Winnipeg |
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| February
The 10-day Festival du Voyageur, Le Rendez-Vous at 768 Taché Ave., Winnipeg, MB R2H 2C4 (204) 237-7692. Held in mid-February, it celebrates the adventures of the original French voyageurs, or fur traders, the first Europeans to settle in Canada; as well as French Métis culture. The festival is marked by winter activities, including a huge outdoor party and a gala ball.
Late February-early March
The National Screen Institute of Canada's FilmExchange film festival, runs for over a week from late February into early March. Screening only Canadian films, this festival is often compared to the Sundance festival in the U.S. For more information, contact the National Screen Institute, Canada, 206-70 Arthur St., Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 1G7. (204) 956-7800
June
Red River Exhibition, 3977 Portage Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3K 2ES (204) 888-6990, usually starts the third week of June and celebrates the city's history, showcasing agricultural, horticultural, commercial, and industrial achievements. There are also a midway, a photography show, and other themed features like a lumberjack show.
Manitoba Summer Fair in mid-June features a rodeo, midway, tribal village and family entertainment in nearby Brandon.
Jazz Winnipeg Festival hosts international, national and local jazz artists at several venues throughout Winnipeg in mid-June.
July
The Winnipeg Folk Festival, 264 Taché Ave., Winnipeg, MB R2H 1Z9 (tel. 204/231-0096), held over the first weekend of July, is the oldest and one of the largest folk music festivals in the world. There are 200 concerts, a craft village and an international food area, all at Birds Hill Provincial Park.
Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival
Some 100 troupes gather for ten days of innovative theater annually.
Lyric Theatre (204) 888-5466 provides free entertainment in summer with performances by the Winnipeg Symphony, The Royal Winnipeg Ballet, local jazz combos, and others.
August
Folklorama, a Festival of Nations, is a 2-week cultural festival in August featuring more than 35 pavilions celebrating ethnic culture, with traditional food, dancing, music, costumes, entertainment, and crafts. It attracts more than 400,000 guests yearly. For more information, contact the Folk Arts Council of Winnipeg, 2nd Fl--183 Kennedy St., Winnipeg, MB R3C 1S6 (tel. 800/665-0234 or 204/982-6210
Canada's National Ukrainian Festival is a celebration of Ukrainian traditions in Dauphin, with plenty of music, dance and food in early August.
Steinbach Pioneer Days is a celebration of Mennonite pioneer life held in early August
Islendingadagurinn (Icelandic Festival of Manitoba) offers Icelandic cultural events in Gimli, the largest Icelandic community outside Iceland.
Late August
The Lyric Theater hosts the annual Winnie the Pooh Festival
A local bear named Winnipeg, who was taken to London during World War I as a military mascot, inspired the famous A.A. Milne character.
This Other Eden: Canadian Folk Art Outdoors Exhibition, runs to Sep 3.
Late November-early January
Canada Inns' Winter Wonderland (204)888-6990, a drive-through Christmas and winter-themed light show at Red River Exhibition Park; on Portage Avenue west of the Perimeter Highway, next to the Assiniboine Downs Race Track.
December
Dalnavert
61 Carlton St
Winnipeg Manitoba
(204) 943-2835
Tue-Thu, Sat-Sun noon-4:30 pm. Admission charged. Call for tickets.
See how the city's upper class lived at the restored home of Sir Hugh John Macdonald, former Premier of Manitoba. Dalnavert is adorned in festive splendor throughout December.
Capture the spirit with three festive Christmas events.
1. The first week in December: discover traditions of Scottish Christmas and Hogmanay (New Year).
2. Experience an old fashioned Christmas during the Festive Celebration of Christmas. Holiday baking and apple ambrosia will be on hand as carolers break out favorite holiday tunes.
3. The annual dramatic reading of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol by actor Richard Hurst runs during the third week of December at 7:30 pm. | |
