Midweek check-in, Winnipeg!

Christmas is here. And it’s hard to believe how quickly we got to this point in the year.

We hope the last stretch of December has been kind to you and that you’re heading into the holidays feeling a little lighter. Whether your days are full of plans or you’re keeping things quiet at home, we hope there’s time to slow down and enjoy it.

Today’s edition is a short one. Just a few helpful reminders and things to keep in mind over the holidays, so nothing catches you off guard while the city settles into Christmas mode.

Now, in today’s edition:

— Jas Singh

As Winnipeg settles into the Christmas stretch, many services, shops, and attractions are adjusting their hours. Whether you’re planning last-minute errands, a Boxing Day outing, or a quiet day at home, here’s a simple breakdown of what’s open and closed on December 24, 25, and 26.

However you’re spending the holiday, out and about or staying cozy at home, we hope this helps make planning a little easier. We’ll share a full guide to New Year’s hours next week, so you’re covered heading into 2026.

With holiday schedules shifting and celebrations moving into the final night of the season, the City of Winnipeg is once again making it easier to plan a safe way home on New Year’s Eve.

The City and MPI are partnering to offer free Winnipeg Transit and Transit Plus service on Wednesday, December 31, from 7 p.m. until the end of service.

The goal is simple: reduce impaired driving and help everyone get home safely after celebrating.

Programs like this matter because the stakes are real. In 2025, 13 people were killed on Manitoba roads due to impaired driving, and more than 2,100 drivers were found driving impaired. Free transit removes one more barrier to making the right call.

Whether you’re heading to a party, visiting friends, or working late, this program is there for anyone who wants a safer option on one of the busiest nights of the year.

Click Here: To learn more about the Free Ride Program.

Once the holidays are over, your Christmas tree doesn’t have to head straight to the landfill. Starting December 27, Winnipeggers can drop off their trees at Let’s Chip In depots across the city, where they’ll be recycled into free wood chip mulch.

The program has been running since 1991 and has already helped recycle more than 430,000 trees. It’s an easy, feel-good way to reduce waste, support reuse, and give your tree a useful second life.

Let’s Chip In Depots will be open from December 27 until January 31, with multiple locations across the city and varying hours, including some with 24-hour access.

Wood chip mulch made from recycled trees will be available in early January, free to Winnipeg residents while supplies last. You’ll need to bring your own container and shovel, and we’ll keep you posted once pickup dates are confirmed.

It’s a feel-good way to wrap up the season, so be sure to share this with anyone you know who has a real Christmas tree to recycle.

Click Here: To see all Let’s Chip In Depot locations and hours!

Starting January 2, 2026, Manitoba is making it easier for people to access breast cancer screening sooner.

Anyone 45 and older will now be able to book a BreastCheck screening without a doctor’s referral. For many families, that removes one extra step and makes it easier to act when something feels important.

This change comes after the province invested in more staff, upgraded equipment, and expanded outreach, so the system is ready to handle increased demand safely. CancerCare Manitoba expects to complete about 47,000 breast screenings in 2025, supported by new technologists and modernized mammography sites across the province.

There’s also a bigger picture here. Manitoba has said this is part of a longer-term plan, with the goal of lowering eligibility to age 40 by the end of 2026.

If you or someone you care about is now eligible, this is worth knowing. Early screening can make a real difference, and sometimes all it takes is sharing the information with the right person at the right time.

Click Here: To learn more, find screening locations or book an appointment.

Manitoba Public Insurance has released its Top 5 fraud cases of 2025, part of more than 2,600 suspected fraudulent claims investigated this year. Together, those investigations saved Manitoba ratepayers nearly $17 million, including about $2 million from these five cases alone.

MPI says cases like these matter because fraud doesn’t just affect one claim. It adds costs that everyone ends up paying through higher rates.

If you’re curious about how investigators pieced these cases together, the full breakdown walks through each story in detail. It’s an interesting look at how these situations are uncovered, and why MPI keeps a close eye on them.

Click Here: To read more about the Top 5 insurance fraud cases of 2025.

The Holiday Season Checkstop Program is ongoing across Winnipeg, with officers increasing enforcement as the busy holiday period continues. The Winnipeg Police Service says the focus remains on prevention and keeping everyone safe on the roads through Christmas and into New Year’s Eve.

Each Checkstop serves as a reminder of how quickly one poor decision can impact many lives. The holidays should be about getting home safely, not facing consequences that last far beyond the season.

If you plan to drink or consume cannabis, choose a safe alternative:

Making a safe choice helps ensure everyone gets home to the people who matter most.

Click Here: To learn how to book a ride or volunteer with Operation Red Nose and help keep Winnipeg safe through the holidays!

This section includes only the major events happening soon. For a complete list of all events, you'll have to wait for future editions!

Events marked with (Tickets / $) require advance purchase. Double-check dates before heading out!

Thanks for reading The Winnipeg Digest! Let’s chat again on Friday!

P.S. Want to get your business in front of thousands of local Winnipeggers? Email us at [email protected].