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Compiled by the Road Trip Manitoba team
Last updated on November 26, 2024
The most wonderful time of the year? We think so! The holiday season is a time to celebrate, reflect, and enjoy time with those you love. And with Winnipeg being such a snowy winter wonderland, it’s the perfect backdrop for Christmas events!
If you’re like us, you love taking advantage of the season’s many things to do, including theatre, volunteering, markets, Santa visits, concerts, parades, light displays, and so much more. We’ve rounded up the top things to do in Winnipeg at Christmas, no matter what you’re after.
We’ve included links to buy tickets (where possible), and we highly suggest you do so as soon as you can. Christmas events in Winnipeg sell out quickly!
Land Acknowledgements
Winnipeg is located on Treaty No. 1, the original lands and waters of Anishinaabe, Ininiwak, Anishininiwak, Dakota, and Dene peoples, and on the homeland of the Métis Nation.
Things to Do at Christmas in Winnipeg
Christmas Lights in Winnipeg
Canad Inns Winter Wonderland
When: November 29th, 2024 to January 4th, 2025
Where: Red River Exhibition, 3977 Portage Ave
Visit Manitoba’s longest drive-through light display! With 2.5 kilometres of lights to see from the comfort of your own car, there’s also skating, food trucks, and more.
Zoo Lights
When: November 22nd, 2024 to January 5th, 2025 – 5pm to 10pm (11pm on Fridays and Saturdays)
Where: Assiniboine Park Zoo, 2595 Roblin Boulevard
The Holiday magic is back at Zoo Lights in Assiniboine Park Zoo! Wander through a winter wonderland and enjoy beautiful light displays, live entertainment, delicious snacks, and endless cheer.
Where to See Santa in Winnipeg
Santa Claus Parade
When: November 16th
Where: Along Portage Avenue
Established in 1909, the Santa Claus Parade is Winnipeg’s longest-running free community event. Bundle up to see Santa and lots of other floats in this parade!
Visit with Santa at CF Polo Park
When: November 15th to December 24th
Where: Polo Park Shopping Centre, 1485 Portage Ave
Come greet Santa and have your holiday photos taken at the CF Polo Park shopping mall.
Book your photo with Santa time slot here
Santa Magic Photo Experience at Kildonan Place
When: November 15th to December 24th
Where: Kildonan Place, 1555 Regent Ave W
Meet Santa at Kildonan Place for your holiday photos. Bonus: there are pet photos available, as well as sensory-friendly Santa photos!
Visit Santa at St. Vital Centre
When: November 14th to December 24th
Where: St. Vital Centre
Visit the Enchanted Forest to meet Santa and see his sleigh. There are also sensory-friendly photos available, as well as events such as Storytime with Santa, Ugly Sweater parties, and more.
Christmas Concerts in Winnipeg
Candlelight Concerts
When: Throughout December
Where: Various locations
Candlelight Concerts have been a huge hit in Winnipeg! Enjoy a string quartet while surrounded by thousands of candles. In December, enjoy concerts such as A Charlie Brown Christmas, The Nutcracker, and more.
For tickets and info, click here
The Great Canadian Roadtrip
When: December 5th
Where: Club Regent Casino, 1425 Regent Ave W
A special Christmas show with 3 All-Star Canadian Country Artists: Doc Walker, Michelle Wright, and Jason McCoy.
Amero Little Christmas
When: December 6th
Where: Burton Cummings Theatre, 364 Smith St
Burton Cummings Theatre is excited to welcome back Don Amero for his fourth annual Amero Little Christmas! The concert is a new take on a classic Christmas variety show, and is fun for the whole family.
Christmas in Space! A Holiday Cirque Spectacular
When: December 7th
Where: Burton Cummings Theatre, 364 Smith St
The stellar cast of performers delivers an unforgettable experience filled with wonder, laughter, and breathtaking stunts.
Those Guys – Under the Mistletoe
When: December 7-8th
Where: West End Cultural Centre, 586 Ellice Avenue
This annual a cappella extravaganza is back, bigger and better than ever, featuring special guests Two Crows for Comfort and M-Kaps.
Rockin’ Elvis Christmas with Rory Allen
When: December 8th
Where: Club Regent Casino, 1425 Regent Ave W
Rory Allen and his fabulous 11-piece band will Rock you into the holidays with Christmas and Vegas hits of the King!
A Jann Arden Christmas
When: December 12-13th
Where: Club Regent Casino, 1425 Regent Ave W
Celebrate the holidays with Alberta’s own Jann Arden as she puts her unique spin on the classics you know and love, featured on her 2015 release ‘A Jann Arden Christmas’.
O Holy Night – Holy Void Album Release
When: December 13th
Where: West End Cultural Centre, 586 Ellice Avenue
Come join us for a wild night as Holy Void celebrate the release of their long awaited record, “All Will Be Revealed In Time”. This Rock ‘n’ Roll Christmas show will feature Holy Void, Show Pony, Tired Cossack and more.
JP Hoe Hoe Hoe Holiday Show
When: December 20th
Where: Burton Cummings Theatre, 364 Smith St
This family-friendly event is filled to the brim with musicians, Christmas lights, and good cheer.
Christmas Markets in Winnipeg
Third & Bird Christmas Market
When: November 22-24th
Where: Red River Exhibition, 3977 Portage Ave
With over 170 makers, bring your shopping spirit to the biggest Third & Bird Christmas Market yet.
LuckyGirl Holiday Pop Up
When: December 15th
Where: Centennial Concert Hall, 555 Main Street
Celebrate and support over 120 local makers at this season’s LuckyGirl Holiday POP UP. This event gathers a diverse and talented collective of artisans, designers, and tastemakers to share and sell their incredible goods this holiday season. One of the best Christmas markets in Winnipeg, hands down.
Christmas Theatre in Winnipeg
A Drag Queen Christmas
When: December 13th
Where: Burton Cummings Theatre, 364 Smith St
Hosted by Brooke Lynn Hytes (host of Canada’s Drag Race), the Canadian tour includes performances by: Plasma and Q from RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 16, Shea Coulee’, winner of All Stars 5, Trinity The Tuck, winner of All Stars 4, Manila Luzon, host of Drag Den on Amazon Prime, Miz Cracker, Venus, winner of Canada’s Drag Race Season 4 and Gisele Lullaby, winner of Canada’s Drag Race Season 3.
A Charlie Brown Double Bill
When: December 2nd to 23rd
Where: Manitoba Theatre for Young People, 2 Forks Market Rd
This family-friendly show combines your two Peanuts favourites: You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown and A Charlie Brown Christmas.
Outside Joke’s A Christmas Miracle: An Improvised Holiday Rom Com
When: December 10th to 22nd
Where: Prairie Theatre Exchange, 393 Portage Ave #300
The incredibly talented members of Outside Joke take on that annual staple, the Holiday TV Movie. Send the joy rating in your life through the roof of the Richardson building by joining them as they improvise a new Holiday Film every night.
The Nutcracker
When: December 20th to 28th
Where: Centennial Concert Hall, 555 Main Street
Set to Tchaikovsky’s iconic score, The Nutcracker presented by the Royal Winnipeg Ballet is a Winnipeg Christmas tradition.
Other Christmas Things to Do in Winnipeg
Pancake Breakfast with Santa
When: November 23rd
Where: Lower Fort Garry National Historic Site, 5925 Hwy 9, St Andrews
Head just outside of Winnipeg to dine alongside Santa on a delicious breakfast buffet of pancakes, eggs, bacon, and hash browns. Afterwards, a holiday backdrop will be set up, take your photos with Santa, and there’s a small Christmas market, too.
Holiday Dinner and a Movie
When: Various dates
Where: The Metropolitan Entertainment Centre, 281 Donald St
Choose from White Christmas, Elf, It’s a Wonderful Life, or Miracle on 34th Street alongside a buffet dinner at the Met.
Check out their website for dates and tickets.
Looking for more festive things to do in Winnipeg? Here are some suggestions:
- Check out all of these awesome activities and events during winter in Winnipeg
- If you’re going to be in the city on December 31st, you also might want to check out these New Year’s Eve in Winnipeg events.
- Visit the Hargrave Street Market
- Treat Yourself to One of Winnipeg’s Best Spas
- Have Brunch at One of These Best Winnipeg Breakfast Spots
Brenna Holeman (she/her) has adventured to over 100 countries but is incredibly proud to call Winnipeg home. Brenna spent 16 years travelling solo around the world, living in Copenhagen, Edinburgh, Osaka, Antigua, and London, England. Once a writer and editor for Expedia UK, she is a co-founder of Road Trip Manitoba and also runs This Battered Suitcase, one of the most trusted and respected travel blogs in the world.
