16 Fun Activities for Enjoying Fall in Manitoba

Compiled by the Road Trip Manitoba team

Last updated September 27, 2024

The leaves are changing, the air is getting cooler, and pumpkin spice is on just about every menu. It’s time for fall in Manitoba! If you love autumn as much as we do, you’re in luck… there are tons of things to do in the fall in Manitoba, from visiting pumpkin patches to navigating corn mazes to celebrating the season at a spooky Halloween event. Read on for all of our top picks of what to do this fall season in the province.

Fun Things to Do in Fall in Manitoba

Head out on the Hiking Trails

We don’t know about you, but hiking in autumn in Manitoba is actually our favourite time to hike. The cooler weather, changing leaves, and less-crowded trails make for an even more special experience! With plenty of Manitoba hiking trails to choose from, some of our favourites can be found in Whiteshell Provincial Park, although we’re also partial to the Brokenhead Wetland Interpretive Trail. No matter where you hike in the province, it’s sure to be a memorable experience.

Witness the Fall Colours

While we love Manitoba in every season, there’s no denying the beauty of the changing leaves in autumn. And although our fall tends to be short – start looking for those changing leaves in late September and early October, as they will most likely be gone by November – there are so many incredible spots to see the gorgeous reds, oranges, and yellows of fall.

Some of our favourite places to see the fall colours of Manitoba are Riding Mountain National Park, Pembina Valley Provincial Park, Turtle Mountain Provincial Park, Duck Mountain Provincial Park, Birds Hill Provincial Park, and Assiniboine Park in Winnipeg. Also, check out our list of the most popular Manitoba provincial parks!

See the Polar Bears in Churchill

We couldn’t write this list and not mention one of the best things to do in Manitoba at the top! Every autumn, the town of Churchill becomes the place to be in the province as its location on Hudson Bay means there’s tons of sea ice for the polar bears to explore. Polar bears use the ice for hunting, mating, and travelling, and over a thousand polar bears migrate to Churchill in the late summer and fall. While it’s possible to visit Churchill on your own, we highly recommend booking a polar bear tour to maximize your chance of safely seeing this majestic animal.

Visit a Pumpkin Patch

‘Tis the season to head to a pumpkin patch! Pick out your favourite pumpkin to take home and carve. Bonus: you can often find other activities at the participating farms, such as petting zoos, corn mazes, and more.

A few of the best pumpkin patches in fall in Manitoba are Deer Meadow Farms (Winnipeg), Schwabe Pumpkins (Saint Andrews), Sheepy Hollow Pumpkin Patch (Portage la Prairie), and Pierson Pumpkin Patch (Pierson).

Try a Corn Maze

Head to one of Manitoba’s many corn mazes to enjoy the autumn air (and a fun challenge). While the most famous corn maze in Manitoba is most likely A Maze In Corn in St. Adolph, there are plenty of others around the province to visit. Other corn mazes include Secord Corn Maze (Dauphin), Boonstra Farms (Stonewall), King Korn Maze (Notre Dame), Corn Maze at Fort la Reine Museum (Portage la Prairie), and Deer Meadow Farms (Winnipeg).

Get a Fright at a Halloween Event

It’s the time of year for all things spooky! We have an entire article written about things to do for Halloween in Winnipeg, so if you’re after haunted houses, scary attractions, and more in the city, make sure to check that out.

One of the best-known things to do in the fall in Manitoba, Boo at the Zoo is fun for the whole family. Taking place at the Assiniboine Park Zoo after hours, Boo at the Zoo offers performances, crafts, rides, games, and more. Make sure to dress up in your favourite Halloween costume for the occasion!

Other notable Halloween events and attractions in Manitoba include Farmageddon (Winnipeg), the Haunted Forest (St. Adolph), Six Pines Haunted (Lilyfield), Heebie Jeebies (Winnipeg), Terror on 12 (Anola), Field of Screams (Pierson), and Nightmares (Notre Dame).

Witness the Magic of a Sunset Goose Flight

Make your way to FortWhyte Alive for one of the season’s Sunset Goose Flights. Available on Wednesdays through Sundays in autumn, it’s a fantastic way to catch a glimpse of the great goose migration that happens every year. Just as the sun begins to dip below the horizon, thousands of Canada geese land on Lake Devonian, and you’ll have a front-row seat. Make sure to wear warm clothing and bring a blanket to sit on or wrap around you!

Get Artsy at Nuit Blanche

Held once per year in Winnipeg, Nuit Blanche is an evening that brings together art enthusiasts. Found in downtown Winnipeg, it’s a chance to celebrate and explore contemporary art; head to St. Boniface, the Winnipeg Exchange district, the Forks, and downtown to experience all of the magic. Featuring large immersive installations, projects, and over 85 events by independent curators, there’s a lot to pack in on this Saturday evening.

Enjoy Culture Days Manitoba

Culture Days Manitoba is a non-profit organization that facilitates opportunities for all Manitobans to engage with arts and culture. While its main event is Nuit Blanche – see above – there is a multi-week celebration of events that take place at the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre, the Costume Museum of Canada, the Winnipeg Art Gallery, and more.

Attend the Reel Pride International Film Festival

Every fall, the Winnipeg Gay and Lesbian Film Society hosts the Reel Pride International Film Festival in Winnipeg, which is the oldest 2SLGBTQ+ film festival in Canada. Make your way to the Gas Station Arts Centre in Osborne Village to enjoy one of the feature films.

Visit Pineridge Hollow

Pineridge Hollow is pretty wonderful in every season, but fall brings its own specialties to the “village”! Found near Birds Hill Provincial Park, Pineridge Hollow offers Harvest at the Hollow which features many fall-themed events. Enjoy craft markets, movie nights, hay rides, Beet Fest, Oktoberfest, and a Family Fun Day Finale. The onsite restaurant also serves up many seasonal ingredients if you’re looking for that perfect autumnal meal.

Head to Teulon Pumpkinfest

One of the most iconic festivals in Manitoba, the Teulon Pumpkinfest is held every autumn. Start the day with a delicious pancake breakfast, and then enjoy a multitude of children’s activities, entertainment, a vendor market, street food, live music, a petting zoo, a dog show and more!

Try a Few Bakeries

We don’t know about you, but there’s nothing better than autumn baking! It’s time for all things pumpkin spice, nutmeg, apple, and cinnamon. Head to one of Winnipeg’s best bakeries to try some of their seasonal tasty treats.

Cheer on the Winnipeg Jets

The Winnipeg Jets are back for another season! Playing throughout the autumn and into winter at the Canada Life Centre in downtown Winnipeg, the NHL games are always an adrenaline rush. Don’t forget to pop into Hargrave Street Market before the game for a drink, snack, or dinner!

See the Winnipeg Blue Bombers Play

Can we win another Grey Cup this year? Cheer on the Winnipeg Blue Bombers as they play at the Princess Auto Stadium at the University of Manitoba until early November. As the stadium is outdoors, it’s always fun to wrap up and head to an exciting game, especially as the Bombers are one of the best CFL teams in the country. Let’s go Blue!

Witness the Northern Lights

While the long, cold nights in winter make for the best Northern Lights viewing in Manitoba, we’re very lucky in that you can actually catch the Aurora Borealis in the province in every season! In general, the best time of night to see the lights is from around 8 p.m. until 2 a.m, and you’ll want a clear sky. The farther north you are, the better luck you’ll have, but the lights have often been seen in Winnipeg and even more south!