Nov/Jan 27 - 2

Canad Inns Winter Wonderland is
WESTERN CANADA’S LARGEST DRIVE THROUGH HOLIDAY LIGHT SHOW,
is back and bigger than ever for another season of affordable family fun!

Event Dates: Friday, November 27, 2026 – Saturday, January 2, 2027
*NOTE*: Closed Friday, December 25, 2026

Hours: Open 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm nightly (Closed Dec 25)

Location: Exhibition Park, West Gate, 3977 Portage Ave.
Just turn north off of Portage Avenue onto Festival Drive!

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 NEW 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

Visit Canada’s Second Biggest Christmas Tree! That’s right – Exhibition Park is home to a 90-foot tree with dancing lights that you have to see to believe!

FURRY FRIENDS FRIDAYS RETURNS! Back by popular demand, and courtesy of Toro Security & Event Services! From 6pm-9pm on Friday, November 27, December 4, 11 & 18, bring your fur babies to Exhibition Park and stop by the “Photo Stop” area (AKA – the Boathouse), bring your camera and take their picture with festive characters for FREE!
-Friday, November 27, 6pm-9pm: Santa & Mrs. Claus
-Friday, December 4, 6pm-9pm: The Grinch & Cindy Lou Who
-Friday, December 11, 6pm-9pm: Santa & Mrs. Claus
-Friday, December 18, 6pm-9pm: The Grinch & Cindy Lou Who
NOTE: Be sure to bring your own phone/camera to snap your FREE adorable pics!

3D Wednesdays are magical! The first 100 cars on Wednesday evenings receive FREE 3D glasses to view the light displays with some extra dazzle! (While supplies last!)

Weekend Horse-Drawn Hayrides: Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday (except December 25) from 6:00pm – 9:00pm, hop aboard a free classic hayride (by KB Clydesdales) through Exhibition Park to really enjoy the spirit of the season. Rides are offered on a first-come, first served basis.
*Bonus*: Hayrides will also be offered on New Year’s Eve – Thursday, December 31.

Tune your radio to 101.1 FM! While enjoying Winter Wonderland, tune your vehicle to our exclusive on-park radio station for custom holiday programming that pairs perfectly with the views!

Outdoor Pond Skating: When the cold weather freezes the Exhibition Park pond, bring your skates and take a spin under the stars. Open nightly, weather permitting until the end of the show.

Delicious Treats: Satisfy your cravings with mini donuts from the Mini-O’s truck (drive-thru along the path and walk-up at the Boat House photo-stop)!

Plan for lots of beautiful and fun outdoor photo opportunities!

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 Admission 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.

NOTE: Admission prices are subject to change without notice.

People Per VehicleAdmission Per Vehicle
1 – 7 People (General Admission)$30
8 – 15 People$50
16 – 30 People$65
31 – 40 People$90
41 + People $130

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 26 years, we have provided over $380,000 to various non-profit associations in Manitoba. Thank you to our title sponsor, Canad Inns, for their continued support of this event!

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.

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!

The Red River Exhibition Association purchased 40 new light fixtures last year, and we’re so excited to be setting them up, in addition to everyone’s classic favourites, for all to enjoy!

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. This year, you can get a photo of your pet and a cherished holiday character on the first four Fridays of the event (Nov 27, Dec 4, 11 & 18), for no charge, courtesy of Toro494 Security & Event Services!

Your admission ticket allows for your vehicle to go through the light route once. Be sure to go slow and 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. 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 weekend 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.