Get excited, Winnipeg! Our holiday guide is here to show you all the top festive happenings. Whether you're a local or a tourist, our guide opens the door to Winnipeg's holiday delights.
This season, families can stroll through the enchanting light displays at Zoo Lights, where the zoo sparkles with thousands of twinkling lights, creating a magical atmosphere. Featuring live performances and a festive market, the Santa Claus Parade brings the community together to celebrate the spirit of giving. And the Canad Inns Winter Wonderland is something you definitely don't want to miss, offering a delightful array of light displays and fun activities for all ages. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Winnipeg
- Canad Inns Winter Wonderland
- Zoo Lights
- Manitoba Hydro Santa Parade
- Santa Claus Parade
- Visit Santa at St. Vital Centre
- Visit with Santa at CF Polo Park
- Candlelight Concerts
- Crash Test Dummies: Jingle All the Way
- Winnipeg Pops Orchestra Christmas Concert
- LuckyGirl Holiday Pop Up
See these and even more events listed below!
Winnipeg Holiday Light Displays
Canad Inns Winter Wonderland
What to Expect:
Unique drive-thru light show with over 30 new displays.
Description:
Canad Inns Winter Wonderland is a drive-thru light show featuring over one million lights, 30 new displays, and various activities like horse-drawn hayrides and outdoor skating.
Where: Winnipeg | More Info: Canad Inns Winter Wonderland
Zoo Lights
What to Expect:
Interactive light and game displays in a zoo setting.
Description:
Zoo Lights at Assiniboine Park features stunning light displays, tasty treats, and interactive games like corn hole and ladder toss, offering a unique visual and musical experience.
Where: Winnipeg | More Info: Zoo Lights
Winnipeg Holiday Markets and Shopping
Third & Bird Christmas Market
What to Expect:
Curated selection of 170 vendors with live DJ and tasty food options.
Description:
The Third & Bird Christmas Market is a 3-day event featuring 170 vendors offering art, print, ceramics, food, drink, clothing, jewelry, housewares, and more. Enjoy live music, tasty food options, and a selfie wall. The market is wheelchair accessible and offers various ticket options, including Early Bird Pre-shop and General Admission.
Where: Winnipeg | More Info: Third & Bird Christmas Market
One Sixteen Holiday Market
What to Expect:
Hip tap room setting for private events.
Description:
One Sixteen in Winnipeg offers a unique setting for private events and large parties, featuring a tap room where you can find the hip set. The venue is located at 116 Sherbrook Street and can be contacted via email or phone at 431 887 BEER.
Where: Winnipeg | More Info: One Sixteen Holiday Market
LuckyGirl Holiday Pop Up
What to Expect:
Local makers showcase handmade goods in a sun-filled concert hall setting.
Description:
The LuckyGirl Holiday Pop Up is a Sunday afternoon market event at the Manitoba Centennial Concert Hall, featuring a variety of local makers selling handmade goods. The event offers a sun-filled and spacious shopping experience, with vendors selling jewelry, ceramics, clothing, accessories, home goods, and more.
Where: Winnipeg | More Info: LuckyGirl Holiday Pop Up
Winnipeg Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Visit Santa at St. Vital Centre
What to Expect:
Meet Santa Claus in a cozy, decorated setting.
Description:
Visit Santa at St. Vital Centre offers a delightful holiday experience where children can meet Santa Claus in a cozy and welcoming environment. The event features a beautifully decorated setting, perfect for capturing special family moments.
Where: Winnipeg | More Info: Visit Santa at St. Vital Centre
Candlelight Concerts
What to Expect:
Live classical music performances in a candlelit setting.
Description:
Candlelight Concerts offer a unique and intimate setting where classical music is performed by talented musicians in candlelit venues, featuring a wide variety of themes and genres including classical, jazz, pop, and movie soundtracks.
Where: Winnipeg | More Info: Candlelight Concerts
Winnipeg Pops Orchestra Christmas Concert
What to Expect:
Classical holiday music performance by a 70-piece orchestra.
Description:
The Winnipeg Pops Orchestra Christmas Concert is a festive celebration featuring classical and popular holiday music performed by a 70-piece orchestra. The event promises a delightful evening of music, perfect for the holiday season.
Where: Winnipeg | More Info: Winnipeg Pops Orchestra Christmas Concert
Crash Test Dummies: Jingle All the Way
What to Expect:
Holiday concert with eclectic instrumentation and traditional Christmas songs.
Description:
The Crash Test Dummies bring their unique holiday show, "Jingle All the Way," featuring original members Brad Roberts, Ellen Reid, Dan Roberts, and Mitch Dorge, along with special guests. The dynamic stage show includes songs from their holiday album and some of the band's greatest hits, blending traditional Christmas songs with eclectic instrumentation.
Where: Winnipeg | More Info: Crash Test Dummies: Jingle All the Way
The Sound of Music
What to Expect:
Tony Award-winning musical with Rodgers and Hammerstein's iconic music and lyrics.
Description:
Set in late 1930s Austria, The Sound of Music follows the story of free-spirited Maria, who becomes a governess for the seven children of a widowed naval captain, bringing new love and music into their lives.
Where: Winnipeg | More Info: The Sound of Music
RWB: Nutcracker
What to Expect:
World-class ballet performance with Canadian charm and iconic symbols.
Description:
The Royal Winnipeg Ballet's Nutcracker is a whimsical adventure set in a Canadian home during Christmas 1913. Choreographed by Galina Yordanova and Nina Menon, this production features Tchaikovsky's iconic score, dazzling costumes by Paul Daigle, and an awe-inspiring set by Brian Perchaluk. It includes iconic Canadian symbols like the Ottawa Parliament buildings and busby-hat Mountie guards, making it a uniquely Canadian rendition of the classic ballet.
Where: Winnipeg | More Info: RWB: Nutcracker
Narnia
What to Expect:
Quirky physical comedy and musical wizardry in a C.S. Lewis adaptation.
Description:
Step through the wardrobe into a fantastical world in this musical adaptation of C.S. Lewis's timeless novel, featuring quirky physical comedy and musical wizardry.
Where: Winnipeg | More Info: Narnia
Outside Joke’s A Christmas Carol: Bigger Dickens Energy
What to Expect:
Relaxed performance with ASL interpretation.
Description:
Outside Jokes' A Christmas Carol: Bigger Dickens Energy is an improvised holiday rom-com that brings a fresh twist to the classic tale, blending humor and heart in a unique theatrical experience.
Where: Winnipeg | More Info: Outside Joke’s A Christmas Carol: Bigger Dickens Energy
Beyond Monet
What to Expect:
High-resolution portrayal of Monet's artworks in a large immersive space.
Description:
Beyond Monet is an immersive experience showcasing over 400 of Claude Monet's artworks through cutting-edge projection technology and an original score, offering guests a high-resolution portrayal of his work in a spacious 50,000 square feet setting.
Where: Winnipeg | More Info: Beyond Monet
Winnipeg Other Holiday Activities
Santa Claus Parade
What to Expect:
Family-friendly holiday parade with festive floats and activities.
Description:
The Manitoba Hydro Santa Claus Parade is a beloved tradition featuring festive floats, family activities, and holiday cheer.
Where: Winnipeg | More Info: Santa Claus Parade
Visit with Santa at CF Polo Park
What to Expect:
Personalized Santa meet-and-greets in a festive setting.
Description:
Visit with Santa at CF Polo Park offers a delightful opportunity to meet the jolly old man in a cozy and welcoming environment, complete with festive decorations and holiday cheer.
Where: Winnipeg | More Info: Visit with Santa at CF Polo Park
Eaton’s Fairytale Vignettes
What to Expect:
Timeless collection of 15 storybook vignettes with over 300 pieces.
Description:
The Eaton’s Fairytale Vignettes is a classic holiday display featuring 15 storybook vignettes, including Cinderella, Humpty Dumpty, and Three Blind Mice, with over 300 pieces in total. Each vignette includes a storybook-shaped interpretation panel where visitors can read the associated story.
Where: Winnipeg | More Info: Eaton’s Fairytale Vignettes
HoHoHoliday 5k – Virtual Edition
What to Expect:
Virtual Santa run raising money for charity.
Description:
Join the HoHoHoliday 5K, a virtual Santa run that combines community engagement and fitness while raising money for Make-A-Wish. This festive event is open to participants in both Canada and the USA.
Where: Winnipeg | More Info: HoHoHoliday 5k – Virtual Edition
Pyjama Days @ the Manitoba Museum
What to Expect:
Interactive exhibits in pajamas.
Description:
Pyjama Days @ the Manitoba Museum offers a unique and immersive experience where visitors can explore the museum's galleries in comfortable pajamas, enjoying interactive exhibits and thrilling shows that tell the story of Manitoba's history, nature, and science.
Where: Winnipeg | More Info: Pyjama Days @ the Manitoba Museum
Boxing Day at Children’s Museum
What to Expect:
Interactive exhibits and hands-on learning experiences.
Description:
At the Children’s Museum, Boxing Day offers a variety of interactive exhibits and activities designed to engage children in creative and stimulating programming. The event features hands-on learning experiences, including the new Moo Mission gallery, which allows kids to explore a modern dairy farming community.
Where: Winnipeg | More Info: Boxing Day at Children’s Museum
Manitoba Hydro Santa Parade
What to Expect:
Community-driven holiday celebration with illuminated floats and live music.
Description:
The Manitoba Hydro Santa Parade is a vibrant community event featuring colorful floats, seasonal music, and festive lights. Participants and spectators alike come together to celebrate the holiday season with joy and community spirit.