Event of the Year

Nuit Blanche Winnipeg transforms Downtown, St. Boniface and the Exchange into an immersive arts experience, drawing a record-breaking 35,000 attendees in 2024 across 94 events featuring local and national artists. The free, public celebration recasts Winnipeg’s urban spaces, turning them into art venues that engage audiences of all ages.

Nuit Blanche fosters volunteerism, economic activity and collaboration between the arts and business sectors. Local businesses, breweries and cultural spaces benefited from increased foot traffic, contributing an estimated $525,000 in hospitality spending in 2024.

With overwhelming community support, Nuit Blanche continues to evolve as a cultural staple, proving that contemporary art can unite and energize the city in new and unexpected ways.

The 2024 Manitoba Summer Games powered by Manitoba Hydro brought more than 1,200 athletes, coaches and officials to Dauphin, creating an unforgettable multi-sport celebration fueled by community spirit. Supported by 700 volunteers and nearly $1 million in sponsorships and grants, the Manitoba Summer Games showcased Dauphin’s ability to host a large-scale event while making a lasting impact.

With new investments in sport infrastructure—such as a rubberized athletics track, the Myles Haverluck Athletics Facility and an outdoor basketball court—the Games left behind meaningful upgrades that will serve the community for years. The nightly “Party in the Park” transformed downtown Dauphin into a festival hub, bringing together athletes, families and visitors through live music, cultural performances and local vendors.

The 2024 Manitoba Summer Games brought a significant economic boost to the region, enhanced local sports facilities and created a welcoming space for athletes and spectators to come together and celebrate.

The Great Outdoors Comedy Festival made a spectacular debut in Winnipeg in 2024, bringing world-class comedy to Assiniboine Park for three nights of unforgettable entertainment. With over 20,000 attendees, including nearly 40 per cent from outside the city, the festival delivered a major tourism and economic boost, generating an estimated $9.7 million in business sales and filling thousands of hotel rooms.

Beyond entertainment, the festival prioritized community impact, sustainability and reconciliation. Donations were made to four local organizations, including the Gas Station Arts Centre, which raised nearly $20,000 through a festival-led 50/50 raffle. Indigenous partnerships ensured meaningful cultural acknowledgments and the festival fully offset its carbon footprint through Ostrom Climate’s program.

With plans to expand programming and accessibility in future editions, the Great Outdoors Comedy Festival has quickly become a standout cultural event, offering a unique blend of entertainment, community impact and environmental responsibility.

The Gimli International Film Festival continues to be one of Canada’s premier rural film events, drawing more than 8,000 attendees in 2024—its largest audience since the pandemic. With more than 100 volunteers and 50 sponsors, the festival continues to foster a vibrant community of filmmakers, cinephiles and industry professionals.

The festival’s economic impact extended beyond ticket sales, driving traffic to local businesses, accommodations and restaurants. Visitors from across Canada and the U.S. contributed to Gimli’s growing reputation as a cultural hub. Media coverage and an expanded social media presence amplified its reach, engaging new audiences, particularly in the 18-35 age group.

With record-breaking attendance, strong community engagement and a focus on accessibility and representation, the Gimli International Film Festival continues to elevate Manitoba’s cultural and artistic landscape.

Ghost Tours at Lower Fort Garry brought more than 1,000 guests to Manitoba’s most haunted historic site offering an interactive, spine-chilling experience that blended history with immersive storytelling. With 72 tours running through the fall, the event contributed 6.25 per cent of the site’s annual visitorship, generating $16,000 in admissions revenue and boosting local vendors and artisans.

A partnership with Selkirk High School introduced student volunteers as “spookers,” adding a theatrical element while fostering youth engagement with local history. Media coverage and social media virality expanded the event’s reach, attracting a diverse audience.

By activating Lower Fort Garry outside of peak season, the Ghost Tours not only increased awareness of this historic site but also reinforced its place as a must-visit attraction for locals and visitors alike.