2026 World Refugee Day Celebration

Event Details

On Thursday, June 18, 2026 from 11 AM to 3 PM, Central Park in Winnipeg will come alive with community, celebration, and connection. MANSO, along with more than 20 settlement and community organizations, will host the World Refugee Day Celebration, part of the national We’re Better Together campaign.

This free, family-friendly event celebrates newcomers who contribute to Manitoba every day as neighbours, colleagues, and community builders. The event honours Manitoba’s spirit of welcome — a spirit that Indigenous peoples have embodied on this land since long before Confederation.

Join us for a day featuring cultural performances, powerful lived-experience stories from refugee speakers, and a free community feast.
The fun continues with face painting, rock painting, button-making stations, carnival games, multi-sport challenges, community booths, and local craft vendors!

Note: In case of rain, the event will be moved inside Knox Church.

A sincere thank you to the following partners and co-organizers whose dedication makes this celebration possible:

Accueil francophone, Welcome Place, City of Winnipeg, Together Project, Immigrant Centre, West End Biz, NEEDS Inc., Red River College Polytechnic, Mennonite Central Committee, Canadian Muslim Women's Institute, Family Dynamics, Refugee Sponsorship Training Program, 1 Just City, Réseaux d'Immigration Francophone, Elmwood Community Resource Centre, Resilia Community Wellness Centre, Immigration Partnership Winnipeg, Knox Church, The Excel Empowerment Centre, Louis Riel School Division, SEED Winnipeg, Mosaic Family Resource Network, Age & Opportunity, Winnipeg Newcomer Sports Academy, Artbeat Studios, Winnipeg Initiative for Refugees and sākihiwē festival.

#WorldRefugeeDay #BetterTogether #Manitoba #RefugeesWelcome

Accessibility and Parking:

Two temporary toilets will be located near the permanent toilet along Carlton Street. The washrooms at the splash pad will also be open. An accessible toilet is available at the splash pad.

If you are concerned about barriers and need to drop off a family member closer to the celebration, please contact us. We have volunteers who can wait with them while you find a parking spot in the area.

The stage will be set up on the south side of the soccer field. Visitors will need to park on Edmonton Street, Carlton Street, or the surrounding area and use the paved walkways to access the site.

The map below shows streets where the 2-hour parking restriction will be lifted for the day (blue lines). Please note that metered parking is in effect as usual.