Art party: Thousands descend on downtown for Nuit Blanche By: Photos by Mike Sudoma Posted:

An estimated 30,000 partygoers descended on Winnipeg’s core neighbourhoods Saturday night for the city’s 14th annual Nuit Blanche celebrations. The late-night arts and culture party featured more than 80 free events and installations peppered throughout downtown, the Exchange District, The Forks and St. Boniface.

Read this article for free:


or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Subscribe and receive a limited-edition Free Press branded hat or tote.

Digital Subscription

One year of digital access for only $205*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles

*First annual payment billed as $205.00 + GST for one year. This annual subscription will automatically renew at $233.00 + GST every 52 weeks (10% off the regular annual price of $259.35). Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Add Free Press access to your Brandon Sun subscription for only an additional

$1 for the first 4 weeks*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles
Start now

*Your next Brandon Sun subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $17.95 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $24.95 plus GST every four weeks.

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 29/09/2024 (727 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

An estimated 30,000 partygoers descended on Winnipeg’s core neighbourhoods Saturday night for the city’s 14th annual Nuit Blanche celebrations. The late-night arts and culture party featured more than 80 free events and installations peppered throughout downtown, the Exchange District, The Forks and St. Boniface.

MIKE SUDOMA / FREE PRESS Nuit Blanche festivalgoers experience the Odori exhibit, which included a spinning table under bright lights. The public art sculpture was co-created by Takashi Iwasaki and Joe Kalturnyk.

MIKE SUDOMA / FREE PRESS

Nuit Blanche festivalgoers experience the Odori exhibit, which included a spinning table under bright lights. The public art sculpture was co-created by Takashi Iwasaki and Joe Kalturnyk.

MIKE SUDOMA / FREE PRESS Drag performer Ruby Chopstix performs during Nuit Blanche in the Exchange District Saturday.

MIKE SUDOMA / FREE PRESS

Drag performer Ruby Chopstix performs during Nuit Blanche in the Exchange District Saturday.

MIKE SUDOMA / FREE PRESS Drag performer Ruby Chopstix performs to a sizeable crowd in front of Darling Bar for Nuit Blanche.

MIKE SUDOMA / FREE PRESS

Drag performer Ruby Chopstix performs to a sizeable crowd in front of Darling Bar for Nuit Blanche.

MIKE SUDOMA / FREE PRESS The Light Within display at 66 Arthur St. was one of dozens of art installations set up for Nuit Blanche Saturday night.

MIKE SUDOMA / FREE PRESS

The Light Within display at 66 Arthur St. was one of dozens of art installations set up for Nuit Blanche Saturday night.

MIKE SUDOMA / FREE PRESS Drag performer Ruby Chopstix captivates the crowd.

MIKE SUDOMA / FREE PRESS

Drag performer Ruby Chopstix captivates the crowd.

MIKE SUDOMA / FREE PRESS Dave Sampson dances through the Marchante exhibit that took place in one of the tunnels that connects King Street and Arthur Street.

MIKE SUDOMA / FREE PRESS

Dave Sampson dances through the Marchante exhibit that took place in one of the tunnels that connects King Street and Arthur Street.

MIKE SUDOMA / FREE PRESS Crowds take in The Light Within display at 66 Arthur St.

MIKE SUDOMA / FREE PRESS

Crowds take in The Light Within display at 66 Arthur St.

MIKE SUDOMA / FREE PRESS Ludochroma II is a returning exhibit which mixes lights, music and interpretive dance.

MIKE SUDOMA / FREE PRESS

Ludochroma II is a returning exhibit which mixes lights, music and interpretive dance.

MIKE SUDOMA / FREE PRESS Festivalgoers watch as musicians and dancers perform behind translucent white sheets, resulting in music and colour shining through to Albert Street in Winnipeg’s Exchange District.

MIKE SUDOMA / FREE PRESS

Festivalgoers watch as musicians and dancers perform behind translucent white sheets, resulting in music and colour shining through to Albert Street in Winnipeg’s Exchange District.

MIKE SUDOMA / FREE PRESS moonGARDEN by artist Anna Pinto Diallo takes over the Cube in the Exchange District with its giant coloured balls and soundscapes.

MIKE SUDOMA / FREE PRESS

moonGARDEN by artist Anna Pinto Diallo takes over the Cube in the Exchange District with its giant coloured balls and soundscapes.

MIKE SUDOMA / FREE PRESS moonGARDEN by artist Anna Pinto Diallo takes over the Cube in the Exchange District with its giant coloured balls and soundscapes.

MIKE SUDOMA / FREE PRESS

moonGARDEN by artist Anna Pinto Diallo takes over the Cube in the Exchange District with its giant coloured balls and soundscapes.

MIKE SUDOMA / FREE PRESS moonGARDEN by artist Anna Pinto Diallo takes over the Cube in the Exchange District with its giant coloured balls and soundscapes.

MIKE SUDOMA / FREE PRESS

moonGARDEN by artist Anna Pinto Diallo takes over the Cube in the Exchange District with its giant coloured balls and soundscapes.

MIKE SUDOMA / FREE PRESS moonGARDEN by artist Anna Pinto Diallo takes over the Cube in the Exchange District with its giant coloured balls and soundscapes.

MIKE SUDOMA / FREE PRESS

moonGARDEN by artist Anna Pinto Diallo takes over the Cube in the Exchange District with its giant coloured balls and soundscapes.

MIKE SUDOMA / FREE PRESS Hundreds of Nuit Blanche attendees take in the Light it Up Freestyle Dance Battle on top of The Forks parkade Saturday night.

MIKE SUDOMA / FREE PRESS

Hundreds of Nuit Blanche attendees take in the Light it Up Freestyle Dance Battle on top of The Forks parkade Saturday night.

MIKE SUDOMA / FREE PRESS Nuit Blanche attendees walk through the lit-up streamers outside of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights Saturday night as part of Jaimie Issac’s exhibit “Nibi.”

MIKE SUDOMA / FREE PRESS

Nuit Blanche attendees walk through the lit-up streamers outside of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights Saturday night as part of Jaimie Issac’s exhibit “Nibi.”

MIKE SUDOMA / FREE PRESS Nuit Blanche attendees walk through the lit-up streamers outside of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights Saturday night as part of Jaimie Issac’s exhibit “Nibi.”

MIKE SUDOMA / FREE PRESS

Nuit Blanche attendees walk through the lit-up streamers outside of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights Saturday night as part of Jaimie Issac’s exhibit “Nibi.”

MIKE SUDOMA / FREE PRESS Festivalgoers Gino (left) and Rina (right) go through the lit-up streamers outside of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights Saturday night as part of Jaimie Issac’s exhibit “Nibi.”

MIKE SUDOMA / FREE PRESS

Festivalgoers Gino (left) and Rina (right) go through the lit-up streamers outside of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights Saturday night as part of Jaimie Issac’s exhibit “Nibi.”

MIKE SUDOMA / FREE PRESS Festivalgoers take in the visuals and sounds of Jaimie Issac’s exhibit “Nibi.”

MIKE SUDOMA / FREE PRESS

Festivalgoers take in the visuals and sounds of Jaimie Issac’s exhibit “Nibi.”

MIKE SUDOMA / FREE PRESS Festivalgoers take in the visuals and sounds of Jaimie Issac’s exhibit “Nibi.”

MIKE SUDOMA / FREE PRESS

Festivalgoers take in the visuals and sounds of Jaimie Issac’s exhibit “Nibi.”

MIKE SUDOMA / FREE PRESS Nuit Blanche attendees view the Hyperbolic Cellulose display by the University of Manitoba’s BIOM_lab. The lab will continue studying the display further at a new site now that the festival is over.

MIKE SUDOMA / FREE PRESS

Nuit Blanche attendees view the Hyperbolic Cellulose display by the University of Manitoba’s BIOM_lab. The lab will continue studying the display further at a new site now that the festival is over.

MIKE SUDOMA / FREE PRESS First-time Nuit Blanche Festival attendee Ella Lacanlale laughs as she handles the bacterial cellulose material used to construct BIOM_Labs Hyperbolic Cellulose display. The display was constructed to demonstrate the application of bio-based material.

MIKE SUDOMA / FREE PRESS

First-time Nuit Blanche Festival attendee Ella Lacanlale laughs as she handles the bacterial cellulose material used to construct BIOM_Labs Hyperbolic Cellulose display. The display was constructed to demonstrate the application of bio-based material.

MIKE SUDOMA / FREE PRESS A full water taxi heads west down the Assiniboine River.

MIKE SUDOMA / FREE PRESS

A full water taxi heads west down the Assiniboine River.

MIKE SUDOMA / FREE PRESS The water taxis were in high demand Saturday night as Nuit Blanche festivalgoers enjoyed free rides to multiple locations from downtown to The Forks.

MIKE SUDOMA / FREE PRESS

The water taxis were in high demand Saturday night as Nuit Blanche festivalgoers enjoyed free rides to multiple locations from downtown to The Forks.

MIKE SUDOMA / FREE PRESS The water taxis were in high demand Saturday night as Nuit Blanche festivalgoers enjoyed free rides to multiple locations from downtown to The Forks.

MIKE SUDOMA / FREE PRESS

The water taxis were in high demand Saturday night as Nuit Blanche festivalgoers enjoyed free rides to multiple locations from downtown to The Forks.

MIKE SUDOMA / FREE PRESS The water taxis were in high demand Saturday night as Nuit Blanche festivalgoers enjoyed free rides to multiple locations from downtown to The Forks.

MIKE SUDOMA / FREE PRESS

The water taxis were in high demand Saturday night as Nuit Blanche festivalgoers enjoyed free rides to multiple locations from downtown to The Forks.

MIKE SUDOMA / FREE PRESS Jared Arnason boardslides an obstacle during Sk8 Skates Cube Bash event. It was one of the first events to kick off Winnipeg’s Nuit Blanche Saturday.

MIKE SUDOMA / FREE PRESS

Jared Arnason boardslides an obstacle during Sk8 Skates Cube Bash event. It was one of the first events to kick off Winnipeg’s Nuit Blanche Saturday.

MIKE SUDOMA / FREE PRESS Malcolm Moffat grinds an obstacle during Sk8 Skates Cube Bash event at Nuit Blanche Saturday.

MIKE SUDOMA / FREE PRESS

Malcolm Moffat grinds an obstacle during Sk8 Skates Cube Bash event at Nuit Blanche Saturday.

Related Articles

Building a city to keep the next generation here
Brent Bellamy A walkable neighbourhood is important.
Report Error Submit a Tip

More Stories

SUPPLIED Brandon-born drummer Chris Sutherland, left, with wife Tina Faye.

Well-known Brandon-born rock drummer Sutherland dies at age 58

Rylee Gerrard 3 minute read Preview

Well-known Brandon-born rock drummer Sutherland dies at age 58

Rylee Gerrard 3 minute read Wednesday, Sep. 23, 2026

Chris (Suds) Sutherland, a Brandon-born drummer who was the driving force behind many top artists in the Canadian music industry, has died at 58.

Sutherland is widely praised throughout North America as a talented percussionist with an extensive discography.

He performed with such Canadian music legends as Kim Mitchell, Randy Bachman, Burton Cummings, Streetheart and others.

Sutherland brought presence and “plow” when he played, Tina Faye said about her husband.

Read
Wednesday, Sep. 23, 2026
Eric Zachanowich / Netflix Crosby Fitzgerald, from left, Luke Bracey, Corvin Mack, and Xander Cole as Little Puma in Netflix’s Manitoba-shot Little House on the Prairie.

Winnipeg a character all its own onscreen

Jen Zoratti 4 minute read Preview

Winnipeg a character all its own onscreen

Jen Zoratti 4 minute read 2:01 AM CDT

Watch something shot in Winnipeg with a Winnipegger, and you will be treated to a live running commentary. We can’t help playing “spot the location.”

When we recognize that field/statue/mall/intersection/theatre, we have to say it. It’s practically civically mandated.

A friend told me she was at a film screening at which people literally applauded footage of the Mint. (That likely would have been 2005’s The Constant Gardener.)

Being excited about seeing Portage Place Mall at Christmastime in the trailer for Violent Night 2 — and then exclaiming, to your husband, “Oh, look, it’s Portage Place Mall at Christmastime!” — is not, I will admit, particularly cosmopolitan behaviour. In fact, I could be accused of suffering from a mild case of Podunkitis.

Read
2:01 AM CDT
THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES/John Woods

Court hears woman’s statement detailing pain, trauma after boyfriend shot her in the face

Dean Pritchard 6 minute read Preview

Court hears woman’s statement detailing pain, trauma after boyfriend shot her in the face

Dean Pritchard 6 minute read Thursday, Sep. 24, 2026

A.W. thought she had found love with Machuor Akau.

That was before Akau put a loaded Luger handgun to the 26-year-old woman’s head last November and told her he should “kill her now.”

Akau shot her, shattering her jaw and embedding teeth in the bones of her mouth and leaving her fighting for her life.

Now A.W. wakes up every morning in pain and sees the scars on her face and neck.

Read
Thursday, Sep. 24, 2026

Puzzles Palace

1 minute read Monday, Jul. 27, 2026

To solve our puzzles, please subscribe with this special offer: |

David Zalubowski / The Associated Press Winnipeg Jets winger Nino Niederreiter celebrates after scoring in the first period of the preseason game against the Colorado Avalanche, Friday in Denver.

Jets’ brass warming up to El Nino?

Mike McIntyre 7 minute read Preview

Jets’ brass warming up to El Nino?

Mike McIntyre 7 minute read Yesterday at 10:51 PM CDT

Decisions, decisions.

The Winnipeg Jets held their final dress rehearsal Friday night before the curtain rises next week on the new NHL season.

Unlike their first three exhibitions, this one in Denver featured competitive lineups that looked an awful lot like what we’ll see when the games start counting, with plenty of star power and veteran presence on both sides.

So what are we to make of the Jets’ 5-2 loss to the mighty Colorado Avalanche, who captured the Presidents’ Trophy last year and are once again a legitimate Stanley Cup contender?

Read
Yesterday at 10:51 PM CDT

Letters, Sept 26

7 minute read 2:01 AM CDT

Important lessons lost

Re: Parents still in charge amid health curriculum overhaul: premier, Sept. 23

The premier’s assurance that parents could continue to “opt-out” their children from health education classes on the premise that specific topics clash with their “personal beliefs” is, at once, disappointing and concerning.

To be blunt, such an approach is Trumpian. It condones “othering.”