# Five must\-try experiences at Festival du Voyageur 2025 in Winnipeg \- Winnipeg **URL:** [View](https://winnipegdev.dci-test.com/five-must-try-experiences-at-festival-du-voyageur-2025-in-winnipeg/) **Last Updated:** 2026-11-05T18:49:46+00:00 **Summary:** Hé Ho, let's go! If you’ve never experienced the magic of [Festival du Voyageur (opens in new window)](https://heho.ca/), now’s the time to pack your warmest toque and head to Whittier Park in Saint-Boniface from February 14 to 23, 2025! Western Canada’s largest winter festival, Festival du Voyageur celebrates the region’s Métis, Francophone, First Nation and fur trading history with music, food, history and endless outdoor fun. Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned festivalgoer, here are five must-try experiences to fully immerse yourself in the *joie de vivre* of this iconic celebration. ## 1. Get your jig on with live music Prepare to be serenaded by more than 150 diverse musical artists featured in [this year’s program (opens in new window)](https://heho.ca/en/artists-2/?interval=0%2C3), showcasing talent from Manitoba, Canada, and beyond. Music genres vary by tent, but expect a wide variety of rock, indie, pop and rap music. Don’t miss headlining acts like [The Barr Brothers (opens in new window)](https://heho.ca/en/artists-2?id=14793), [Corb Lund (opens in new window)](https://heho.ca/en/artists-2?id=17937), [Leif Vollebekk (opens in new window)](https://heho.ca/en/artists-2?id=16408) and [Jill Barber (opens in new window)](https://heho.ca/en/artists-2?id=14753). Local favourites like [Alex Kusturok (opens in new window)](https://heho.ca/en/artists-2?id=13378), [Men in Kilts (opens in new window)](https://heho.ca/artistes?id=16418) and [Ensemble folklorique de la Rivière Rouge (opens in new window)](https://heho.ca/en/artists-2?id=16388) will keep the fiddle tunes and jigs flowing, ensuring your toes will be tapping on the wood chip floor. Want to guarantee a spot in the popular Tent Rivière Rouge? [Purchase a ticket (opens in new window)](https://www.showclix.com/events/31065) for Feb 15, 21 or 22, and when you select a priority access add-on for an additional price, you can enjoy come-and-go access to the tent all day and evening. ## 2. Experience Fort Gibraltar like never before New for 2025, Fort Gibraltar offers interactive self-guided tours that take you back to 1815. Scan a QR code to choose your adventure: - Go undercover as a spy infiltrating the Fort. - Search cabins for hidden artifacts from the fur trade. - Meet the Voyageurs who lived and worked here. It’s an educational and fun way to experience history, perfect for families or history buffs. ## 3. Savour French-Canadian flavours Your taste buds are in for a treat! Feast on classic dishes like tourtière, pea soup and bannock. Swing by numerous food kiosks for everything from BeaverTails to mini donuts to hearty meals that celebrate the flavours of the fur trade era. A quintessential Festival du Voyageur experience requires a visit to the Sugar Shack for some maple taffy. This sweet treat is made by boiling maple sap from Manitoba and Quebec maple trees past the point of becoming syrup, but not to the point where it becomes maple butter or sugar. It’s then poured onto fresh snow, allowed to cool, then rolled around a wooden stick to create a melt-in-your-mouth treat. With all the savoury and sweet food, you’ll need something to wash that down with and there’s nothing better than Festi Broue, an easy-drinking Helles lager from [Nonsuch Brewing Co (opens in new window)](https://www.nonsuch.beer/). Don’t forget to try Caribou, the festival’s signature drink. This fortified wine can be served in a glass made entirely of ice. Back in the days of the Voyageurs, this drink used to be made from caribou blood mixed with alcohol to counter the cold weather. But not to worry, it has evolved into a mixture of whisky and wine (no caribou blood – we swear!), and today is an annual favourite when visiting Parc du Voyageur. For an extra special experience on Louis Riel Day, book a seat at the [Bannock Babes Brunch (opens in new window)](https://www.showclix.com/event/fdv2025-feb17fev-bannockbabesbrunches) on February 17 and enjoy a delicious meal and some incredible drag performances by the [Bannock Babes (opens in new window)](https://www.instagram.com/thebannockbabes/?hl=en). ## 4. Immerse yourself in cultural activities From historical interpretations to Métis storytelling, there is educational fun around every corner. Highlights include: - Léo’s shed: Explore interesting artifacts from festivals past in this nostalgic exhibit. - Louis-Riel Day celebrations (February 17): Enjoy Indigenous performances, hide tanning, genealogy workshops and more. - Winter fun: Snowshoeing, horse sleigh rides, snow tubing and a children’s playground. There’s truly something for everyone, making it easy to create unforgettable memories. ## 5. See ice come to life Channel your inner artist at the International Snow Sculpture Symposium, where teams from around the world carve stunning sculptures from snow and ice. Feeling inspired? Join an ice sculpting workshop, where you can learn the craft yourself. Don’t forget to snap a photo next to the stunning sculptures (some even have ladders for the perfect selfie spot!). ## Bonus tip: Plan ahead and stay warm [Grab your tickets online (opens in new window)](https://www.showclix.com/events/31065) to skip the lines. If you want a souvenir, head to the [boutique (opens in new window)](https://heho.ca/en/boutique/) onsite and grab a new toque or sash, traditionally called a ceinture fléchee. (Here are some [instructions on how to tie your sash like a Voyageur (opens in new window)](https://heho.ca/en/6-steps-to-tying-your-sash-like-a-real-voyageur/)). Don’t forget to [download the festival’s mobile app (opens in new window)](https://link.festapp.io/festival-du-voyageur) for schedules, maps and updates. HÉHO! If you’re looking to participate in pancake breakfasts, traditional dancing, additional family activities, or even continue the celebrations after Parc du Voyageur closes, [check out the programming (opens in new window)](https://heho.ca/relais-et-sites-officiels/) of the other relays and official sites.