Things to do in Winnipeg-winter and autumn -- a list of the events you won't want to miss coming up in Winnipeg, the 10 BEST reasons to visit Winnipeg between October and March.
Winter arrives fairly abruptly in late October and days are bright but crisp (and occassionally very cold) and there's always snow on the ground after mid-October. So why would you want to Visit Winnipeg in late fall or winter?
The skies are gloriously sunny and the snow is certainly beautiful, but I’ll assume that’s not enough to tempt you. So here are some compelling reasons to come visit:
At the centre of the country (and the continent) Winnipeg is easy to get to, even for just a brief weekend escape.
It’s remarkably affordable (compared to other North American city destinations).
Here are 10 more compelling reasons to visit Winnipeg in late fall or winter:
1. Things to do in Winnipeg-winter -- Concerts and live music
Winnipeg is known for concerts and live music, and winter in Winnipeg is when there are more concerts (featuring every style of music) than anyone could possibly get to.
The catch is when Big Names come to town, generally there is only one performance. Tickets can sell out within minutes of going on sale. If you want to see them, be prepared to pounce.
To give you an idea of who you might be able to see perform here, among the big-names recently onstage at MTS Centre: Def Leppard, KISS , Guns N Roses and (late winter 2010) Tim McGraw and Simon and Garfunkle.
Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra presents several concert series at Centennial Hall during its fall/winter season. One of the most popular series is Sundays with the Family. Aimed at getting kids to learn to be enthusiastic concert-goers, there are pre-concert activities including the opportunity to touch (or even try out) actual concert instruments.
Both Izzy Asper Jazz Performances and the organization that presents Winnipeg Jazz Festival each summer brings top jazz talent to Winnipeg every winter.
There’s a lot more music in every style – on my own best-of list are live jazz at
The Current at Inn at the Forks, blues at Times Change(d)
and latino music every Friday and Saturday 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. at New Cavalier Hotel, 1650 Regent Avenue West.
2. Manito-Ahbee, A Festival for All Nations
Manito-Ahbee means “Where the creator sits,” but while He/She may be resting, thousands will be in motion at this aboriginal powwow and festival. There are:
a competitive powwow, the Aboriginal Peoples’ Choice Awards presentation; a huge Indigenous Marketplace and Trade Show, and an education conference, all taking place as part of Manito-Ahbee, A Festival for All Nations, five days every November. Most events and the competitive drumming and dancing are at MTS Centre.
Highlights at the powwow are the Grand Entry of Chiefs, dancers, singers and drummers and the actual dance competitions of traditional dances including shawl dance and jingle dance and drumming competitions drawing competitors from throughout North America.
Dancers are all ages, in full traditional regalia and are vying for more than $110,000 in prize money. This is one of the largest powwows in Canada. Though it is a celebration of First Nations and Metis dance, music and cultures, organizers emphasize that everyone, including people who've never been to a powwow before
are welcome.
3. Things to do in Winnipeg-winter -- lots to discover at Winnipeg museums
With more than 40 museums in Winnipeg, there’s a lot more to see. If you can only make it to one, it should be The Manitoba Museum, because it is the largest, with the most varied and extensive collection, and because it also includes the Science Museum (hands-on fun for kids) and The Planetarium, with its always fascinating and compelling presentation on The Night Sky. Manitoba Museum is in The Exchange District, on Main Street at Rupert.
Got some time? If you love fashion and design, you can spend a very satisfying few hours at The Costume Museum in The Exchange District. Only a fraction of their extensive collection of vintage clothing is on display at any given time; if you’re in luck they’ll have some of the evening gowns from the ’30s and ’40s out; they also have a charming gift shop with vintage pieces and jewellery for sale.
Prefer historic trains? Airplanes? Naval history? Museums devoted to all of these are open year-round in Winnipeg.
4. Things to do in Winnipeg-winter -- Theatre that sizzles!
Winnipeg has a lively theatre scene, with professional and amateur companies including two devoted to works for children and youth.
The largest and best-known of Winnipeg’s theatre companies makes its home at Manitoba Theatre Centre, Canada’s first regional theatre performing in English, now presenting more than 250 performances annually including six plays at John Hirsch Theatre Mainstage, four plays at Tom Hendry Theatre (The Warehouse) as well as a regional tour of Manitoba and Ontario each year.
5. Things to do in Winnipeg-winter -- Dance
The thrillingly innovative Winnipeg Contemporary Dancers present works by celebrated Canadian choreographers at Rachel Browne Theatre downtown.
The Royal Winnipeg Ballet performs at Centennial Hall when it is not on tour.
6. Things to do in Winnipeg-winter -- Festival du Voyaguer
Festival du Voyageur is our annual winter festival of Franco-Manitoban and Metis joie de vivre. Bundle up; most of the fun stuff is outside during 9 days and evenings in February.
Fiddle and jig competitions and Celtic and Cajun music (some of it inside, in heated tents), snow sculptures, bannock and other traditional fare and various events in Saint Boniface (most are at Whittier Park and Fort Gibraltar).
Children's entertainment, with magic, puppet shows and music. There are also be trading posts in several locations in Winnipeg and in nearby towns and demonstrations of traditional skills.
Ever wanted to try winter camping? You can during Festival du Voyageur in a cozy quinzhee (that’s a snow dome) that comes furnished with bison skins and winter sleeping bags. (Call 204-237-7692 for details).
7. Things to do in Winnipeg-winter -- Skating on the world's longest frozen river trail
What could be more perfect on a clear, cool day than gliding along an almost endless crystal trail, holding the hand of someone you love?
Visit Winnipeg this winter to skate the longest natural river rink in Canada, Assiniboine Credit Union River Trail. Lace up at The Forks and skate up the Assiniboine (this year, the plan is to extend the skating trail as far as Assiniboine Park) or, in the other direction, out onto the Red River.
Imagine enjoying kilometers of skating trail on a sunny day, or perhaps under the stars, with hot chocolate and cider available and rest stops along the way. There’s a romantic firelight skate every Friday evening plus weekend activities for kids and youth such as ice painting and pond hockey.
Skating At The Forks
Here’s skating fun at The Forks, as seen through the eyes and lens of an Aussie visitor – It’s crisp and cold, so enjoy, mate!
8. Shows at Winnipeg Art Gallery
Shows of Canadian and international artists and the largest collection of Inuit art are on display at Winnipeg Art Gallery, 300 Memorial Blvd (across from Manitoba Legislative Building on Broadway).
9. Winnipeg Winter highlight: Manitoba Opera
Manitoba Opera mounts three full-scale productions each winter season. In 2009/2010, it is the firey Carmen in Bizet’s passionate, doomed love story starring opera’s favourite bad girl.
Manitoba Opera presents Carmen in French with English translations, April 17, 20 and 23 (2010) at Centennial Hall.
Last November, they performed The Barber of Seville This is the comic classic (the one with Figaro! Figaro! Figaro!) crafted by Rossini. Sung in Italian with English translations.
10. Things to do in Winnipeg-winter -- Manitoba Moose take to the ice at MTS Centre
The boys of winter take to the ice for another season. Winnipeg is a hockey-loving town (even though we don’t have an NHL team). What we do have is the AHL Manitoba Moose, who play
home games
(opens in new window)at
MTS Centre
downtown.
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