Spring is right around the corner, and despite the lingering threat of snow (this is Manitoba, after all!), everyone is starting to wake up from winter hibernation and feeling energized.
Here are seven fun things to do in and around Manitoba to help you usher in the imminent return of warmer weather:
St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Blimey! It’s here already? St. Patrick’s Day is on Monday and what could be more fun than a parade? This annual event allows you to be Irish for the day while kicking up your heels in a fine jig. While events are being celebrated now until Monday — the big day! — the parade itself kicks off at 10 am from the Irish Association at 654 Erin Street. Following the parade, the Irish Association will be offering a full Irish breakfast for sale at 11 am with a second sitting at 1 pm along with live entertainment. Visit their website at www.irishassociationofmanitoba.ca to reserve a table and for more details of the weekend’s events. Don’t forget to wear your favourite green outfit to the parade! And remember, at the Irish Association, there are no strangers, only friends you haven’t met yet!
Blooms in Winter: An Orchid Celebration
This is the Leaf’s newest display and runs until March 23 so don’t delay, you’re in for a treat! Prepare to walk through a beautiful orchid tunnel showcasing two orchid trees in the center where you can enjoy their beauty up close. This colourful display emphasizes the diversity of orchids and offers perfect photo opportunities as you pass through, showing off their stunning variety in form, colour, and fragrance while offering a beautiful, organic sensory experience that’s sorely lacking during our cold winters. Following that, on March 27 & 28, phalaenopsis orchids from the display will be available for purchase on a first come, first served basis, while quantities last. Tickets allow you admission to the Leaf’s tropical biome, waterfall and butterfly garden as well. Don’t miss this gorgeous display!
Love Local MB Premier Food, Beer & Wine Event
This annual event takes place this Saturday, March 15, from 5-9 pm at the Victoria Inn Hotel and Convention Centre. What better way to kick off spring’s return than with food and bevies? This event celebrates a decade of Manitoba’s best in food and drink at the 10th annual Love Local MB tasting and shopping event. Sip a complimentary mocktail while you groove to live music and indulge in samples from some of the province’s finest culinary and beverage artisans. With a curated selection of vendors, this is your chance to stock up on locally made goods while soaking in the vibrant atmosphere.
Learn about polar bears and more
Have you ever wanted to learn more about the polar bears at the Assiniboine Park Zoo? Join the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) at the Zoo to participate in fun activities in Gateway to the Arctic and learn more about polar bears and other arctic species. This teaching event runs on consecutive Sundays, March 16, 23 and 30 from 10:30 am to 3:30 pm. And don’t forget to join the Zoo for a full week of fun at the Zoo over Spring Break! Activities will include Zoo chats with our animal care team, crafts, a special historical tour of the Zoo and more! Zoo over Spring Break runs from March 29 to April 6 and includes different activities each day from 10:30 am to 2 pm with a special visit from Winston the Polar Bear. On school in-service days, you can enjoy 25% off admission prices, so now you know what to do with the kids on those days!
Visit a Farmers’ Market
Find fresh and local vegetables, baking, preserves, meat, crafts, jewelry and other food plus artisan items at both Le Marché St. Norbert Farmers Market and the Downtown Farmers’ Market. The downtown market happens at Cityplace on every second Thursday during the winter months and every Thursday during the summer months. Dates for the market are March 27, April 10 and 24, and May 8, from 10 am to 2:30 pm. The St. Norbert market on Pembina Highway is year-round and features over 200 local makers, bakers and growers and is open every Saturday from 10 am to 2 pm. Check them out!
Winnipeg Attractions Pass
This is actually more like a five-in-one rather than a single activity and helps you save big money on some of our city’s most popular tourist spots. This economical pass covers five attractions: Manitoba Museum, Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada, Royal Canadian Mint, Canadian Museum for Human Rights and FortWhyte Alive. This is a mobile exclusive “passport” so you can keep all your admissions conveniently located on your phone with no apps to download. You simply present your phone to the attendant when you arrive and they’ll check you in. You have a choice between one-day passes that cost $22-$38 or three-day passes that cost $30-$52. Who doesn’t love a bargain?
Shop local at House of Local
House of Local opened its doors in the summer of 2023 when We Heart Winnipeg Lifestyle Co. moved its flagship store to the heart of East Kildonan. The big black building at 680 Watt Street is home to a custom print studio and more than 30 local makers. There’s also an in-house coffee bar where they serve up fresh Colosimo coffee and tasty treats from some of their favourite local bakeries. The coffee bar is open from 9 am to 4 pm on weekdays, 10 am to 6 pm on Saturdays and 10 am to 5 pm on Sundays. Much like their clothing line and the blog that came before it, the HoL community is built around the principles of spreading positivity, connecting community and celebrating our city. So essentially, locals supporting locals. This is definitely a positive message we all kind of need right now. Local is a lifestyle!