Long weekends in Manitoba offer a classic prairie paradise, with cloudless blue skies and perfect beach weather. But what really makes them shine are the many vibrant summer celebrations to take in.
Which one do I have in mind? Canada Day, of course! The Canada Day long weekend always kicks off summer with a host of celebrations. The three largest in Winnipeg include The Forks, which continues to reimagine Canada Day more intentionally through a lens of reconciliation and will feature celebrations from 11 am to 9 pm. It’s a free event open to all ages in which people are invited to gather, dance, reflect and play. But if you’re in a mood for fireworks, head to either Assiniboine Downs or the newly minted Princess Auto Stadium.
The Downs will feature live racing at 7:30 pm followed by a spectacular fireworks display by CanFire Pyrotechnics later in the evening. Free family fun activities starting at 6:30 pm include bouncy castles, face painting and live entertainment. Parking will be free until 8 pm and then $10 after that.
The really big party is going to be at the Stadium. With the Tail Gate Party kicking off at noon and running until 7 pm, their first-ever free family event will feature live music, food trucks and family-friendly activities like a local makers market, face painting, magicians and inflatables. No tickets are necessary for the party, but you’re asked to please bring a tin for the bin for Harvest Manitoba if you’re able to. The free main stage concert (tickets for this event are available online) lights up at 3 pm inside the Stadium. The best part? A fireworks show off the top of the west side of the Stadium! You don’t want to miss it!
You can also celebrate Canada Day in beautiful Sage Creek. This is especially convenient if you already live there! Enjoy spectacular fireworks, live entertainment, free activities, a local makers market and more. The Family Fun Zone opens at 4 pm and Main Stage entertainment starts at 5 pm with fireworks at 10:30 pm! It’s a free event being held in Parc Ron Duhamel Park at 265 Sage Creek Blvd.
Also close to home, the great neighbourhood of River Park South is having an event at Burland Park at 150 Burland Avenue. The evening kicks off at 4:30 pm and runs until 11:30 pm. There’s going to be food trucks, bouncy castles, a magician, a curbside concert and more. Join in on the Kite Festival and enter your most creative headwear in the Fancy Hat Contest. After you’re partied out, relax and watch the spectacular fireworks display.
If you’re not a fan of the flash-bang, Assiniboine Park is hosting various free events all day as well, including live music at the Lyric Theatre and the Performance Garden at The Leaf, a citizenship ceremony, food trucks, bouncy castles, fire teachings with Cree Crowchild at the Indigenous Peoples Garden Fire Node, plus cake and fortune cookies at 2 pm in the Kitchen Garden.
If you feel like a more leisurely celebration and think you have what it takes to be a voyageur, take a step back in time at FortWhyte Alive. This is your chance to paddle in a voyageur canoe on the shores of Lake Elliott. Canoe rides are on a first come first serve basis with final ride going out at 3:30 pm. Regular admission applies.
Do you want some fun without all the walking? Hop on the Prairie Dog Central Railway and take a train ride out to Grosse Isle while listening to live music. At the stopover, visit Heritage Village while sampling freshly prepared goodies. All aboard by 11 am! Get your tickets at pdcrailway.com
Celebrations and fireworks are also being held in various locations outside the city. The R.M. of West St. Paul will be hosting their annual Canada Day Event, kicking off with a pancake breakfast, followed by the Mopar Car Club ‘show & shine’, family-friendly activities and live music leading up to the evening’s grand finale — fireworks!
Ever been to the Rocket Rez Canada Day Celebration at the Mennonite Heritage Village just outside Steinbach? You’re missing out! Take in this free event from 9 am to 5 pm. Enjoy a flag-raising ceremony, wagon rides, guided tours, barrel-train rides, children’s activities, candy booth, traditional food and much more! After that, families can head to the Steinbach Soccer Park for evening activities starting at 5 pm including a music DJ along with free cupcakes and Canada Day souvenirs. The day ends with a fireworks finale starting at 10:45 pm.
Don’t forget to check out Canada Day at the Selkirk Waterfront. If you’ve never been, you’re in for a special treat. The day will include cultural programming, a kids zone, live entertainment, a makers market, and of course, food vendors, followed by the best fireworks display in the Interlake!
If you take the scenic route to Selkirk, don’t forget to stop at the St. Andrews Rectory and Heritage Centre along the way for a fabulous Maker Market from 10 am to 4 pm at 374 River Road. There’s a BBQ lunch being served from 11 am to 2 pm, and historic re-enactments by the MB Living History Society along with rollicking yard games.
You can also celebrate Canada’s 156th birthday by visiting Lower Fort Garry National Historic Site to see where it all began. Admission is free, and to end the day, there will be cake and arousing rendition of “O Canada” at the Grande Maison.
Venture further out to Gimli for their Canada Day festivities. Fuel up with a pancake breakfast before the parade starts at 11 am. Then hit up Gimli’s Got Talent running from 12 noon to 3 pm. Live entertainment on the Harbour Stage gets going at 7-11 pm, with an Indigenous Ceremony at 9 pm. There’s a makers market, fish fry, kids activities and more! Possibly the coolest thing to do is a night paddle on Gimli Harbour. You’ll be outfitted with a headlamp and then head out for a two-hour kayak expedition before ‘rafting up’ to take in the 11 pm fireworks show from the water. Get your tickets for this online.
Lac du Bonnet goes one step further. Located in the heart of cottage country, their Canada Day celebration lasts the entire weekend! One of the highlights is the parade, but there’s also a carnival midway with rides and games of skill, live entertainment, children’s events, and the Rockin’ on Sunshine Social and Beer Garden. Lac du Bonnet really knows how to throw a party, but hands down the best part is sitting on the beach and watching the fireworks fired off the end of the dock over the Winnipeg River!
These are just a few of the great events happening this long weekend. Visit todocanada.ca for even more places to enjoy. Have a happy Canada Day!