What are Jeudis Franco Thursdays?

Officially launched in 2023 by Economic Development Council for Manitoba Bilingual Municipalities (CDEM), this initiative brings together every Thursday about ten cultural, sports and community partners from St. Boniface.

“The goal of this initiative is to highlight everything happening in St. Boniface and encourage people to visit the neighbourhood and participate in activities during the summer,” explains Katie Fowler, interim director of tourism at CDEM and lead organizer of Jeudis Franco Thursdays.

This 4th edition runs from June 4 to August 27, 2026, every Thursday. The best part? Most of the activities are free or very affordable and accessible to people at all levels of French proficiency, from complete beginners to native French speakers.

“It targets Manitoba’s Francophone community, to come together and celebrate its culture, but it’s also a wonderful opportunity to open our doors to Anglophones and visitors who wish to discover Manitoba’s Francophone community,” says Katie Fowler.

The St. Boniface Summer Market: The Heart of the Event

Every Thursday from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Joseph-Royal Park, the St. Boniface Summer Market welcomes new vendors each week: jewelry, crafts, beauty products, food…

The market places a special focus on Francophone artisans, newcomers and entrepreneurs from minority communities. Later in the season, a “little youth market” will give young entrepreneurs the chance to run their own booths, which is a great opportunity to take home a souvenir from Manitoba while helping to raise the next generation of entrepreneurs!

Francophone Immersion at Your Own Pace

For lovers of French culture, there’s a wealth of options: Tourisme Riel offers its walking tour La P’tite Visite, a true immersion in the history of St. Boniface told through its sites and people, available all day from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Want to get your hands dirty? The Maison des artistes visuels francophones welcomes young and old alike to settle into its sculpture garden for watercolour and other art workshops (free, equipment provided, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.).

Every week, the St. Boniface Museum also offers a different creative activity right at the market, like pointillism or beadwork, so you can experience Francophone heritage firsthand.

And for outdoor enthusiasts, Winnipeg Waterways offers guided boat tours in French on the Red River departing from The Forks, to explore Winnipeg from a whole new perspective.

A Movie Under the Stars, in the Heart of the Francophone Community

Don’t miss this unique experience: watching a French movie outdoors, under the stars, surrounded by the St. Boniface community.

Cinéma sous les étoiles, in partnership with Cinémental and the Alliance Française of Manitoba, screens a French movie with English subtitles every Thursday, free of charge, at Patio 340 at the CCFM.

“Cinéma sous les étoiles has been a flagship event since the beginning of Franco Thursdays,” says Katie Fowler. “What’s new this year is that it will no longer take place at the St. Boniface Cathedral, but at Patio 340.”

It’s a wonderful way to discover, or rediscover, the Francophone Seventh Art, no matter where you’re from.

For Sports Enthusiasts

Want to get some exercise? You can, and it’s all in French! Sports en français offers basketball nights and other sports activities at Patio 340.

Meanwhile, Kilter Brewing Co. organizes the Kilter Run Club: 3-km or 5-km runs every Thursday at 6:30 p.m., open to people of all body types and paces, strollers, wheelchairs and dogs are welcome. The group is back on the terrace at 7:30 p.m. “The brewery is also a highlight of our Franco Thursdays!” says Katie Fowler.

For a more laid-back activity, in French and with friends, head to Pétanque Thursdays, every Thursday from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Provencher Park (no registration required, equipment provided, for all skill levels and ages).

Practice French Without Pressure

For French-lovers who want to practice speaking the language, “conversation cafés” are also on the schedule, either at Patio 340 or at Kilter Brewing (the location changes each week): an hour-long conversation in French aimed to practice in a relaxed atmosphere - free of charge, at 7:00 p.m.

“It’s funny, and maybe just a side story, but every year, we see Americans joining us to learn French,” says Katie Fowler with a smile.

A new partner this year, the University of St. Boniface offers French courses for beginners at Patio 340.

The Patio 340: Your Go-To Spot

Whether you start your day at the market, with a game of pétanque, or on a guided tour, your evening will often end in the same place: the Patio 340 at the Centre culturel franco-manitobain (340 Provencher Blvd.), where music, food and a cheerful atmosphere await you. Live performances, workshops, screenings, sports tournaments, a bar, and on-site dining—this will be your go-to meeting spot!

When: Every Thursday until August 27, 2026
Main Venues in Saint-Boniface: Joseph-Royal Park, Provencher Park, Patio 340 at the CCFM, Kilter Brewing Co. and several other locations in the neighborhood. Full programming: jeudisfranco.com