11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Celebrate the world of winter sports and games with a magical blend of traditional carnival fun at Fort William Historical Park. Enjoy two days of indoor and outdoor activities, kid’s sliding hill, winter games and contests, live music, artisan demonstrations, farm animals, delicious food, and much more!
Weather Dependent Programming
Some activities are weather dependent and their availability may change based on weather conditions leading up to and during the event. These activities are marked by an asterisk (*).
Hop on an inflatable tube and slide down our giant tubing hill. Tubes provided.
Hop on a snow disk and ride down our mini sliding hill.
Bring your skates and glide along the 2.5 km track on the Kaministiquia River. Skate check provided.
Try your luck at the outdoor carnival games: Ice fishing, Hockey Shoot-out, Cornhole, and Penguin Knock Down.
Practice snowshoeing and learn how to avoid the dangers of snowshoe sickness.
Try this traditional Indigenous winter activity and launch a wooden ‘snake’ down an ice track.
Try to get your stone on the curling target.
Race around our snow track in a Zorb Ball.
Explore the fascinating process of creating children’s clothing, from fiber to fabric, to finished garments. Play dress-up with our dolls’ miniature historical outfits.
Sample a variety of teas and learn about various plants and herbs used to brew teas that have supported people’s health and well-being for generations.
Embark on a winter-themed scavenger hunt with a French twist! Solve the riddles and test your knowledge of winter traditions and language while discovering hidden treasures.
Explore the historic site and visit the Anishinaabe Encampment, Apothecary, Great Hall, Wintering House, Trades Square, and Farm.
1:30 p.m.
Steady hands and skill are required for the Draw to the Button contest. Will you be able to hit the center and stay on target?
3:15 p.m.
Compete to see if you can launch the wooden ‘snake’ the farthest down the ice track.
Learn the skills of looming, an ancient method of weaving wool into beautiful textiles.
Local artist Ellie Törnblom uses paper, wasp nests, birch bark, and other natural materials to handmake artisan jewelry.
Thunder Bay Carvers members enjoy carving a wide variety of subjects such as comfort birds, caricatures, animals, and gnomes, and recently restored hundreds of historically accurate carved elements on the 115-year-old carousel in Chippewa Park.
Learn how porcupine quills are prepared and dyed before being used as decorative elements on leather, fabric, or birch bark.
Watch our artisan use historic knot tying techniques to create a variety of unique items.
Meet Fort William’s tinsmith and learn the art of creating items from tin.
11 a.m.
Café Paris is a French jazz trio known for blending various musical genres into unique jazz arrangements. Featuring Martin Blanchet on vocals and bass, Katie Stevens on violin and Mario Potestio on guitar.
English performances Saturday and Sunday at 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
French performance Sunday at 11:30 a.m.
Visit with Pierre and Jeannette to learn how they navigate the challenges of daily life in the fur trade during the harsh winter months.
12 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Sing along to French-Canadian fur trade era songs and join us for a dance lesson.
12:30 p.m.
Join Rodney Brown for a family-friendly voyageur-themed sing-along.
12:30 p.m. and 1:45 p.m.
Originally from Baja California, Mexico, Natalia has studied classical violin since childhood. As a composer, singer and violinist, Natalia demonstrates her skills on the fiddle.
1:45 p.m.
Katherine is a local singer-songwriter whose music tells the story of love and loss, with influences ranging from pop, country, rock, and R&B.
3 p.m.
Lend a hand and waulk a bolt of freshly woven tweed from the Isle of Harris (Scotland) while learning Gaelic folk songs. Wool waulking is the process of softening and weatherproofing cloth, an essential task for the survival of those working in the Highlands.
3:30 p.m.
Jamie Sky Labrador is an acoustic signer-songwriter from Thunder Bay. She pulls elements from many different types of music to create her own individual sound, which is featured in her original material.
Club culturel francophone de Thunder Bay (CCFTB)
Visit the cabane à sucre and purchase a delicious maple taffy treat. Cost $2 for a stick or cone (cash only).
The CCFTB is a non-profit organization working in Thunder Bay and the surrounding area to bring together and unite Francophones and Francophiles of all ages through social activities and cultural, artistic and heritage projects. Their cabane à sucre has been a Voyageur Winter Carnival favourite for many years.
11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 to 4:30 p.m.
New Canaan Farm Clydesdales
Enjoy a scenic winter wagon ride! New Canaan Farm Clydesdales owners have years of experience offering Thunder Bay locals beautiful horse drawn wagon rides.
Sunday only
Boreal Journeys Sled Dog Kennel
Meet the sled dogs from Boreal Journeys Sled Dog Kennel. Learn what it takes to be part of these sub-zero squads and how dogs work together to pull their passengers.
Fire a historical musket for $3 per shot (cash only, available to people ages 13 and older).
The CCV is a historical re-enactment group focusing on military life during the War of 1812 and early 19th century living.
Boreal Museum
Boreal Museum’s Arctic Adventures program explores the biodiversity and special characteristics of how plants and animals survive and thrive in the frigid Arctic ecosystems.
Enjoy a cup of Mullein tea while testing your knowledge of winter trivia, making crafts and playing winter games.
RSMIN offers various services including counselling services, employment resources, and safety education for hunters.
Thunder Bay Museum
Design your own canoe button!
The Thunder Bay Museum collects, interprets, and preserves the vast and rich heritage of Northwestern Ontario. We have 3 floors of exhibits, a gift shop, educational programs and rental spaces.
Indigenous Veterans of Northwestern Ontario
Learn about the upcoming Indigenous Veterans of Northwestern Ontario exhibit. Consider sharing you family’s story with the exhibit organizers.
Community Arts & Heritage Education Program (CAHEP)
Make your mark by creating graffiti in the snow or head indoors to make your own yarn Voyageur gnome to take home.
CAHEP empowers youth and members of the community in Thunder Bay through arts and culture.
Chris Rantala
Watch Chris created art from a block of snow.
Chris Rantala is a multidiscipline artist, as he paints in oils and acrylics, and uses recycled materials to create sculptures. His themes focus on history, nature, and addressing current environmental issues affecting the earth.
Cash only
Brought to you by the Club culturel francophone de Thunder Bay
Located outside the Visitor Centre. See trucks for menus and pricing.
(13 to 59 years old, HST included)
(60+ years old, HST included)
(13+ years old with student ID, HST included)
(6 to 12 years old, HST included)
(0 to 5 years old)
Admission to Voyageur Winter Carnival is included for Season Pass holders.
Weather appropriate clothing: This is an all weather program and takes place indoors and outdoors.
Cash: There are no ATMs available on site.
Car: Fort William Historical Park is located at 1350 King Road, Thunder Bay. Parking is free.
Thunder Bay Transit: Fort William Historical Park is accessible by the 4 Neebing bus route. Please visit the City of Thunder Bay Transit website for specific bus route information.
Snow Machines & River Access: Snow machines cannot park at events. There is no admissions entrance via the Kaministiquia River.
RVs: The campground is currently closed for the season. RVs are not permitted in the parking lot for overnight stays.
Some activities are weather dependent and their availability may change based on weather conditions leading up to and during the event. These activities are marked by an asterisk (*).