This year, Canada Day has taken on a whole new meaning. If you want to make the most of this patriotic celebration and show your country some love, there are a ton of fun events to take in both within Winnipeg and around the province, all promising to kick off summer with a big bang!
The Forks
One of the larger celebrations within Winnipeg includes The Forks, where Canada Day is an opportunity to celebrate everything that makes Canada ‘our home and native land.’ Festivities begin at 11 am and run until 9 pm. They include the return of dance battles, more skateboarding demonstrations with Pitikwé, a basketball tournament and food trucks. Visitors will enjoy a vibrant, family-focused celebration during the day that also includes a handmade market, critters from FortWhyte Alive, plus a wide variety of performers representing many cultures.
Assiniboia Downs
If you prefer the end your day with a spectacular fireworks display, the Assiniboia Downs will once again feature an unforgettable Canada Day. Free family fun activities are planned that include bouncy castles, face painting and live entertainment, with the highlight being the thrill of live horse racing at 7:30 pm followed by fireworks lighting up the sky later in the evening. Parking will be free until 8 pm and then $10 after that. If you’ve never been to the races, you don’t want to miss this experience. Head out early, enjoy the races, and stay for the show!
Princess Auto Stadium
The really big party is going to be at Princess Auto Stadium for a second year in what is promising to become an annual event. This free, family-friendly event is packed with festivities and great entertainment. The Tailgate Area Activities start at 12 noon with a wide range of activities planned that include a local market, kids’ activities, a tailgate stage, food vendors, face painting, storytelling, inflatables and other activities all designed for families. Mainstage performances kick off at 5:00 pm and run until 10:30 pm, after which time fireworks will light up the city skyline.
But the highlight this year might be the 1st Annual Blue Bombers Pitmaster Showdown. This is more than just a competition — it’s a celebration of BBQ and Canadian pride. Canada’s biggest BBQ competition is bringing together top pitmasters, backyard BBQ warriors and elite BBQ teams for a KCBS-sanctioned showdown. No tickets are necessary for the Tailgate Party, but you’re asked to please bring a tin for the bin for Harvest Manitoba if you’re able to. Tickets for the free main stage concert are available online, as well as the $5 floor tickets (proceeds being donated to Harvest Manitoba).
Neighbourhood celebrations in the city
You can also celebrate Canada Day right in your own neighbourhood, with less walking and less crowds. Here are just a few local parties to check out:
• Tyndall Park Take in in the three-day event that is Canadafest at Tyndall Park Community Centre at 2255 King Edward St. from June 29-30 (4-9 pm) and July 1 (3-11 pm) for live entertainment and music, food trucks, free zumba for everyone, local market, live grafitti, games, prizes and more.
• Sage Creek Enjoy 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 to follow. This free event is being held in Parc Ron Duhamel Park at 265 Sage Creek Blvd.
• River Park South The celebration kicks off at 4:30 in Burland Park at 150 Burland Avenue and runs until 11:30 pm with 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.
• Bridgewater Lakes Bring the whole family to celebrate Canada’s birthday with fun activities and entertainment at Bridgewater Lakes Fountain, 133 Bridgelake Drive. Festivities will take place from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. Enjoy free cake & refreshments, bouncy castles, face painting, petting zoo & games, food trucks (food for purchase), live cultural entertainment, dragon and lion dances, bazaar tables, drumming and so much more!
• Transcona Head out to Transcona at Centennial Square at 135 Regent Ave. W. for their Canada Day Festival from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Celebrate with a farmer’s market, face painting, lawn games, balloon animals and more, all while indulging in free hot dogs.
• Assiniboine Park The largest park in Winnipeg (it’s 257 acres larger than Central Park in NYC!) is hosting various free events all day as well from 11 am to 5 pm. It all kicks off with a citizenship ceremony that leads to live music, a Super Hero Hangout, food trucks, bouncy castles, fire and tobacco teachings at the Indigenous Peoples Garden Fire Node, plus a chalk party at the Leaf. And you definitely don’t want to miss the 9th Annual Canada Day Drumming event! From coast to coast, cities will be hosting drumming events. Bring your drums, pots and pans! All of Canada will join in to drum together for 6 minutes, celebrating unity and diversity among all cultures. Don’t miss out on this incredible experience from 12-2 pm at 145 Leaf Way (near the Leaf)!
Celebrations around the province
Celebrations and fireworks take place all around the province as well. Here’s just a short list of the many events to indulge in:
• West St. Paul The R.M. of West St. Paul will again be hosting their free annual Canada Day Extravaganza at the Access Centre at 48 Holland Road, kicking off at 8 am with a pancake breakfast, followed by the Mopar Car Club Show & Shine, tons of family-friendly activities, live wrestling and live music, all leading up to the evening’s grand finale — fireworks at 10 pm!
• Steinbach The City of Steinbach teams up each year with the Mennonite Heritage Village to create a full day of family-friendly activities for Canada’s birthday. The Mennonite Heritage Village has free admission (open 9 am to 5 pm) with family-friendly activities and entertainment throughout the day. Families can then head to the Steinbach Soccer Park for evening activities starting at 5 pm including a music DJ plus free cupcakes and souvenirs. The day ends with a fireworks finale starting at 10:45 pm that you don’t want to miss!
• Selkirk Don’t forget to celebrate Canada Day at the waterfront. From 4-8 pm, kids can enjoy a wide range of family-friendly fun like a circus show, jugglers, the Block Party Trailer and more. Don’t forget to visit the Bud and Bloom Makers market from 4-10 pm. There will be live performances throughout the evening before the night ends with Selkirk’s spectacular fireworks display at 11 pm which they claim is the best in the Interlake! You’ll have to attend to compare.
• Lower Fort Garry If you want to enjoy some of Manitoba’s fascinating heritage, Lower Fort Garry will be hosting Canada Day celebrations from 10 am to
4 pm. This event is free to attend and includes activities like historic demonstrations, croquet, bannock making, candle making, bracelet making and more. Visitors can also enjoy cake and sing O Canada at the Big House (Grande Maison) to close out their day.
• Gimli Venture further out to Gimli for four days of Canada Day festivities beginning on June 28 to 30. For three days the Harbour Stage will be “Rockin’” but July 1 will be the big celebration, starting with a pancake breakfast followed by the parade at 11 am from Center Street. Then comes a whole day of free entertainment and activities suitable for the entire family, live music continuing on the Harbour Stage before the day finishes off with fireworks at 11 pm fired majestically over the lake off the Harbour Breakwater.
• Lac du Bonnet Not to be outdone, this tiny town also hosts an entire weekend of celebrations from June 27 to 29, with the twist being their fireworks taking place on Saturday night so you don’t have to stay up late the night before work! Nothing beats sitting on the beach watching fireworks fired off the big dock and reflected in the Winnipeg River. There’s a midway, a car show, live entertainment and more. A “Fun at the Lake” parade will be held on Sunday starting at 11:30 pm.
These are just a few of the many great events happening around the city and province this weekend. Have a happy Canada Day!