Happy Monday, Winnipeg!

I hope you’ve been enjoying these last warm days of summer. With fall starting to settle in, the big events around the city are slowing down a little. But spooky season is just around the corner.

The city’s biggest Halloween experience is making its return after 4 years, and we’ve got the details for you today.

So let’s dive into the stories and events that’ll keep you in the loop as we head into a new season.

In today’s edition:

• Manitoba Issues Alert Over New Text Message Phishing Scam

• Manitoba’s Largest Halloween Experience

• Restaurant of the Week

• $3.5M Available to Help Manitoba Workers Get Trained

• Multiple events this week & more

— Jas Singh

News

Manitoba Issues Alert Over New Text Message Phishing Scam

It seems like every week there’s something new to watch out for. In our last edition, we mentioned one scam, and now a different one is making the rounds. Therefore, it’s always best practice to slow down, look twice, and exercise caution before clicking on anything.

Here’s what to look out for:

• Texts pretending to be from Manitoba Justice, asking for payment on traffic or speeding fines

• Messages about finalizing the Homeowners Affordability Tax Credit

• Both are scams, neither Manitoba Justice nor Manitoba Finance will ever contact you by text about fines or credits

• If you’re unsure, the safest thing is to head straight to the official government websites to confirm

These scams may feel like they’re coming one after another, but the more we talk about them, the better we can protect each other. A quick heads-up to family, a mention to a friend, or even just taking that extra pause before clicking can make all the difference.

It’s a small way we can all look out for one another here in Manitoba.

Click Here: To report suspicious messages to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.

Together with Fear Winnipeg!

Get a Discount on Manitoba’s Largest Halloween Experience

It’s finally starting to feel like Halloween. The mornings are chilly, the days are shorter, and Manitoba’s biggest Halloween experience is back after 4 years!

Fear: Blacksite is taking over 500,000 sq ft of indoor space from October 4 to November 1, and tickets are already selling out.

Here’s what makes it a full night out, not just a quick scare:

• 8 different horror experiences: zombies, clowns, purgers, witches, aliens, asylum patients, blindfolds, and ghosts!

• Huge lounge with food, drinks, and games by Hermanos

• Photo ops, music, and contests all night long

• And best of all, original scare concepts you won’t find anywhere else in Canada!

This isn’t just about walking through a haunted house. Every guest is part of an interactive horror production, so you’ll leave with a story to tell (and maybe a scream or two).

📍 Secret location (revealed after ticket purchase)
📅 October 4 – November 1
🎟 Click the link below to purchase your tickets and use code WINNIPEGDIGEST at checkout for the lowest available ticket price!

Prices will rise soon, and with days already selling out, tickets won’t last much longer.

P.S. Even if you’re not big into horror, this is still worth checking out, and it’s the perfect thing to share with friends or family who love Halloween and want to try something new. While our discount code still applies, this is the cheapest the tickets are going to be!

Restaurant of the Week: ⁠Gohe Ethiopian Restaurant

On a quiet stretch of Notre Dame, just west of downtown, Gohe Ethiopian Restaurant is quietly serving some of the most flavourful, heartfelt food in the city. Whether you're new to Ethiopian cuisine or it’s something you grew up with, Gohe makes it feel like home: warm hospitality, bold spices, and dishes meant to be shared.

Everything is served with injera, the traditional sourdough flatbread, and eating with your hands is part of the experience. Communal, comforting, and deeply satisfying.

Here’s what makes Gohe worth a visit:

• Over 280 reviews and a 4.5-star rating on Google, with shoutouts for portion sizes, service, and authentic flavours

• Highlights include doro wot (chicken stew with hard-boiled egg), zilzil tibs (beef strips sautéed with peppers), and the Gohe Special if you want a little of everything

• Lots of vegetarian and vegan options

• Staff are welcoming and eager to explain the menu, making it a great place to try something new

It’s not a flashy spot, but that’s part of its charm. The vibe is slow, intentional, and centred on sharing. And in a city where food often brings people together, Gohe is one of those places that quietly does it best.

📍 595 Notre Dame Ave, Winnipeg
📞 204-414-1529
🕑 Hours: Tues–Thurs 1–11PM, Fri–Sun 1PM–12AM (closed Mondays)

Click Here: To explore their full menu and plan your visit!

Community Digest

University of Manitoba Sees Record Number of Students This Fall

There’s a quiet kind of pride that comes with seeing more students choose to learn, grow, and build their futures right here at home. This fall, the University of Manitoba welcomed its largest student body ever.

And it’s not just about how many enrolled, but who’s walking through those doors.

• 31,578 students registered on the first day, the highest in U of M history

• Indigenous student enrolment rose 10.7%, now at 3,248, the biggest jump of all

• Undergraduate enrolment is up 3%, while graduate enrolment dipped slightly

That increase in Indigenous students is especially worth celebrating. As it reflects years of work: in schools, in homes, and in community spaces, to build pathways where young people feel seen and supported.

It’s not a perfect picture yet, especially with international enrolment still declining. But it’s a hopeful one. A growing campus shaped more and more by the voices that have always belonged here.

Click Here: To read more about what this means for U of M and our city.

City Updates

New Funding Available to Help Manitoba Workers Get Trained

Skilled workers are at the heart of a strong local economy, and this year, Manitoba businesses can once again apply for support to help train their teams. The 2025–26 Canada-Manitoba Job Grant just opened its intake, offering $3.5 million in funding for workforce training.

• Applications are now open for the Canada-Manitoba Job Grant

• Employers can receive up to $10,000 per employee

• Small businesses with under 100 staff can get up to 75% of training costs covered

• Larger businesses can receive up to 50%

• Funding can be used for training new hires or upskilling current employees

Programs like this help keep Manitoba competitive: giving local businesses the tools to grow, and workers a better shot at meaningful, long-term jobs. Whether it’s leadership courses, tech training, or industry-specific skills, this funding helps cover the cost.

If you’re a business owner or work for one, this could be worth looking into.

Click Here: To learn more or apply for the Canada-Manitoba Job Grant!

Three New Schools Open for Students in Manitoba

It’s a big season for families in Manitoba, with three brand new schools opening their doors just in time for the fall term. For growing neighbourhoods, this means shorter commutes, more childcare spots, and classrooms built with today’s learners in mind.

Here’s what’s new:

• École Sage Creek Bonavista is now open for French immersion K–8, with space for 900 students and a 104-space childcare centre

• A second Française K–8 school also opened in Sage Creek, built for 450 students and offering 134 childcare spaces

• In Steinbach, Parkhill School welcomed K–4 students with 20 classrooms and another 104 childcare spaces

The province also just announced $20M in funding for four more schools, including ones in Devonshire Park and Prairie Pointe.

For families in fast-growing areas, this is a welcome change: more space for learning, more support for kids, and more chances to stay connected to your own neighbourhood.

Click Here: To see where the new schools are and what’s planned next.

Coming up this week:

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

• Downtown Farmers' Market | 10AM-2PM, Sept 11 (FREE/More Info)

  • Location: Manitoba Hydro Place along Graham Avenue

  • Description: The Downtown Winnipeg BIZ’s popular Outdoor Farmers’ Market has been bringing local food and goods downtown for more than 12 years.

• JOB The Play | Sept 11 - 21 (Tickets)

  • Location: Winnipeg Jewish Theatre

  • Description: A razor-sharp psychological thriller about ambition, burnout, and the digital forces shaping our lives. From Broadway to Berney, this gripping two-hander marks the season’s electrifying start. Max Wolf Friedlich is a Jewish American playwright who made his Broadway debut in 2024 with JOB.

• Paranormal Investigation - Seven Oaks House Museum | 7:30PM-11PM, Sept 12 (Tickets)

  • Location: Seven Oaks House Museum

  • Description: Join us for a spine-chilling experience! The Seven Oaks House Museum is steeped in history, and its reputation as Manitoba’s oldest haunted house makes it the perfect setting for a paranormal investigation.

• Brew at the Zoo | 6PM-10PM, Sept 12 (Tickets)

  • Location: Assiniboine Park Zoo

  • Description: Enjoy unlimited samples of craft beer, cider, wine, ready to drink cocktails, spirits, and non-alcoholic drinks from Manitoba, Canada, and around the world. PLUS: live music, games, and a great atmosphere!

• Ben Bankas | 7:30PM, Sept 12 (Tickets)

  • Location: Burton Cummings Theatre

  • Description: Ben Bankas is one of the most popular comedians touring the USA in 2025. Originally from Toronto, Canada and now living in Austin, Texas Ben has performed with the likes of Andrew Schulz, Theo Von, Mark Normand, Tony Hinchcliffe, Bryan Callen, Joe List and Louis J. Gomez, in comedy clubs and theatres across North America.

• 2025 Princess Auto Inventors Fair | 9AM-5PM, Sept 13 (More Info)

  • Location: Princess Auto

  • Description: It’s a blast from the past, featuring home-built creations and amazing ideas — all built by Princess Auto customers. This one-day event will showcase inventions, improvements, modifications and — best of all — inspiration. It’s coming up soon, so be sure to drop by for a look!

• Lynyrd Skynyrd Hell House Tour | 7:30PM, Sept 13 (Tickets)

  • Location: Canada Life Centre

  • Description: More than a half century after the release of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s critically acclaimed debut album ‘Pronounced ‘Lĕh-‘nérd ‘Skin-‘nérd,’ they resonate as deeply with their multi-generational fan base today as when they first emerged out of Jacksonville, Florida in 1973.

• NCI Jam | 7PM, Sept 13 (Tickets)

  • Location: Burton Cummings Theatre

  • Description: NCI Jam is back at the Burt on Saturday, September 13! NCI Jam is Manitoba’s longest running Indigenous talent show that celebrates and recognizes diverse vocal talent!

• Manitoba Families of Multiples – Fall Sale | 10:30AM-2:30PM, Sept 13 (FREE/More Info)

  • Location: Exhibition Place at Red River Exhibition Park

  • Description: Manitoba Families of Multiples has been hosting this sale for decades and is one of the largest and longest-running consignment sales in the city! We have a HUGE selection of everything you need from infant to teen.

• Dinner and Movie - Jaws | 6PM, Sept 13 (Tickets)

  • Location: The Metropolitan Entertainment Centre

  • Description: Celebrate this milestone with us at and enjoy a special Dinner & A Movie screening of the 1975 classic Jaws at The MET, served with a side of thrilling suspense and delicious eats.

• Candlelight: The Best of Hans Zimmer | 8:30PM, Sept 14 (Tickets)

  • Location: Winnipeg Art Gallery

  • Description: Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations like never seen before in Winnipeg. Get your tickets now to discover music inspired by the winter and the holiday spirit at Crescent Arts Centre under the gentle glow of candlelight.

Exciting Events: September 8th - 9th

Sports🏀

• Live Racing | 7:30PM, Sept 9-10 (FREE)

  • Location: Assiniboia Downs

  • Description: To the Downs! Experience the thrill of watching and wagering on horse racing at Assiniboia Downs. Horse racing, 140 VLTs and fabulous dining - it’s fun you can bet on!

Music 🎵

• Mommy, Daddy| 12PM-2:45PM, Sept 8 (FREE)

  • Location: Belle's Kitchen + Music Hall

  • Description: Guitarist, singer/songwriter, multi-instrumentalist.

• Descendents | 7:30PM, Sept 8 (Tickets)

  • Location: Burton Cummings Theatre

  • Description: Since first emerging from (and defining) the Southern California pop-punk scene in 1978, the legendary Descendents have released classic after classic, from their landmark 1982 LP Milo Goes to College to 2016’s Hypercaffium Spazzinate.

• Brett Kissel | 8PM, Sept 8 (Tickets)

  • Location: Club Regent Event Centre

  • Description: Brett Kissel is known for his charismatic personality, dynamic stage presence, and unique music style.

• Shauna Bell/Tannis Tyler | 11:45AM-4:45PM, Sept 9 (FREE)

  • Location: Belle's Kitchen + Music Hall

• Quintin Bart/Natanielle Felicitas - Cellist | 6-8PM, Sept 9 (FREE/More Info)

  • Location: The Beer Can

  • Description: Their music is seeped in expressive and luscious dreamscapes, blossoming with melodies reminiscent of Slavic folksong and old world fiddle tunes.

Community Fun🎆

• Corn Maze | Sept 8 - 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.

• Paddle Nights | 6PM-8:30PM, Sept 9 & 11 (Tickets)

  • Location: FortWhyte Alive

  • Description: Spend an evening paddling before sunset for the perfect summer night.

Special Events 🎨

• Full Moon Ceremony | 8PM, Sept 8 (FREE/More Info)

  • Location: The Forks

  • Description: This Ceremony is open to the community at large; all genders and cultures are invited to join together for teachings about feminine energy’s relationship with Grandmother Moon.

• WINNIPEG $10 Shoe & Clothing Warehouse Sale | 10AM-9PM, Sept 9-15 (FREE/More Info)

  • Location: RBC Convention Centre Winnipeg

  • Description: Get ready to stock up on your favorite shoes and apparel for just $10 or less! We’ve got truckloads of NEW clothing for all seasons, including trendy pieces and everyday essentials for men, women, and kids.

• Emmanuel Lomuro | 7:45PM, Sept 9-11 (Tickets)

  • Location: Rumor's Restaurant and Comedy Club

  • Description: Emmanuel Lomuro, is a stand-up comedian born in Cairo Egypt who moved as a refugee to Winnipeg as a young child. His style has been described as high energy with the ability to relate to many different types of people, sometimes called a comedic chameleon.

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