🎡 The Carnival’s Back at Grant Park

Alright, just putting this on your radar because I almost missed it myself—the Select Shows Carnival is rolling into Grant Park Shopping Centre again, and yeah… it’s one of those “might as well stop by” kind of things.

It’s happening May 1–3 and May 8–10, and the best part (especially these days)… you don’t have to pay to get in. You can literally just show up, wander around, and decide if you’re in the mood for rides or just there for mini donuts and people-watching.

🎠 What it’s actually like

If you’ve lived here a while, you already know the deal. It’s not fancy. It’s not trying to be fancy. It’s just… carnival.

Bright lights, music that’s a bit too loud, kids running around hyped up on sugar, and that one ride you swear you’re too old for—but might still go on anyway.

• Rides for little kids
• A few that’ll spin you around enough to regret your life choices
• Games where you definitely think you can win (you won’t… but you’ll try)
• And yeah… mini donuts, cotton candy, the usual

Honestly, even just walking through it at night is kind of the whole vibe.

🕒 When to go

• Friday: 5:00 PM
• Saturday & Sunday: 12:00 PM

No official closing time posted—basically depends on weather and how busy it gets. Classic Winnipeg event energy.

💰 Prices (so you’re not surprised standing there)

Coupons:

• $1 each
• 10 for $10
• 20 for $20
• 40 for $40

Most rides are 3–5 coupons, so yeah… it adds up quicker than you think.

Wristbands:

• $40 for unlimited rides (per day)

If you’ve got kids, or you’re going with someone who will not stop riding things, this is probably the move.

🎟️ Random deal (if you’re already in the mall anyway)

There’s this thing they’re doing:

If you spend $50+ on Grant Park gift cards, you get a free ride wristband. Gift Cards are available for purchase in person at Grant Park Shopping Centre Admin office, you can access via stairs or elevator located next to Landmark Cinemas/ Lottery Booth.

Pick Up Hours
Monday to Friday 8:30am – 4:30pm

BUT… (there’s always a but):

• Max 2 per person
• Weekday office hours only
• Can’t combine purchases
• Limited quantities

So yeah, not the simplest deal in the world, but if you were already buying gift cards, it’s a nice little bonus.

⚠️ The usual fine print stuff

• No refunds (of course)
• Weather can mess things up (also of course… this is Winnipeg)
• Some rides won’t run if it’s wet
• Wristbands are still good for about an hour after they stop selling them

Basically—if the weather’s decent, you’re good.

🤔 So… worth it?

Honestly? Yeah.

Even if you don’t go all-in on rides, it’s one of those easy, low-effort things where you can just show up, walk around for a bit, maybe grab a snack, and call it a night.

If you’ve got kids, they’ll love it.
If you don’t… you’ll still probably end up there anyway.

That’s kind of how these things go around here.