Happy Friday, Winnipeg!

Summer events are starting to wind down, but we’re not done just yet. Our very last Summer of Locals market is happening this weekend, and it’s the perfect chance to soak up a little more sunshine, spend time with family and friends, and support local makers one more time.

In today’s edition, we’ll get you ready for the weekend with updates you’ll want to know, plus a few things happening around the city that are worth checking out.

So grab a coffee, settle in, and let’s head into one of the last big weekends of summer together.

Now, in today’s edition:

• Winnipeg Tops Canada for Back-to-Office Commuting

• Last Downtown Family Movie Night of the Summer

• Jets Captain Adam Lowry Back on the Ice After Surgery

• Two New Measles Exposure Sites Announced in Manitoba

• 50+ Events this weekend & Live Music!

— Jas Singh

News

Winnipeg First in All of Canada for Back-to-Office Commuting

If you’ve been out on a weekday morning lately, you’ve probably noticed it: buses are a little fuller, more bikes on the paths, and sidewalks crowded with people heading to work. Winnipeg is moving again, and new numbers show we’re leading the whole country in returning to the office.

Here’s what the numbers show:

• 89.5% of Winnipeg workers are back to commuting in person, the highest in Canada

• 11.4% of commuters are now taking the bus, up from 8.5% just a few years ago

• 6% are walking or biking to work, the most since before the pandemic

• With our average commute time being 23 minutes, one of the shortest in the country

From road renewals to the new Primary Transit Network, the city’s investments are paying off. And for all of us, it means easier mornings, fuller buses, and a city that feels alive again.

These little shifts add up to something bigger: a Winnipeg that moves together. And when more of us choose the bus, our bikes, or even just our own two feet, we’re not only making life easier. We’re helping build a city that’s greener, healthier, and more connected for everyone.

Click Here: To read more about Winnipeg’s commuting trends + ranking. 

Together with Magic Room Spa!

The Best Winnipeg Experience You Need Before Going Back to School!

School’s back next week, and whether you’re a parent juggling routines, a student heading into a new semester, or just feeling the shift of seasons, it’s the perfect time to slow down and treat yourself to a self-care day.

Magic Room Spa has Back to School packages designed to help you recharge and step into fall feeling refreshed.

Here’s what’s waiting for you:

• Fresh manicures and pedicures in new seasonal colours

• Gel nails for a polished, long-lasting finish

• Facial packages that reset and refresh tired summer skin

• Relaxing spa treatments that give you a real pause before the rush

It’s the perfect excuse to treat yourself before the calendars get crowded. Whether it’s a quiet solo escape or a fun day out with a friend, starting the season feeling good makes everything else a little easier.

Not sure what to choose? Gift cards and custom spa packages are also available, so you can pick exactly what works for you.

Spots fill up quickly this time of year, so book your self-care day soon.

Click below to explore their Back to School packages!

Advertise with us by emailing: [email protected]

Community Digest

Last Downtown Family Movie Night of the Summer

Some of the best summer nights are the simple ones: spreading out a blanket, sharing snacks, and watching a movie outside with the people you love. Downtown Family Movie Night has been giving Winnipeg families those moments for years, and tonight is the very last one of the season.

• When: Tonight, August 29. Fun starts at 5 p.m., movie at 8:30 p.m.

• Where: Bonnycastle Park, 260 Assiniboine Ave.

• Movie: The Wild Robot, a heartwarming story about friendship, nature, and finding your place.

• Before the show: Robot dance-off, wildlife ambassadors, arts & crafts, face painting, food trucks, giant games, and giveaways.

• Cost: Free! Just bring your blankets, lawn chairs, and appetite.

With games, food, and laughter before the show, it feels like a little festival wrapped around a movie.

It’s the kind of evening you and the kids will look back on for years, playing around before the show and ending the night curled up under the stars with a story that everyone can enjoy.

So, if you’ve got little ones in your life, kids, grandkids, nieces, nephews, be sure to check out this free event happening tonight!

Click Here: To see details for Downtown Movie Night.

Jets Captain Adam Lowry Back on the Ice After Surgery

Hockey season always sneaks up fast, doesn’t it? One minute we’re soaking up summer, and the next we’re counting down to puck drop. This week brought some news Jets fans have been waiting for: captain Adam Lowry is skating again, just three months after hip surgery.

Here’s what we know:

• Lowry had surgery in late May and was given a 5–6 month recovery timeline.

• He’s back on the ice already, in full gear, ahead of the Oct. 9 season opener against Dallas.

• Last season, he tallied 16 goals and 18 assists in 73 games.

• In the playoffs, he scored four times, including the Game 7 double-overtime winner against St. Louis.

With our team coming off a Presidents’ Trophy season, having our captain back so soon is the best kind of news. Lowry has been part of this team for more than a decade, and seeing him skate again feels like the perfect spark as the Jets get ready for another season of hockey nights.

Click Here: To read more on Adam Lowry’s return.

City Updates

Two New Measles Exposure Sites Announced in Manitoba

We know these health updates can sometimes feel repetitive, but we share them because it’s one of the simplest ways we can look out for each other. The more we spread awareness, the better chance we have of preventing illness from spreading through our families and communities.

So, here are the latest exposure details:

• C.W. Wiebe Medical Centre (385 Main St., Winkler): Aug. 21, 8:45–11:30 a.m., monitor for symptoms until Sept. 12

• Focal Point Comprehensive Vision Care (32 Stephen St., Morden): Aug. 21, 4–10 p.m., monitor for symptoms until Sept. 12

• Health officials recommend checking immunization records and making sure measles vaccines are up to date

• Anyone exposed who hasn’t had the vaccine or the illness before should contact a health provider to discuss next steps

These reminders aren’t here to worry us. They’re here to help us keep each other safe, especially the most vulnerable like babies, grandparents, and neighbours with weaker immune systems.

By staying informed and taking simple precautions, we can do our part to keep our families and our community safe.

Click Here: To check the latest Manitoba measles updates.

City Puts $150K Toward Fighting Sexual Exploitation

Some names carry a weight that never fades. For many Manitobans, Tracia Owen’s story is one of them: a reminder of how deeply important it is to protect children and youth from sexual exploitation. Twenty years after her passing, her legacy lives on through the Tracia Trust, Manitoba’s strategy to prevent and respond to sexual exploitation.

Here’s the latest update:

• The Manitoba government is investing $150,000 to support 12 regional Tracia’s Trust teams.

• The announcement came during a tree planting ceremony at the Legislative Building in Owen’s honour.

• Funding will help host community events and education sessions across Manitoba.

• And bring together community partners, First Nations, law enforcement, and people with lived experience to keep the work relevant in 2025 and beyond.

At the heart of this is making sure young people grow up safe and cared for.

Tracia’s story is heartbreaking, but her legacy continues to inspire real action across the province. And when we continue that work together, we honour not only her memory, but also the future of children across Manitoba.

Click Here: To learn more about Tracia’s Trust.

Exciting Events: August 29th - 31st

Events marked with ($) require a ticket in advance. Please search them up before going.

Sports🏀

• Winnipeg Goldeyes vs Sioux City Explores | Aug 29 - Sept 1 ($)

  • Location: Blue Cross Park

• Zumba in the Park | 10-11AM, Aug 30 (FREE)

  • Location: Riley Family Duck Pond

• Winnipeg Run Club | 8AM, Aug 30 (FREE)

  • Location: The Forks, The Canopy

• Manitoba Harness Racing | Aug 30 (FREE)

  • Location: The LOOP

  • Description: Join us at The LOOP at Exhibition Park this summer for heart-pounding action, exhilarating finishes, and unforgettable moments on the track! Whether you’re a seasoned racing fan or a curious newcomer, there’s something for everyone.

• Winnipeg Valour FC vs Victoria Pacific | 2PM, Aug 31 (Tickets)

  • Location: Princess Auto Stadium

Community Fun🎆

• Downtown Family Movie Night | 5PM, Aug 29 (FREE/More Info)

  • Location: Bonnycastle Park

  • Description: Experience a magical cinematic evening under the stars at the 2025 Downtown Family Movie Night! Catch a screening of the 2024 blockbuster film, The Wild Robot.

• Corn Maze | August 29 - Nov 2 (More Info)

  • Location: A Maze In Corn

  • Description: Enjoy the country views while wandering through the corn maze, climb the giant bale pyramid, and visit the petting zoo.

• Coffee Filter Butterflies | 11AM-3PM, Aug 29 - Sept 1 (FREE)

  • Location: Manitoba Children's Museum

  • Description: From 11AM-3PM daily, enjoy special activities that include crafts, games, and so much more.

• Play at The Forks | Daily (FREE)

  • Skateboarding with Pitikwé: August 29-31

    • Location: The Plaza Skatepark

• Zoo History Tour | 1PM-3PM, Aug 30 (Tickets)

  • Location: Assiniboine Park Zoo

  • Description: Step back into the past as you learn about the Zoo's history on this brand-new tour! Learn about our animals and our conservation and research efforts as you journey through the Zoo, decade by decade..

• Baby Bison Walk | Aug 30 ($)

  • Location: FortWhyte Alive

  • Description: Come see the ninth-largest land animal at its smallest and cutest! See the herd in action, hear how this icon of the prairie almost disappeared, and feel a connection to the herd as you see the miracle of baby bison.

• Bison Bus Tour | Aug 31 ($)

  • Location: FortWhyte Alive

  • Description: See North America’s largest land mammal from just metres away, interacting in their natural habitat. Go on an adventure into our prairie past and leave knowing more about how bison have shaped Canada’s history.

Markets/Fairs🎡🎢🎠

• Selkirk Avenue Farmers' Market | 12PM-4PM, Aug 29 (FREE)

  • Location: The Bell Tower

  • Description: The North End Community Renewal Corporation (NECRC) hosts the Selkirk Avenue Farmers' Market every year at the Bell Tower! Please join us in browsing your local vendors and utilize a pay-what-you-can produce stand!

• St. Norbert Farmers' Market | 8AM-2PM, August 30 (FREE)

  • Location: 3514 Pembina Highway

• Bronx Park Farmers Market | 9AM-2PM, August 30 (FREE)

  • Location: Bronx Park

• The Summer of Locals | Aug 30-31 (FREE)

  • Location: Outlet Collection Winnipeg

  • Description: This is our fifth of five outdoor/indoor markets going on all summer. The focus? Local businesses, selling everything from the perfect gifts to your new favourite eats, and everything in between. It's a showcase of some of the best our city has to offer.

Performances🎭

• Europa Super Circus | Aug 29-31 (Tickets)

  • Location: Under the Big Top at Assiniboia Downs

  • Description: Performances by world-class artists from all over the globe include high-flying aerialists, tight-wire acrobatics, FMX riders in the Wheel of Death, dizzying roller skaters, comedic clowns, and more!

• MAMMA MIA: An Abba Love Story | Aug 29 - Oct 11 (Tickets)

  • Location: Canad Inns Destination Centre Fort Garry

  • Description: Get ready for a summer of love, laughter and ABBA hits, in this light-hearted musical comedy that centers around a mother and daughter opening a boutique hotel on a tiny tropical island. The show explores the complications of love, friendship and second chances, as old passions are awakened and new love is born.

• Jazz in the Leo Mol Sculpture Garden: Eric St. Godard 
  | 12PM-1PM, Aug 31 (FREE)

  • Location: Assiniboine Park

Comedy❗

• Just Being Jo Koy | 8PM, Aug 29 (Tickets)

  • Location: Canada Life Centre

  • Description: Jo’s uniquely relatable comedy pulls inspiration from his colourful family that has reached all kinds of people and has translated into sold-out arenas around the world.

• Aidan McCluskey | Aug 29-30 ($)

  • Location: Rumor's Restaurant and Comedy Club

  • Description: At 19, Aidan McCluskey left his associate's degree to pursue comedy. Four months after his first open mic, he won Acme's Funniest Person Contest, becoming the youngest winner in contest history.

Special Events/Concerts 🥂

• Sunflower Expo | Aug 29 - September 16 ($)

  • Location: A Maze in Corn

  • Description: Explore 8 acres of various sunflower varieties with beautiful photo opportunities along the way!

• A Taste of Manitoba | Aug 29 - Sept 1 (Tickets)

  • Location: Fort Gibraltar

  • Description: This exciting event invites everyone to enjoy delicious creations from 20 local Manitoba's restaurants, showcasing the rich culinary diversity of our province. Celebrate Manitoba’s vibrant food scene with a variety of mouthwatering dishes crafted by talented chefs.

• Commonwealth Block Party Fundraiser | 8PM-11:30PM, Aug 29-31 (Tickets)

  • Location: Main St at McDermot Ave

  • Description: After a fire and major water damage forced Commonwealth to close for six months, the team is bringing the community together with a Block Party Fundraiser. The parking lot next door will be filled with food trucks, drinks, DJs, dancing, and live performers.

• Speakeasy Magic | 8:30PM, Aug 29-30 (Tickets)

  • Location: The Basement Comedy Lounge

  • Description: Back at The Basement after another sold out weekend, Brett Oddly and Patrick Gregoire present their incredible illusion, magic, and side show. It's sure to be amazing, mysterious and fun! Don't miss it.

• ​Artifact Alley: The Vault | 11AM-7PM, Aug 30 (FREE)

  • Location: Assiniboia Downs

  • Description: One of Winnipeg’s largest hobby and maker events is back. $500+ Giveaways. One passionate community, collectibles, creators, and everything we love all under one roof.

Music 🎵

Events marked with ($) require prior ticket purchase. Other events may require the purchase of food.

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