Happy Friday, Winnipeg!

We’re almost halfway through our holiday giveaways, and it’s been really heartwarming watching so many Winnipeggers win things that make the season feel a little brighter. There’s plenty more coming, and today’s edition is here to help you ease into the weekend feeling caught up.

A few events, a few small city updates, and a whole lot of local goodness all in one place.

If you’re heading out, the streets have been slippery, so take it slow and stay safe out there.

Now, in today’s edition:

  • Citywide Plowing Underway After Winnipeg’s First Big Snowfall

  • Homes of the Week

  • Manitoba Launches $10M Security Rebate

  • Day 10 & 11 Giveaways Are Now Live!

  • Manitoba Moves Toward Canada’s First Competitive Grocery Market

  • 50+ Events this weekend & Live Music!

— Jas Singh

News

Citywide Plowing Underway After Winnipeg’s First Big Snowfall

Crews have been out for the last two days plowing streets across Winnipeg after the latest snowfall, and the City is reminding everyone to take it slow and give heavy equipment lots of space when driving.

Plows will work through the street priority system first, then move on to sidewalks and pathways.

Here are a few key reminders for today and the days ahead:

  • All major streets, bus routes and collector roads are being cleared first

  • Sidewalk and pathway plowing is ongoing, so expect equipment in those areas

  • Reminder: The winter route parking ban is in effect from 2 a.m. to 7 a.m. on signed routes

  • And vehicles parked in violation can be ticketed and towed

To stay ahead of parking bans and snow operations, the City suggests checking their tools before you head out or park for the night. They’re quick to use and can save a lot of stress on snowy days.

If you prefer to quickly check conditions from your browser, you can also view plow progress and winter routes in one place using the website below.

A Message from Paragon Living!

Find Your Next Home in the Heart of Osborne Village

If you’ve been dreaming about living in Osborne Village, you already know why it’s one of Winnipeg’s most-loved neighbourhoods. Cafés, shops, fitness studios, live music, river walks… everything feels close, connected, and full of life.

Paragon Living offers some of the Village’s most beautiful modern suites, with 2 to 3 bedroom options and free high-speed internet and water included in all their buildings.

Here’s a look at what’s waiting for you:

📍 255 Bell Avenue - Only one unit left

  • Spacious layouts with walk-out balconies, nine-foot ceilings, and large windows

  • Modern finishes throughout, including in-suite laundry and quartz countertops

  • Pet-friendly living in the heart of the Village

  • On-site parking is available for added convenience

If you want to take a quick look at the suite, especially since there’s only one left, you can also call the leasing team directly at 431-388-2912

📍 333 Wardlaw Avenue

  • Modern suites built with energy-efficient construction

  • Advanced building security, on-site management, and secure bike parking

  • Walkable access to The Forks, Osborne Street, and river trails

Osborne Village has always been a place where people feel connected, creative, and at home. With Paragon Living, you can enjoy everything the neighbourhood offers while settling into a space designed for real life comfort.

And if Osborne isn’t your perfect match, Paragon Living has suites across the city, each with its own charm.

Homes of the Week:

Home 1: Under $450k

  • Price: $384,900

  • Address: 976 Cavalier Drive / Crestview

  • Details: 1087 sqft / 4 Bed / 2 Bath

  • Built in: 1968

Home 2: $450k - $650K

  • Price: $550,000

  • Address: 4 Gull Wing Bayy / Island Lakes

  • Details: 1530 sqft / 4 Bed / 3 Bath

  • Built in: 1997

  • Parking Type: Attached Garage

Home 3: Over $650k

  • Price: $1,499,633

  • Address: 633 Park Boulevard / Tuxedo

  • Details: 4210 sqft / 3 Bed / 5 Bath

  • Built in: 1978

  • Parking Type: Attached Garage

City Updates

Manitoba Launches $10M Security Rebate to Help Local Businesses

The Manitoba government has introduced a new $10 million Business Security Rebate Program to help businesses repair property damage and make important security upgrades. For many storefronts dealing with break-ins and vandalism, this kind of help isn’t just useful, it’s necessary.

The rebate is available to Manitoba businesses with 75 or fewer employees per location, and funding is first-come, first-served.

Eligible businesses can apply for up to $2,500 per location for upgrades purchased or repairs made on or after August 23, 2024.

Here’s what the program can help cover:

  • Security improvements like cameras, alarms, motion detectors, window protection, anti-graffiti film, lighting and fencing

  • Repair costs for broken windows, doors, locks or damage from forced entry or arson

  • Insurance deductibles, graffiti removal, cash system replacement and temporary boarding or fencing while repairs are completed

Industry groups say investments like these can meaningfully deter crime and create safer spaces for both workers and customers.

If you’re a business owner or know someone who is, this could make a real difference. So be sure to click the link below or pass it along to someone who might need it.

Province Issues Thin Ice Advisory Across Manitoba

The province is warning residents to use extra caution near rivers, lakes and drainage ditches as freeze-up begins.

Manitoba’s Hydrologic Forecast Centre says ice may look solid right now, but recent temperature swings mean it’s thin, unpredictable and unsafe to walk or ride on.

Here’s what to keep in mind:

  • Ice thickness is unpredictable and may not support people, pets or snowmobiles

  • Activities like walking, skating, skiing, sledding or snowmobiling on frozen waterways should be avoided

  • Ice within communities is also uncertain, so keep children and pets well away from shorelines

With winter just settling in, it’s a good time to stay on marked paths and enjoy activities on land until conditions improve.

It’s also a good moment to chat with your kids, grandkids or anyone in your family who loves being outdoors, just to make sure everyone knows how to stay safe around the ice.

Day 10 & 11 Giveaways Are Now Live!

We’re almost halfway through our 25 Days of Giveaways, and this stretch has been especially fun.

The best part of running these contests is getting to shine a light on the places Winnipeggers already love, whether that’s a neighbourhood bakery or a barbershop that always gets the haircut just right.

Here’s what you can enter today:

  • Day 9: Six winners will each get a $50 gift card to enjoy Gâto Bakeshop’s famous sourdough, croissants, cronuts, pastries, and more. (Enter here)

  • Day 10: Ten winners will each get a free $50 haircut at SWISH Barbershop, one of Winnipeg’s go-to spots for sharp fades, curly and textured cuts, and a clean, modern vibe. (Enter here)

And just to keep the excitement building, today’s 12pm giveaway will be for class passes to The Community Gym, a high-vibe space where you can move through boxing, strength, cycle, yoga, and even cold plunge recovery all in one place.

Whether you’re entering for yourself or hoping to surprise someone you love, we’re glad you’re here for the ride.

Community Digest

Manitoba Moves Toward Canada’s First Truly Competitive Grocery Market

Manitoba is taking a big step toward real grocery competition. The province has started removing long-standing property rules that big chains used to block new stores from opening nearby. These rules kept prices higher and limited choice for families.

By clearing them out, the province says we could see more grocery stores, better options and, over time, more affordable food.

Here’s the quick breakdown:

  • 23 property controls removed under Bill 31

  • 46 additional controls are under review

The municipal board will decide if any of the remaining rules still make sense for the public.

This is part of a bigger push to help with rising costs, alongside lowering the gas tax, freezing hydro rates and expanding $10-a-day child care.

For families feeling the squeeze at the checkout, the hope is that these changes make everyday life a little easier.

Exciting Events: December 12th - 14th

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

Sports🏀

  • Manitoba Moose vs Iowa Wild | Dec 12 & 14 ($)

    • Location: Canada Life Centre

  • Winnipeg Run Club | 8AM, Dec 13 (FREE)

    • Location: Forks Main Elevator

  • Winnipeg Jets vs Washington Capitals | 6PM, Dec 13 ($)

    • Location: Canada Life Centre

  • DND Run Club | 9AM, Dec 14 (FREE)

    • Location: Saintuary Cafe

Community Fun🎆

  • Canad Inns Winter Wonderland | December 12 - January 3 (Tickets)

    • Location: Red River Exhibition Park

    • Description: Canad Inns Winter Wonderland is Manitoba’s largest drive-thru light show and provides a brilliant presentation of over one million lights in 26 different theme areas.

  • Zoo Lights | December 12 - January 1 (Tickets)

    • Location: Assiniboine Park Zoo

    • Description: Wander through a winter wonderland and enjoy stunning light displays, tasty treats, and endless joy and cheer. Zoo Lights is a festive, holiday tradition for the whole family!

  • Free Photos with Santa at Cabela’s 2025 | December 12-24 (FREE)

    • Location: Cabela’s Winnipeg

    • Description: Bring the family to Santa’s Wonderland at Cabela’s Winnipeg for a magical holiday experience, complete with free photos with Santa!

  • How the Grinch Stole Christmas - Dinner and Movie | 4PM, Dec 14 (Tickets)

    • Location: The MET

    • Description: Join us on Sunday, December 14 for a festive family night full of holiday cheer, family fun, and a surprise guest from Whoville...the Grinch! Be sure to grab a photo while he's here.

Markets🎡

  • St. Norbert Farmers’ Market | 10AM-2PM, Dec 13 (FREE)

    • Location: Le Marché St Norbert Farmers Market

    • Description: For more than thirty years the St.Norbert Farmers’ Market has been serving Winnipeg and the surrounding area with fresh farm foods and handcrafted goods made in Manitoba.

  • Fantastical Emporium of Holiday Finds | 12PM-5PM, Dec 13 (FREE)

    • Location: Fort Rouge Leisure Centre

    • Description: Celebrating one year of bringing you incredible and well curated markets, the Fantastical Emporium is an oddities market series in support of Our Own Health Centre.

Performances🎭

  • Die Harder: A Manitoba Christmas Story | Dec 12-31 ($)

    • Location: Canad Inns Destination Centre

    • Description: Turns a Winnipeg high rise building into ground zero for festive mayhem; packed with 80’s hits, big hair and even bigger laughs!

  • Elf – The Musical | December 12-28 (Tickets)

    • Location: John Hirsch Mainstage

    • Description: Bursting with holiday spirit, joyful song and boundless cheer, Elf - The Musical is the gift we all need this Christmas. Undaunted by a series of misadventures, Buddy sings his way into the lives and hearts of his new family and friends.

  • Outside Joke's Holiday Musical Extravaganza | Dec 12-21 (Tickets)

    • Location: Prairie Theatre Exchange

    • Description: Back by popular demand, Outside Joke is ready to once again mine that bottomless pit of Holiday rom-com movie plots to bring hilarity to your Holiday. New for 2025: a full musical!

  • Burlesque in The Basement - Holiday Edition! | 8:30PM, Dec 12-13 (Tickets)

    • Location: The Basement Comedy Lounge

    • Description: Prairie Diva Presents “Burlesque in the Basement” - an intimate cabaret production featuring dancers, classic burlesque artists and more!

  • The Lightning Thief Musical | Dec 13-28 (Tickets)

    • Location: Manitoba Theatre for Young People

    • Description: Adapted from the book The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan. Percy Jackson has new powers he can’t control, a destiny he doesn’t want, and a mythology textbook worth of monsters on his trail.

Comedy❗

  • Kevin Bozeman | Dec 12-13 ($)

    • Location: Rumor's Restaurant and Comedy Club

  • Hassan Phills | Dec 12-13 ($)

    • Location: Yuk Yuk's Comedy Club

    • Description: Recently featured in Crave's original series The Office Movers, Hassan has firmly established himself as a dynamic force in Canadian entertainment.

  • Culturally Inappropriate Comedy Tour | 8:30PM, Dec 5-6 ($)

    • Location: The Basement

    • Description: Live Stand Up show starring comedians Noor Kidwai, Andrew Oporto, and Bonggun Kim. As seen on Just For Laughs, Canada’s Got Talent, Sirius XM, CBC, Funny or Die and also in their viral sketches.

Special Events🥂

  • FunkyTown Disco Rave | 9PM, Dec 12 ($)

    • Location: Diablo Club

    • Description: Incredible 3D Mapping, Next Level Stage Visuals, Psychedelic Light Up Dance Floor. Disco House and Funky Rave Music from some of Winnipeg's Grooviest Dj's

  • Deck the Halls of Dalnavert: A Victorian Christmas Tour | Dec 12 & 14 ($)

    • Location: Dalnavert Museum

    • Description: In this festive tour, travel back in time to Victorian Winnipeg and learn how Victorians celebrated Christmas by playing 'dangerous' parlour games, eating lots of candy, and carolling—pretty similar to today!

  • WSO presets Handel’s Messiah | 7:30PM, Dec 13 (Tickets)

    • Location: Centennial Concert Hall

    • Description: This holiday favourite returns to the Centennial Concert Hall! Experience the majesty of Handel’s Messiah with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra.

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!

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