Enjoy the festive season in Winnipeg with our ultimate holiday guide. Whether you're a familiar face in Winnipeg or a new visitor, our guide shows you the best holiday activities.
Start your holiday adventure at Winter Wonderland, a dazzling display of lights and festive charm that captures the spirit of the season. Experience the magic of the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train, showcasing spectacular performances and beautiful decorations as it makes its stop in the city. And don't forget the Nutcracker Ballet, a timeless performance that enchants audiences of all ages. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
Please contact us if you have suggestions or corrections!
Got questions? Like to help? Check out our Winnipeg Holiday discussion here!
The Top Christmas Events in Winnipeg
- Winter Wonderland
- Canadian Pacific Holiday Train
- Nutcracker Ballet
- Festival of Trees & Lights
- Santa Claus Parade
- Christmas at the Forks
- Lights of the North Christmas Festival
- Manitoba Opera's Holiday Concert
- Manitoba Legislative Building - Festive Displays
- Christmas Artisan Market
Winnipeg Holiday Light Displays
Winter Wonderland
What to Expect:
Largest drive-through light show in Manitoba
Description:
Winnipeg's Winter Wonderland transforms Assiniboine Park into a dazzling spectacle of over 1 million LED lights. This 2.5 km route showcases intricate light sculptures and animated displays, creating a mesmerizing journey through the park's winter landscape. Visitors can tune their car radios to a special station for synchronized holiday music. The event pays homage to Manitoba's rich wildlife, featuring illuminated polar bears and northern lights-inspired installations.
Website:
Festival of Trees & Lights
What to Expect:
Fundraising event showcasing creatively decorated trees
Description:
The Festival of Trees & Lights transforms the RBC Convention Centre into a forest of uniquely adorned Christmas trees. Each tree, meticulously decorated by local businesses and organizations, tells a story through its ornaments and design. Visitors can admire the creative displays while supporting the Health Sciences Centre Foundation. The event originated in 1990 and has since raised millions for healthcare initiatives in Manitoba.
Website:
Lights of the North Christmas Festival
What to Expect:
Fusion of Chinese lantern art and Western Christmas traditions
Description:
The Lights of the North Christmas Festival blends Eastern and Western holiday traditions in a stunning display of illuminated art. Handcrafted Chinese lanterns, some towering over 50 feet tall, depict both Christmas scenes and Chinese cultural symbols. As you stroll through the grounds, intricate light sculptures tell stories of two cultures coming together. This unique festival, introduced in recent years, has quickly become a highlight of Winnipeg's holiday season.
Website:
Lights of the North Christmas Festival
Manitoba Legislative Building - Festive Displays
What to Expect:
Holiday decorations in a historic government building
Description:
The Manitoba Legislative Building dons its holiday best, adorning its grand halls and chambers with festive displays. This Beaux-Arts style building, completed in 1920, provides a majestic backdrop for the seasonal decorations. Visitors can admire the towering Christmas tree in the rotunda and explore the building's architectural details. The decorations offer a rare glimpse into how this seat of government celebrates the holiday season.
Website:
Manitoba Legislative Building - Festive Displays
Winnipeg Holiday Markets and Shopping
Christmas Artisan Market
What to Expect:
Showcase of locally made, handcrafted holiday gifts
Description:
Winnipeg's Christmas Artisan Market brings together the city's most talented craftspeople and artists. Stalls brim with unique, handmade gifts ranging from intricate jewelry to artisanal foods. The market hums with creativity, showcasing the rich artistic heritage of Manitoba. As you browse, you'll have the opportunity to meet the makers and learn about their crafts. This event highlights the importance of supporting local artisans during the holiday season.
Website:
German Christmas Market
What to Expect:
Authentic German holiday traditions in the heart of Winnipeg
Description:
Winnipeg's German Christmas Market transports visitors to a traditional European holiday celebration. Wooden stalls line the market, offering authentic German treats like glühwein and lebkuchen. The air fills with the aroma of roasted chestnuts and grilled sausages. This event, organized by the German Society of Winnipeg, pays homage to the city's German heritage and introduces Winnipeggers to time-honored Weihnachtsmarkt traditions.
Website:
Exchange District Holiday Retail Crawl
What to Expect:
Shopping event in Winnipeg's historic warehouse district
Description:
The Exchange District Holiday Retail Crawl invites shoppers to explore the unique boutiques and galleries nestled within Winnipeg's National Historic Site. This event showcases the area's preserved turn-of-the-century architecture while supporting local businesses. As you wander the cobblestone streets, you'll discover one-of-a-kind gifts in restored warehouses and heritage buildings. The Exchange District, once the heart of Winnipeg's grain trade, now pulses with creative energy during this special shopping event.
Website:
Exchange District Holiday Retail Crawl
Winnipeg Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Nutcracker Ballet
What to Expect:
Local adaptation with Winnipeg-specific elements
Description:
The Royal Winnipeg Ballet's Nutcracker production infuses the classic tale with distinctly Canadian elements. Set against the backdrop of a snowy Winnipeg in 1913, the performance features polar bears, mounties, and local landmarks. Dancers glide across the stage in elaborate costumes, bringing to life a uniquely Manitoban interpretation of the beloved story. This adaptation, first introduced in 1999, has become a cherished holiday tradition for many Winnipeg families.
Website:
Manitoba Opera's Holiday Concert
What to Expect:
Opera renditions of classic holiday songs
Description:
Manitoba Opera's Holiday Concert elevates familiar Christmas tunes to new heights with powerful operatic performances. World-class singers lend their voices to beloved carols and seasonal classics, creating a rich tapestry of sound that resonates through the concert hall. This event showcases the versatility of opera, demonstrating how the art form can breathe new life into traditional holiday music. Prepare to experience your favorite songs in a whole new way.
Website:
Manitoba Opera's Holiday Concert
Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra Holiday Concert
What to Expect:
Symphony performance featuring both classical and popular holiday music
Description:
The Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra's Holiday Concert blends timeless classical pieces with beloved seasonal favorites. World-class musicians breathe new life into familiar tunes, creating a rich tapestry of sound that fills the concert hall. This event showcases the versatility of the orchestra, which has been a cornerstone of Winnipeg's cultural scene since 1947. Prepare to be moved by the power and precision of a full symphony orchestra celebrating the holiday season.
Website:
Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra Holiday Concert
Winnipeg Other Holiday Activities
Canadian Pacific Holiday Train
What to Expect:
Traveling holiday concert on a decorated train
Description:
The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train rolls into Winnipeg, bringing a unique blend of music and charity. This brightly decorated locomotive carries a stage that unfolds for a live concert at each stop. As you watch the performance, the aroma of hot cocoa fills the air. The train's visit is deeply rooted in community spirit, collecting food donations for local food banks since 1999. Bring non-perishable items to support this festive tradition of giving.
Website:
Canadian Pacific Holiday Train
Santa Claus Parade
What to Expect:
One of the largest and oldest Santa Claus parades in Canada
Description:
Winnipeg's Santa Claus Parade, a tradition since 1909, brings holiday cheer to the city's downtown core. Elaborately designed floats, marching bands, and costumed characters wind their way through the streets, delighting spectators of all ages. The parade's highlight is the arrival of Santa himself, seated atop a grand sleigh. You'll feel the excitement build as the sounds of joyful music and cheering crowds fill the air.
Website:
Christmas at the Forks
What to Expect:
Celebration at the historic meeting point of two rivers
Description:
Christmas at The Forks celebrates the season at Winnipeg's iconic gathering place. This historic site, where the Red and Assiniboine Rivers converge, comes alive with twinkling lights and seasonal activities. Visitors can glide across the picturesque skating rink or warm up by outdoor fire pits. The Forks, a meeting place for over 6,000 years, continues its legacy of bringing people together during this special time of year.
Website:
Holiday Feast by FortWhyte Alive
What to Expect:
Sustainable, locally-sourced holiday meal in a nature preserve
Description:
FortWhyte Alive's Holiday Feast offers a unique dining experience that celebrates Manitoba's natural bounty. Set in a picturesque nature preserve, this event features a menu crafted from locally-sourced, sustainable ingredients. Diners savor dishes that reflect the region's culinary heritage while overlooking snow-covered prairies. FortWhyte Alive, established in 1966, continues its mission of connecting people with nature through this special holiday gathering.
Website:
Holiday Feast by FortWhyte Alive
Assiniboine Forest Winter Walks
What to Expect:
Guided nature walks in an urban forest during winter
Description:
Assiniboine Forest Winter Walks offer a serene escape into nature without leaving the city. Knowledgeable guides lead small groups through snow-covered trails, pointing out winter wildlife and discussing the forest's ecology. The crunch of snow underfoot accompanies your journey through this 700-acre urban woodland. These walks provide a unique opportunity to experience the tranquility of Manitoba's boreal forest in the heart of Winnipeg.
Website:
Assiniboine Forest Winter Walks