Gimli: Age-Friendly Lake Winnipeg Summer Paradise

Gimli seems to have a fantasy story history, with its roots to the Vikings. In fact, a giant statue of a Viking, replete with the horn helmet that was overhyped as a part of Viking armor, stands near the centre of the town. Indeed, Gimli celebrates its Icelandic roots proudly, with the annual Islendingdagurinn festival.

While it could qualify as a legitimate city in the summer when its population soars from a few thousand year-round to over 10,000, it remains a local urban district of the RM of Gimli. Located off Highway 8 on the west shore of Lake Winnipeg, it is a resort town, an age-friendly permanent residence for many, a farming hub, a shopping and medical destination and a fishing community all in one.

News, Events & Activities

Community Events

• Ride for Dad Motorcycle Ride – May 30 12pm – Prostate cancer pledge ride with live band
• Spring Indoor Market – May 23 10am – 3pm  – Gimli Rec Centre
• Spring Curbside Giveaway –  May 23 & 24  –  Rehoming useable items and making someone’s day
• Free Fitness Saturdays –  June – Sept – Weekly Zumba on the Harbour Stage 9 – 10am
• WAVE Interlake Artists’ Studio Tour – June 13 & 14 – Travel from studio to studio at your own pace
• Viking Paddle Spring Pickleball Tourney – June 12 – 14 – Gimli Rec Centre     
• Gimli Pride Festival – June 12 – 14 – Bringing our 2SLGBTQ+ community and its allies together to celebrate.
• Gimli Alzheimer’s Walk – June 12 10am – Betel Personal Care Home
• Outdoor Street Market – June 27 3pm – 1st Ave
• Indigenous Peoples Day – June 21 1-5pm – Gimli Pavilion
• Gimli Yacht Club Open House – June 28 – A chance to meet the members and grab a bite.
• Save the Lake Fish Fry – June 28 – Kiwanis partner with Save the Lake Foundation
• Canada Day Celebrations – July 1-  Parade, fireworks, and entertainment
• 4th Annual Gimli Red River Métis Day –  July 4 –  Gimli Park and Pavilion
• Rotary Lobster Fest –  July 4 6pm –  Gimli Rec Centre
• Gimli Car Club Car Show –  July 12 11am – Downtown Gimli all afternoon
• Gimli Glider Day – July 23 – Commemorating the emergency landing
• Gimli International Film Festival – July 22 – 26 – Downtown Gimli & Gimli Beach
• Rotary Book Sale – July 24 & 25 – Gimli Rec Centre
• The Icelandic Festival of Manitoba – Jul 31 to Aug 3 – Gimli various locations
• Outdoor Street Market – Aug 29 3pm – 1st Ave
• Family Street Dance- Aug 21 7-10pm- Music, lights, inflatables, and games
• MS Bike Tour –  Aug 21 & 22 –  Details coming soon
• WAVE Interlake Artists’ Studio Tour – Sept 5 & 6 – Travel from studio to studio at your own pace
• Gimli Blues Festival – Sept 11 & 12 –  All Blues. 2 days, 13 performances.
• Fall Curbside Giveaway –  Sept 12 & 13   Rehoming useable items and making someone’s day
• Viking Paddle Fall Pickleball Tourney – Sept 18 – 20 –   Gimli Rec Centre
• Nuit Blanche/Culture Days in Gimli  – Sept 25 – 27 – More info to follow
• Truth and Reconciliation Day – Sept 30- A day of healing located in Gimli Park Pavilion

Uniquely Gimli

Let us know about people, events, places, etc. that you feel are uniquely Gimli & area, so that we can share these stories or anecdotes with all of our viewers. Use the Feedback page to let us know.

Gimli is much more than its Scandinavian roots.  Located on the west shore of Lake Winnipeg, it has beautiful beaches, a large dock where pleasure craft, research vessels and fishing fleets anchor.

It also has a much-sought-after hotel, Lakeview Resorts, numerous boutique shops, lots of great restaurants (most open in summer) and several larger grocery stores.

Gimli has become a focal point for retirees, listing itself as an Age Friendly community. Its collection of apartments and seniors complexes make it an affordable and appealing place to retire, along with its good-quality hospital.