First Fridays, Portage Ex and Summer Fest: What’s on this weekend in Manitoba

Colleen Bready shares some of the events taking place across Manitoba this weekend.

Here are some of the events taking place in Winnipeg and Manitoba between July 4 and 6, 2025.

Portage Ex

Portage la Prairie Fair Grounds

July 4-6

The Ex returns to the Island in Portage la Prairie with a midway, live entertainment, horse shows and more. Tickets required.

Carberry Fair & Races

Carberry Fairgrounds

July 4-6

Manitoba’s largest small-town fair features a parade, inflatables, baby animals, a lemonade train, chuckwagon and chariot races, fireworks and more. Tickets required.

Eriksdale Creamery Days Fair & Rodeo

Creamery Museum Grounds & McEwen Park, Eriksdale

July 5-6

A variety of fun for young and old with a parade, BBQ lunch, live entertainment and family-friendly activities. Tickets required.

Schoenwiese 150th Anniversary

Schoenwiese

July 5, 4 p.m.

A hamlet near the Canada-U.S. border, Schoenwiese kicks off its 150th anniversary celebration with a weiner roast and some country classics. Visitors are asked to bring a lawn chair.

Libau Summer Fest

Libau Community Club

July 5

The Libau Community Club presents its 3rd Annual Summer Fest, a full day of family-friendly entertainment, a farmers’ market, and live music. Proceeds go toward renovating the club’s bathrooms. Tickets required.

Mossey River Days

Winnipegosis

July 4-6

A weekend of tractor pulls, kids races, live entertainment and more. Tickets required.

Shell River Jamboree

Boggy Creek

July 4-6

Live entertainment, a pancake breakfast and children’s activities highlight this event presented by the Shell River Metis Association and The Northwest Metis Council. Tickets required.

Eddyfest 25

Westlake Community Centre, Eddystone

July 5, 3 p.m.

The inaugural event features music from Neil Thornham, Beryl Brandson, Derrick Mccandless, Paige Drobot and Confuscia. Bring your own lawn chair. Tickets required.

Manitoba Pet Expo

St. Norbert Community Centre

July 6

Pet-related vendors, animal rescue groups and more. Well-behaved pets are welcome. Money raised supports the Boston Terrier & Pug Rescue of Southern Manitoba. Tickets required.

2025 Gardens of Distinction Garden Tour & Plant Sale

FortWhyte Alive

July 5, 9 a.m.

Take a self-guided tour of 14 gardens in South Winnipeg and beyond with a plant sale at FortWhyte Alive. Car-pooling or biking encouraged. Tickets required.

Manitoba’s Passion Play

Oak Valley Outdoor Theatre, La Riviere

July 5-6, 11-13

Experience Manitoba’s Passion Play in the great outdoors. The production is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2025. Tickets required.

BranZine Fest

Art Gallery of Southwestern Manitoba, Brandon

July 5

Connecting more than 23 Prairie-based cartoonists, comic makers, graphic novelists and more. Take part in panels, comic-making workshops or enjoy the artist market. Tickets required.

Paranormal Investigation

Dalnavert Museum

July 4, 8 p.m.

Join the Winnipeg Paranormal Group as they try and make contact with the otherworldly residents of Dalnavert Museum. Equipment provided. Must be 16 years or older to attend. Tickets required.

Winnie the Pooh Tea

Dalnavert Museum

July 6, 1 p.m.

Enjoy an afternoon of Winnie the Pooh themed games and snacks. Tickets required.

Naija Market Day

CN Stage and Field, The Forks

July 5

Culture, food and crafts from Africa.

Cranberry Portage Artisan Markets 2025

Cranberry Portage

July 5

The largest artisan market in Northern Manitoba with over 50 vendors.

Summer Game Day

Lyric Field, Assiniboine Park

July 5, 10 a.m.

Try out a new sport, including gymnastics, baton twirling, cricket, judo and more. Individuals of all abilities are welcome. Please wear comfortable clothing and athletic shoes.

Pioneer Day

Pembina Threshermen’s Museum, Stanley

July 5, 10 a.m.

A fun-filled day of events and demonstrations, including corn grinding, rope making and barrel trains.

Kickoff to Summer

Killarney

July 5, 4 p.m.

Kick off the summer with a concert featuring Jade Eagleson and Steven Lee Olsen. Tickets required. Please bring your own lawn chair.

Rath Yatra—Festival of Chariots

Maples Community Centre

July 5, 10 a.m.

Celebrate culture and unity with a chariot parade, vegetarian feast, cultural performances and more.

Paranormal Cirque IV

St. Vital Centre parking lot

July 4-14

Acrobats, illusionists, mysterious creatures and more, all in a spooktacular setting. Tickets required. No one under 13 admitted.

3rd annual Hawaiian Lua

Elkhorn Resort, Onanole

July 5

Travel to Hawaii with a pig roast, dancers, live music and games. Tickets required.

First Friday in The Exchange

Exchange District

July 4

Explore the Exchange District with free fun on the first Friday of the month.

CN Little Obie

Rivers

July 6, 1 p.m.

A miniature scale model of a CN locomotive rolls into Rivers for some free rides and to promote rail safety.

Family Fair

IKEA Winnipeg parking lot

July 4-6

Enjoy midway rides, tasty treats and some family fun. Tickets required.

Hobbycon

South Winnipeg Community Centre - Richmond

July 6

Check out collectibles, cards and Pokémon.

Winnipeg National Bank Challenger

National Bank Tennis MB Hub @ West St. Paul

July 6-13

Over 60 players vie for tennis greatness. WNBC is the first stop on the Challenger outdoor series. Tickets required.

Rock of Ages

Rainbow Stage

June 25-July 12

The story of a small-town girl and city boy set to an ’80s rock soundtrack that will make you want to sing along. Tickets required.

Shakespeare in the Ruins: Macbeth

Trappist Monastery Provincial Heritage Park

June 5-July 5

SIR’s new season takes a break from comedies and romances to feature one of the Bard’s finest tragedies. Tickets required.

Shakespeare in the Ruins: Waiting for Godot

Trappist Monastery Provincial Heritage Park

June 13-July 6

SIR brings us Samuel Beckett’s masterpiece about two men waiting for someone or something. Tickets required.

Assiniboine Park Summer Event Series

Concert Series

Lyric Theatre

July 6, 7 p.m.

Band: Dominique Adams

Garden Concerts

The Leaf

July 5, 11 a.m.

Band: Rachel Colman

Jazz

Leo Mol Sculpture Garden

July 6, 12 p.m.

Band: Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra Ensemble

Kenny vs Spenny

Exchange Event Centre

July 6, 7 p.m.

The Canadian comedy duo brings their never-ending battle to a Winnipeg stage. Tickets required. Adult-only event.

2025 Corydon Avenue Concert Series

Corydon Ave. & Cockburn St. S.

July 4, 7 pm

Band: Cold Hard Cash

Corydon Ave. & Hugo St. N.

July 5, 7 pm

Band: Streetside Blues

Enjoy live music and the other sights and sounds of Corydon Avenue.

Bandstand Performance Series

Winnipeg Beach

July 5, 7 p.m.

Band: The Coveralls

Enjoy an evening of music steps away from the Winnipeg Beach boardwalk.

Rockin’ Gimli Harbour Concert Series

Gimli Harbour

July 5, 7:30 p.m.

Band: Tracey Martin Band

Gimli Harbour acts as a backdrop for this summertime concert series.