Major Events & Festivals in Winnipeg, Canada
1. Festival du Voyageur
A 10-day winter festival celebrating the Metis culture and heritage in Manitoba. It features food, music, demonstrations of traditional activities such as fur trading and sleigh rides.
- Authentic Cultural Experience: Provides a unique opportunity to immerse in the Metis culture.
- Winter Activities: Offers various winter-themed activities for visitors to enjoy.
- Local Cuisine: Features traditional Metis dishes like tourtière, bannock, and maple taffy.
2. Winnipeg Folk Festival
A music festival held over four days in July featuring a diverse lineup of artists from around the world. The event takes place at Birds Hill Provincial Park.
- Diverse Lineup: Attracts musicians and bands from various genres and countries.
- Outdoor Setting: Offers a beautiful natural setting for music lovers to enjoy.
- Workshops and Activities: Includes workshops, dancing, and other activities throughout the festival.
3. Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival
A 10-day theatre festival held in July featuring over 200 shows by local and international artists. The event takes place at various venues throughout the city.
- Variety of Shows: Offers a diverse range of theatre performances.
- Local and International Artists: Attracts artists from around the world, providing a global theatre experience.
- Accessible Venues: Takes place at various venues across the city, making it easily accessible for visitors.
4. Winter Parkway
A winter event where a section of Portage Avenue is closed to vehicles and transformed into a skating trail. The event takes place during the winter months.
- Outdoor Skating: Offers a unique opportunity for visitors to skate on a city street.
- Community Feel: Brings the community together for a fun winter activity.
- Ice Fountain and Light Displays: Features an ice fountain and light displays along the skating trail.
5. Winnipeg Marathon
An annual marathon held in May that attracts runners from around the world. The event includes a full marathon, half marathon, and 10K races.
- Variety of Races: Offers different race distances for runners of all levels.
- Scenic Route: Features a scenic route through Winnipeg's parks and neighborhoods.
- Supportive Community: Has a supportive community atmosphere for runners.
6. Winnipeg Pride Parade
A pride parade held in June celebrating the LGBTQ+ community. The event includes a parade, music festival, and other events throughout the city.
- Celebration of Diversity: Emphasizes the importance and celebration of diversity within the LGBTQ+ community.
- Community Spirit: Brings together the LGBTQ+ community and allies for a day of fun and celebration.
- Inclusive Events: Offers various events throughout the city, including a music festival and family-friendly activities.
7. Manitoba Moose Games
Hockey games featuring the Manitoba Moose, Winnipeg's AHL (American Hockey League) team. The games take place at Bell MTS Place.
- Exciting Hockey: Offers exciting professional hockey games.
- Local Team Spirit: Fosters a sense of community and pride for Winnipeg's local team.
- Family-Friendly Atmosphere: Provides a family-friendly atmosphere with various activities for kids.
8. Winnipeg Aboriginal Film Festival
A film festival held in November showcasing films by and about Indigenous people from around the world. The event takes place at various venues throughout the city.
- Cultural Education: Provides a unique opportunity to learn about Indigenous cultures through film.
- International Perspectives: Offers films from various countries, providing diverse perspectives on Indigenous experiences.
- Community Engagement: Encourages community engagement and discussion around Indigenous issues.
9. Winnipeg Jazz Festival
A music festival held in June featuring jazz artists from around the world. The event takes place at various venues throughout the city.
- Diverse Lineup: Attracts a diverse lineup of jazz artists and bands.
- Outdoor Setting: Offers beautiful outdoor settings for music lovers to enjoy.
- Workshops and Activities: Includes workshops, jam sessions, and other activities throughout the festival.
10. Manitoba Winter Games
A multi-sport event held every two years for athletes aged 12 to 35. The games take place in various venues throughout the city.
- Competitive Sports: Offers a wide range of sports competitions for young athletes.
- Community Spirit: Brings together the community to support and celebrate local talent.
- Sports Development: Provides a platform for athletes to develop their skills and gain experience.
11. Hot Summer Nights
A series of free concerts held on Wednesday evenings during the summer at The Forks National Historic Site.
- Free Entertainment: Offers free live music performances.
- Family-Friendly Atmosphere: Provides a family-friendly atmosphere with activities for kids.
- Community Gathering: Brings together the community to enjoy music and each other's company.
12. Winnipeg Beer Festival
A beer festival held in August featuring over 300 beers from local and international breweries. The event takes place at The Forks National Historic Site.
- Wide Variety of Beers: Offers a wide variety of beers for beer lovers to taste and enjoy.
- Local and International Breweries: Attracts breweries from around the world, providing a global beer experience.
- Food and Music: Includes food vendors and live music performances throughout the festival.
13. Winnipeg Comedy Festival
A comedy festival held in February featuring comedians from Canada and around the world. The event takes place at various venues throughout the city.
- Diverse Lineup: Attracts a diverse lineup of comedians and performers.
- Outdoor Setting: Offers various indoor and outdoor venues for comedy lovers to enjoy.
- Workshops and Activities: Includes workshops, panel discussions, and other activities throughout the festival.
14. Winnipeg International Children's Festival
A festival held in June featuring performances, workshops, and activities for children. The event takes place at various venues throughout the city.
- Child-Friendly Activities: Offers a wide variety of child-friendly activities.
- Educational and Entertaining: Provides educational and entertaining performances and workshops for children.
- Interactive Performances: Features interactive performances that encourage active participation from the audience.
15. Winnipeg Art Gallery's Festival of Trees
A holiday event featuring beautifully decorated Christmas trees and other festive displays. The event takes place in December at the Winnipeg Art Gallery.
- Holiday Spirit: Celebrates the holiday season with beautifully decorated trees and festive displays.
- Charity Initiative: Supports local charities through fundraising initiatives.
- Artistic Expression: Showcases the artistic talents of the community through tree decorations and displays.