Midweek check-in, Winnipeg!

With Christmas just two weeks away, the city feels a little busier and a little brighter. Lights are going up, plans are being made, and everyone’s trying to get ahead of the holiday rush while they still can.

Our 25 Days of Giveaways have added some extra cheer to these days too, with a new prize popping up every afternoon.

Here’s what is happening around Winnipeg right now:

— Jas Singh

The Holiday Checkstop Program is officially underway, and it comes with an important reminder as gatherings pick up and roads get busier. Impaired driving remains one of the most preventable dangers on Manitoba streets, and even one risky choice can change a family’s life forever.

Police will be out through December and into New Year’s Eve to keep people safe and catch impaired drivers before harm can occur.

If you plan to drink or use cannabis, please choose a safer way home.

This season should be about warmth, connection and getting home safely to the people you love.

If you want to use Operation Red Nose this season or even volunteer to help others get home safely, click the link below to learn more about the program.

Click Here: To learn how Operation Red Nose works, request a ride, or sign up to volunteer.

Canad Inns Winter Wonderland is currently happening at Red River Exhibition Park, and it’s bringing millions of twinkling lights everyone can enjoy from the warmth of their car.

Running now until January 3, it’s one of Winnipeg’s favourite holiday outings and a chance to make new memories together.

More than two million lights stretch across a 2.5 km route, with over 40 new displays and plenty of surprises along the way. Whether you’re heading out with kids, grandkids or a group of friends, it’s a relaxed and heartwarming way to enjoy the season together.

This Friday is the last chance to take part in Furry Friends Fridays. Bring your pets between 6 pm and 9 pm for a festive photo with all four characters: Santa, Mrs. Claus, The Grinch and Cindy Lou Who.

General admission is $30 per vehicle, with options for larger groups. It’s a gentle way to slow down together and make a memory your family will smile about long after the holidays pass.

The holidays make most homes feel a little warmer, but at Winnipeg Animal Services, this time of year can be the quietest. With reduced hours and fewer visitors, the dogs feel that stillness, and even a day or two in a home can make a world of difference.

A short break from the kennels gives them space to relax, reset, and remember what it feels like to be part of a family. And for many, that’s the step that helps them find their forever home.

These small visits change everything. Dogs return happier, calmer, and often one step closer to being chosen.

If your holiday plans are a bit quiet this year, opening your door, even briefly, can mean more than you know.

Click Here: To explore adoptable dogs and learn more about Doggie Dates!

And if you already have pets at home, the Winnipeg Humane Society has support available to help make the holidays a little easier. With the cost of pet care rising, more families are turning to the WHS pet food bank than ever before, with visits up 242 percent this year.

To give families some breathing room, the WHS is offering holiday pet food hampers on December 16, first come, first served, at the West End Resource Centre (823 Ellice Ave.) from 3 to 4 pm. It’s a small way to help keep pets fed, healthy, and at home where they belong.

Click Here: Learn more about the hampers and how you can get them

The City has narrowed down all the creative submissions for this year’s Name That Plow contest, and now it’s our turn to help choose the winners.

Kids, classrooms and plenty of adults sent in creative ideas for six loaders, six graders and a team of smaller sidewalk and pathway plows. After reviewing entries submitted between November 20 and December 5, the City shared its top choices this past Monday.

You can vote until December 31, with winners announced on January 7, 2026.

It’s a small but fun way to bring a little joy into winter and get the whole community involved.

So click the link below to see the top names up for voting and cast your vote!

Click Here: To cast your vote and help name Winnipeg’s plows!

A short-term liquor sale kicks off today, with roughly 100 U.S.-made alcohol products back on shelves for a limited time.

The province had pulled these items earlier this year in response to American tariffs, but instead of letting the remaining stock expire, the province is putting it to good use.

Proceeds from this sale are expected to raise $500,000 for charity cheer boards in Winnipeg, Brandon and Thompson, helping provide food and gifts to families who could use a little extra support this season.

It’s a practical way to clear out existing inventory while turning it into something generous for Manitoba families during the holidays.

If you’d like to see the full list of stores where these items are stocked, click the link below.

Click Here: To see all participating locations and learn more about the sale.

MPI is updating how high school students register for its Driver Z program, hoping to put an end to the early-morning rush that used to send families lining up outside brokers and service centres.

Beginning with spring 2026 courses, eligible students will receive an assigned multi-day registration window instead of competing for spots all on the same day.

Driver Z costs students $50, with MPI covering more than $600 per enrollee. The new system is meant to ease pressure on families and make sign-ups smoother and more accessible for everyone.

So be sure to click the link below and share it with anyone you know who’ll be taking Driver Z soon!

Click Here: To learn more about the new registration process.

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].