August is one of the most exciting times in the city and one of the most exciting months of the year in Winnipeg. Summertime activities are still in full swing and this month, we’ve got a great list of the best events happening around the city.
Recurring events
Every Monday
Aug 1, 8, 15, 22, 29: CaRaVaN at the Cube is a summer open mic and open stage stage experience in the Exchange District. Entirely volunteer-run, expect music of all genres, spoken word, comedy, magic, dance, storytelling from experienced performers trying out new things to folks taking the stage for the first time. Livestreaming on YouTube and Facebook if you’re not able to make it. Sign up begins 6.30pm, show 7-10pm.
Every Thursday
Aug 4, 11, 18, 25: The Downtown Winnipeg Farmers’ Market is back this summer at the Manitoba Hydro Place. Find fresh and local vegetables, baking, preserves, meat, crafts, jewelry, and other food and artisan items at this year-round Farmers’ Market in the heart of downtown. 10am-2.30pm.
Aug 4, 11, 18, 25: Check out the Marché d’été St. Boniface Summer Market on the Provencher Bridge, featuring local products by local entrepreneurs. Free admission. Open to all ages. 5-9pm.
Aug 4, 11, 25: Enjoy Movies Under the Stars at the St. Boniface Cathedral! Features French-language films with English subtitles. Bring chairs/blankets and snacks. Movies begin at dusk, 9pm.
Every Friday
Aug 5, 12, 19, 16: The annual summer event, Movies in the Park, is back at the Lyric Theatre in Assiniboine Park. Bring your own lawn chairs or blankets, snacks and bug spray!
| Date | Early Feature (6.30pm) | Late Feature (8.45pm) |
| Aug 5 | Sing 2 | Eternals |
| Aug 12 | Encanto | Jungle Cruise |
| Aug 19 | Moana | Spiderman: No Way Home |
| Aug 26 | Raya and the Last Dragon | Cruella |
Every Friday-Saturday
Aug 5-6, 12-13, 19-20, 26-27: Corydon Business Improvement Zone (BIZ) is presenting a series of free outdoor concerts, featuring Jazz, Rock, Pop, Soul and Blues music. Bring a lawn chair and enjoy live music by local musicians! Line up listed below.
| Date | Artist | Genre | Location |
| Aug 5 | The Bside Champs | Classic Rhythmn and Blues | Arbuthnot St. N. |
| Aug 6 | Rockalypso / G. Williams | Rock-Kalypso | Hugo St. N. |
| Aug 12 | The Tune Raiders | 50-60-70-80 Rock | Lilac St. S. |
| Aug 13 | 200 Aces | Big Band / Blues / Latin | Cockburn St. S. |
| Aug 19 | The Biivvers | Rock Dance & Doo Wop | Arbuthnot St. N. |
| Aug 20 | The Trichorders | Rock Pop & Soul | Lilac St. S. |
| Aug 26 | Rewind | Rock Dance & Doo Wop | Hugo St. N. |
| Aug 27 | Amici | Dance Music | Cockburn St. S. |
Aug 1-13: The world’s largest and longest-running multicultural festival, Folkarama showcases world cultures with authentic food and live entertainment across 14 days in Winnipeg. It’s like travelling the world without leaving Winnipeg!
Aug 3-7: Cirque Du Soleil is back in Winnipeg with their high-energy and high-acrobatic production, OVO, at the Canada Life Centre. Tickets here.
Aug 3: RED FANG will be performing at the Park Theatre with Bell Witch & Aerial Ruin: Stygian Bough and HELP. Doors 7pm, show 8pm. Tickets here.
Aug 5: It’s time for First Fridays in the Exchange! Check out their website for a detailed list of what’s on. The Manitoba Museum has also joined the First Fridays community, so general admission is free on First Fridays to all three of the Museum’s core attractions – the Museum Galleries, the Planetarium, and the Science Gallery. 5-9pm.
Aug 6: Take part in the Festival of Colors and celebrate Holi at the Assiniboia Downs. Holi celebrates the victory of good over evil and the destruction of the demoness Holika, so expect a ton of fun, music, dancing, performances and powder paint fun. 2-8pm. Tickets here.
Aug 6: A Maze in Corn is back this summer! Get lost in the corn maze or climb a giant bale pyramid. Go on a hayride, tour the Sunflower Expo and get beautiful photos. It’s perfect for a picnic date or a fun time outdoors with the kids.
Aug 6: Hailed as one of comedy’s fastest rising stars, Fortune Feimster is performing at the Club Regent as part of her latest North American tour. 8pm. Tickets here.
Aug 9: Rumor’s Restaurant and Comedy Club presents Tim Gray, a stand-up comedian who has been entertaining crowds for over 12 years. 7.45pm. Tickets here.
Aug 9: Steve Earle & The Dukes make their return to the Burton Cummings Theatre. One of the most acclaimed singer-songwriters of his generation, Steve Earle released his record Guitar Town in 1986 to great success, which is now regarded as a classic of the Americana genre. Opening acts are The Whitmore Sisters, Eleanor and Bonnie Whitmore. 8pm. Tickets here.
Aug 10, 25: Get up close and personal with Canada’s only urban bison herd on a Bison Safari in this tour by FortWhyte Alive. “A Prairie Legacy: The Bison and its People” combines the popular Bison Safai and Big Canoe experiences with the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of our shared prairie history – leaving you with a one-of-a-kind experience you won’t soon forget. 1-4pm. Tickets here.
Aug 10: The Lumineers are performing in Winnipeg as part of their BRIGHTSIDE world tour at the Canada Life Centre. 7pm. Tickets here.
Aug 11: Lord Huron is an indie rock band from Los Angeles that combines western, folk-rock, rock and roll, pop melodies, and the surf rock genres with soundtrack and new age influences. Check them out at the Burton Cummings Theatre if you’re looking for a new kind of sound. 8pm. Tickets here.
Aug 11: Le Patio 340 presents an open mic comedy night hosted by Dana Smith featuring women, trans* and non-binary people. 9pm.
Aug 12, 13, 19: Looking for more festivals to add to your summer itinerary? Burt Block Parties are back for two weekends outside the Burton Cummings Theatre, with headliners The Watchmen on Aug. 13, and Nazareth on Aug. 19. Rain or shine event, with curated food trucks and vendors on site. Bring your own lawn chairs, or pay extra for VIP access to access to the VIP viewing deck to watch the show, exclusive bar service, and access to the Burt’s indoor washrooms. Starts from 5.30pm. Tickets here.
- Aug 12: Peach Pit, Yukon Blonde & Guests
- Aug 13: The Watchmen, I Mother Earth, Bif Naked
- Aug 19: Nazareth, Streetheart, Headpins
Aug 12-14: The 4th Annual Winnipeg Tattoo Convention will be held at the Red River Exhibition Park. This 3-day tattoo convention showcases more than 250 tattoo artists from around the world. Expect live music and performers, artwork and merchandise from international tattoo artists, beer gardens, an outdoor market and more. Tickets start from $30+. Fri 5-11pm, Sat 11am-11pm, Sun 11am-5pm.
Aug 12-14: CURRENT Festival is perfect for you if you’re boujee and prefer chandeliers and cocktails to camping! Promising to be the most Instagrammable festival in Manitoba, CURRENT Festival is held at the Forks and features sips, sounds, art and eats as part of their experience. Tickets start from $100 here.
Aug 13: Check out the Winnipeg Beer Fest at Fort Gibraltar. Featuring over 20 of Manitoba’s best beer and spirit producers, enjoy unlimited samples with your ticket purchase from Winnipeg’s top brewers and distillers. Live DJ and food trucks on site. Rain or Shine event.
Aug 13: If you like bubbles and you like running, check out the Bubble Run at Assiniboia Downs. Tickets from $40+. Check in 6am, starts 8am.
Aug 14: It’s free admission to the Winnipeg Art Gallery every second Sunday of the month, so head on down for some family fun. Free Sunday to the WAG also includes the newly built Qaumajuq, a museum dedicated to Inuit art and culture.
Aug 18 – Sep 4: Rainbow Stage is showcasing the classic, The Wizard of Oz, at the Rainbow Stage in Kildonan Park. Get tickets here, 7.30pm evening shows and 2pm matinées.
Aug 20: FortWhyte Alive is hosting a Guided Dip Netting on their boardwalk trail. Explore the living waters and try to find all kinds of critters in the marsh. A perfect activity promoting exploration for kids. 1-3pm.
Aug 21: Hanson of the “MMMBop” hit will be performing at The Park Theatre as part of their Red Green Blue 2022 Tour. Doors 7pm, show 8pm. Tickets here.
Aug 21: The Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra presents Manitoba Voices / Voix D’Ici, a concert featuring the local francophone musical community, at Le Patio 340. 7pm. Tickets here.
Aug 21: Metric will be playing at the Burton Cummings Theatre as part of their Doomscroller Tour. 8pm. Tickets here.
Aug 22: Check out Grammy-award winning rock band Greta Van Fleet at the Canada Life Centre. Featuring special guests The Pretty Reckless and Hannah Wicklund. 7pm. Tickets here.
Aug 26-27: The Canadian Grand Masters Fiddling Competition is here for the first time ever in Manitoba. Competing for the title of Canadian Grand Master Champion are some of Canada’s top fiddlers at the Royal MTC: John Hirsch Mainstage, Canada’s oldest English-language regional theatre.
Aug 26: Alleyways in the Exchange is back for their last Friday event of the summer. Explore four iconic alleys featuring a market, a gallery, audio performances, and an art lounge, 4-10pm. Free admission.
Aug 26: RuPaul’s Drag Race Werq the World Tour 2022 will be taking place at Centennial Concert Hall, 8pm.
Aug 27-29: Explore the new opened outdoor Gardens at The Leaf and enjoy pop-up performances by local musicians and dancers, culinary demonstrations, and more at Assiniboine Park. 12-5pm.
Aug 28: The Manitoba Night Market and Festival is back for their last event of the year at the Assiniboia Downs. Expect fun activities for kids, live bands, beer gardens, 15+ food trucks, shopping sprees, 100+ artisans, and a fire show! Tickets $7, free entry for children 5 and under, and parking is $5. 3-11pm.
Aug 28: Painting is fun for everyone, and this activity is beginner and kid-friendly. Learn how to paint Candy Skies and Fireflies step by step at this Paint Nite event. Supplies provided. No experience necessary. $36+ per person. 2-4pm.
Aug 29: Backstreet’s Back alright! Check out Backstreet Boys on their DNA World Tour at the Canada Life Centre. 7.30pm. Tickets here.
Aug 29: If you enjoy hard rock and blues-rock, Dirty Honey is performing their California Dreamin Tour at the Park Theatre. Special guest Mac Saturn. Doors 7pm, show 8pm. Tickets here.
Aug 31: Assiniboine Park is holding their annual fundraiser 2022 Garden Party in the Leo Mol Sculpture Garden. Enjoy elegant refreshments and cocktails while supporting the gardens at Assiniboine Park. Tickets $250 with partial tax receipt, VIP with pre-event party $350. 6-9.30pm.
Aug 31: If you’re a true Swiftie, this Taylor Swift dance party is up your alley. Winnipeg is one of the four Canadian stops with special guest DJ Rog for this Cruel Summer party series at The Park Theatre. $27+. 9.30pm-1am. Tickets here.
