3977 Portage Avenue
West Gate, at the top of Festival Drive
Winnipeg, MB
Canad Inns Winter Wonderland, now
WESTERN CANADA’S LARGEST DRIVE THROUGH HOLIDAY LIGHT SHOW,
is back and bigger than ever for another season of affordable family fun!
Over two million lights throughout Exhibition Park will dazzle you from the comfort of your vehicle as you head through the driving route. In addition to all the favourites, over 40 new light displays and a few other big surprises await you along the 2.5 km route, enjoyed from the warmth of your car! You can also plan for outdoor photo opportunities, outdoor skating, and food stands offering warm drinks and tasty treats.
Activities
Ticket Information / Admission
Tickets are available at the entrance gate, online, and in person at Canad Inns Winnipeg Destination Centres and Giant Tiger locations.
General Tickets: $30 (Plus tax and service fee, where applicable)
General tickets are valid for one personal, non-commercial passenger vehicle to drive once through the route. A personal vehicle is designed to carry up to seven (7) people.
Commercial Vehicles: Rates for buses and groups of larger vehicles with eight or more people are also available. Admission for commercial vehicles can be purchased at the entrance gate at the top of Festival Drive.
NOTE: One admission purchase is valid for one “loop” around the event. If you wish to go around a second time on the same day or a different day, a new admission must be purchased.
| People Per Vehicle | Admission Per Vehicle |
| 1 – 7 People | $30 |
| 8 – 15 People | $45 |
| 16 – 30 People | $60 |
| 31 – 40 People | $85 |
| 41 + People | $125 |
Access Red River Exhibition Park off Festival Drive
Once again, we are proud to donate a portion of the proceeds of Canad Inns Winter Wonderland to Canad Inns Foundation and the Red River Exhibition Foundation. Over the last 25 years, we have provided over $370,000 to various non-profit associations in Manitoba. Thank you to our title sponsor, Canad Inns, for their continued support of this event!
Title Sponsor & Santa’s Flight School Sponsor
Canad Inns Destination Centres is graciously the title sponsor once again for this magical event! Be sure to slow down at the “Santa’s Flight School” light display to see how Rudolph and friends are making out in preparing for their big night!
“Furry Friends Fridays” Sponsor
Courtesy of Toro494 Security & Event Services, bring your furry friends to The Boathouse near the skating pond on November 28, December 5 & 12 so they can pose for an adorable photo with festive characters! These pics will make the perfect Christmas card!
-Friday, November 28: Santa & Mrs. Claus
-Friday, December 5: The Grinch & Cindy Lou Who
-Friday, December 12: ALL 4 CHARACTERS! The Grinch, Cindy Lou Who, Santa and Mrs. Claus!
Photo Stop Sponsor
Many thanks to the always generous Kinsmen Club of Winnipeg for their support of the always popular Photo Stop area! Approximately half-way through the drive, guests can park their vehicle, get out, stretch their legs and snap some spirited photos for cherished memories for years to come!
Light Display Sponsor X3!
As you drive through the iconic “Tunnel or Hearts”, past “Old Man Winter”, or the 80ft Christmas Tree, give a nod to Battlefield Equipment Rentals for their support in having these displays lit for all to enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions about Canad Inns Winter Wonderland
Here are the answers to some commonly asked questions regarding the event.
Payment for admission can be made by cash or debit/credit. The vendors/ food trucks accept both cash and credit. If you prefer to use cash, please be prepared to bring it with you as the ATM in Exhibition Place May not be accessible.
Not in 2025! The Red River Exhibition Association purchased 40 new light fixtures this year, and we’re so excited for everyone to see them!
The Red River Exhibition Association (RREA) is a private organization (not connected to Assiniboia Downs in any way) and does not receive operational funding from the government. Exhibition Park hosts events on over 240 days a year, and is operated by the RREA. We truly operate to provide memorable experiences to Winnipeg residents and visitors. Just as our motto says, “Creating Memories and Building Community – One Event at a Time!”.
The costs of bringing in any new attractions or displays for Winter Wonderland lies with the RREA, and is only offset by our gracious event sponsors. Just one large light fixture can have a hefty price tag of tens of thousands of dollars. The RREA strives to bring in new displays and fixtures each year, but, we also understand that many guests love to see their same favourite displays each year. Winter Wonderland is a holiday experience to be enjoyed in it’s brilliant simplicity!
As this is a drive-through event, pets are more than welcome to join you. Please only let them out of your vehicle in the areas with signage indicating it’s okay to do so. In 2025, you can get a photo of your pet and a cherished holiday character on the first three Fridays of the event (Nov 28, Dec 5 &12), for no charge, courtesy of Toro494 Security!
Your admission ticket allows for your vehicle to go through the light route once. Be sure to take lots of photos!
As this is a very affordable event with lots to see and do, we invite everyone to come through more than once on the same day, a different day, or even weekly!
We strongly suggest that everyone stops to take pictures at the Photo Stop area. This area is approximately half-way through the route, and everyone is invited to get out of their vehicle to take pictures with the displays in the area, go skating on the pond, and hop on the hay ride!
If you do see another display along the route that is special to you and your loved ones, please pull your vehicle safely to the side to not block the flow of traffic, take your photo, and return to the flow of traffic as quickly as possible.