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Summer Starts Here

Hey everyone! Honestly, I’m already checking the forecast and dreaming of summer, so seeing the Select Shows 2026 route pop up today was the highlight of my week.

If you’re around Winnipeg or anywhere in rural MB/Northwestern Ontario, you know these guys. They’re basically the official signal that winter is finally, finally dead. I wanted to share the dates so you can start planning your weekends—it’s always a bummer to realize you missed the carnival at your local mall by like… one day.

The Lowdown (Prices and entry fee are subject to change)

The best part about Select Shows—and why I always tell people to go—is that entry is usually free. Unlike the Ex, you don't have to drop twenty bucks just to walk through the gate and smell the mini donuts.

  • Ride Wristbands: If you’ve got kids (or you’re a ride warrior), based on previous years these usually run $30 to $45. It’s the way to go if you plan on staying more than an hour.
  • Tickets: Usually a buck a piece. Most big rides take like 4–6 tickets, so it adds up fast if you aren't careful.

A Tiny Catch:
If they’re parked at a mall (like Grant Park or Garden City), it’s free entry. But if they’re part of a bigger bash like the Morris Stampede, you might have to pay the fair's gate admission to get in.

2026 Route: Where they’ll be

They usually start testing the rides in Winnipeg parking lots around mid-to-late April, but here’s the confirmed schedule for the season:

May: The “Finally, It's Spring” Phase

  • May 1–3 & 8–10: Grant Park Shopping Centre (Wpg) — Double weekends here!
  • May 15–17: Garden City Carnival (Wpg)
  • May 22–24: Neepawa Chamber Fair
  • May 29–31: Springfield Chicken Daze (Oakbank)

June: Festival Season Kicks Off

  • June 5–7: Transcona Hi Neighbour (Wpg) — Always a classic.
  • June 12–13: Lundar Agricultural Fair
  • June 18–21: Thompson Nickel Days
  • June 26–28: Dauphin Agricultural Fair

Mid-Summer to Final Stop

July: Mid-Summer Road Trips

  • July 3–5: Portage Ex (Portage la Prairie)
  • July 10–12: Selkirk Triple S Rodeo
  • July 17–19: Manitoba Stampede (Morris)
  • July 23–26: Northwest Round Up (Swan River)

August: Heading “The Other Way” (Ontario)

  • August 5–9: Canadian Lakehead Exhibition (Thunder Bay)
  • August 13–15: Emo Fair
  • August 20–22: Dryden & District Fair
  • August 28–30: Red Lake Fall Fair

September: One Last Hurrah

  • September 4–6: Falcon Lake — Perfect for a long weekend trip.
  • September 11–13: Double B Rodeo (Beausejour)
  • September 18–20: Brandon Fair

Why we care

Look, it’s not just about the rides (though the Ferris wheel is a vibe). It’s about that first bag of warm mini donuts and just being outside with the community. Whether you're heading to Grant Park for a quick outing or making the drive out to Beausejour for the rodeo, it's just a solid way to spend a Saturday.

Hope this helps you guys plan out your summer! See you at the midway. 🎡✨

[spacer height=”40px” id=”3″] Upcoming Events

15 July 2026

2026 Winnipeg Fringe Festival at Old Market Square

Don't miss the epic 12-day Winnipeg Fringe Festival at Old Market Square (July 17-28, 2024) in Winnipeg's Exchange District! Free outdoor entertainment includes live music, street performers, food trucks, and artisan vendors. Catch lunchtime concerts or dance to bands from 8 pm to midnight. Public washrooms, ATMs, and a beer tent are available for your convenience. While entry is free, consider tipping the performers!

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Old Market Square, Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada
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24 July 2026

Crave Nite Festival

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The Forks, FORKS MARKET RD
Winnipeg, R3C 4L9 CA
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24 July 2026

Manitoba Sunflower Festival

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Altona Centennial Park, 227 10th Ave. NW
Altona, Manitoba R0G0B0 Canada
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24 July 2026

Weekend Round-Up: 10+ Free Events in Winnipeg. July 24-26

A list of free things to do in Winnipeg during the weekend including activities for the family, live music, arts, movies, and more.

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Winnipeg, Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada
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25 July 2026

2026 Casinos of Winnipeg Folklorama Kick-Off

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26 July 2026

Open Corydon – Little Italy

Spend your Sunday exploring Open Corydon – Little Italy, where Corydon Avenue becomes a pedestrian-only destination filled with restaurant patios, local shops, public art, live music, and free summer fun from July 5 to September 6.

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Corydon Avenue, Corydon Avenue between Lilac St and Daly St.
Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada
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27 July 2026

Purple Room Open Mic at The Cube

**Excerpt:**

Enjoy free live entertainment every Monday this summer at the Purple Room Open Mic at The Cube in Old Market Square. Watch local musicians, poets, comedians, and dancers perform—or take the stage yourself in this welcoming community event.

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The Cube Stage (Old Market Square), 124 King Street, Winnipeg, MB R3B 1H9
Winnipeg, R3B 1H9 CA
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28 July 2026

Free Family Fun at Assiniboia Downs

**Excerpt:**

Enjoy **Family Fun Nights at Assiniboia Downs** with free admission, bouncy castles, face painting, live children's entertainment, and exciting thoroughbred racing. Join the fun every Tuesday in July and August, plus Manitoba Derby Night on August 3, for a memorable family evening in Winnipeg.

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Assiniboia Downs, 3975 Portage Ave.
Winnipeg, R3K 2E9 CA
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28 July 2026

Bachata Nights inthe Park

Looking for free outdoor dancing in Winnipeg? Bachata Nights in the Park returns to Cargo Bar at Assiniboine Park every Tuesday in July and August with live DJs, free dance lessons, and a fun, family-friendly atmosphere.

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29 July 2026

WAG Wednesday Nights

WAG Wednesday Nights offers free admission every Wednesday evening from 5:00–9:00 PM at WAG-Qaumajuq, starting January 2026, with live music, interactive activities, and rotating cultural programming in the heart of downtown Winnipeg.

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Qaumajuq – Winnipeg Art Gallery, 300 Memorial Blvd.
Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada
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