Winnipeg events news — every June, something happens in Winnipeg that turns ordinary weeks into memories. The Red River Ex returns to Exhibition Park for ten full days of rides, live music, fair food, creative competitions, and the world’s largest travelling midway. If you’ve been waiting for summer to officially begin, this is the announcement you needed.
By Maplestime Events Desk | Winnipeg, Manitoba | September 19, 2026
Sources: Red River Exhibition, Winnipeg Transit | Last updated: September 19, 2026
Key Takeaways
- The Red River Ex runs Friday, June 12 to Sunday, June 21, 2026, at Red River Exhibition Park
- Free admission is available on June 12, June 14, and June 21 — arrive early as lines build fast
- The world’s largest travelling midway returns with 50+ rides including Mach 3, Polar Express, and Mega Drop
- Over 200 hours of live music included with gate admission — no separate concert ticket
- Tickets available now at authentigate.ca — a $1 per ticket service fee applies
- Winnipeg Transit now picks up and drops off at the new west entrance
Ten Days of Pure Winnipeg Summer
The Red River Exhibition — affectionately known as The EX — is a beloved annual event at Red River Exhibition Park in Winnipeg. Scheduled from June 12 to June 21, 2026, this vibrant celebration promises an unforgettable experience for all ages: thrilling rides, captivating entertainment, and food vendors showcasing local and international cuisines.
For Winnipeg families, the Red River Ex isn’t just an event — it’s a summer tradition that spans generations. The smell of fair food, the sound of midway games, the sight of kids losing their minds over roller coasters: the EX is the official starting gun of Manitoba summer.
The Free Admission Days You Need to Plan Around
Here’s the information every budget-conscious Winnipeg family searches for. Free admission is available on June 12, June 14, and June 21. During free admission periods, donation buckets are available at the entry gates to support the Red River Exhibition Foundation scholarship fund — every dollar helps Manitoban post-secondary students while visitors enjoy hours of free entertainment, attractions, and activities across the grounds.
If you’re attending during a free entry window, arrive early. Lines at the admission gates can get long shortly before the free periods begin.
Special Days Worth Marking on Your Calendar
Opening Day — June 12: Free admission on Opening Day makes it one of the most popular and family-friendly days of the entire Red River Ex.
Free Family Day: A free pancake and sausage breakfast is served from 10:30 to 11:30 am while supplies last. Kids under 10 can purchase a pass to ride all they want on Kiddieland rides for only $15 including GST.
Seniors Day — June 21: Seniors aged 60 and over pay just $7.50 gate admission when presenting ID at the ticket booths, and receive one free ride on both the Merry-Go-Round and the Giant Ferris Wheel.
The Rides — The World’s Largest Travelling Midway Returns
This is what the kids have been waiting for.
North American Midway Entertainment — the world’s largest travelling midway — is back for The EX 2026. All the favourites return, including the Mach 3, Polar Express, Mega Drop, and many more.
With over 50 midway rides covering everything from family-friendly Kiddieland attractions to full-throttle thrill machines, the midway alone is worth the visit. All rides require a wristband or pass card credits, and riders must meet height requirements for each attraction.
Live Music — Included With Your Admission
This is what genuinely sets the Red River Ex apart from other fairs across Canada. Most large fairs charge an extra ticket for headlining concerts. The EX doesn’t. Over 200 hours of live performances from big names and community groups are included with gate admission.
The EX is one of only two fairs left in Canada that does not receive operational funding from the government. Red River Exhibition Park, with events running over 240 days a year, is operated by the Red River Exhibition Association — a volunteer-driven non-profit committed to bringing the community together. Including live music in the base ticket price is a genuine community commitment worth appreciating.
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Beyond the Rides — What Else Is Happening at The EX
Agricultural Displays and Creative Competitions
The EX features agricultural displays and juried art, photography, and quilt competitions — a celebration of creativity, skill, and the passion within the Manitoba community. If you’ve never wandered through the creative competitions building, it’s a genuine Winnipeg hidden gem: the talent and craftsmanship of Manitobans, showcased in a way that feels personal and community-rooted.
The Wedding at the Midway
On Saturday, June 13 at 2:00 PM, right in the heart of The EX midway, a special area will be set up and decorated for a celebration featuring a photography package, an officiant, a horse and carriage ride by KB Clydesdales, a room at Best Western Plus Winnipeg West, a private helicopter ride for two by Prairie Helicopters, and floral arrangements.
Yes — someone is getting married at the midway. Winnipeg really does things differently.
Getting There — Transit Update for 2026
Winnipeg Transit now picks up and drops off at the new west entrance of Red River Exhibition Park. That’s a meaningful upgrade for families who want to skip the parking hassle. Check Winnipeg Transit’s website for routes and schedules running to the new west entrance on Portage Avenue.
Everything You Need Before You Go
Dates: Friday, June 12 to Sunday, June 21, 2026
Location: Red River Exhibition Park, 3977 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg — West Gate off Festival Drive
Free admission days: June 12 (Opening Day), June 14, and June 21
Tickets: authentigate.ca — note the $1 per ticket service fee
Transit: Winnipeg Transit now stops at the new west entrance
Rides: Wristbands and pass card credits required — available on site
Parking: Exhibition Place Parking Lot off Portage Avenue
Is It Worth Going? The Honest Take
The Red River Ex is one of those Winnipeg events that earns its reputation year after year. The combination of free live music, the world’s largest travelling midway, agricultural and creative competitions, and multiple free admission days makes it genuinely one of the best-value family events in Western Canada.
For newcomers to Winnipeg — this is a Manitoba summer institution. Going to the EX at least once is not optional if you want to understand what Winnipeg summer actually feels like.
For long-time Winnipeggers — you already know. Mark the free days, get there early, and bring cash for the midway games, because everyone always ends up spending more than planned.
Maplestime will provide updates from the Red River Ex as announcements are made.
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Are you heading to the Red River Ex this June — and which rides are your family’s favourites? Tell us in the comments. And share this with every Winnipeg parent who needs to start planning.
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