• Manitoba in the summer is an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise. Take advantage of sunny days with swimming, hiking, biking, fishing, kayaking, golf or whatever your favourite outdoor activity may be. Read some of our suggestions below.
• Summer is festival season! Enjoy live music and entertainment throughout the province, but heads up: many festivals and events sell out quickly (including Winnipeg Folk Festival). Buy your ticket early to avoid disappointment.
• Looking for a unique experience? Summer brings experiences such as Shakespeare in the Ruins, ghost tours, yurt stays, film festivals, fly-in fishing and so much more. No matter what you’re into, Manitoba has you covered.

Summer Festivals and Major Events in Manitoba

1. Back for its 51st year, it’s not a Manitoba summer without the world-renowned Winnipeg Folk Festival. Held from July 9 to 12, 2026, this year’s lineup includes incredible performers such as Of Monsters and Men, Lucy Dacus, Father John Misty, Angine de Poitrine and many more.
2. Dust off your cowboy boots! Country music fans know that summer equals Dauphin's Countryfest. From June 25 to 28, 2026, enjoy musical acts such as Jelly Roll, Nate Smith, Tyler Hubbard and Noeline Hofmann.
3. There are dozens of summer fairs and midways around Manitoba, including Nickel Days in Thompson, Frog Follies
   in St-Pierre-Jolys, the Niverville Fair, the Flin Flon Trout Festival and the Manitoba Summer Fair in Brandon. Most have midway rides, live music, food stalls and plenty to keep the whole family busy.
4. Celebrate Canada Day in style. Keep an eye out for celebrations at The Forks, Assiniboine Park and Assiniboia Downs in Winnipeg, the Selkirk Waterfront or Brandon Riverbank, to name just a few.
5. Love film? Don’t miss the Gimli International Film Festival from July 22 to 26, 2026. The sunset beach screenings are especially magical.
6. Bring on the summer music festivals! There are numerous music festivals that take place around Manitoba every summer, including the Whoop and Hollar Folk Festival (Portage la Prairie), Harvest Sun Music Fest (Kelwood), Back 40 Music Festival (Morden), Fire and Water Music Festival (Lac du Bonnet) and Rockin’ the Fields of Minnedosa (Minnedosa).
7. July means the Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival is back! Check out the dynamic indoor and outdoor performances showcasing the best of local and international performers.
8. Make your way to Gimli from July 31 to August 3, 2026, for the 137th Icelandic Festival of Manitoba. With live music, craft and food vendors, midway rides, games, contests, fireworks and even a Viking battle, these jam-packed days celebrate all things Iceland.
9. It’s rodeo season! There’s the Manitoba Stampede in Morris, the Triple S Fair and Rodeo in Selkirk, the Northwest Round Up and Exhibition in Swan River, the Roblin Rodeo and Fair or the Virden Indoor Rodeo.
10. Winnipeg’s Folklorama is held from August 2 to 15, 2026. The world’s largest and longest-running multicultural festival in the world is an excellent way to learn more about the diversity that makes us all proud to call Manitoba home.

Outdoor Activities and Nature Experiences

11. Pack your sunscreen and towels and travel to one of Manitoba’s finest beaches. The only problem? Trying to fit them all into one summer! Popular spots for swimming and relaxing include Grand Beach, Falcon Lake Main Beach, Birds Hill Beach, Stonewall Quarry Park, Rainbow Beach and Clearwater Lake.
12. Winnipeg’s Assiniboine Park is brimming with activity every summer. Explore the Assiniboine Park Zoo, The Leaf, the Leo Mol Sculpture Garden and events such as the Great Outdoors Comedy Festival and Ballet in the Park. Don’t forget to cool down with a drink from Cargo Bar!
13. Summer is one of the most incredible times to visit Churchill as thousands of beluga whales make their way to the Churchill River estuary to feed, mate and give birth. Just as curious of us as we are of them, don’t be surprised if they come right up to your boat or kayak!
14. Cool down with the kiddos (and have a blast) at one of the province’s water parks. Spend a hot summer’s day at Splash Island Water Park in Portage la Prairie, Splish Splash Water Park locations in Minnedosa or Morden, Transcona Aquatic Park in Winnipeg or Hoopla Island in Pinawa. There are also several free spray pads and wading pools around the province, including many in Winnipeg.
15. Did you know that there are 93 provincial parks in Manitoba? Hike, bike, picnic, swim, camp and spend your sunny days in the beautiful Manitoba wilderness. Some of the most popular provincial parks for summer exploring include Pisew Falls Provincial Park, Spruce Woods Provincial Park and Turtle Mountain Provincial Park. Vehicle permits are not required during Parks Week (July 13 to 19, 2026).
16. For a fun and memorable day out, visit one of Manitoba’s family-friendly farms. Many include petting farms, corn mazes, sunflower fields and wagon rides, such as Deer Meadow Farms or A Maze in Corn. There are also numerous u-pick farms to choose from, including Miss Millie’s Flower Farm in Marquette, Cormier’s Berry Patch in La Salle or Hicks Berry Farm in Souris.
17. With over 100 golf courses in Manitoba, summer is the time for days on the green. Try the Minnedosa Golf and Country Club, the Lorette Golf Course, the Selkirk Golf and Country Club or the Swan River Golf and Country Club, which is the most northernly 18-hole golf course in the province.
18. Take advantage of warm days by exploring the hundreds of hiking trails around Manitoba. You’ll find hiking trails of all levels in Riding Mountain National Park and Whiteshell Provincial Park, while those up for a challenge will love the multi-day Kwasitchewan Falls backcountry trail. Accessible trails can be found in Birds Hill Provincial Park, while the Brokenhead Wetland Interpretive Trail is also wheelchair- and stroller-friendly.
19. Float your worries away as you go tubing down the Pinawa Channel. Try Pinawa Channel Float and Paddle or Pinawa Unplugged for all your rental needs.
20. Once a vast ecosystem in North America, only 1% of the original tall grass prairie remains. Head to the Living Prairie Museum in Winnipeg to explore 13 hectares of tall grass prairie, where you’ll hopefully spot an array of prairie wildlife. The indoor interpretive centre is open Tuesdays through Sundays in summer.
21. Explore Manitoba’s thousands of lakes and rivers by canoe, kayak or paddle board. Beginners can try the Boyne River in Carman or the La Salle River just outside of Winnipeg, while intermediate paddlers will love the Caddy Lake Tunnels in Whiteshell Provincial Park or the West Blue Lake in Duck Mountain Provincial Park. Looking for an adrenaline-packed adventure? The Manigotagan River is well-known among experienced paddlers and is best traversed with a guide (such as Wild Loon Adventure Company).
22. Stop and smell the flowers this summer… literally. Enjoy one of Manitoba’s many public flower gardens such as the English Garden at Assiniboine Park or the Captain William Kennedy House Gardens in St. Andrews. Another option is to take a local garden tour, such as the Red River North Garden & Art Tour on July 19, 2026.
23. With hundreds of biking trails throughout the province, you’re never far from your next cycling adventure. Try one of the many biking trails in Squirrel Hills Trail Park in Minnedosa, the HyLife Back Forty Multi-Use Trail Park in Neepawa or the Northgate Trails in Dauphin.
24. The province is filled with urban green spaces and nature reserves. Explore FortWhyte Alive in Winnipeg, Oak Hammock Marsh in Stonewall or Island Park in Portage la Prairie to hike, bike, spot wildlife and enjoy the beautiful summer breeze.
25. Why not book the fishing trip of a lifetime this summer? Visit one of the numerous fly-in fishing spots around the province for an amazing outdoor adventure. Alternatively, popular drive-to fishing spots in Manitoba include Lake Winnipeg for greenback walleye, the Red River near Lockport for channel catfish and Lake Athapapuskow for lake trout.

Arts, Culture and Museums to Explore This Summer

26. Theatre buffs, rejoice! Summer means Rainbow Stage is back for another exhilarating season of productions. Catch Jesus Christ Superstar from June 25 to July 12 and Legally Blonde The Musical from August 13 to 30, 2026.
27. The Forks is a fantastic place to spend a day. Walk along the waterfront, take a boat tour, discover public art, shop for locally made items, sample the cuisine in the food hall and relax al fresco with a cool drink from The Common. While there, you can also visit the nearby Canadian Museum for Human Rights.
28. The Winnipeg Art Gallery-Qaumajuq has multiple events and exhibits throughout the summer. Keep your eyes peeled for concerts, rooftop dance parties, workshops, talks and movie screenings, including some free events.
29. “All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players...” Shakespeare in the Ruins in Winnipeg is back this year with As You Like It and The Iliad.
30. Ai-Kon, a Japanese anime and pop culture convention, will be at the RBC Convention Centre Winnipeg from July 17 to 19, 2026. Enjoy a cosplay contest, 24-hour anime screenings, video game tournaments, interactive fan-hosted panels and a huge marketplace for vendors and artists.
31. Check out one of Manitoba’s drive-in theatres for all the latest movies under the stars, including theStardust Drive In Theatre in Morden, the Shamrock Drive In in Killarney or the Big Island Drive-In just south of Flin Flon.
32. First Fridays in the Exchange are a magical way to experience Winnipeg’s vibrant Exchange District on a warm summer’s night. On the first Friday of every month, many art galleries, shops, museums, studios and more remain open late, encouraging the public to discover local arts and culture.
33. From beading workshops and dog carting to interpretive trails and museums, summer is an excellent season for exploring Indigenous culture in Manitoba.
34. History buffs will love exploring open-air heritage museums such as the Manitoba Agricultural Museum in Austin, the Mennonite Heritage Village in Steinbach, the Swan Valley Historical Museum in Swan River, the Pembina Threshermen's Museum in Morden-Winkler and Selo Ukraina in Dauphin, among others.
35. Visit the Winnipeg neighbourhood of St. Boniface for Jeudis Franco Thursdays, a weekly summer celebration offering bilingual cultural experiences that include self-guided audio tours, guided walking and bike tours, local markets, live music and outdoor films.

Best Summer Dining, Markets and Culinary Experiences

36. Love a food so much you think there should be a festival dedicated to it? You’re in luck! Attend the Morden Corn and Apple Festival, Melita Banana Days or Manitou’s Honey, Garlic, and Maple Syrup Festival for live music, markets, and, of course, all the delicious snacks you can eat.
37. Is there anything better than relaxing on a patio with a cool drink in hand? We think not! Spend time on some of the province’s best patios, including Buffalo Point Resort in Lake of the Woods, Interlake Brewing Co. in Gimli, Paint Lake Lodge in Paint Lake Provincial Park or 1929 Dining and Lounge in Riding Mountain National Park. In Winnipeg, enjoy patios at The Roost on Corydon, Gusto North
    or The Beer Can.
38. ’Tis the season for local drive-ins. Feast on burgers and fries for a tasty meal in the sunshine (and don’t forget the ice cream, too). Try Syl's Drive Inn in Carman, L&J's Drive Inn in Treherne or Sonia's Stand in Lockport.
39. Head to Winnipeg’s Exchange District for Alleyways in the Exchange on the third Friday of every summer month. Discover local markets, live performances and numerous hidden gems that really highlight the diverse and creative culture of Manitoba.
40. Freshly baked bread, perfectly ripe tomatoes and tables piled high with local berries… that’s right, it’s time for farmers’ markets! Popular markets around Manitoba include the Arnes Farmers’ Market, Le Marche St. Malo Farmers' Market, Portage Farmers’ Market and Le Marche St. Norbert Farmers' Market in Winnipeg.
41. For an incredibly unique dining experience, reserve your spot at one of the limited farm-to-table meals held in a strawberry field at The Patch, a Métis-owned farm. The full-course meals are prepared by local chefs who feature Manitoba ingredients; past dinners have included bison cutlets, bannock and, of course, strawberries.

Road Trips, Sports and Unique Excursions

42. Summer days call for road trips… roll down the windows, crank your favourite music and set out on the open road. Why not drive to as many of Manitoba’s road trip attractions as possible? Try to find roadside attractions through the Lake Manitoba Narrows, in the Interlake or in Western Manitoba.
43. Create lasting memories (and camp in style) with one of many unique stays around the province, including yurts, oTENTiks or a micrOcube.
44. Get ready to cheer on your favourite sports team this summer! See the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Winnipeg Goldeyes
    or Winnipeg Sea Bears play for the win.
45. School may be out, but summer is still a great time to learn! Take a tour that will teach you even more about the province. Suggestions include a trolley tour, a ghost tour, a mural tour or an authentic Indigenous tour.
46. Book a stay with Voyageur Houseboats, Manitoba’s first “floating micro-cabin” experience. Spend a few nights on the water in Whiteshell Provincial Park to reconnect with nature and try something new.
47. Have the need for speed? Go-kart tracks are open once again! Race to your heart’s content at Grand Prix Amusements in Springfield, Kart Now in Gimli and Thunder Rapids in Headingley.
48. Campgrounds are officially open! And with so many options - in designated campgrounds, private campgrounds and in backcountry spots - there’s something for every camper in Manitoba. You name it: waterfalls, lakes, forests or beaches, we have it all. Iconic camping spots include Otter Falls, Kiche Manitou, Bakers Narrows and West Hawk Lake, among many others.
49. Prairie Dog Central Railway is up and running again for another summer season! Experience the magic of the railway with rides such as the Great Train Robbery, a Disney-themed train ride, Christmas in July and many more. A fantastic family day out.
50. Enjoy a mini-break with a trip to one of Manitoba’s most iconic hotels. Check out The Hotel at Falcon Lake, the Lakeview Hecla Resort or Elkhorn Resort (where a visit to the Klar So Nordic Spa is a must).

Plan Your Manitoba Summer

Need even more inspiration on things to do this summer? Check out the blog posts below!