From fun festivals to beautiful hikes to patio dining, this is a great season for exploring the best of what Manitoba has to offer. Let's get into it with 50 things to do this spring in Manitoba!

1. Camping season kicks off in spring! With most of our provincial park campgrounds open by mid-May, it’s finally time to pitch a tent and enjoy the spring greenery. Whiteshell Provincial Park offers many options, whether you’re looking for a bustling campground or a more secluded backcountry camping spot, while Paint Lake Provincial Park has the benefit of countless islands to explore. Mark your calendar for when campground reservations open. Riding Mountain National Park reservations are already up for grabs.

2. Brandon’s Royal Manitoba Winter Fair, held at the end of March, is a great way to say goodbye to winter and hello to spring. The agricultural event includes show jumping, competitions, livestock displays, and live entertainment.

3. When we think of spring, we think of flowers. Spend time at the Leo Mol Sculpture Garden and the outdoor gardens at The Leaf in Assiniboine Park to see all of the new blossoms.

4. Celebrating Manitoba’s Indigenous culture, art, and music, the Manito Ahbee Festival in May includes a tipi-raising contest, an Indigenous marketplace, the Manito Ahbee Pow Wow and many more events and performances.

5. Dust off those hiking boots…hiking season is here! Try the Hunt Lake Trail in Whiteshell Provincial Park, the Blue Lakes Trail in Duck Mountain Provincial Park or the Black Lake Hiking Trail in Nopiming Provincial Park.

6. Head to Winnipeg’s CF Polo Park in March for the Festival of Fools, where you can expect “free foolishness” every afternoon! Enjoy juggling, clowns, acrobats, and more at this family-friendly event.

7. Did you know that Manitoba has the largest known concentration of red-sided garter snakes in the world? Head to Narcisse to witness thousands of snakes wriggle together in huge mating balls, a sight that must be seen to be believed.

8. Spend some time in nature on one of the province’s many biking trails. The Aspen Trail in Birds Hill Provincial Park and the Atikameg Trails in Clearwater Lake Provincial Park are fantastic places to start.

9. The prairie crocus is Manitoba’s official flower, so what better way to celebrate spring than to see thousands of them bloom in April? Head to Arden to see this phenomenon, where you can also see the World's Largest Crocus Monument.

10. Sample Winnipeg’s exquisite Indigenous culinary scene. Some of the standouts include Promenade Brasserie, Feast Cafe Bistro, Bistro on Notre Dame, and Manoomin Restaurant.

11. As the temperatures start to climb, so do the ice cream cravings! Ice cream shops and drive-ins around the province are finally opening their doors again. Try a cone from Syl’s Drive Inn in Carmen, Charley B’s in Winkler, What’s the Scoop? in Portage la Prairie, or BDI in Winnipeg.

12. Dine at Table for 1200 in Winnipeg, an event that brings together food and art through an outdoor “pop-up” experience with a location that’s only revealed the day-of.

13. Pride season is here! Celebrate Manitoba’s 2SLGBTQI+ community with the Pride Winnipeg Festival, Brandon Pride Week, the Pembina Valley Pride March in Altona and many more throughout the warmer months.

14. Fishing season begins in May, and there are a few spots that are ideal for early season fishing. Check out Lake Winnipeg at Hecla Island for greenback walleye, the Red River at Lockport for channel catfish and Lake Manitoba at Whitemud River for freshwater drum and common carp.

15. Head to the 42nd annual Kidsfest at the Forks in early June, where live music, daredevil circus acts and hilarious comedians will wow you and the whole family.

16. Manitoba’s marshes come alive with wildlife in spring. Head to Oak Hammock Marsh in Stonewall, Grassy Narrows Marsh on Hecla Island, Ominnik Marsh in Riding Mountain or Delta Marsh near Portage la Prairie to witness the return of numerous bird species.

17. Try Manitoba’s newest Nordic spa, Klar So at the Elkhorn Resort in Onanole. Soothe your body, mind, and spirit as you alternate between the hot and cool temperatures of the various pools and saunas.

18. June brings the Winnipeg International Jazz Festival to town. Featuring Canadian and international musicians specializing in a wide range of jazz genres, head to the Exchange District for ticketed events and free outdoor performances.

19. For those craving a bit of adventure, head out on a road trip through northwestern Manitoba after the snow thaws. Highlights include the Sam Waller Museum in The Pas, Clearwater Lake Provincial Park, fishing in Bakers Narrows, the Cranberry Portage Heritage Museum and saying hello to the Flintabbatey Flonatin Statue in Flin Flon.

20. Learn about human rights at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, where one of the new exhibits this spring includes Beyond the Beat: Music of Resistance and Change, an exploration of music that helped change the world.

21. Test your escape skills at one of the province’s many escape rooms. Perfect for a rainy day activity, try Elevaro Escape Rooms in Winkler, NEXGEN in Brandon or The Real Escape in Winnipeg.

22. It’s finally patio season again! Hit up Winnipeg’s Little Italy to enjoy the patios at Café 22, Tommy’s Pizzeria, Colosseo Ristorante Italiano, Saffron’s Restaurant or The Roost on Corydon.

23. Calling all runners: the Manitoba Marathon is held every June in Winnipeg. With numerous races to choose from - everything from the 5 km Super Run to the Full Marathon - it’s always bound to be a monumental day.

24. For golfers, warmer weather means one thing: the courses are open! Head to Clear Lake Golf Course in Riding Mountain National Park, Granite Hills Golf Club in Lac du Bonnet or the Selkirk Golf and Country Club for some of the best golfing in the province.

25. The Prairie Wind Music Fest in Cypress River is perfect for those who love discovering up-and-coming Canadian talent. Experience three days of diverse music at this small festival that has a big heart.

26. June means it’s time for the Red River Ex! Make your way to the world’s largest travelling fair, where the midway rides, live entertainment and tasty concessions will thrill you.

27. With Manitoba’s rivers and lakes now thawing, waterfalls are in full flow once again. Check out Rainbow Falls, Tulabi Falls, Wekusko Falls, Pisew Falls, or, for a challenging hiking and backcountry camping experience Kwasitchewan Falls.

28. Classical music fans have many options to enjoy in spring, including the Agassiz Chamber Music Festival in June and, for something fun, the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra’s Star Wars: A New Hope in Concert in May.

29. Get to know Thompson by walking or biking the Millennium Trail, a 15 km loop around the city’s perimeter. Highlights include the numerous sculptures and murals honouring the local wolves.

30. Doors Open Winnipeg in May is a once-a-year occasion that opens up architecturally, historically, and culturally significant buildings to the public. Don’t miss the chance to explore some of the city’s most secretive spots!

31. With spring comes the arrival of farmers’ markets, a chance to purchase local fruits and vegetables, flowers and crafts. The Arnes Farmers’ Market near Gimli and Le Marché St. Norbert Farmers’ Market in Winnipeg are two of the best.

32. History buffs rejoice: there are over a dozen forts in Manitoba. Explore Manitoba’s past by visiting Lower Fort Garry in St. Andrews, Fort Dauphin, Fort la Reine in Portage la Prairie or the Prince of Wales Fort in Churchill.

33. Take me out to the ballgame, indeed! The Winnipeg Goldeyes return to the diamond at Blue Cross Park (formerly Shaw Park) in May, so take advantage of the longer evenings with a baseball game and a couple of hot dogs.

34. Grab a coffee and take a walking tour of some of the province’s best murals on a warm spring day. Check out the murals in Churchill, Brandon, Gimli’s harbour or Winnipeg’s West End.

35. Ready to laugh? The Winnipeg Comedy Festival returns to the Gas Station Arts Centre for six days of humour featuring a variety of performers.

36. Escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life with a stay in one of the Turtle Mountain Adventure Huts. Hike and bike during the day and relax around the fire pit at night.

37. It’s no secret that Manitoba is home to many fantastic breweries. Take your love of beer a step further by heading to the Beer is Art Festival on March 28th or Winnipeg Beer Fest on June 8th.

38. We’re Canadian, of course we love maple syrup! Celebrate all things sweet with one of the province’s biggest maple syrup festivals, the Manitoba Maple Syrup Festival in McCreary.

39. Head to Gimli in June for the second annual Bluesfest, a free event featuring some of the province’s best blues musicians.

40. ’Tis the season for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, so make sure to pick up a gift or two at one of the province’s many craft markets, including Lucky Girl and Third and Bird.

41. Get ready to have a blast at Summer in the City, a celebration of arts and culture in the heart of Steinbach. Held in mid-June, it features musical performances, midway rides and a craft market.

42. Stay in one of the province’s geodesic domes, such as Moonlit Canopy in Belmont, Wild Skies in River Hills, or Oak Haven Oasis in Nesbitt to bask in all the emerging greenery and blooming flowers of spring.

43. Visit the Winnipeg Art Gallery-Qaumajuq for their new spring exhibits, including Omalluq: Pictures from my Life, a collection of works by Omalluq Oshutsiaq and Riopelle: Crossroads in Time, a retrospective of the diverse art produced by Jean Paul Riopelle.

44. Shake off the winter with a day out at Hywire Zipline Adventures in Pembina Valley, where you can enjoy ziplining, mini golf, a bush maze, hiking trails and an outdoor patio.

45. The Niverville Fair is back the second weekend in June. It’s fun for the whole family, with a parade, live entertainment and food stalls.

46. Head to the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre, Canada's oldest English-language regional theatre, for a steady stream of fantastic shows to attend this spring.

47. Just because Valentine’s Day is behind us doesn’t mean we can’t indulge in a little romance. Check out the romance packages at the Mere Hotel or the Fairmont Winnipeg.

48. The Manitoba Electronic Music Exhibition of Technology, Innovation, and Creativity, or MEMETIC for short, is back in Winnipeg in early June. Head to Old Market Square for free performances of techno, dub and house music.

49. Pineridge Hollow is perfect for a day trip, with multiple dining options, shops featuring local products, a farmers’ market and a petting zoo that welcomes baby animals from Oak Knoll farm each spring. Head there at the end of March for “Hoppy Days” featuring hay rides, a bouncy castle and games.

50. Looking for a unique night out? Try one of Winnipeg’s speakeasy-style bars, where you can expect delicious cocktails, cozy atmospheres and innovative menus. Spots to visit include Solera, Darling Bar and The Basement.