You know it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas when you see Christmas lights up on every street! This year, Winnipeg has some pretty fantastic options when it comes to Christmas lights shows.
Enjoy our curated list of the best drive-through and walk-through Christmas Lights Shows you can find in Winnipeg, and don’t miss checking out the map we’ve created to help you find a Christmas Lights show near you!
IMPORTANT: Some light shows require you to purchase your tickets online for specific times, or make reservations before you head there. Check their admission policies with the links provided for the Christmas light show you’re planning to head to!
🎄 Drive Through Christmas Lights Shows
🎄 Linden Woods Lights
The hype is real, and this is THE ONE drive-through Christmas lights show you have to go to if you’re planning on it.
They have a few themed sections you’ll want to check out like the Polar Bear Lane (on Hennessey Drive), Nutcracker Lane (in Park Royal Bay), the Candy Cane Lane (on Foxmeadow Drive) and Penguin Parkway (on Lindenshore Drive).
We went around 5pm because we wanted to avoid the crowds, and I’d recommend doing the same. It got progressively busier as we drove around the neighbourhood.
Dates / Times: The best time to visit is from Sunday to Thursday when the sun has set (around 4.30pm). Expect busier traffic on Friday and Saturday, and the neighbourhood gets progressively busier closer to Christmas. Lights usually go out around 10pm.
Address: Start your journey from Hennessey Drive (Google maps pin to enter from) and Waverly Street (Route 80). You might want someone to give you directions as you’re driving!
🎄 Let it Glow 2022 | Christmas Lights Drive Thru
Let it Glow is back this year for their 2nd edition with even more lights, hot chocolate and snacks—and the best part, it’s all free!
Tune in to 106.5 FM on your 8-minute drive around the Grant Memorial Church while enjoying their show of lights, video and music about the original story of Christmas. This is the perfect addition to your night out if you plan to check out Linden Woods Lights as part of your Christmas lights drive-through!
Please note that you’re only allowed to take part in a vehicle, and they do not permit walk throughs for safety reasons.
Dates / Times: Let it Glow 2022 is open from Fridays to Mondays on December 9-12 and December 16-19 from 6.30-8pm.
Address: Grant Memorial Baptist Church, 877 Wilkes Ave, Winnipeg, MB R3P 1B8
We went on December 11 (Saturday) around 7.20pm, and it took almost 30 minutes to get into their parking lot to do the drive-through. It was nice, and we met a lot of friendly folks handing out hot chocolate, cookies and little gifts. I would recommend going right at the opening hours if you’re planning to check it out, but I’d say skip it if there’s already a line-up.
Pro tip: Tune your radio to 99.1 FM for Christmas music 24/7 from Winnipeg’s Official Christmas Station if you’re driving to the show to get in the spirit of Christmas!
🎄 Canad Inns Winter Wonderland, Red River Exhibition Park
Experience the wonder of winter with your family as you enjoy Manitoba’s largest drive-through light show, showcasing over one million lights in a 2.5km route!
Tune in to 101.1FM for some holiday tunes from their exclusive on-park radio station. Create lasting memories and take advantage of their outdoor photo opportunities, or warm up with hot chocolate and mini donuts from their food trucks on site.
Save $5 when you purchase tickets in advance online, or get them at Giant Tiger, Valu-Lots or any of the Canad Inns Winnipeg location. Tickets at the gate are $20, and cash is accepted.
Dates / Times: The Canad Inns Winter Wonderland is open from December 2, 2022 to January 7, 2023, 6 pm to 10 pm nightly except for Christmas Day.
Address: 3977 Portage Ave, Winnipeg, MB R3K 2E8
⭐️ Walk Through Christmas Lights Displays
⭐️ Assiniboine Park Zoo Lights Festival
Zoo Lights is back, and it’s your chance to catch some holiday magic!
Enjoy stunning outdoor light displays, live entertainment, and tasty treats in this winter wonderland. Make sure to dress up for the weather and check the forecast, as the entire experience is outdoors.
If you need to warm up, look out for the fire pits located throughout the zoo, or head to the Tundra Grill and heated Town Hall entertainment tent (entertainment schedule). You can also warm up with hot drinks and treats like coffee, hot chocolate, and mini donuts from the various snack stations at the zoo.
For parents: Children 2 and under are free, and sadly, this year Santa and Mrs Claus will not be at the festival. If you have children who are sensitive to flashing lights, avoid the Tundra Trail and the McFeetors Heavy Horse Centre.
Tickets: Tickets are $16.00+ GST for all ages 3 and up, and the zoo will only be closed in the case of extreme weather. As there are limited quantities per time slot available, it’s better to purchase the tickets in advance online instead of chancing it at the door the night of.
Dates / Times: The Zoo Lights Festival at the Assiniboine Park runs from December 1, 2022 to January 8, 2023. They’re open on Sundays-Thursdays from 5-10pm, and 5-11pm on Fridays-Saturdays. Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays (December 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20), and December 24, 25.
Address: 2595 Roblin Blvd, Winnipeg, MB R3R 2N7
⭐️ Arctic Glacier Winter Park at The Forks
The Christmas season wouldn’t feel complete without a visit to the Arctic Glacier Winter Park at the Forks! You can skate down a full kilometer of groomed skating trails along beautifully lit paths to the CN Stage rink for that magical winter feel. Check the current skating conditions here.
Not a good skater? Try the Canopy rink, which is perfect for beginners, or walk the site and take in the twinkling lights along the way.
There are also usually horse-drawn wagon rides, Indigenous story-telling and bannock making in the teepees, and snow sculpting.
You can also toboggan down any of the hills on site, and the best part is it’s all free!
Dates / Times: Only the Rink Under the Canopy is open so far. Check for updates on their Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/theforks
Address: 63 Forks Market Rd, Winnipeg, MB R3C 0A2
⭐️ Lights of the North
If it’s too cold outside to look at the Christmas lights, go check out Winnipeg’s largest indoor light festival at Lights of the North!
You can stay warm and cosy in this family friendly location, which features attractions such as Santa’s Sleigh, a hanging light forest, interactive games and a 3D dance floor. They will also have superheroes on Fridays and princesses on the weekends.
As part of their fundraising efforts, if you donate onsite or to their fundraising page for the Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba, Lights of the North will gift you a light-up drink or a souvenir book.
Tickets: Tickets range from $9.99 to $11.99 per person on weekdays and weekends respectively, and they also have family pricing, which starts from $44.99 to $49.99 for two adults and three kids. Children under 2 enter for free, and tickets at the door are $20. No refunds, so it’s probably best to buy when you know you’re going for sure!
Dates / Times: Lights of the North is open from November 25 to December 31, with varying times for weekdays and weekends. Time slots range from 4-8pm on weekdays, 12-8pm or 1-6pm on weekends. Mondays are typically closed, and they won’t be open on Christmas Day.
Address: Garden City Shopping Centre, 2305 McPhillips St, Winnipeg, MB R2V 3E1
Christmas Lights Tours
Explore Winnipeg’s many displays as you journey through Winnipeg on this 3-hour guided Christmas lights tour! Enjoy the twinkling sights from both residential and business districts, some light Christmas carol, and entrance into Canad Inns Winter Wonderland. There’ll be Christmas carols, trivia games and some light bingo.
Tickets: Tickets start from $16 for children age 11 and below, and $28 for age 12 and above. If they’re 3 years old and under, they’re “free on the knee”. Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable, and must be purchased in advance. Call 204-989-9630 to make your booking.
Dates / Times: The Christmas Lights Tour is only available on December 22, 2022 from 6.30–9.30pm.
Address: Meet at the Travel Manitoba Information Centre that’s located at the Forks, next to the Johnston Terminal. 21 Forks Market Rd, Winnipeg, MB R3C 4T7
Map of the best drive-through and walk-through Christmas Lights in Winnipeg
Did we miss out on any Christmas lights show in Winnipeg? Let us know here!
