Events Calendar
Saturday, Jan 24 to Monday, Feb 16
Learn to Winter: Warming Huts Tours
Discover new and fan favourite Warming Huts on a free one-hour tour at The Forks!
Tineke Buiskool-Leeuwma will take visitors to the Nestaweya River Trail and guide them through the art and architecture competition on ice.
Tours will leave from the Travel Manitoba building at The Forks. Please arrive on time. If you are late, you will join the tour along the way and will likely find the group on Nestaweya River Trail.
TOUR DATES: January 24, January 31, February 7, February 14, February 16 (Louis Riel Day).
A huge thank you to Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries for sponsoring this year's Learn to Winter! Your support is making it that much easier for visitors to get outside and enjoy all of what winter has to offer.
**Tours take place outside and are weather permitting. Please dress for the weather and wear appropriate footwear. In case of extreme weather, the tour will be cancelled by 10:00AM on the day of and participants will be notified by email. Tour participation is at your own risk.
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Location: Nestaweya River Trail
Monday, Feb 16
Louis Riel Day at The Forks: Jig, Learn, Celebrate
Every February, Louis Riel Day invites Manitobans to reflect on the life and lasting impact of the First Premier of Manitoba whose vision continues to shape the province today.
In celebration, The Forks is teaming up with Manitoba Métis Federation to bring family-friendly programming and cultural activities that honour the vibrant history of the Red River Métis people.
Here’s all the activities happening at The Forks Site:
Artisan Market
📍Second Floor Event Space | 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Explore a variety of local Red River Métis vendors. Shop at:
- Beaded Treasures
- Moonyeen Howard
- Bead N Butter
- Modern Medieval Shop
- Wild Oak Handcrafted
- Cree-ations Artist Showcase
- Lii Rasaad by Syd
- Quinn's Illustrations
- Little Prairie Mountain Creations
- Elijah Leonard
- Jacquie McLeod
- Betty Albertson
- La Vaalii Rivyeer Roozh
- L'Amoure Skincare/Soul Sisters
- Hailey's Beadwork
- Incognito Artistry
- Sweet & Crafty Creations
- CJC Woodworking
- The Queen Bee-d
- Shanelle St. Hilaire Art
- Dotter of the Earth
- The Clover Beads
Cultural Display, Sash Finger Weaving, and Early Years Play Area
📍Second Floor Lounge | 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Learn about Métis culture through hands-on experiences. Try your hand at traditional sash finger weaving and explore a curated cultural display. Meanwhile, little ones can have fun in the Early Years Play Area with Red River cart building races, dot art, and Michif colouring sheets.
Fur Trade Display
📍Info Kiosk | 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Step back in time and discover the importance of the fur trade in Métis history. The display will feature clothing and artifacts that shaped the lives of early Métis communities.
Live Music
📍The Forks Market | 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM, 2:30 PM and 4:00 PM
Enjoy lively performances from local Metis artists on the balcony above Fools and Horses. Performers include:
- Michael Audette (11:00 AM)
- Spence Tradition (1:00 PM)
- The Breeze Band (2:30 PM)
- Lavalle Tradition (4:00 PM)
Jigging
📍Johnston Terminal Steps | 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM, 2:00 PM, and 3:00 PM
Watch as Gavin Forbes from the Louis Riel Institute demonstrates traditional Métis jigging.
Warming Huts Tour
📍Travel Manitoba Building | 1:00 PM
Join Tineke Buiskool-Leeuwma for a guided tour of all the new and returning Warming Huts. Walk-ins are welcome, or reserve your spot in advance.
Intro to Trapping
📍The Forks Patio | 11:00 - 3:00 PM
Learn the basics of trapping through a Red River Métis–inspired ring toss game, where participants “trap” animals while learning their names in Michif.
Al Simmons Sounds Crazy Caboose
📍The Forks Patio | 4:00 - 5:00 PM
Join Juno Award Winner Al Simmons for a heartwarming hour of interactive stories, songs and music in his Sounds Crazy Caboose. The show will be outdoors so be sure to dress appropriately for the weather. Be prepared to participate. You will be invited to sing along, clap your hands and stomp your feet, and even join Al in the Caboose to play along, using his eccentric musical instruments.
As it is expected to be a busy weekend, visitors are encouraged to use the alternative river access points when making their way to The Forks. On the Assiniboine River, access points include the Legislature, Hugo Docks, Midtown Bridge, and Bonnycastle Park. On the Red River, visitors can enter via the Norwood Bridge access point. For the latest on skating conditions at The Forks, visit theforks.com/skate. Transit, taxi and ride-sharing are also great options to visit The Forks.
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Location: