Summer Festivals in Manitoba

Red River Exhibition Park, Winnipeg  by Robert Linsdell on Flickr.  CC BY

Manitobans know how to party under the sun! We celebrate summer with many incredible festivals showcasing music, food, art, and the province’s rich history. The Festival season starts around May, lasting until the end of August.

(Please check the events page of the festival you’re attending to make sure of the dates and other particulars.)

Here’s a list of some of these incredible events happening all over Manitoba:

1. Manito Ahbee Festival – (May 18-22, 2023). This is an annual celebration of Indigenous arts, culture and music. To get an idea about the event, check out their virtual powwow in 2021: Manito Ahbee Broadcast Room
2. Pride Winnipeg – The is one of the largest celebrations of LGBTTQ culture which has evolved into a 10- day event. It has various activities to celebrate inclusion, pride, activism, music, laughter and optimism. The Manitoba Pride Festival usually starts the last week of May. This year, it’s from May 26th to June 4th.
3. Red River Exhibition– Red River Ex is Winnipeg’s premier amusement park. It features rides, carnival games, a petting zoo, shows and musical performances, and many food vendors. They are back this year with bigger and better events starting from June 16th through the 25th, 2023!
4. Filipino Street Festival – The festival will be held outdoors on June 24th and 25th at Maples Multiplex and Grounds at 434 Adsum Drive in Winnipeg. Expect parades, cultural dances, a pageant, and of course, lots of good music!
5. Dauphin’s Countryfest – Countryfest features country music legends and upcoming artists. The event is slated for June 30-July 2, 2023. Dauphin is a four-hour road trip from Winnipeg.
6. Cube Stage Events – This is the home of various events like the Jazz Festival, Soca Reggae Festival, Fringe Festival, and many more. Summer events usually start in June. Please check their site for the exact dates of each event.
7. Winnipeg Folk Fest –The Folk Fest is considered the summer festival in Manitoba held at Birds Hill Park. It is a four-day event of music, food, and other spectacles like drum circles and fire dancers. It will be held on July 6-9 this year. The event features emerging and well-established artists. Thousands camp for the entire festival or stay for the day. Ticket sales start as early as March.
8. Manitoba Sunflower Festival – Aside from celebrating these beautiful blooms, there will be lots of music, a parade, a pageant and many more. It will be held in Altona, 92 km. from Winnipeg, or about an hour and a half drive. The event is on July 28 to 30, 2023. Please visit the events page for more updates.
9. Manitoba Stampede & Exhibition – Dubbed as Manitoba’s only pro-rodeo, Manitoba Stampede and Exhibition will be held from July 21-23, 2023. This event features exciting bull riding, bronco-busting, ladies’ barrel racing, and other exhibitions. They also feature entertainment and activities for kids. This family-friendly event is held in Morris, MB, about an hour’s drive from Winnipeg.
10. Canada’s National Ukrainian Festival – This year’s event headliner is the Ukrainian Shumka Dancers. It will be held from August 4 to 6, 2023 in Dauphin. Expect to see vibrant and colourful Ukrainian culture expressed through music, dances, food, and other activities. Great for kids and adults alike!
11. Fire and Water Music Festival – This music festival features performances from up-and-coming Manitoban musicians as well as established Canadian and international performers ranging from country to heavy metal. The festival will be held on August 4-6, 2023 at Lac du Bonnet, one hour away from Winnipeg.
12. Islendingadagurinn (Icelandic Fest) – There is plenty to see and enjoy at the Icelandic Fest whether you are an Icelander or not. The festival features various activities, among them a fashion show of Icelandic garments, horse demonstrations, as well as Viking weapons and warfare tactics reenactments. This is also your chance to see beautiful Gimli which is located one hour North of Winnipeg. Islendingadagurinn (say that three times!) will be held on August 4-7, 2023.
13. Folklorama – This is the largest and longest-running multicultural festival of its kind in the world. It has over 40 volunteer-run pavilions that feature dances, cultural displays, and ethnic cuisine. The festival will be held from August 6-19, 2023. Please check the Folklorama website for more details.
14. Winkler Harvest Festival and Exhibition – You and your family can look forward to various activities ranging from carnival rides to agricultural exhibits, fitness events to rodeo riding, as well as musical performances at the Main Stage from major bands. This year’s event is tentatively scheduled for August 11-13, 2023. Please check their website for the latest updates.
15. Rainbow Trout Fest – This indie festival is held on the banks of Rosseau River, South of St. Malo (about an hour south of Winnipeg). It is a three-day folk fest featuring everything from rock, blues, jazz and everything in between. This year’s festival will be held from August 18-20, 2023.
16. Morden Apple and Corn Festival – Enjoy free corn on the cob, apple cider, entertainment, children’s events, and a parade. There may even be a historical bus tour of Morden. The Apple and Corn Festival is slated for August 25-27, 2023.
17. Whoop and Hollar Folk Festival – From the group who organized the Hot Blizzard Folk Festival held in winter comes the Whoop and Hollar Folk festival in Portage la Prairie on August 26-27, 2023. Celebrate music, art, nature and community in this unique music and arts festival. Festival passes are now on sale.

Article updated May 19, 2023.
 
Sources: Manitoba Hot (10 Summer festivals you can’t miss in Manitoba), Travel Manitoba.