Canada Day Events l Live Music & Games l Member Appreciation Day l Taco Crawl l Winnipeg Folk Fest l Winnipeg Fringe 2026 l Manitoba Vibes

Canada Day Events

July 1, 11 am - 5 pm

Assiniboine Park Lyric Field

Join us at the 'Canada Day at the Park' festivities! RASC Winnipeg is one of the featured activities at Lyric Field (near the Cargo Bar), providing telescopes for safe solar and daytime observing for the public.

Join us for a day filled with music, entertainment, and fun in celebration of Canada Day.

Entertainment on the Lyric Stage.

Hosted by Barney Morin

11 - Host acknowledgement & O'Canada by Tommyphyll

            Opening song - Aleatra Sammurtok & Caramello  Swan

11:10 - 12 - Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra

1:15 - 2 - The Winnipeg Steel Orchestra

2:30 - 3:15 - Tommyphyll

4 - 5 - Andrina Turenne and Begonia, part of the National evening show

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Entertainment on the Celebrate Stage, located  to the right of the Lyric Theatre. 

12 – 12:45 - Ivan Flett Memorial Dancers

12:45 -1:15 - Wackydoodle Dance Party For Kids

2 – 2:30 - Wackydoodle Dance Party For Kids

3:15 - 3:45- Meet and Greet with Mascots

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Activities at the Lyric Field 

11 - 5 - Food Trucks

11 – 4 - Face Painting and Bouncers

12 - 5 - Mascots

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11 - 5 - Assiniboine Park Retail Cart / Pop-up Patio at The Pavilion 

Hosted by Park Hospitality, the Pop-up patio at The Pavilion will feature food and beverages, beer selections, and a relaxed setting for gathering. Guests can watch live performances from the Lyric Stage on a large LED screen with audio.

Seating is first-come, first-served
All ages welcome; valid ID required for alcohol purchase
Patio experience is weather-dependent

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Activities at the Gardens at The Leaf

11 - 12 - Performance Garden - Citizenship Ceremony

              O'Canada by Tommyphyll

11 - 5 - Food Truck

            Indigenous Peoples Garden

            Fire Teachings 

12:30 - 4 - Performance Garden - Bachata Time with Dance World 

Join us for a free salsa and bachata dance session. No experience needed, just bring your energy and enjoy the rhythm!

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1 - 4 - Indigenous Peoples Garden

Teepee Teachings - Guests are welcome to join teepee facilitator Tyrone at 1:00 pm to raise a Dakota teepee. No experience required. Stop by to ask questions about teepee traditions, stories, and meanings.

Bike Valet 

A Bike Valet will be available from 11 – 5:30 at the Pavilion Event Tent.
Free, donations accepted.

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July 1, 10 am - 4:30 pm

Lower Fort Garry National Historic Site, 5945 Main St, St. Andrews, MB

Through the Canada Strong Pass initiative, admission to Lower Fort Garry is free from June 19 to Sept. 7.

Celebrate Canada’s 159th birthday at Lower Fort Garry!

Cap off the day with cake and O Canada at the Big House.

Historic Demonstrations including Historic Weapons

Croquet / Bannock Making / Ice Cream / Letter Writing / Candle Making

Bracelet Making / Tripsman Relay / Face Painting and Colouring / Jigging

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July 1, 10 am - 6 pm

Transcona Centennial Square, Downtown Transcona

Join us as we close down Regent Ave for the Transcona BIZ Canada Day Street Festival! 

Enjoy our community market, food trucks, activity tents and a splash pad party with Bulldog Music!

We are excited to debut the 'Transcona BIZ Summer Classic,' a ball hockey tournament with four age groups from U13 - Adult, and our adult doubles Cornhole Tournament hosted by Otterburne Cornhole Club! Winner takes a cash payout equal to 60% of the registration pot! For more information call Eric at 204-712-5210

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July 1, 11:30 AM – 3:30 PM

Baitur Rauf Mosque Soccer Field, 525 Kylemore Ave, Winnipeg, MB    R3L 1B5

FREE COMMUNITY EVENT / Everyone is welcome!

Join us for a fun-filled Canada Day celebration with family, friends, and neighbours!

Canada Day Cake Cutting / Bouncy Castles

Police Vehicle Display / Fire Truck Display

Free Community BBQ & Refreshments

Information Booth – “Love for All, Hatred for None” 

This annual community gathering brings together families, neighbours, and community members to celebrate the values that make Canada strong: unity, diversity, respect, and service to humanity.

204-209-0903 / mail to:tabligh.winnipeg@ahmadiyya.ca

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July 1 and every Wednesday until October 14th, 4 pm - 8 pm

Lord Roberts Community Centre, 725 Kylemore Avenue, Wpg, MB.  R3L 1B8

The South Osborne Farmers' Market is kicking off again this year! 

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July 1, 4 pm - 8:30 pm

Highbury School, 99 Highbury Rd, Wpg, MB  R2N 2N5

Free entry for all!

River Park South Community Association is excited to host another amazing Canada Day!

Join us for amazing entertainment, including two bands, food trucks, a craft market, and more!

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 Live Music & Games

July 1 & every Wednesday (weather permitting), 6 pm - 9 pm

St Vital Park Duck Pond

Join Hepcat Studio for Swing Dancing in the Park!

-Free Beginner Friendly Dance Lesson at 6:30 pm

-Free Social Dancing at 7 pm to 9 pm.

We are dancing on a smooth concrete floor so bring appropriate slippery footwear. 

Last minute cancellation may occur due to poor weather conditions. Please check our Facebook group.

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July 1, 8 pm - 9:30 pm

35 King St, Winnipeg, MB. R3B 1H4

Registration is mandatory.   blablalanguageexchange@gmail.com

Join Our Board & Card Game Night! This is the perfect event to meet new people and enjoy some friendly competition. Grab a seat, roll the dice, and let the games begin!

BlaBla Language Exchange - Canada       blablalanguageexchange.com

Lively, friendly language exchanges to learn, meet, and have fun together.

Discover new languages, cultures, and friends through our welcoming events!

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July 2, 8 pm

Times Change(d) High & Lonesome Club, 234 Main St, Winnipeg, MB

A glorious night of rock ‘n’ roll at Blue Note Park! 

The great Nicholas Campbell from Ontario and local fave Romi Mayes Band!

July 4, 2 pm - 6 pm

A.N.A.F. Club 60, 3-433 River Ave., Winnipeg, MB  R3L 2V1

It’s Member Appreciation Day! All 2026 members receive a free drink of their choice and a BBQ’d smokie. All members are entered for hourly cash prizes, but you must be in attendance. Anyone is welcome to purchase a membership at any time for $40/year to fund Provincial and Dominion Command, as well as various Veterans’ programs across Canada.

16 VLTs and two pool tables. Karaoke on Saturday nights at 9:30. Chase the Ace and Meat Draws every Friday from 5-7. Happy hour 4-7 everyday.

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July 8, 5 PM – 9 PM

Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/taco-crawl-winnipeg-tickets-1988713490585

$59 per person / $69 per person after June 28 Plus Eventbrite fee and GST/RST

Ticket price includes tasting plates of tacos at each of the participating restaurants on this self-guided tour. Tickets must be purchased in advance online. All sales are final. Participating restaurants subject to change. This is an all ages event and everyone is welcome.

Taco Crawl Winnipeg. One night. Multiple cultures. Endless flavour.

Join us for an adventure that may feature everything from authentic Mexican al pastor, birria, chicken mole, pescado fish to bold, globally inspired creations. Think Indian spice fusions, Asian flavours, and beyond. This isn’t a typical dinner. It’s a limited, one-night culinary adventure where you explore at your own pace by car or transit, discovering new restaurants and flavours along the way.

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July 9

Birds Hill Park

Tickets https://winnipegfolkfestival.frontgatetickets.com/

Get ready for the 2026 Winnipeg Folk Fest! Treat yourself or your favourite folkie to the ultimate holiday gift… tickets to the Winnipeg Folk Festival!

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July 15, 7:15 pm - 8:15 pm 

Venue 25 - The Gargoyle Theatre, 585 Ellice Ave. Wpg, MB R3B 1Z7

Tickets $14 / $10 for people under 25, students, seniors, and matinées

Tickets https://www.winnipegfringe.com/performer-detail.aspx?kw=Club+Soda+Improv&fbclid=IwY2xjawSpIthleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETE3Y2FOcXVFbEFrR2QyenROc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHurZJDzsd-xHi3dffEbu4Anhqnyg9eOOmfUjMqKhKaOnqMIzRGVUpNSSCg9h_aem_ZMzhQPBqNwr32Crd-zTnEA

Winnipeg Fringe 2026

Love is Blank - An Improvised Love is Blind  by Club Soda Improv 

Watch the drama unfold live as our cast of characters enter the pods to find love! Inspired by the hit reality dating show, you’ll watch the worst people you’ve ever seen search for a love connection before ever meeting face to face. With all the explosive reveals, dramatic proposals, and absolutely real true love you’d expect from people who risk it all to find their ‘instant’ soulmates.

The show is improvised, but the characters feel like they’ve known each other forever.

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July 24, 4 PM - 11 PM

July 25, 3 PM - 11 PM

July 26, 2 PM - 10 PM

The Forks CN Stage & Field, Winnipeg, MB

Admission: Free

Presented by Alark Co. Experience a reimagined late-night festival designed to satisfy your hunger for culture, craft, and connection. Crave Nite is a curated summer destination where food, local artistry, and great Manitoba vibes meet.

From Manitoba’s diverse flavours and immersive, hands-on activations to the energy of a vibrant night market and live DJs - you will feel every element. It’s a place to slow down, enjoy the summer, and discover the very best of our local scene.

Interested vendors, exhibitors, participants or for info, visit cravenite.ca or cravenitecanada@gmail.com

Happy Fifteenth Anniversary to us!! - Margaret Ullrich

 

Happy Anniversary to Winnipeg is Better Than Chocolate and to you, its readers!

Thank you for visiting, whether you’re a regular or a ‘new to you’ visitor.

Also, a huge thank you to everyone who has told their friends about Winnipeg.

The past seven months have been hectic and I haven’t been posting.
Sorry about that.
But, I’m back now, just in time for the holiday season.

Since 2009 there have been over 756,000 visitors.

For the first few years Canada was the number one country for visitors. 

Well, a few years ago people from the United States became the top visitors.

I hope it’s meant that folks in the States are curious about what we have here.

Maybe they will come for a vacation, or at least come up to see a show or to take part in an event, such as Folklorama.

People in the States know that they can get a great bang for their vacation buck here.


These are the places where our top twenty visitors come from:

United States………….. 223 K

Canada…………….…….. 105 K

Singapore……….……….. 97.7 K

Germany……….…..…….. 67.1 K
Hong Kong………………… 57.6 K

Russia………………..…….. 48.9 K

Ukraine………….…….….. 20 K

France…………….…..….. 16.5 K

Unknown Region…..….. 7.67 K

United Kingdom…….….. 6.34 K

Philippines……………..….. 5.65 K

Netherlands……………….. 5.2 K
China……………….…….….. 4.78 K

Japan…………….……….….. 4.2 K

Sweden……..….…….…….. 2.87 K

Brazil…………………………… 2.52 K

Poland………………….……… 2.36 K

Slovenia…………..…….….. 1.98 K

Indonesia…………….…….. 1.97 K

Other………….……..…… 74.3 K 

Hong Kong is new to the top ten countries.

The Philippines is still one of the top dozen visiting countries.
I’m not surprised. Winnipeg has a large, vibrant Philippine community.

Maybe people have decided to see a few shows while visiting family and friends.

Visitors from 'Unknown Region' and 'Other' are dropping in to see what’s happening.

I don't know where these visitors live.

Oh, well, hello to you, too, wherever you call home.

During the years there have also been visitors from Moldova, Turkey, Ireland, Australia, Taiwan, Argentina, Denmark, Eritrea, Italy, Finland, Spain, Macedonia (FYROM), Mexico, Afghanistan, Thailand, Slovakia, India, Bangladesh, Israel, Malaysia, Kuwait, Greece, Kenya, Vietnam, Czech Republic, Portugal, Bulgaria, Romania, United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, Armenia, Belarus, Namibia, Honduras, Lithuania, Turkmenistan, Cambodia, Switzerland, Czechia, Bermuda, Portugal, Qatar, Egypt, Chile, Nigeria, South Africa, Iraq, Côte d’Ivoire, Serbia, Libya, Dominican Republic, Togo, Saudi Arabia, Albania, Malta, Seychelles, Morocco, Peru, Belarus, Cyprus and Austria.

Usually I only post once or twice a month.

I don’t have a page on Facebook but I do post a link on Twitter whenever there is a new post.

If you feel more comfortable using Twitter, just click on the Twitter link @ImTurning60 on the side bar above my picture and we’ll be able to keep in touch that way.

I do notice which posts get the most visits.

Posts about live music, family activities, Winnipeg Architecture Foundation events and walks, sales (especially seasonal and craft), classes (both in-person and online), and fundraisers have been popular.

I’ll continue posting more of those, and similar, events.

Please take a moment and comment when you have enjoyed an event.

Local musicians and writers check when they’re in the media and they love the feedback.

Once again, thank you so much for visiting!

As I said when Sophie and I signed off our weekly show...
Have a great weekend. How can you miss - you're in Winnipeg!

Legislative Building Free Tours l Please Help Our Food Banks l Don’t Toss Out Good Food l Halloween l Theatre of Everyday l Winnipeg Architecture Foundation FREE Events l ABBA Disco Party l Sales: Antiques & Crafts l Miss Chief Eagle Testickle

 Legislative Building free tours

We are pleased to welcome you to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba
https://www.gov.mb.ca/legislature/visiting/tour.html

Public guided tours (groups under 10 guests), in English or French, every Friday at 2 pm.
Phone (204) 945-5813 or e-mail tour_reservation@leg.gov.mb.ca to book.

For groups larger than 10 guests see registration form
https://www.gov.mb.ca/legislature/visiting/docs/reservation_form.pdf
Limit of 30 people admitted for each guided tour.
Reservation or walk-up on first come first serve basis. Space not guaranteed without reservation. Reservations held until the start of the hour.
Please note that our office is closed for visits on statutory holidays.

Tour Information Pamphlets
Indoor Tour Information Pamphlets
https://www.gov.mb.ca/legislature/visiting/docs/indoorselfguidedtour.pdf
Outdoor Tour Information Pamphlets
https://www.gov.mb.ca/legislature/visiting/docs/outdoorselfguidedtour.pdf

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 Please Help Our Food Banks

During these times there has been a growing need for help from our food banks, especially by parents of young children.
Please remember your fellow Winnipeggers during these difficult times. The best thing you could donate is money so that the food banks can buy what is truly needed at a fraction of the cost. Call your local Food Banks to learn what the can accept and what they need.

Many local organizations and sporting events have set up bins to collect donations to help others.

Don’t know what to buy?
This list of ideas and comments has been shared on social media:

1. Everyone donates Kraft Mac and Cheese in the box. They rarely use it because it calls for milk and butter. (It can be prepared with the pasta cooking water).
2. Boxed milk which does not require refrigeration is a treasure, as kids need it.
3. Everyone donates pasta sauce and spaghetti noodles.
4. Canned veggies and soup, especially with pop tops, are necessities.
5. Oil is a luxury but needed for Rice a-Roni.
6. Spices or salt and pepper would be a real Christmas gift.
7. Tea bags and coffee make them feel like you care.
8. Sugar and flour are treats.
9. They enjoy fresh produce donated by farmers and grocery stores.
10. Seeds are good in Spring and Summer because gardening can be done by some.
11. They rarely get fresh meat.
12. Tuna and crackers make a good lunch.
13. Everyone loves Stove Top Stuffing and Hamburger Helper.
14. They get lots of peanut butter and jelly but need sandwich bread.
15. Butter or margarine is nice too.
16. Eggs are a real commodity.
17. Cake mix and frosting makes it possible to make a child’s birthday cake.
18. Dishwashing detergent is very expensive and is always appreciated.
19. Feminine hygiene products are necessities.
20. Canned ham and corned beef are great for protein. Both have keys to open.

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Don’t Toss Out Good Food

Food prices are still high. No one wants to eat unsafe food, but there is confusion over what the dates mean.
Hope this helps you to get your money’s worth out of your purchases.

October 28, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Garden City Shopping Mall, 2305 McPhillips, Next to the Food Court & Mall Entrance.

Come join the Winnipeg Police Service for Treat N Fleet - Halloween
Treat N Fleet features Halloween safety tips, candy, costumes and cop cars!

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October 30, 7 PM
X-Cues, 551 Sargent Ave.

Theatre of Everyday by Grant Guy
The inaugeral cabaret for the 2023/24 season with guest stars Bela Luna and Murray Toews (Winnipeg) and Picasso Gaglione (Knoxville, Tennessee.
Video/Music/Performance and some pertinent poetry.

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Winnipeg Architecture Foundation FREE Events

We have moved into the newly renovated offices of the Manitoba Association of Architects at 101-177 Lombard Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3B 0W5. Come visit us and see the new space during one of our FREE noon hour programmes happening this November.
 
We are currently able to accept visitors by appointment only. The WAF online shop is open 24/7 and free pick up is available.   
https://shop.winnipegarchitecture.ca/?mc_cid=966e25466c&mc_eid=f876453815

November 3, 12:00 pm - 1 pm
101-177 Lombard Avenue (wheelchair accessible)
John D. Atchison Architect: An Illustrated Talk

Join researcher and writer Gail Perry for an illustrated lecture about the prolific and accomplished architect John D. Atchison. Trained in Chicago, Atchison later worked with “the father of the American skyscraper”, William Le Baron Jenney. After working in Chicago for 11 years (including on the 1893 Columbian World Exposition) he moved to Winnipeg 1905.

In under twenty years, John D. Atchison shaped the backdrop of Winnipeg, designing over 160 buildings (some 60 of them still in use) and advocated for its green and monumental spaces. He was a proponent of the City Beautiful Movement, a member of several civic planning committees and an advocate for the mall approach to the Legislative Building.

John D. Atchison designed 177 Lombard. Gail Perry’s exhibit, “177 Lombard Avenue”, will be on display and we encourage folks to arrive early to view the display.

More Information: https://winnipegarchitecture.ca/john-d-atchison-architect-an-illustrated-talk/?fbclid=IwAR3PQKOKSfSvlrquDsHldVpDUmrCil35wJp-3FhDrPkHkHnj-zDpBQn6Zzo

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November 9, 12:00 pm - 1 pm

Join us for a lunch hour screening of “Places+Spaces: Winnipeg”. Director Noam Gonick, Producer Leslie Stafford, and Host Hayden Mushinsk will be in attendance for a Q&A following the screening.
 
This is a series of vignettes that reveal some of the city’s most iconic buildings and communities. Stunning visuals and fascinating backstories showcase housing projects, libraries, places of worship, historic banks, skyscrapers and civic buildings, highlighting the city’s architecture and design.

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November 23, 12:00 pm - 12:45 pm

Join us for a screening of “Writing on the Wall,” a documentary about Winnipeg’s Ghost Signs.
 
Winnipeg has one of the largest and most well preserved collections of hand painted signs in North America. Ghost signs are hand-painted, outdoor ads that have been preserved on sides of buildings. They are also known as fading ads or brick ads and were prevalent from the 1890s through to the 1960s. As outdoor advertising mediums evolved, ghost signs became less popular and were replaced by billboards and vinyl banners.

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November 4     Doors open 7:30 pm / band plays at 9 pm.
171 Dumoulin St, Winnipeg, MB R2H 0E2
$20 Tickets available at ABBAdiscoparty.com or direct link:
https://organizer.3common.com/event/651dda5f07a1b6b9c1d8f48c

CALLING ALL DANCING QUEENS AND KINGS!
Come dance the night away at The Super Douper ABBA Disco Party, featuring ABBA tribute band, The Super Troupers, and a Video DJ dance party of 70s (and some 80s) dance hits!
Come dressed in your grooviest 70s outfit and be ready to party like it's 1979!

$10 from every ticket sold will go to the St-Boniface Hospital Foundation.
Support a great charity and have fun, too!

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Sales: Antiques & Crafts

November 5, 10 am - 4 pm
Viscount Gort Hotel, 1674 Portage Ave, Winnipeg, MB R3J
Admission $5, children 12 and under free.
Lots of Free parking at the hotel and across the street at Polo Park.

Manitoba Antique Association Fall Sale
Come browse our many tables to find that treasure you're looking for!
Lots of Pyrex, art glass, mid-century decor, jewellery, farmhouse antiques and more!

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November 25, 10 am - 3 pm
Breezy Bend CC, 7620 Roblin Blvd., Headingley
$2 entry that will be fully donated to The Dream Factory!

Come down for the annual Fox and Fern Market!
Over 40 local vendors!
Breezy Bend will be serving some delicious food and drinks.

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November 25, 10 am - 4 pm
East End Arena, 517 Pandora Ave E, Winnipeg, MB R2C 0A5

Winter Makers Market by Tails of Freedom Rescue Inc.
30+ hand made vendors and boutique food creators!

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December 1, 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
December 2, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Via Rail Union Station, 123 Main Street

Pitâw Mīno Muskîkî 2023 Indigenous winter market
“brings good medicine”
There will be shopping, food + baking, music, crafts for kids, and more.
Brought to you by @medicinegardensociety, @anishinaabegirl, and @blackwolfdogx

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November 28 Doors at 6 pm / Event at 7 pm
Winnipeg Art Gallery-Qaumajuq
Muriel Richardson Auditorium, 300 Memorial Blvd, Winnipeg, MB R3C 1V1
Tickets https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-memoirs-of-miss-chief-eagle-testickle-kent-monkman-and-gisele-gordon-tickets-738170918087

by McNally Robinson Booksellers in association with McClelland & Stewart. This event will NOT be streamed on our YouTube channel. Signed books will be available at the door.

The two volumes follows Miss Chief as she moves through time, from a complex lived experience of Cree cosmology, to the arrival of European settlers, to the colonial violence and tragedies of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Blending history, fiction, and memoir, this is a deeply Cree and gloriously queer revisioning of our shared history.

Join celebrated Cree artist Kent Monkman and his long-time collaborator Gisèle Gordon as they discuss their new work "The Memoirs of Miss Chief Eagle Testickle: A True and Exact Accounting of the History of Turtle Island", a genre-defying work based on the paintings of one the most important painters working today that will remake readers' understanding of the land called North America. A story of this continent that reframes the narrative to be one of Indigenous resilience, reshaping our shared understanding and lighting the path ahead.

After a reading with Miss Chief Eagle Testickle, Monkman and Gordon join host Niigaan Sinclair for a conversation.

Monkman’s artworks are held in the public collections of institutions such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Hirshhorn Museum, the Denver Art Museum, and the National Gallery of Canada. For decades his paintings have featured a recurring character: his gender-fluid alter ego Miss Chief Eagle Testickle, a time-traveling, shape-shifting, supernatural being who reverses the colonial gaze.

Gisèle Gordon is a settler media artist and writer based in Dish With One Spoon Territory (Toronto, Canada). Her solo work includes the feature-length documentary, "The Tunguska Project" (Best Feature Length Film at the Planet in Focus Film Festival, 2005), and the video installations "Crosscurrent" (2013 Moscow Biennale) and "The Land that Dreams".