Below are our favourite free experiences by season, found throughout the province to help you plan your ultimate Manitoba adventure. Always check hours, access and conditions before you go!

Did we miss an activity? Let us know by emailing mmadunatu@travelmanitoba.com.

Note: Some activities listed are in provincial parks. While the activity is free, a Manitoba Parks Pass is required for vehicles entering the parks. For 2026, entry is free until March 31.

Free Activities You Can Enjoy All Year

Museums, Galleries & Public Art

No matter the season, Manitoba has free creative experiences waiting.

• Gallery in the Park – Altona: Outdoor sculptures and seasonal exhibitions.
• Art Gallery of Southwestern Manitoba – Brandon: Local art and exhibitions.
• Prairie Fusion Arts & Entertainment – Portage la Prairie: Arts, theatre and community exhibits.
• NorVa Centre - Flin Flon: Non-profit art gallery and studio.
• Canadian Museum for Human Rights – Winnipeg: Free entry on the first Sunday of every month.
• Winnipeg Art Gallery–Qaumajuq – Winnipeg: Free entry on the second Sunday of every month. New for 2026 are WAG Wednesday Nights where you can explore the world’s largest public collection of contemporary Inuit art while a DJ sets the mood for FREE!
• Oseredok Ukrainian Cultural & Educational Centre – Winnipeg: Explore Ukrainian culture and community history.
• Pavilion Art Gallery & Winnie the Pooh Museum – Assiniboine Park, Winnipeg: A unique and quirky indoor stop.
• Air Force Heritage Museum & Air Park – Winnipeg: A variety of historic experiences across the city.
• Winnipeg Architecture Foundation QR Code Tour – Downtown Winnipeg: Discover stories behind historic and modern buildings at your own pace.
• Dalnavert Museum – Winnipeg: Free admission on second Saturdays.
• First Fridays – Exchange District, Winnipeg: Monthly celebration of arts, galleries and everything the Exchange has to offer, for free!
• Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame – Winnipeg: Discover Manitoba’s sport history through interactive exhibits, memorabilia and digital kiosks featuring provincial heroes, legendary teams and unforgettable moments.
• Manitoba Legislative Building Tours – Winnipeg: Free public tours every Friday.

Outdoor Adventures

Keep moving, any time of the year.

• Hiking – Manitoba-wide: There are hundreds of great hiking trails in Manitoba’s provincial parks found throughout the province. Many of them are maintained throughout fall and winter, making them an all-season adventure!
  Trans Canada Trail – Manitoba-wide: Passes through many communities and offers endless route options.
• Buffalo Creek Nature Park – Altona: Great winter spot for tobogganing and pleasure skating on the cleared pond; field house available for warm-up and washrooms.
• Brandon Riverbank Trails – Brandon: Self-guided trails with wetlands, wildlife and river views. If you own (or rent!) a kayak, the centre is a great launching point into the Assiniboine River.
• Rosie Mayne Nochemek Trail – The Pas: A self-guided interpretive route through boreal forest.
• Opasquia Trails & Grace Lake Boardwalk – The Pas: Includes a floating boardwalk and lookout over Grace Lake.
  Flinty’s Boardwalk – Flin Flon: Lakeside walking trail surrounded by Canadian Shield rock.
• Northgate Trails – Dauphin: Free mountain biking and winter fatbiking trails with scenic views and varied terrain.
• HyLife Back Forty Multi-Use Trail Park – Neepawa: Mountain biking and multi-use trails for riders and walkers.
• Discovery Nature Sanctuary – Winkler: Trails through wetlands, woodlands and grasslands.
• Island Park – Portage la Prairie: Paved, illuminated trail that’s great day or night.
• Bois-des-Esprit Trail – Winnipeg: A peaceful gravel trail through a 117-acre urban forest with diverse ecosystems and wildlife spotting opportunities.
• Living Prairie Museum – Winnipeg: A rare tall grass prairie remnant with seasonal workshops and free drop-in activities for any age.
• The Forks – Winnipeg: Wander riverwalk paths, public art and markets, enjoy seasonal programming and people-watching in the heart of the city.
• Assiniboine Park – Winnipeg: Wander forest trails, gardens, the duck pond and free outdoor spaces year-round.
• Oak Hammock Marsh – near Winnipeg: Visit the interpretive centre for exhibits and indoor wildlife viewing, then explore the surrounding area for winter birdwatching and seasonal walks along the marsh landscape. Check their event calendar for upcoming events and special programs.

Family-Friendly Fun

Easy go-to ideas for weekends and school breaks.

• Public Library Programs – Manitoba-wide: Storytimes, crafts and interactive family activities year-round.
• Free indoor swimming – Winnipeg: Some city-run pools offer free swim times, reach out directly to find times and locations in your area.
• East End Movie Dates – Winnipeg: Sunday movie events run by the Transcona BIZ. Check their Facebook page for upcoming dates!

Roadside Attractions

Perfect for road trips, quick stops and “only in Manitoba” photos.

• Centre of Canada Sign – near Winnipeg: Classic Manitoba road trip photo-op.
• World’s Largest Coca-Cola Can – Portage la Prairie: Roadside fun with vintage flair.
• Arden Crocus Monument – Arden: Celebrate Manitoba’s provincial flower.
• World’s Largest Curling Rock – Arborg: A must for curling fans and quirky photo stops.
• Amisk the Beaver – Dauphin: A friendly roadside icon.
• Viking Statue – Gimli: One of Manitoba’s most famous attractions.
• Canada Goose Statue – Lundar: Big bird energy for the road trip album.
• World’s Largest Van Gogh Sunflower Painting – Altona: A giant replica of Van Gogh’s sunflower masterpiece on an easel.
• Giant Mallard Duck – Petersfield: A classic Manitoba roadside bird stop.
• Magnet Hill – Swan Valley: Try this quirky roadside phenomenon where your car appears to roll uphill when placed in neutral. It’s an optical illusion that’s a fun, quick stop on a road trip through the Parkland region.

Find more check out our #ExploreMB blogs for quirky roadside attractions in Western Manitoba, Parkland and the Interlake.

Free Winter Activities in Manitoba

Outdoor Adventures

Winter in Manitoba is filled with ways to explore, here are a few ways to get started!

• Family Fishing Weekends – Manitoba-wide (February & June): Every year, the province announces two weekends where no fishing licence is required (all other regulations apply). Watch for announcements from Manitoba Parks for the official dates.
• Skating Paths – Wasgaming, Riding Mountain National Park: Outdoor skating in a beautiful national park setting.
• Toboggan Hills & Slides – Winnipeg & throughout Manitoba: Bring a sled and find a hill for an easy winter thrill.
• Outdoor Skate Spots - Portage la Prairie & Brandon: Check out Crescent Lake in Portage the Prairie or the Skating Oval in Brandon for more time on the ice.
• Nestaweya River Trail & Winter Park – The Forks, Winnipeg: One of Canada’s longest groomed river trails for skating, cross-country skiing, fat biking or riverside walks. Plus on-land trails that wind throughout The Forks area. “Learn to Winter” is a free programming series that includes skating lessons, warming hut tours, winter wellness classes, DJs on ice and storytelling and drumming!
  Assiniboine Park Duck Pond – Winnipeg: A classic outdoor skating spot with nearby cross-country ski trails.
  St. Vital Park Duck Pond – Winnipeg: Popular outdoor rink with lots of space for family skating.
  Kildonan Park Rink & Trails – Winnipeg: Scenic skating and ski trails with plenty of winter energy.

Family-Friendly Fun

Easy go-to ideas for weekends and school breaks.

• Game Day by Sport Manitoba – Winnipeg: A drop-in event where families can play their favourite sports or try something new!
• Free indoor skating – Winnipeg: Some indoor skating centres offer free skate sessions, reach out directly to find times in your area!

Looking for more ideas? Scroll back up to our Free All-Year section for museums, trails and roadside stops you can visit anytime.

Free Spring Activities in Manitoba

Outdoor Adventures

Spring is a perfect time to spot wildlife, enjoy fresh trails and explore waking landscapes.

• Narcisse Snake Dens – near Narcisse: See the world’s largest concentration of red-sided garter snakes during spring emergence!

Looking for more ideas? Scroll back up to our Free All-Year section for outdoor adventures perfect for any time of the year.

Arts & Culture

Spring is full of free events and walkable art experiences.

• Town & City Mural Tours – Manitoba-wide: Explore murals in Winnipeg (West End, Transcona and the Exchange), Brandon, Selkirk, Boissevain and along Gimli’s Seawall.
• Fort Dufferin National Historic Site – Emerson: Hike the Crow Wing Trail and cross the mini Swinging Bridge.
• Inglis Grain Elevators National Historic Site – Inglis: One of Manitoba’s most iconic historic landmarks.
• St. Andrew’s Rectory National Historic Site – St. Andrews: A historic site with unique cultural stories.
• Festival of Fools – Winnipeg: Acrobatics and comedy performances throughout the Exchange District during spring break.
  Doors Open Winnipeg – Winnipeg: Two-day event in late May celebrating architecture, heritage and hidden spaces.

Looking for more ideas? Scroll back up to our Free All-Year section for museums, trails and roadside stops you can visit anytime.

Free Summer Activities in Manitoba

Beaches, Parks & Water Experiences

Summer is the season for shoreline days, swimming spots and scenic park visits.

• Family Fishing Weekends – Manitoba-wide (June & February): Every year, the province announces two weekends where no fishing licence is required (all other regulations apply). Watch for announcements from Manitoba Parks for the official dates.
• Canada Strong Pass – Riding Mountain National Park: Free entry or discounted admissions for visitors to national parks and federal museums (check the link for details and dates).
• Beaches of 59 (Lake Winnipeg) – Lester Beach, Victoria Beach & Patricia Beach: Sandy shorelines perfect for beach days and sunsets located along the east shores of Lake Winnipeg.
• Delta Beach – Lake Manitoba: A quieter shoreline with nearby marsh habitat.
• Minnedosa Beach – Minnedosa: Calm swimming and family-friendly lakeside fun.
• Sunset Beach – Plum Coulee: A relaxed beach escape with prairie charm.
• Northern Manitoba Beaches – Sunset Bay Beach, Purple Sandy Beach on Clearwater Lake, Turnbull Beach near Leaf Rapids or Pumphouse Beach near Gillam.
• Leo Mol Sculpture Garden & Pavilion Galleries – Winnipeg: Beautiful sculptures, gardens and art spaces in Assiniboine Park.

Live Music, Festivals, Arts & Entertainment

From summer concerts to outdoor movies, Manitoba’s festivals offer free fun all season long.

• Farmers’ Markets – Manitoba-wide: Browsing is free and it’s a great way to explore local communities.
• Culture Days – Manitoba-wide: Free arts and culture events across the province including Nuit Blanche Winnipeg, a night of no sleep, just art.
• Classic Car Shows – Manitoba-wide: Free to attend events from June to September. Check local community centres for more information or try the Manitoba Association of Automobile Clubs event calendar.
• Selkirk Concert Series – Selkirk: Free outdoor concerts with small-town charm.
• Crocus Suncatch Sounds – Morden: Community entertainment and seasonal events.
• Rockin’ Gimli Harbour Concert Series – Gimli: Outdoor music along the harbourfront.
• Gimli Film Festival Beach Screening – Gimli: Free movie nights on the shores of Lake Winnipeg.
• “Live On The Bandstand”, Winnipeg Beach Concert Series – Winnipeg Beach: Summer concerts near the lake.
• Boardwalk Days – Winnipeg Beach: Community festival celebration near the lake.
• Summer in the City – Steinbach: Weekly summer entertainment and local culture.
• Manitoba Sunflower Festival – Altona: Peak-summer celebration in sunflower country.
• Stonewall Quarry Days – Stonewall: Community festival fun.
• Flin Flon Trout Festival – Flin Flon: Northern summer traditions and entertainment.
• Morden Corn & Apple Festival – Morden: Even the corn is free!
• Winnipeg International Jazz Festival Outdoor Performances – Winnipeg: Each year, the festival puts on outdoor performances and free programming. Check their website for this year’s line up!
• Downtown Sounds Concert Series – Winnipeg: Live music downtown during summer evenings.
• Maryland Music Fest – Winnipeg: Free live music and performances in the Wolseley and West Broadway neighbourhoods in central Winnipeg.
• Assiniboine Park Summer Entertainment Series – Winnipeg: Free music and movie nights at the Lyric Theatre, garden concerts at The Leaf and jazz in the Leo Mol Sculpture Garden.
• Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival Outdoor Stage – Winnipeg: Free performances at The Cube in Winnipeg’s Exchange District, right in the heart of the festival zone.
• Ballet in the Park – Winnipeg: Outdoor ballet performances in Assiniboine Park.
• Alleyways in the Exchange – Winnipeg: Creative community programming and pop-up experiences.
• Winnipeg Arts Council Public Art Tours – Winnipeg: Free public art experiences and urban discovery.
• Jeudis Franco Thursdays – Winnipeg: Art, music, tours and more every Thursday in St. Boniface, Winnipeg’s francophone neighbourhood.

Family-Friendly Fun

Big fun doesn’t have to cost a thing.

• Geocaching – Manitoba-wide: A province-wide treasure hunt for all ages.
  Playgrounds – Manitoba-wide: Visit Fort Parka (The Forks, Winnipeg), Nature Playground (Assiniboine Park, Winnipeg) Island Park (Portage la Prairie) or Parkdale Community Park (Brandon).
• Spray Pads – Winnipeg & beyond: Free summer cooling spots across the city; check out Rotary Park (Flin Flon), Elkhorn Spray Park, Reston Splash Pad, Souris Splash Park, Wawanesa Community Park, Erin Park Splash Pad (Killarney), Vermillion Park (Dauphin), Kin Splash Zone (Carman), Spray Park (Morden), Oh Happy Day Splash Park (Morris), Steinbach Splash Pad, Splash Pad (Ste. Anne), Niverville Splash Pad (Niverville), La Salle Splash Park and Gimli Aquatic Centre.
• Altona Park – Altona: Great place for a picnic and then cooling off in the nearby aquatic centre (admission required), a family favourite for many Manitobans!
• Skate parks – Brandon, Selkirk & Winnipeg: Visit Kristopher Campbell Memorial Skate Park (Brandon), Selkirk Park Skate Park or check out of these Winnipeg skateparks.
• Assiniboine Park Nature Playground – Winnipeg: Accessible swings and imaginative play structures for all ages.

Free Fall Activities in Manitoba

Outdoor Adventures

• Brokenhead Wetland Interpretive Trail — Scanterbury: Explore a quiet wetland trail with interpretive signage and great opportunities for birdwatching, nature photography and easy outdoor wandering.
• Souris Swinging Bridge – Souris: A fun and iconic spot for river views and photos.
• Pinawa Suspension Bridge – Pinawa: A must-visit for fall colour and scenic hiking.
• Oak Hammock Marsh – near Winnipeg: Visit during fall migration for incredible wildlife viewing and skies filled with geese.

Plan Your Next Budget-Friendly Manitoba Adventure

Every season of Manitoba offers a different kind of exploration! Start planning your next outing with our trip ideas and event listings and discover just how much you can experience for free.

Original blog post by Brenna Holeman