Happy Friday, Winnipeg,

Hope you had a really cozy Christmas and got a chance to slow down and spend time with family, friends, or just enjoy a quieter couple of days. That in-between stretch after Christmas always feels a little different. Fewer plans, full hearts, and a bit of space to breathe before the new year.

As we head into the weekend, we’re also wrapping up something that’s been really special for us. Our holiday giveaways are almost done, and we just want to say thank you for all the support, excitement, and kind notes along the way. Being able to give back like this is one of our favourite parts of the season.

If you haven’t yet, be sure to scroll below and enter the final giveaways. These are the last chances to win something in 2025, and you won’t want to miss them.

Now, in today’s edition:

— Jas Singh

If it feels like everyone around you has been sick lately, you’re not imagining it. Between school drop-offs, work, and family gatherings, a lot of colds, flu, and other viruses are making the rounds right now.

With most of winter still ahead of us, this is a good moment to check in on seasonal vaccines, not just for the flu, but for COVID-19 and RSV too. These illnesses can hit harder than expected, even for people who are generally healthy.

Most people recover at home, but prevention makes a real difference. A quick appointment now helps protect you, the people around you, and takes pressure off our health-care system during a busy season.

If you or someone in your family has been meaning to book, now’s a good time to check it off the list.

Click here: To find the nearest flu vaccine location or view the full map of clinics across Manitoba.

January always comes with that quiet itch to try something new. A new routine. A new habit. Something that gets you out of the house and into a better rhythm.

If picking up a new activity is on your list next year, 1100 Dance Studio is a really easy place to start.

Classes are just $15 each, which makes it one of the most affordable ways in the city to do something fun, active, and a little outside your comfort zone. No pressure, no experience needed, and no need to bring a partner either.

It’s the kind of thing that feels small, but ends up being something you look forward to each week.

Whether you’re looking for a weekly activity, a reason to move after work, or something different to try with a friend, this is one of those places that makes it feel simple.

So check out their monthly calendar and see which class feels right to begin your New Year!

Click here: To view the full house & plan your showing!

Click here: To view the full house & plan your showing!

Click here: To view the full house & plan your showing!

If you were wondering why your garbage or recycling didn’t get picked up yesterday, you’re not alone. With the holidays, collection days shift a bit, and it can be easy to miss.

And just a heads up, the same thing will happen next week for New Year’s Day, so expect the same one-day delay again.

These holiday schedule changes happen every year, but they still catch people off guard, especially when routines are already a bit off.

If you’re ever unsure about your pickup day, it’s worth double-checking before rolling your carts out. It can save you an extra week of holding onto things you meant to toss.

Click Here: To check your collection day and see the full schedule

If you ride the bus regularly, especially in winter, you know how frustrating late routes can be. With the winter schedule officially kicking in, the City made a few targeted changes to help buses run more reliably, and early signs are pointing in the right direction.

After adding more service hours to some of the most delayed routes, on-time performance has already started to improve, especially on routes that struggled the most earlier this fall.

These changes came directly from rider feedback, and the City is still listening. If you take the bus often, or know someone who relies on it daily, this is a good moment to speak up about what’s working and what could be better.

Click Here: To share your feedback and help the City improve transit even more

With a lot of people still on holiday, this is one of those weekends where getting out of the house sounds nice, but spending money doesn’t. Luckily, winter in Winnipeg actually makes that pretty easy. There are plenty of free ways to get outside, move a bit, or just change things up without much planning.

If you’re looking for something simple to do with family, friends, or even on your own…

Most of these depend on the weather and schedules, so it’s worth checking ahead before you head out!

Click Here: To see the full list of free winter activities and locations around Winnipeg.

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

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!