( February 1st)
Regular $80
Second Hole $40
Lac du Bonnet Ice Fishing Derby
Join the Annual Lac du Bonnet Ice Fishing Derby where size doesn’t matter! With our hidden length and time derby, all you have to do is catch a fish for your chance to walk away with $10,000 cash. In fact, you don’t even have to catch a fish at all to be able to win one of the amazing randomly drawn prizes. Master Anglers, professional fishers, fishing enthusiasts, and families alike all have a great time out on the ice. Details
When:
February 23, 2019 | 08:00 AM – 04:00 PM
Where:
Lac du Bonnet Town Dock, Lac du Bonnet
How much:
Early bird- Adult $50.00 (single hole pass); Child (15 and Under) (single hole pass) $25.00; 2nd holes pass $25.00; Family Pack: $150
cluster: New music + integrated arts Festival
Presenting thought-provoking events and an annual core festival in Winnipeg, Cluster is a platform for artists to create, to experiment, and to collaborate. Cluster is propelled by strength found in numbers and the energy created by integrating diverse artistic communities – combining collective mentality with individual sensibility. Details
When:
February 28 – March 3, 2019
Where:
Winnipeg
How much:
Free and ticketed events
Canadian Power Toboggan Championship
The Canadian Power Toboggan Championships is the longest-running snowmobile race in the world. Racers of all ages and skill levels compete in Stock, Modified, Vintage and Motorcycle classes, from Kitty Kat right through to Pro levels. The Canadian Power Toboggan Championships has the world’s fastest and safest 1/2 mile ice oval track. Snowmobiles race at speeds in excess of 170 km/h and up to 18 racers compete at the same time! Details
When:
March 1 – 3, 2019
Where:
Beausejour, Manitoba
40-minute drive north-east of Winnipeg via 4-lane Highways 59 and 44
How much:
Admission – $20
Kids 12 & under – Free
Grandstand parking – Free
Track-side parking – $25
Pit admission – $5
Gimli Ice Festival
Held every year in March, this festival is all about ice, with lots of fun events, entertainments and competitions. See snow sculptures, enjoy bannocks, pancake breakfast, meet Cooley the Mascot at Cooley’s Ice Park and more. Visitors can take part in various competitions like the Fire on Ice Care Racing, min-sled racing, rotary chili contest, cross country skiing. Details
When:
Usually in the month of March; 2019 dates TBA
March 3 – 4, 2018
Where:
Gimli Harbour, Manitoba
How much:
2019 rates TBA
2018 – Special All-events Weekend Pass: $5
Freeze Frame International Film Festival
There are lots to see and do at Freeze Frame’s International Film Festival for Kids of All Ages from Festival Films, workshops, contests, reel jobs, interactive digital playground and more. Details
When:
March 10 – 17, 2019
Where:
Winnipeg
How much:
Free and ticketed events
Hudson Bay Quest
A self-sufficient sled dog race to celebrate northern Manitoba trapper culture, running from Gillam, Manitoba to Churchill, Manitoba. It is a trek through boreal forest and barren tundra that will prove a test for any racer. It harkens back to a time when ‘There ain’t no law of God nor man goes north of 53°’ was a common saying. Details
When:
March 15, 2019
Where:
Gilliam to Churchill
The Quest will then follow a route along the Hudson Bay rail line and Wapusk National Park, 220 miles to Churchill. Total 341 km 211 miles
How much:
Entry fee $600
Brandon Jazz Festival
The Brandon Jazz Festival is a showcase of young up-and-coming jazz musicians. There are discussions, workshops, special evening concerts with featured guests. Details
When:
March 14 – 16, 2019
Where:
Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorium, Brandon
How much:
TBA
Falcon Lake Winter Fish-Off
Held annually, Falcon Lake Winter Fish-Off attracts anglers from all over central Canada, the midwestern United States, as well as Canada’s North country to compete for the 1st place and win $10000. Kids are also encouraged to take part in competitions. In 2017, there will also be a tagged fish contest on Falcon Lake where anglers will try to catch 6 tagged fishes. Details
When:
March 16, 2019 | 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Tagged fish contest: Starts on March 18th and goes year-round until all tagged fish are caught
Where:
Falcon Lake, Manitoba
Tournament held on West Side of Falcon Lake. Signs posted off #1 highway to derby site
How much:
2019 rates TBA
2018 – Early Bird ticket $50.00 (purchased until March 8th)
Regular tickets $70.00 (purchased after March 8th)
Tagged fish contest: $20
Anglers must have a valid Manitoba fishing license or Treaty status ID card.
Winnipeg Scottish Festival
The Winnipeg Scottish Festival is the largest indoor pipe band and solo competition from the Alberta border to the Ontario border. The festival presents highland dancing, piping, drumming and Celtic Vendors all under one roof. Details
When:
March 23, 2019
Where:
Canad Inns Polo Park, Winnipeg
How much:
Free
Ashern Carnival Weekend
Ashern Carnival weekend is an event held annually where visitors can see figure ice skating competitions, Ice Show, a hockey tournament, broomball, a social, and the crowning of the carnival King and Queen. Details
When:
March, 2018
Where:
Ashern, MB
How much:
Free and ticketed events
Royal Manitoba Winter Fair
Celebrate the best in agriculture, entertainment, and equestrian competitions. The Winter Fair is the largest combined indoor agricultural fair and equestrian competition in Manitoba. Details
When:
March 25 – 30, 2019
Usually takes place in the last week of March
Where:
Brandon, MB
How much:
Free – $20