Mariah, The Pogues and Wham! have taken over the airwaves. Streaming services are serving up a healthy portion of Hallmark films shot right here in Winnipeg. And surely, silver bells are at the ready.
The Manitoba Hydro Santa Claus Parade | November 16 starting at 5 p.m.
Since 1909, this twinkling tradition has kicked off festive season in Winnipeg. Featuring fun floats and pre-parade street parties on Portage Avenue, the parade always brings out massive crowds downtown so plan to arrive early to get your spot on the street.
Canad Inns Winter Wonderland | November 29 to January 5, 2025
Fans of Christmas lights will be aglow as they slowly drive through this enchanting 2.5 km course at Red River Exhibition Park. With 26 themed areas and more than one million lights, this is the perfect event for when the temperature drops.
Zoo Lights | November 22 to January 5
Considering it is home to the world’s most comprehensive Arctic species exhibit, Assiniboine Park Zoo is already a veritable winter wonderland. Yet, when it closes for the evening, this place gets even more lit as Zoo Lights brings more than 1.5 million lights together in some breath-taking seasonal displays. Amongst the dazzle you’ll also encounter live music in tents, multiple seasonal food and beverage stations, firepits, fun characters and mascots and all the holiday cheer your family could ask for.
Eaton’s Holiday Vignettes at the Manitoba Children’s Museum | November 16 to January 5, 2025
Big nostalgia on the smallest scale is the name of the game of this charming little exhibit that was created back in the 1960s for Winnipeg’s once iconic Eaton’s store downtown. With 300 miniatures depicting fairytales and nursery rhymes like Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella, and The Owl and the Pussycat, both the young and young at heart will be equally enchanted.
Watt a Season at the MB Electrical Museum | November 19 to January 11 (closed December 24, 25, 26, 31 and Jan 1)
While we bask in the glow of this puny title, you and the family can get merry and bright at this exhibition showcasing a history of local Christmas lights and decorations from the 1880s to the present. Keep an eye on their website to light up your chance to grab tickets as soon as they’re available!
Seven Ages Presents A Christmas Carol | November 29, 30, and December 1
The Charles Dickens classic gets a healthy dose of comedy at the Gas Station Arts Centre in this acclaimed adaptation by British playwright Patrick Barlow.
The Barra MacNeil’s: An East Coast Christmas | December 1
These famed Cape Bretoners are returning to Winnipeg at the Centennial Concert Hall for this annual show featuring Gaelic folk renditions of Christmas classics utilizing incredible harmonies and jaw-dropping musicianship. The fiddling will be so hot it might just melt the snow.
Rockin Elvis Christmas with Rory Allen | December 2
Elvis has entered the casino! Acclaimed tribute artist Rory Allen and his 11-piece band will bring all of the King’s swagger as they perform his Christmas numbers and Vegas favourites at Club Regent Event Centre.
CPKC Holiday Train | December 3 at 9:15 p.m.
The Polar Express doesn’t have half the shine of this train, which makes its way across Canada bringing all the festive cheer. The CPKC Holiday Train will be stopping at the Panet Road and Molson Street Rail Crossing, accompanied with performances by stars Tyler Shaw and Shawnee Kish on a stage that appears out of a train car!
A Great Canadian Christmas with Doc Walker, Michelle Wright, Jason McCoy | December 5
Tickets are going fast (there’s just a few left!) for this rockin’ country extravaganza at Club Regent Event Centre, featuring home-grown heroes Doc Walker and Canadian Country Music Hall of Famers Michelle Wright and Jason McCoy.
Christmas in Space! A Holiday Cirque Spectacular | December 7
With a cast of characters that includes Lady Light Laser Girl, incredible contortionists, the Hair Hang Artist (yes, she hangs from her hair!), and the Trampwall Masters, this Cirque-style production at Canada Life Centre promises to be a holiday show that’s truly out of this world.
Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra’s (WSO) A Prairie Christmas Celebration | December 8
A host of local talent will be led by the WSO’s assistant conductor Monica Chen during this program, featuring everything from folk fiddling to choral masterpieces and Nutcracker jazz variations at the Centennial Concert Hall. Narrated by Member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba (MLA) Glen Simard, you’ll be treated to performances by the Filipino vocal ensemble Musica Singers, JUNO-nominated duo Erin Propp and Larry Roy, Winnipeg Sonora Voices, and Ensemble folklorique de la Rivière-Rouge.
Winnipeg Singers presents Feliz Navidad | December 8
“Winnipeg’s undisputed salsa king” Rodrigo Muñoz, the Chilean guitarist from popular ensemble Papa Mambo, will be teaming up with Ragazzi (the Pembina Trails Boys’ Choir) to join the Winnipeg Singers for this special holiday concert that is sure to have your toes tapping at the Crescent Arts Centre.
Amero Little Christmas | December 9
The best pun on this guide belongs to Mr. Don Amero, the celebrated local country-folk singer-songwriter who will be staging his third annual version of this Christmas variety show. Expect special guests, fun stories and of course great music at the Burton Cummings Theatre.
Rocky Mountain High Christmas | December 12
John Denver fans will find sunshine on their shoulders at this special tribute show by Rick and Steve Worrall at the Centennial Concert Hall. Featuring some of Denver’s most popular songs and holiday staples from his Rocky Mountain Christmas album, the Worralls will be accompanied by The Winnipeg Youth Choir and an all-star band.
Jann Arden Christmas | December 12 and 13
Beloved Canadian icon Jann Arden —whose many accolades include eight JUNO awards, multiplatinum albums and being inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame—returns to Winnipeg to perform her Jane Arden Christmas album at Club Regent Event Centre. Tickets have been going fast, so book today.
Drag Queen Christmas | December 13
Hark the heather angels slayay! Celebrating 10 years, A Drag Queen Christmas will feature performers from both RuPaul’s Drag Race and Canada’s Drag Race for one wild night at the Burton Cummings Theatre.
Christmas with Johnny Reid | December 14
Multiple JUNO and Canadian Country Music Award-winner Johnny Reid returns to Winnipeg at the Centennial Concert Hall for this lively mix of songs and storytelling that will be toastier than chestnuts roasting on an open fire.
Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra (WJO) presents the Nutcracker, Ellington & Elf, Oh My! | December 19
The WJO is paying tribute to Duke Ellington this holiday season with a double whammy of a production at the West End Cultural Centre that includes a swinging Nutcracker Suite followed by a jazzy depiction of Buddy the Elf’s trip from the North Pole to New York. Curated by local actor/writer/comedian Quinn Greene (who will be on stage) and jazz musician Richard Gillis, this one will be like an extra shot of rum in your eggnog.
Nutcracker ballet | December 20 to 23; 26 to 28
For more than two decades Canada’s oldest ballet company—that being the Royal Winnipeg Ballet (RWB)—has been charming families with this nostalgic production set to Tchaikovsky’s timeless score. Expect local celebrity appearances, stately choreography and the cutest guest appearances from kids in the RWB company at Centennial Concert Hall.
For even more holiday events and more merriment than seems possible, go to our Upcoming Events page.
