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!
1. 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 end of McGregor Avenue, Brandon
How much:
Free
2. 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:
December 1, 2017 to January 6, 2018 | 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Where:
3977 Portage Avenue at the Red River Exhibition Park, Winnipeg
How much:
Advance: Family vehicle: $12
Gate: Family vehicle: $15
3. 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:
2018 – TBA
January 8, 2017 | 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
4. 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:
RAW:Gimli | December 29, 2017 to January 7, 2018 | Seatings: 6:30 PM / 9:00 PM
RAW:Almond | January 19 – February 13, 2018
Where:
RAW:Gimli @ Shores of Lake Winnipeg
How much:
RAW:Gimli: $140 plus 17% service and 13% PST/GST (Few tickets remain for January 1-4, 7, 2018)
RAW:Almond: Pre-sales December 10, 2017 | 9:00 AM @ The Forks Market; Online sales begins December 11 | 8:00 AM
Tickets: $140 plus 17% service and 13% PST/GST
5. 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 24 – 28, 2018
Where:
Various venues, Winnipeg
How much:
Varies
6. Winnipeg New Music Festival
Winnipeg New Music Fesitval is all about celebrating ‘contemporary classical music’. Details
When:
January 27 – February 2, 2018
Where:
Various venues, Winnipeg
How much:
Early Bird Festival Passes On Sale Now for $89
7. Fire + Ice Yoga Festival
Celebrate winter and join your community of yogis for a one-of-a-kind all day yoga experience on a frozen lake. Before or after practice, cozy up to the fire to roast marshmallows and sip on wildcrafted tea. Details
When:
Saturday, February 3, 2018
Where:
FortWhyte Alive, Winnipeg
How much:
Members $40; Non-members $50
(Member pre-sale starts January 5, Tickets open to the public January 15)
8. 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 2 – 4, 2018
Where:
Red River (beside the St. Boniface Hospital), Winnipeg
How much:
$160 Per Team
9. 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 14 – 18, 2018
Where:
Northern Manitoba Trappers Festival, 324 Ross Avenue, The Pas, Manitoba
How much:
Some events are free, while others have a small admission fee
10. 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 16 – 25, 2018
Where:
Voyageur Park, 233 Provencher Boulevard, Winnipeg
How much:
Park Day Pass: $9 – $18
10-day Pass: $11 – $32
11. 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 16 – 19, 2018
Where:
Various venues, Winnipeg Beach
How much:
Some events are free, while others have a small admission fee
12. 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 17 – 18, 2018 | 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Where:
Minnedosa Lake, Minnedosa
How much:
Spectators: Free
13. Eriksdale’s Winter Carnival
The carnival features an Ice Show, Carnival Dance, curling bonspiel, crowning of the Carnival Queen, kids curling, hockey, Casino Night, pancake breakfast, pickerel dinner. Details
When:
Held annually in mid-February
2018 Dates TBA
February 19 – 22, 2017
Where:
Eriksdale, MB
Eriksdale Recreation Centre
How much:
Free and ticketed events
14. 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:
February 19, 2018 | 12:00 PM – 04:00 PM
Where:
Red River Trail, Winnipeg
How much:
Team Registration: $60.00/person (5 persons per team).
Free for spectators
15. 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 24, 2018 | 11:00 AM – 03:00 PM
Where:
Asessippi Provincial Park
How much:
Early Bird $60 ( February 1st)
Regular $80
Second Hole $40
16. Winter Safari
A grand celebration of the season at Birds Hill Provincial Park with snowshoeing, scavenger hunt, theatrical performances, quinzhee building, bonfire & bannock roasting and more! Details
When:
February 25, 2018 | 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Where:
Interpretive Workshop at the end of Nimowin Road, Birds Hill Provincial Park
How much:
Free event. Registration is not required for this event.
17. 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:
March 3, 2018 | 08:00 AM – 04:00 PM
Where:
Lac du Bonnet Town Dock, Lac du Bonnet
How much:
Adult $50.00 (single hole pass); Adult (2 holes pass) $75.00; Child (15 and Under) (single hole pass) $25.00; Child (15 and Under) (2 holes pass) $50.00; Family Pack (2 Adults & 3 Kids) $150.00
18. 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:
March 1 – 4, 2018
Where:
Winnipeg
How much:
Free and ticketed events
19. 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 2 – 4, 2018
Where:
Beausejour, Manitoba
40-minute drive north-east of Winnipeg via 4-lane Highways 59 and 44
How much:
General Admission $20/day; Children 12 and under free
Weekend Passes $50; Pit passes $5/day
Grandstand Parking is free; Trackside Parking is $25/day
20. 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
March 3 – 4, 2018
Where:
Gimli Harbour, Manitoba
How much:
Special All-events Weekend Pass: $5
21. 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:
2018 Dates TBA
March 5 – 12, 2017
Where:
Winnipeg
How much:
Free and ticketed events
22. 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:
2018 dates TBA
March 17, 2017 – cancelled due to poor weather
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
23. 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 15 – 17, 2018
Where:
Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorium, Brandon
How much:
TBA
24. 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 17, 2018 | 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:
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.
25. 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 – 25, 2018
Where:
Canad Inns Polo Park, Winnipeg
How much:
Free
26. 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
27. 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 26 – 31, 2018
Usually takes place in the last week of March
Where:
Brandon, MB
How much:
Free – $20