Fireworks are planned at several locations across Winnipeg on Canada Day. (TOURISM WINNIPEG)
Looking for somewhere to belt out your Canadian patriotism on July 1? A handful of local Canada Day celebrations are planned across Winnipeg. Wherever you decide to celebrate, there’s something for everyone.
Here are a few options to help you navigate Canada’s birthday bash.
Canadian Museum for Human Rights
Visitors on July 1 will pay only $5 for admission, which includes the new exhibition Mandela: Struggle for Freedom. Admission for children 6 and under is free. The museum will be open on Sunday from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m.
Inside the museum, programs on Canada Day will explore different perspectives about what it means to be Canadian, including family activities related to fundamental rights and freedoms. A pop-up choir will perform in the Stuart Clark Garden of Contemplation, and free cupcakes will be served in Bonnie & John Buhler Hall until they run out. Outside, the museum’s boutique spreads onto the sidewalk to entice visitors with Canada-themed items ranging from Manitoba birch syrup to wooden maple-leaf earrings.
Oak Hammock Marsh Interpretive Centre
Enjoy a slice of Canada Day Cake at 2 p.m., have the Canadian flag or favourite animal painted on your cheek by one of our artistic nature interpreters. Test your knowledge with marsh games and quizzes about our great country.
Explore some lesser-known parts of the marsh from a horse-drawn wagon from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Extra fee of $6 for non-members of the Interpretive Centre and $3 for members for this half-hour to 45-minute ride.
Participate in a guided canoe adventure ($3 for members and $6 for non-members) or rent your own canoe ($15 per 45 minutes).
Events run from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Do the Downs this Canada Day with Peter Palmer, general manager of Manitoba’s CanFire Pyrotechnics, who will be firing up to 700 feet into the sky. Because Assiniboia Downs is outside of the Perimeter, fireworks are permitted to be up to eight inches in ordinance compared to five inches within the city. That means the display will shoot 300 feet higher than over at The Forks.
Winnipeg Goldeyes players will also be on hand for meet and greets.
Horse racing begins at 7:15 p.m.
The Canada Day festivities begin early in Osborne Village, with the street party kicking off on Saturday, June 30 at noon. More than 70,000 people attend the Village for the street festival every year, which spans over one kilometre.
Village Idiots headline the main stage, with a giant marketplace, extended patios, drag show, fashion show and cake-cutting on the schedule.
Sunday’s events run from 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
The largest and most popular spot to celebrate Canada will be downtown at The Forks. The free event packs a list of family-friendly activities and musical acts beginning at 1:30 p.m. The day will be capped off with fireworks at 11 p.m.
Parking will be at a premium, so organizers encourage you to either ride your bike or hop on the bus. A free bike valet will be offered to cyclists from noon to midnight.
In celebration of Canada Day, the WAG is offering special $5 entry to all the galleries. This is an amazing opportunity to see Summer with the Impressionists, featuring Cassatt, Monet, Degas, Renoir, and many more, along with a full line-up of shows: SakKijâjuk: Art and Craft from Nunatsiavut; Defying Convention: Women Artists in Canada, 1900-1960; Shaman Stories: Norval Morrisseau and Abraham Anghik Ruben; and organic from the New Contemporary series. The WAG is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Assiniboine Park will host free daytime, family-friendly activities on Sunday, July 1 in celebration of Canada Day from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Lyric field. Visitors to the park can enjoy watching a National Historical Event Designation Ceremony, citizenship ceremony, legendary children’s performer Al Simmons and three hours of Folklorama programming all happening at the Lyric Theatre. Assiniboine Park Zoo is also extending their holiday hours in celebration of Canada Day and will remain open until 8 pm on July 1. Regular zoo admission applies on Canada Day.
Also happening on Canada Day at Assiniboine Park, the iconic outdoor terrace at The Pavilion will be transformed into a Pop-Up Patio from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. Guests will enjoy beautiful views of Assiniboine Park and take in all the action from Canada Day with a menu of small plates and cocktails. The Pop-Up Patio at The Pavilion will also be open every Thursday night from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. throughout July and August.
Speaking of Canada Day… our friends at Twitter Canada have sent along some exclusive data to ChrisD.ca to highlight the year that was (so far) on the platform.
Dates that most used the Canadian flag emoji on Twitter
- June 13, 2018 — Canada announced as one of the host nations for the 2026 World Cup
- Feb 22, 2018 — Canada vs. USA gold medal game in women’s hockey during #PyeongChang2018
- June 10, 2018 — Reactions to G7 Summit (June 8-9, 2018) in Malbaie, Quebec
Dates that had the most mentions of Winnipeg on Twitter
- May 10, 2018 — Winnipeg Jets defeat the Nashville Predators (Game 7 – NHL Western Conference Semi-Final
- May 2, 2018 — Winnipeg Jets defeat the Nashville Predators (Game 3 – NHL Western Conference Semi-Final
- April 21, 2018 — Winnipeg Jets defeat the Minnesota Wild (Game 5 – NHL Western Conference Quarter Final)
Most mentioned Canadian athletes on Twitter
- Tristan Thompson
- Tessa Virtue
- Scott Moir
- Brad Marchand
- Sidney Crosby
