Top 5 Winnipeg winter festivals
November 27, 2015
Check out these five Winnipeg winter festivals for fun (and warmth) for the whole family:
Canad Inns Winter Wonderland
Stay in the warmth and comfort of your vehicle and be amazed by Manitoba's largest drive-through light show. Running from early December to early January between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. each evening, the Canad Inns Winter Wonderland boasts more than 25 themed areas and large illuminated displays. There are free horse-drawn sleigh rides every weekend, plus ice-skating and other fun activities.
Festival du Voyageur
Held every February in Winnipeg's French quarter, Saint-Boniface, the Festival du Voyageur is Western Canada's largest winter festival. The 10-day festival celebrates Manitoba's fur-trading past and unique French heritage and culture. There's entertainment, arts and crafts, music, exhibits, and displays. Described as "a kitchen party not to be missed" by Tourism Winnipeg, the Festival du Voyageur features French Canadian food in addition to exquisite ice sculptures created by artists from all over the globe.
Mardi Gras
Billed as "an evening in New Orleans," Winnipeg's own Mardi Gras celebrations transform the third floor of the RBC Convention Centre into the streets of New Orleans for an evening. Over 30 entertainers, specialty bars, and shops add to the festive atmosphere. Eat, drink, and be merry Louisiana-style because, as they say, "baby, it's cold outside!"
Festival of Fools
The Festival of Fools is held every school spring break at The Forks in Winnipeg. It includes seven days of free family fun, featuring circus and trapeze workshops, clowns, jugglers, circus performances, face painting, and much more!
Freeze Frame International Film Festival for Kids of All Ages
In addition to presenting films from all over the world, this one-of-a-kind festival offers workshops and programs in both official languages. The Freeze Frame International Film Festival is home to the Freeze Frame Media Zone, a digital playground featuring drop-in interactive media art activities for the whole family.
These are just five of the many Winnipeg winter festivals happening every year. A full list of festival happenings in the city can be found at the Tourism Winnipeg website.
Photos by: Only In The Peg, Canad Inns, Canadian Festival Guide, Winnipeg Mardi Gras, The Forks Blog, Freeze Frame Manitoba
About Christine Purfield
Christine Purfield traded numbers for words when she gave up the dizzy heights of finance and accounting to become a freelance writer. She can usually be found writing, knitting, or avoiding housework. If you can't find her, she's travelling.