Summer Top 50
See why The New York Times, Smithsonian Magazine, Forbes and countless design and art publications have raved about Winnipeg Art Gallery-Qaumajuq. The city’s newest cultural centre presents the world’s largest collection of contemporary Inuit art in a stunning setting that pays homage to Canada’s Arctic landscape.
Promenade amongst Gardens at the Leaf. Winnipeg’s newest outdoor attraction boasts 30 acres of thematic gardens that extend from the Leaf building, providing a tranquil setting to stroll through, relax in, or attend a show at the Performance Garden.
Encounter giganotosaurus and a fine selection of “new and exotic dinosaurs from the other side of the world” when Manitoba Museum presents Ultimate Dinosaurs (May 21 to Sept 5), featuring rarely seen specimens and interactive exhibits.
Be inspired to make a difference when you journey from darkness to light through the interactive galleries of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights.
Get back to nature at FortWhyte Alive, where hiking, trail biking, birding, bison-watching and canoeing are just a few of the options within its aspen forests and small lakes.
Let your imagination soar at the brand-new, state-of-the-art Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada. Located beside the airport, the massive new building showcases the history of flight, featuring both outstanding feats of aviation along with whacky creations that never really took off.
Look up in awe as you walk underneath both swimming polar bears and trip-trapping goats at Assiniboine Park Zoo, where Aunt Sally’s Farm and the Journey to Churchill are just two of the marquee attractions.
Cheer on the two-time defending Grey Cup champion Winnipeg Blue Bombers as they look to make it a three-peat at Investors Group Field.
Get ready to get Folk Fest Happy! After a two-year hiatus, Winnipeg Folk Festival (July 7 to 10) returns to Birds Hill Park with a lineup that includes legends Buddy Guy and Judy Collins, along with headliners like Bahamas, Japanese Breakfast, Kurt Vile, Tash Sultana, Weyes Blood and Portugal. The Man. This year there are nine stages, award-wining family festivities, daytime workshops, local food and local beer from Little Brown Jug.
Put the focus on your wellness at Thermea by Nordik Spa-Nature, the city’s gorgeous outdoor spa where thermal pools, heated hammocks, toasty fires and a fabulous farm-to-table restaurant await.
Travel around the world for two weeks without ever leaving the city when Folklorama—the world’s largest and longest-running multicultural festival—returns from July 31 to August 13. The festival’s pavilions feature food, dance, art, music and culture by countries and cultures that span the globe.
Hear a symphony of sounds from the wetlands at Oak Hammock Marsh Interpretive Centre, a birder’s paradise, which you can discover via canoe, on trails or right in the reeds using chest waders.
Sip away at unique wines or craft beer as boats go by at The Forks. Its tree-covered 200-seat patio and outdoor bar is a must on a sunny day. Inside The Forks Market you can shop from local vendors and get dishes from some of the city’s best food kiosks too
Work your way through the world’s largest travelling midway, eat all the wacky deep-fried creations, see all the cute farm animals and chill to the sweet sounds on the mainstage when the Red River Ex returns for its 70th year from June 17 to 26.
Catch the boys of summer in the heart of downtown as the Winnipeg Goldeyes seek another American Association title at Shaw Park. Goldeyes games are always affordable with great group pricing, plus the 100 per cent local beer, food vendors and fireworks ensure all that extra Winnipeg flavour when watching the fish.
Enter a world built for tiny tots at Tinkertown Amusement Park, where the 20-plus rides include all the essentials like bumper cars, mini roller coasters, things that swing and so much more.
Tour one of Winnipeg’s most culturally diverse neighbourhoods and learn the story behind the colourful public art on a mural tour with the West End BIZ.
Sing along from the stands at Rainbow Stage! The return of Canada’s largest open-air theatre company is music to our ears, particularly because Rainbow Stage is presenting The Hockey Sweater (June 30 – July 17) and Wizard of Oz (August 18 – September 4) within its enchanting theatre in Kildonan Park this summer.
Laugh, cry and be entertained when the Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival returns to The Exchange District from July 13 to 24. Featuring more than 170 theatre companies, along with free performances in Old Market Square, this is North America’s second-largest Fringe Festival.
Sit back on the grass and take in the sweet sounds of the season during the Summer Entertainment Series at Assiniboine Park. This year’s free lineup includes Movies in the Park and Ballet in the Park on the Lyric Stage, along with live jazz in the Leo Mol Sculpture Garden.
Discover why Winnipeg was once called “The Chicago of the North” during an Exchange District Walking Tour. Thematic guided tours cover a number of themes, including the area’s general history, what made Winnipeg the “wickedest city in the Dominion” and its historic art and architecture.
Treat your children to a weekend of non-stop performances, interactive elements and above all—fun, when the 40th annual Kidsfest takes over The Forks (June 9 to 12).
Rent a bicycle built for two from Bee 2 Gether Bike Rentals, which has kiosks with a variety of fun bicycles at Assiniboine Park, The Forks and Birds Hill Park.
Foster both fun and your kids’ imagination at the Children’s Museum, where interactive exhibits promote science, engineering, storytelling and above all, creativity.
Feel the thunder of hooves when you take part of the thrill of live horse racing at Assiniboia Downs
Find countless local artisanal products, produce and culinary delicacies at the St. Norbert Farmers’ Market, open Wednesday and Saturday throughout summer.
Take a tour that’s worth every penny at The Royal Canadian Mint. This fascinating facility regularly produces millions of coins for countries around the world, plus its interactive displays and a striking gift shop are always on the money
Gather the gear that will get you there! E-scooter and e-bike rentals from Kendrick’s Outdoor Adventures are a great way to take to the streets, while bike and kayak rentals from Type Eh make seeing the rivers and trails easy.
Get lost in the beauty of the prairie at A Maze in Corn. The oh-so-Instagrammable Sunflower Expo and legendary Corn Maze both open in August.
Bring your pup (or your human companions) to a pop-up patio! The Beer Can is located alongside the Assiniboine River at the Granite Curling Club; the Bijou Patio sits in the heart of the Exchange District; Cargo Bar is in Assiniboine Park; The Blue Note Park is downtown on Main and Le Patio 340 is the largest patio in Saint-Boniface. All the above feature local beer, with food options and frequent live music too.
Tap your toes to the sweet sounds of the TD Winnipeg International Jazz Festival which is back from June 14 to 19 with free shows on the Cube Stage and huge headliners at downtown venues, plus a new inspiring venue—The Canadian Museum for Human Rights—where the focus will strictly be all that jazz from June 14 to 15.
We all scream for ice cream, especially when it’s housemade flavours from Dug and Betty’s, Chaeban Ice Cream, Fête Ice Cream & Coffee, Rollesque Roll Up Ice Cream, The Supreme Ice Cream Shoppe, 9 Below Ice Cream Bar, Banana Boat, Sargent Sundae and the iconic Bridge Drive-In (BDI).
Reach top speeds on the go-kart track, putt for glory on the miniature golf greens and then make waves on the bumper boats at Thunder Rapids Amusement Centre and Grand Prix Amusements.
Immerse yourself in the French flavour of Saint-Boniface with Tourisme Riel. This summer, the organization is offering walking tours of Old Saint-Boniface along with a food-themed tasting tour of the area called Bon Appétit Saint-Boniface. South of the city, you can also do a Saint-Norbert Historic Tour that will unveil the unique homes and other points of interest in this Provincial Heritage Park.
Let the kids loose at Kid City, Hide n Seek, and Fun Park Amusement Centre, Winnipeg’s premier indoor fun facilities.
Explore Winnipeg and learn all about public artwork: where it is, why it’s there and what it means on a walking or bike tour with the Winnipeg Arts Council.
Hop aboard the Winnipeg Trolley Company’s jolly orange trolley for thematic tours like Highlights and Unknown sites—which brings you through Saint-Boniface, Assiniboine Park and to the community club where The Guess Who and Neil Young got their start. The Trolley of Terror brings to life (figuratively, thankfully) the most macabre and out-of-this-world moments in the city’s history.
Cheer and sing alongside Vic the Lion and the Red River Rising from the stands at IG Field as the Valour FC soccer team searches for goals in the Canadian Premier League.
Hop aboard a Splash Dash Boat tour where you will see and learn about our River City from a witty and knowledgeable captain.
Peer out onto the prairies from the comfort of an early 20th-century vintage locomotive as the Prairie Dog Central Railway takes you from Inkster Station to historic Grosse Isle Heritage Village and back again.
Run your hands through the tall grass prairie as you walk amongst the wildflowers at the Living Prairie Museum, a 13-hectare reserve that showcases more than 150 grass species.
Get some satisfaction from Unzipped, the world’s largest Rolling Stones exhibit at Portage Place’s new Expo Live! venue. With original works that celebrate The Stones from Andy Warhol, Alexander McQueen and Martin Scorsese, along with more than 300 original objects from the band’s personal collection and a replica studio, wild horses shouldn’t drag you away. June 11 to July 31.
Walk under Winnipeg’s oldest archway and enter Upper Fort Garry Provincial Park, a green space with a 400-ft long Heritage Wall that broadcasts a fascinating light show over carvings that depict the history of the region.
Spend the day amongst the foliage at Kildonan Park with its beautiful gardens, innovative light posts (they are called Bokeh, by local artists Takashi Iwasaki and Nadi) and friendly ducks you can feed around the iconic Hansel and Gretel-inspired Witch’s Hut.
Enter a world sure to leave an impression at Beyond Van Gogh Winnipeg: The Immersive Experience, which combines a striking symphonic score with massive projections of 300 of the Dutch painter’s greatest works spread out over 30,000 square feet at the RBC Exhibition Centre Winnipeg. July 14 to September 5.
Introduce your taste buds to the city’s burgeoning brewery scene when you stop for hops at one of Winnipeg's 20-plus craft breweries.
View wonderous works at Exchange District art galleries like aceartinc., cre8ery, Graffiti Gallery, Mayberry Fine Art , Outworks Gallery, Fleet Galleries, and Warehouse Artworks.
Shop ‘til you drop at Outlet Collection Winnipeg, featuring more than 100 big fashion brands including Saks OFF 5TH, DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse, Kate Spade Outlet, Under Armour and Nike.
Reach new heights at Winnipeg’s climbing studios: The Hive and Vertical Adventures.
Be part of the audience as big touring acts return to Canada Life Centre, including Shaun Mendes (July 7), Toby Keith (July 22), Lumineers (August 10) and Backstreet Boys (August 29).
