Are you ready to cram in a summer’s worth of fun in one month? July in Winnipeg is typically a scorcher, so make sure you put on sunscreen liberally because a ton of these fun events we’ve listed are held outdoors!
Summer highlights you can’t miss: Winnipeg Folk Fest, Fringe Festival, the Manitoba Night Market and Festival and more!
July 1: First Fridays in the Exchange is still on, though there might be less to check out with many of their participating members taking a well-deserved day off.
July 1-17: The Rainbow Stage (in Kildonan Park) is showcasing The Hockey Sweater, a musical based on the beloved Canadian story by Roch Carrier. Get tickets here for a summer night out of live performances, 7.30pm evening shows and 2pm matinées.
July 3: The Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra is performing a free concert at the Lyric Stage in Assiniboine Park. Enjoy the summer weather with the sounds of Mozart, Bizet, Brahms and more. Don’t forget to bring your own chair. 7pm.
July 4: Russell Peters is in town for his Act Your Age World Tour. If you’re looking for some belly-aching laughs and a night out, grab tickets from Ticketmaster here, 8pm.
July 6: The official Canada’s Drag Race Tour is in town today on their multi-city tour across Canada. Expect Brooke Lynn Hytes, Queen of the North, and your favourite queens from Season 2. Burton Cummings Theatre, 8pm. (Rescheduled from July 26)
July 7: Shawn Mendes will be here performing in support of his latest album Wonder, supported by Dermot Kennedy at the Canada Life Center, 8pm.
July 7–10: It’s Folk Fest time! Winnipeg Folk Fest is an annual summer music festival held at Birds Hill Provincial Park. If you’ve never been folking, it’s an experience you can’t miss. It’s a family-friendly event, everyone’s out to have a good time and experience music from around the world. It’s also one of North America’s best folk festivals, drawing in crowds of about 80,000.
July 7, 14, 21, 28: 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, 9.30pm.
July 8-9: It’s time for the 3rd Colombian Cultural Festival! Enjoy all things Colombian, with food, vendors and performances at the Holy Eucharist Parish Centre, 5-9pm.
July 8: If you’re a fan of country music, check out Canadian country singer-songwriter Tim Hicks. Playing at the Club Regent, 8pm.
July 10: It’s free admission to the Winnipeg Art Gallery on the second Sunday of every 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.
July 10: Weird Al is back in Winnipeg! Expect the more obscure pastiches and original songs adored by long-time fans that you might not have heard of. Special guest Emo Philips. Burton Cummings Theatre, 8pm.
July 12-16: Rumor’s and Comedy Club presents David Gborie, an LA-based stand-up comic, actor and writer. Tickets $14-19.
July 13-24: If you’re a lover of live performances, The Winnipeg Fringe Festival is where you’ll want to be at! With 113 performing companies, family-friendly fun and accessible locations planned, the festival is a great way to hang out with your friends downtown in the Exchange District. Catch a show (or two!), head for the food trucks, rinse and repeat!
July 16-17: Believe it or not, we have a Dragon Boat Festival in Winnipeg! It’s not the traditional Chinese holiday, and instead is a heart-racing event featuring dragon boat races where teams pursue each other down the Red River.
July 16: It’s Heritage Day at the Historical Museum of St. James-Assiniboia. There will be historical theatre, a silent auction, live performances and children’s activities. 1-4.30pm.
July 16: Gulping Horse Ultimate Beverage Festival is an outdoor event where you’ll get to sample and taste test Canada’s top breweries, distilleries, wine, cider, mead, cooler, and spritzer makers. Expect live entertainment and delicious food at the Assiniboia Downs, 5-9pm.
July 22-24: If you’re into anime and cosplay, you’ll want to check out Ai-Kon, a Japanese anime and pop culture convention. They’re celebrating their 20th anniversary, so expect cosplay contests, 24-hour anime screenings, competitive video game tournaments, interactive fan-hosted panels, a Maid Cafe, a sprawling marketplace and more. RBC Winnipeg Convention Centre, Fri 12pm to Sun 5pm.
July 22-23: Super-Spike is Western Canada’s largest outdoor volleyball tournament that promises the fun and feel of a festival. Expect live music featuring Delaney Jane, Rêve and more at the Maple Grove Rugby Park, Fri 5pm-12.30am, Sat 10am-12am.
July 23: Catch Jason Mraz & Raining Jane performing Lalalalivesongs, his collection of iconic ballads released earlier this year. Burton Cummings Theatre, 7.30pm.
July 24: The Manitoba Night Market and Festival is back in full swing 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.
July 27-29: Head on to the Assiniboine Park for Ballet in the Park, featuring Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet. This is an outdoor rain-or-shine event, so bring lawn chairs, snacks, water and sunscreen! Activities for children and tasty food trucks will be available pre-show. A summer tradition not to be missed, 7.30pm.
July 27: Australia’s “Queen of Comedy” Celeste Barber is here to make you laugh with her “Fine, Thanks.” tour at the Burton Cummings Theatre. Tickets start from $49.50, 7pm.
July 29: Alleyways in the Exchange takes place every last Friday of each summer month and they’re back this year. Explore four iconic alleys featuring a market, a gallery, audio performances, and an art lounge, 4-10pm.
July 29: Party on like it’s the 2000s with Emo Night Winnipeg at The Park Theatre. Featuring your favourite angst bops from My Chemical Romance, Taking Back Sunday, Paramore, Good Charlotte, and more. 19+, 9pm-1am.
July 30: Interested in some Canadian Premier League soccer action? Winnipeg Valour FC is playing Victoria Pacific at the IG Field. Single tickets $21, season tickets $15.68.
July 31 – Aug 13: Technically this is more of an event in August, but Folkarama kicks off on the last day of July this year. The world’s largest and longest-running multicultural festival, Folkarama showcases world cultures with entertainment and authentic food across 14 days. It’s like travelling the world without leaving Winnipeg!
July 31: If you’re looking to end off your weekend with some laughs, check out Winnipeg Comedy Showcase #30. They’ve been sold out for the past 29 shows, so get your tickets early. Featuring Emmanuel Lomuro, Andy Noble, Karlee Liljegren, Abby Falvo, Matt Kay, Carson Košik. Park Theatre, doors 7pm, show 8pm.
