Montcalm Heritage Festival: Where Franco-Manitoban History Comes to Life

An hour south of Winnipeg, the Montcalm Heritage Festival invites its visitors every June to step back in time and celebrate the region’s Francophone and agricultural history.

“It’s a weekend to bring together people who love history and see how our ancestors lived in the 1800s,” explains Robert Parent, president of the St. Joseph Museum which organizes the festival.

Blacksmiths, carpenters, and historical reenactors bring the past to life on the museum grounds, and admission to this fully bilingual festival is free. Saturday is the big day: a parade of antique tractors, family activities, a petting zoo for the kids...

“More importantly, don’t leave without dining: the Knights of Columbus are serving top-quality homemade barbecue! People often come back just for that. ”

The festival has a simple yet essential mission: “To educate young people and show them how their ancestors lived. That is our heritage,” says Robert Parent.

Dates: June 13 and 14, 2026 | St. Joseph, Manitoba — Free Admission

Folklorama: Your Passport to 45 Cultures in Two Weeks

For its 55th edition, Folklorama returns from August 2 to 15, 2026, with 45 pavilions across Winnipeg, including several French-speaking ones such as the French-Canadian Pavilion and the Belgian Pavilion.

“Each pavilion is organized by volunteers who showcase their culture through their food, art forms and traditions,” reveals Vanessa Desorcy, Director of Marketing and Communications.

Among all these pavilions, the French-Canadian Pavilion deserves special attention. “It offers a glimpse into French-Canadian culture: a blend of food, music and dance. It truly embodies the French-Canadian joie de vivre,” says Myriam Leclerc, the pavilion’s coordinator.

The Ensemble folklorique de la Rivière-Rouge will be on stage, the Métis sash will be on display, and the Nun’s farts will make their grand return this year. For the curious, the pavilion is also a great opportunity to practice French: “Many of our volunteers speak French. It’s a chance for people to interact in this language.”

In addition, three historic pavilions—the Scandinavian, Ukrainian and German pavilions —are also celebrating their 55th anniversary this year, just like Folklorama and two newcomers are making their debut: the Salvadoran Pavilion and the Heart of Spain Pavilion.

Festival tickets are on sale at folklorama.ca.

Dates: August 2 to 15, 2026 | Various Venues, Winnipeg, Manitoba

A Unique Festival: See You At The Frog Follies

The Frog Follies in St. Pierre-Jolys — a French-speaking village 60 km from Winnipeg — host the Canadian National Frog Jumping Championship every summer. But why frogs?

It all began in 1970, Manitoba’s centennial year, when village residents decided to create a festival to celebrate their French heritage. During that first edition, a frog jumping championship was launched as a challenge between mayors and politicians across the region—and the zany tradition was born.

Now merged with the St. Pierre-Jolys Agricultural Fair, the event draws more than 2,000 people a day to this small village that’s bursting with joie de vivre.

On the agenda: a pancake breakfast, a parade through the village, a farmers’ market, musical performances, fireworks, axe throwing, activities for children and of course the highlight of the show—the VIP National Frog Jumping Championships. A festive, family-friendly weekend deeply rooted in Franco-Manitoban culture.

Dates: August 6–9, 2026 | St. Pierre-Jolys, Manitoba

Cinémental: Francophone Cinema At Your Fingertips

For 35 years, Cinémental has been a must-attend event for lovers of French-language cinema in Winnipeg. “It’s one of the oldest festivals in Western Canada dedicated exclusively to films from the Francophone world,” explains Marc-François Tremblay, the festival’s president.

All films are in French with English subtitles: “It’s a true immersion in Francophone culture, with films from all around the world, across all genres, and for every taste. Even for English speakers, the festival is accessible thanks to the subtitles. In fact, there’s no good reason not to go! ”

For this 35th edition, surprise activities are planned to celebrate the anniversary of this Franco-Manitoban film festival. A wonderful excuse to (re)discover this little cultural gem in St. Boniface.

Cinémental Festival: October 9–11 and 16–18, 2026 | Centre Culturel Franco-Manitobain, 340 Provencher Blvd., St. Boniface