Hi parents! The kids are off from now until January 2, time to fill up that activities calendar.
Luckily for you, there’s so much to do in Winnipeg this holiday season, so let’s jump right into this handy guide that has a little bit of something for everyone.
For your artsy ones
Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity – From now until January 6 you can go see the best commercials from around the world at WAG-Qaumajuq. Presented by The Globe and Mail, this annual festival dates back to 1954, showcasing the very best in advertisements, which means you’ll see some of the funniest commercials that have ever aired, including brand new ones you’ve surely never seen before. Click here for tickets and showtimes.
The Longest Night: A Winter’s Tale – This new show at Manitoba Museum’s Planetarium is a fable filled with interesting characters utilizing live-action puppetry, combined with the state-of-the-art visuals you can only get in a Planetarium. Jim Henson fans (which is everyone, right?) will love it, while this 27-minute dome experience has been met with rave-reviews wherever it has played. Plus, Pyjama Days are back at the Museum from Boxing Day to January 7, get the full details here.
Beyond Monet - The Immersive Experience – Feel like you’re walking amongst the water lilies at Beyond Monet, the latest blockbuster immersive art exhibition at the RBC Convention Centre Winnipeg. Utilizing massive projections that encompass whole rooms accompanied with stirring symphonic music, it’s really quite a tranquil spectacle. On now until January 4. Closed Christmas and New Years Day. Click here for hours.
Eaton’s Fairytale Vignettes at the Children’s Museum – Get a big dose of nostalgia in the tiniest of scales at the Children’s Museum right now, as the legendary (locally, anyway) Eaton’s Fairytale Vignettes are back. Formerly showcased at Eaton’s downtown flagship store starting in the 1960s, these little animatronic depictions of classic children’s stories are utterly charming, with 300 characters that move within their little sets. The Exhibition is included in Children’s Museum admission.
Nutcracker by Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet – After a successful Canadian tour this month, the RWB is back on home turf at the Centennial Concert Hall with 8 performances from December 23 to 30. The RWB’s Canadian rendition of the classic ballet to Tchaikovsky’s irresistible score is much-loved, and this time around the company will be joined by guests like the Asham Stompers (who are known for the Red River Jig) and Ukrainian Dance ensemble Rusalka. At one point, more than 100 dancers will be on the stage! Tickets in above link.
Catch these seasonal events before they're gone
Canad Inns Winter Wonderland – Drive through millions of lights that come to together to create massive, charming winter scenes. While this is a great choice if the kids need some wind down time and the wind chill is assertive, you can also make it active, as Winter Wonderland also has a really great rink –– the Exhibition Park pond –– that is of course brilliant lit with countless Christmas lights. Closed on Christmas; horse-drawn hayrides on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Tickets in the above link. Exhibition Park, West Gate, 3977 Portage Ave.
Zoo Lights at Assiniboine Park Zoo – Incredible light displays, hearty food to keep you warm, plus Santa and his merry band of wintery characters roaming the grounds to spread cheer is what you’ll find at Zoo Lights right now. Tickets are once again date and time-specific, ensuring smaller crowds so you can all get your picture with the big guy and all the big lights, while more new things include giant illuminated dominos and a massive light maze.
Get sporty at Canada Life Centre
Three nights of hockey during the holiday season, what a gift! It all starts with the Winnipeg Jets Skills Competition on December 28, a great casual family friendly event with $10 tickets where you can see what Jet is the fastest, has the hardest shot and more, along with plenty of shenanigans too. On December 29, the Moose play the Texas Stars offering ample time to dance for the Jumbotron, before the Jets –– currently #1 in the Central! And home for the holidays –– have a big division game vs the Wild on December 29 followed by what will surely be an action-packed game vs the Lightning on January 2.
Our Top 10 attractions are always ready
Of course, aside from all the great events above, you’ll also find much in store at our marquee attractions.
The Leaf has new holiday exhibits on now, while the Tropical Biome is always a great bet on a cool day; Assiniboine Park Zoo is perfect right now for seeing polar bears in their element; The Mint has tours that are always on the money; The Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada is cleared for takeoff all break; The Forks always has something in store, including a full day of programming on New Year's Day; and The Canadian Museum for Human Rights has plenty of holiday programming on now, including free admission for kids 12 and under from December 23 to January 6.
You'll also find plenty of things to do and more inspiration in our Winter Top 50.
