Manitoba's Top Festivals & Events 2012
International New Music Festival: January 28-February 3, 2012
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 15-19, 2012
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 17-26, 2012
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 16, 2012
The Hudson Bay Quest now embarks on a new era to celebrate northern Manitoba trapper culture, running from Gillam to Churchill. It is a trek through boreal forest and barren tundra that will prove a test for any racer. The Quest will then follow a route along the Hudson Bay rail line and Wapusk National Park, 200 miles to Churchill. Designed as a self-sufficient dog sledding adventure, racers carry their own supplies and dog food for the duration of this northern dog sled race.
Location: from Gillam to Churchill
T: 204-675-2887
W: www.hudsonbayquest.com
Royal Manitoba Winter Fair: March 26-31, 2012 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 6-10, 2012
Combine the tantalizing smells of your favourite fair foods cooking all around you with the bright lights and big excitement of rides lit up in the night and you get the Manitoba Summer Fair experience. Horse shows, the petting zoo, concerts and competitions are only a few stops on the long list of attractions featured at the fair.
Location: Keystone Centre Grounds, Brandon
T: 204-726-3590, 1-877-729-0001
W: www.brandonfairs.com
Winnipeg International Children's Festival: June 7-10, 2012
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
TD Winnipeg International Jazz Festival: June 14-23, 2012 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 15-24, 2012
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, 2012
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, 204-757-4007
W: www.manitobahighlandgathering.org
Dauphin’s Countryfest: June 28-July 1, 2012
Incredible country music from some of the hottest stars in the business.
Location: Dauphin
T: 204-622-3700, 1-800-361-7300
W: www.countryfest.ca
Winnipeg Folk Festival: July 4-8, 2012
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 18-29, 2012
North America’s second largest Fringe festival features more than 100 theatre groups. Outdoor stage and Kids Fringe feature street performers, buskers and bands from noon to midnight.
Location: various locations, downtown Winnipeg
T: 204-956-1340
W: www.winnipegfringe.com
Manitoba Stampede and Exhibition: July 19-22, 2012
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
Neepawa and Area Lily Festival: July 20-22, 2012
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 26-29, 2012
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.
Location: Austin
T: 204-637-2354
W: www.ag-museum.mb.ca
Manitoba Sunflower Festival: July 27-29, 2012
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 3-5, 2012
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 3-6, 2012
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 3-6, 2012
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 5-18, 2012
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
Morden Corn & Apple Festival: August 24-26, 2012
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: 204-823-CORN (2676)
W: www.cornandapple.com
Manito Ahbee: October 31-November 4, 2012
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
Manitoba Livestock Expo: November 1-4, 2012 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: December 2-January 1
A brilliant presentation of over one million lights and over 29 different theme areas viewed during the 2.5 km drive in the comfort of your own car. It’s a great way to spend quality time with your family and celebrate the season of lights – three million watts of them!
Location: Red River Exhibition Park, Winnipeg
T: 204-888-6990
W: www.redriverex.com
