Winnipeg Christmas Lights 2024-2025

Winnipeg is famous all over Canada for its spectacular Christmas lights. The city offers dozens of holiday-themed events—children’s parties, carols, performances, and holiday concerts. Many Christmas happenings are adorned with magical light displays making cold Manitoba winters a bit warmer.

Arctic Glacier Winter Park at The Forks (early December 2024–mid-February 2025)

Arctic Glacier Winter Park at The Forks marks the holiday season with festive illumination that lights up the main walkway. Visitors of the park can enjoy fun winter activities like skating on the one-kilometer Manitoba 150 Trails, illuminated with twinkling lights, then go tobogganing downhill, play Crokicurl, and take stunning photos under the illuminated archway.

The Forks also offers traditional entertainment such as horse-drawn wagon rides, Indigenous storytelling, bannock making in teepees, snow sculpting, and ice carving. The illuminated Canopy Skating Rink becomes a dance floor on ice with DJs spinning popular tunes while visitors spin around the ice. Once the temperature drops, the Red River Mutual Trail on the river becomes available for skating. Don't forget to try your hand in Crokicurl, the ice game that combines curling and the board game crokinole.

Assiniboine Park Zoo Lights Festival (late November 2024–early January 2025)

Zoo Lights Festival at Assiniboine Park in Winnipeg is more than just pretty illuminations. The festival features thousands of light installations creating the magical Polar Town with many fun activities. There are interactive experiences, a Third + Bird market, warm beverages and food, as well as other entertainment. Warm-up at the Town Hall near the Zoo entrance and the Tundra Grill. Sip a cup of warm cocoa by a fire pit throughout the zoo and roast your own s’mores.

Tickets for December dates cost $16.50 plus GST for all ages 3 and up. For January dates, tickets are available with a 15% discount at $14.05 plus GST. Children aged 2 and under have free entry.

Canad Inns Winter Wonderland, Red River Exhibition Park (November 29, 2024–January 4, 2025)

Canad Inns Winter Wonderland at Red River Exhibition Park is one of the best places in Winnipeg to get into the Christmas spirit. Its main highlight is the dazzling drive-through light display that consists of over one million lights and over twenty-six different themed areas. The one-and-a-half-mile (2.5 kilometers) course also features an outdoor skating rink. Canad Inns Winter Wonderland Tickets are $20 plus GST.

Linden Woods Drive Thru Lights (early December–early January)

Every year, the sparkling traditions of Linden Woods make the streets shimmer with Christmas lights, creating a festive atmosphere for both locals and visitors. The free Drive-Thru experience offers unique and creative displays, such as Candy Cane Lane, Polar Bear Lane, Reindeer Run, Nutcracker Lane, Penguin Way, North Pole Bay, Gingerbread Way, Snowmen Lane, and Snowflake Lane.

Let it Glow Christmas Lights Drive Thru (mid-December 2024)

The free Let it Glow Christmas Lights Drive Thru features buzzing lights, hot chocolate and snacks, and lots of fun for the whole family, making it a perfect way to enjoy the holiday season.

Lights of the North Christmas, Hudson's Bay (unconfirmed in 2024)

Lights of the North Christmas is Winnipeg's best indoor Christmas Festival, held in Hudson's Bay Downtown. Stroll under the light of more than half of a million lights that bring to life Christmas-themed 3D light sculptures.

Entertainment includes interactive exhibits, light tunnels, a photo booth, live music and performances, and even illuminated drinks. Special children's play space features Christmas characters like elves, Santa Claus, face-painting and other activities. With 7500 square meters of space, there is a lot to see at this indoor Christmas light festival.

Christmas Lights Tours (unconfirmed in 2024)

See all of Winnipeg's best light displays in one night by joining a Christmas Light Tour that starts and ends at the Travel Manitoba Information Centre, located at The Forks Market by the Johnston Terminal. Find out why Winnipeg is called the Christmas capital of Canada.

Get on the festive streets while listening to merry Christmas carols and see many colorful Christmas light displays in residential and business areas. Marvel the spectacular Christmas Lights at the Manitoba Legislative Building and the Camels across from it. The tour goes along Candy Cane Lane, Polar Bear Lane, and Nutcracker Street with the most amazing light displays!