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. Sliding disks provided.
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.
Try your luck at the outdoor carnival games: Ice fishing, Hockey Shoot-out, Cornhole, and Penguin Knock Down.
Step right up and join the indoor carnival games: Frozen Pond Puck Slide, Voyageur Portage Toss and build an indoor Snow Buddy.
Sample a variety of teas while learning about various plants and herbs used to brew teas that have supported people’s health and well-being for generations.
Craft a pair of colourful paper skates to take home or make your own Valentine’s Day cards.
11:30 a.m., 1 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 3 p.m., and 3:30 p.m.
Come and meet Fleurette, a doll living at historic Fort William. She has just received a trunk filled with beautiful handmade clothing from her grandmother who lives in Montreal. Come watch Fleurette try on the clothes while a narrator reads grandmother’s letter about the clothing, fabrics and sewing techniques.
12 p.m., 12:30 p.m., 2 p.m., 2:30 p.m., and 4 p.m.
Enjoy engaging fairytales and folktales infused with a touch of old‑time magic, including classic legends La Chasse‑Galerie (The Flying Canoe) and The Devil at the Dance, perfect for all ages.
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.
12:45 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?
2 p.m.
Build the best snow buddy you can in 30 minutes! Participants will be provided with a small accessories kit and can use natural items from the land; no personal tools or accessories are allowed.
3:15 p.m.
Try this traditional Indigenous winter activity and launch a wooden ‘snake’ down an ice track.
Learn about Métis style beading with guest artisan Melanie Shaw.
Learn about traditional Métis finger weaving techniques with guest textile artisan Tiffany Miller.
Learn how porcupine quills are prepared and dyed before being used as decorative elements on leather, fabric, or birch bark.
Watch guest artisan Chris Rantala create art from a simple block of snow. Chris 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.
Watch an artisan weave traditional snowshoes.
Watch our carpenter hand carve wooden skis.
Watch our blacksmith work the forge to create historic skate blades and learn about historical blacksmithing methods.
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.
Enjoy live music performed by local musicians. More details coming soon.
11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Award-winning violinist and composer born on the Mexican border, Natalia Arroya has dedicated her life to spreading traditional music of northern México worldwide.
12 to 12:45 p.m.
Brian Campbell’s first full-length album, Follow These Tracks, highlights his song-writing talent and love of a good story and melody, intertwined with the inspiring influence of wild and rural places in Canada.
2:15 to 3:15 p.m.
Katherine Nemec is a vocalist, singer-songwriter and dynamic performer whose sound moves fluidly between pop, folk and rock.
Saturday only, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Sunday only, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Forged from the icy shores of Gitche Gumee (Lake Superior), this group of musicians born of the land, lakes and forest perform Celtic folk music.
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.
Visit the cabane à sucre and purchase a delicious maple taffy treat.
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.
Visit the Thunder Bay Museum booth and make your own button.
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.
Canadian Corps of Voyageurs (CCV)
Fire a historical musket for $3 per shot (cash only.) Available to people ages 7 and older.
The CCV is a historical re-enactment group focusing on military life during the War of 1812 and early 19th century living.
Merk and Katie Lemieux
Make your mark with local artists Merk and Katie Lemieux by creating your own graffiti in the snow! Use vibrant colours and stencils to paint the snow fort along the wharf.
Merk is a professional arts coordinator and has years of experience working with the community.
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.
Chips, chocolate bars
Brought to you by the Club culturel francophone de Thunder Bay (CCFTB)
Cash only.
One can for $10 or 4 cans for $36. Cash only.
The Personal Attendant for Leisure (PAL) Card is an identification card, which is issued to a person who has a disability. It allows the support person to enter a Thunder Bay recreation facility for free. A support person can be a friend, family member or a paid worker.
+ HST
The season pass provides you with year-round admission to the Fort William historic site and admission to the following Fort William Historical Park events: The Great Rendezvous, Halloween Hoot, New Year’s Eve Family Frolic, and Voyageurs Winter Carnival. Admission to Canada Day, Anishinaabe Keeshigun and Celtic Day is free for all visitors. Season pass holders also receive at 10% discount at the Trading Post Gift Shop, located in the Visitor Centre. The season pass does not include admission to the David Thompson Astronomical Observatory, the Heritage Dinner Series, campground, and third-party events.
Weather appropriate clothing: This is an all weather program and takes place indoors and outdoors.
Cash: There are no ATMs available on site.
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 (*).
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; however this route does not run on weekends or holidays. 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.