Manitoba's Top Festivals & Events 2013
Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra New Music Festival
January 28 to February 2, 2013
Come and see this unique music festival that spawned new music festivals across the country. "Must be seen to be heard."
Location: Winnipeg
T: 204-949-3999, 1-855-985-2787
W: www.newmusicfestival.ca
Northern Manitoba Trappers' Festival
February 13 to 17, 2013
Oldest winter festival--originating in 1916--celebrates the cultural heritage of the northern pioneer with skills and entertainment; World Championship Dog Race; King Trapper events include canoe packing, trap setting, moose calling, bannock baking and more; arts and crafts show, beard growing contest, children’s games, evening rendezvous.
Location: The Pas
T: 204-623-2912
W: www.trappersfestival.com
Festival du Voyageur
February 15 to 24, 2013
Western Canada’s largest winter festival celebrates Canada’s fur trading era and combines the joie de vivre of the voyageurs with more than 300 music performances, magnificent snow sculptures, historical interpretation of the early 19th century at Fort Gibraltar, live entertainment, traditional dishes, arts and crafts, the voyageur International Sled Dog Classic, a governor’s ball.
Location: Voyageur Park, Winnipeg
T: 204-237-7692
W: www.festivalvoyageur.mb.ca
Hudson Bay Quest
March 15, 2013
A 330-km dog sled race along a traditional trapping route from Gillam to Churchill, Manitoba. This self-sufficient dog sledding adventure is a traditional race built on the history of the fur trade, The Hudson’s Bay Company and the early days of Churchill, Manitoba.
Location: from Gillam to Churchill
T: 204-675-2887
W: www.hudsonbayquest.com
Royal Manitoba Winter Fair
March 25 to 30, 2013
A week of excitement with world-class equestrian events, children’s shows, livestock sales and displays, 300 agricultural and commercial exhibits, top entertainers.
Location: Keystone Centre, Brandon
T: 204-726-3590
W: www.brandonfairs.com
Manitoba Summer Fair
June 5 to 9, 2013
Midway and rides for all ages, trade show, demolition derby, petting zoo, antique tractors, horse show.
Location: Brandon
T: 204-726-3590
W: www.brandonfairs.com
Winnipeg International Children's Festival
June 6 to 9, 2013
Features 30 shows daily of music, dance, puppetry and hands-on activities with local, national and international artists.
Location: The Forks, Winnipeg
T: 204-958-4730, 1-800-527-1515
W: www.kidsfest.ca
Winnipeg International Jazz Festival
June 13 to 22, 2013
Features the hottest jazz and blues performers from around the world at both free and ticketed events.
Location: various locations throughout Winnipeg
T: 204-989-4656
W: www.jazzwinnipeg.com
Red River Exhibition
June 14 to 23, 2013
North America’s #1 midway, stage acts, children’s entertainers, exhibits, youth talent shows, opening day fireworks.
Location: Red River Exhibition Park, Winnipeg
T: 204-888-6990
W: www.redriverex.com
Manitoba Highland Gathering
June 16, 2013
Scottish heritage is celebrated with dance, pipe and drum competitions, heavy games of brawn, sheep shearing and herding, canoe and kayak races, clan booths, Scottish market, massed bands and Scottish pub.
Location: Selkirk Park, Selkirk
T: 204-794-6587
W: www.manitobahighlandgathering.org
Dauphin Countryfest
June 27 to 30, 2013
Incredible country music from some of the hottest stars in the business.
Location: Dauphin
T: 1-800-361-7300
W: www.countryfest.ca
Winnipeg Folk Festival
July 10 to 14, 2013
Internationally acclaimed celebration of people and music featuring over 60 acts, six daytime stages, evening main stage, family area, artisan tent and food court.
Location: Birds Hill Provincial Park
T: 204-231-0096
W: www.winnipegfolkfestival.ca
Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival
July 17 to 28, 2013
North America’s second largest Fringe festival features more than 100 theatre groups over 11 full days. Outdoor stage and Kids Fringe feature street performers, buskers and bands from noon to midnight.
Location: various locations, downtown Winnipeg
T: 204-943-7464
W: www.winnipegfringe.com
Manitoba Stampede and Exhibition
July 18 to 21, 2013
One of Canada's largest professional rodeos, it offers four days of top level competition.
Location: Morris
T: 204-746-2552, 1-866-657-4741
W: www.manitobastampede.ca
World Lily Festival
July 19 to 21, 2013
Celebration of lilies with a flower show, walking tours, entertainment, tea parties and much more.
Location: Neepawa
T: 204-476-8811, 1-866-893-0381
W: www.lilyfestival.com
Manitoba Threshermen's Reunion and Stampede
July 25 to 28, 2013
Heritage festival that brings all aspects of the museum to life. This includes vintage parade and machinery displays, horse power demonstrations, pioneer lifestyle activities and operating pioneer village. Also enjoy the Central Canada's Fiddler Festival.
Location: Austin
T: 204-637-2354
W: www.ag-museum.mb.ca
Manitoba Sunflower Festival
July 26 to 28, 2013
Mennonite culture is celebrated with ethnic food, family entertainment, parade, car show, motocross races, pancake breakfasts, ball tournament, farmer's market, crafts, queen pageant, street dance.
Location: Altona
T: 204-324-9005
W: www.townofaltona.com
Canada's National Ukrainian Festival
August 2 to 4, 2013
In this special celebration of Ukraine’s independence, experience the flavour of old traditions and culture through song, dance, costume and delectable Ukrainian cuisine.
Location: Dauphin
T: 204-622-4600, 1-877-474-2683
W: www.cnuf.ca
Islendingadagurinn (Icelandic Festival of Manitoba)
August 2 to 5, 2013
Second oldest ethnic gathering in Canada held in the largest Icelandic community outside Iceland. Includes midway, beach volleyball, Amma’s kitchen, folk festival, fine art show, sandcastle building contest, New Iceland historic and cultural exhibits, traditional program, parade.
Location: Gimli
T: 204-642-7417
W: www.icelandicfestival.com
Steinbach Pioneer Days
August 2 to 5, 2013
Celebrate pioneer life with festivities featuring interpretive demonstrations such as butter churning, threshing, log cutting and quilting. Auction sale, horse show, children's events and barbecues.
Location: Steinbach
T: 204-326-9661, 1-866-280-8741
W: www.mennoniteheritagevillage.com
Folklorama - Canada's Cultural Celebration
August 4 to 17, 2013
Represents cultures from around the world in a two-week extravaganza full of ethnic richness and traditions in culture, food and art. With over 40 pavilions, this multicultural event is held throughout the city.
Location: various locations throughout Winnipeg
T: 204-982-6210, 1-800-665-0234
W: www.folklorama.ca
Winkler Harvest Festival and Exhibition
August 9 to 11, 2013
A FREE family festival in the beautiful and friendly community of Winkler (just one hour south west of Winnipeg!). Come for great food, great music from national touring acts and much more including...fireworks...parade...rodeos...kids entertainment...petting zoo...Wonder Shows Midway...
T: 204-325-5600
W: www.winklerharvestfestival.com
Manito Ahbee
August 18 to 21, 2013
Celebration of Aboriginal music and culture, International Pow Wow Competition Summit, Music Festival, Indigenous Marketplace, Trade and Education Conference. Métis celebration. Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards.
Location: Winnipeg
T 204-956-1849, 1-866-449-0251
W: www.manitoahbee.com
Morden Corn & Apple Festival
August 23 to 25, 2013
It's fun and free! Free admission, free shuttle bus, free live stage entertainment, free hot buttered corn on the cob, free apple cider and free bus tours. Also a midway, crafts, dances and gospel stage on Sunday.
Location: Morden
T: 204-822-5630
W: www.mordenmb.com
Manitoba Livestock Expo
November 7 to 10, 2013
Agricultural extravaganza with shows and exhibits, auctions, Kids World, Manitoba Rodeo Championship finals.
Location: Brandon
T: 204-726-3590, 1-877-729-0001
W: www.brandonfairs.com
Canad Inns Winter Wonderland
November 29, 2013 to January 4, 2014
Enjoy a winter drive-through light show in the warmth and comfort of a vehicle. The massive light show features 15 animated theme areas with over 100,000 lights and displays as large as 125 feet wide and 40 feet high.
Location: Red River Exhibition Park, Winnipeg
T: 204-888-6990
W: www.redriverex.com
