Winnipeg & Area Winter Bucket List 2025
Winnipeg winters are long, but they don’t have to feel that way. With a little planning (and a warm pair of mittens), you can turn the season into something fun, festive, and full of memory-making moments. Here’s our curated list of indoor and outdoor experiences to help you embrace the magic of winter (all within a 40-minute drive of Winnipeg).
❄️ Outdoor Adventures
- Dog Sledding
Experience the thrill of gliding across snowy trails behind an enthusiastic team of huskies. A truly unforgettable winter adventure! - Go Tobogganing
A classic Winnipeg favourite. Pack a thermos of hot chocolate and head to one of the city’s steepest, giggle-inducing hills. - Ice Fishing Near Lockport
Bundle up, grab your gear, and drop a line! A peaceful and iconic Manitoba winter pastime. - Winter Festivals & Events
Celebrate winter the Manitoba way with music, food, culture, and community.- Vita Area Winter Festival
- Festival du Voyageur – February 13–22
🏠 Stay In & Cozy
- Sugar Cookie DIY Kits
Perfect for families, couples, or a cozy night in—decorate your own delicious creations. - Prefer homemade?
Try this simple at-home recipe: - Stovetop Holiday Pot-Pourri
Fill your home with the scents of the season—citrus, cinnamon, and everything nice.
🎭 Arts, Culture & Entertainment
- Host a Carolling Party
Warm up your vocal cords and bring some holiday cheer to your neighbourhood. - Sass & Brass: A Jazzy Christmas Cabaret
A lively, soulful holiday performance packed with festive flair. - Winteruption
A multi-day celebration of arts, music, and performance to brighten up even the coldest week. - New Year’s Levee at the Legislature
The annual New Year’s Levee is held each January 1 in the Blue Room of the Manitoba Legislature, where the public is invited to enjoy refreshments and entertainment hosted by the Lieutenant Governor.
🛍️ Winter Shopping & Markets
- St. Norbert Farmers’ Market (Winter Market)
A beloved Winnipeg staple—open year-round! Bundle up and explore locally made foods, handcrafted gifts, artisanal goods, and seasonal treats. It’s the perfect spot to support Manitoba makers while crossing a few names off your holiday list. - Magical Christmas Market
Twinkling lights, festive vendors, and holiday ambience—this market is pure magic.
👨👩👧👦 Family Fun: Couples, Friends & Work Teams
- Escape Rooms
Put your teamwork to the test in the A Christmas Story escape room at Enigma Escapes. - Ice Racing
For the thrill-seeker at heart—experience winter driving like never before. - Woodhaven Christmas on the Hill
A neighbourhood tradition featuring twinkling lights, festive displays, and community cheer.
🎁 Perform a Good Deed
The holiday season is the perfect time to give back. Here are a few organizations spreading warmth across Winnipeg:
- Christmas Cheer Board
For over 100 years, this community-driven organization has provided food, toys, and holiday cheer to families of all cultures and beliefs. - Toy Mountain
Help make sure every child has a gift to unwrap. Donate new toys at Scotiabank, Toys R Us, or select Winnipeg Fire Department stations. - Harvest Manitoba
Manitoba’s only provincial food network, feeding over 100,000 people monthly thanks to generous community support. - Agape Table
Offering nutritious bagged breakfasts and a welcoming environment for individuals and families in need—with kindness at its core.
