Header photo by: @gyk26

Here's a radical idea: Instead of hiding away all winter long, why not get out and make the most of the season? I promise, winter can be fun (and not to mention beautiful) when you finally starting embracing all the great things that come with it. If you're ready to finally starting enjoying winter, here are seven festivals happening this year in Manitoba that you simply can't miss...

Festival du Voyageur

February 14 to 23, 2020

Festival du Voyageur is Winnipeg's most popular winter festival (and the largest in Western Canada), celebrating the joviality of Manitoba's Francophone culture. Don a ceinture fléchée and head to Voyageur Park for a collection of music, food, snow sculptures and more.

Must-try experience: Rolling your own snow taffy and taking an ice shot of caribou

Snowdance Festival

January 17 to 19, 2020

The Snowdance Festival in Falcon Lake combines everything fun about the season with an amazing array of concerts. This year's tickets are sold out, but that doesn't mean you can't add this amazing festival to your list for next year (and if you can, nab an amazing cabin at Falcon Trails Resort too). OR, get a taste of what the festival has to offer by heading to Falcon Ridge Ski Slopes every Sunday afternoon for live music!

Must-try experience: Turkey shoot and skijoring

Gimli Ice Festival

March 6 to 8, 2020

The one-of-a-kind Gimli winter can be experienced at the Gimli Ice Festival, where you can see everything from a Sons of Lugh Viking re-enactment to car racing on the lake.

Must-try experience: Bombardier rides on the lake and the frozen fish toss

Winter Adventure Weekend in Riding Mountain National Park

February 7 to 9, 2020

Experience the winter wonderland that is Riding Mountain National Park during Winter Adventure Weekend, where locals and visitors get together to celebrate all of the incredible opportunities for adventure that winter brings! Skating trails, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, fat biking, live music and great local food + drink all come together to create an amazing winter festival!

Must-try experience: Winter camping in an oTENTik

Vita & Area Winter Festival

January 17 to 19, 2020

This community event will draw you in with a variety of winter activities: from dogsled rides to a highly competitive borscht competition.

Must-try experience: Eating borscht and going dogsledding

Asessippi Family Weekend

February 15 to 16, 2020

Hit the slopes for a long weekend at Asessippi Ski Area & Resort and take part in a series of exciting races (including the AMAZING race) and outdoor wintry fun.

Must-try experience: Fly down the hill on snow tube

Northern Manitoba Trapper's Festival

February 12 to 16, 2020

The Northern Manitoba Trappers' Festival in The Pas is a celebration of the strong heritage and traditions in this region of the province.

Must-try experience: Warm up by the GIANT bonfire and the World Championship Dogsled Race