Residents in The Pas, Manitoba, have until January 27, 2026, to buy tickets and buttons for the upcoming 79th Northern Manitoba Trappers’ Festival. The event celebrates the history of northern pioneers and is scheduled to run from February 18 to February 22, 2026.
Local organizers say ticket and button sales are being handled by volunteers and at the North of 53 Consumers Co-op. These sales are often managed by Fur Queen candidates and help cover the costs of hosting international mushers who visit the town to compete.
This year’s festival features traditional skills competitions such as wood splitting, bannock baking, and moose calling. According to the Northern Manitoba Trappers’ Festival website, the main attraction is the World Championship Dog Race, a three-day event held on Halcrow Lake.
Families can also take part in jigging contests and children’s games, with programming supported by The Pas Friendship Centre. The Province of Manitoba has publicly supported the festival; the event traces its origins to 1916 and is among Manitoba’s oldest winter festivals.
Nightly social gatherings will be held at local community halls commonly referred to as “Forts.” These evening events usually require their own specific tickets for entry and are a major part of the community-led celebration.
