Happy Friday, Winnipeg!

This weekend is shaping up nicely, with matcha pop-ups, winter activities, and plenty of live music happening around the city. Whether you’re heading out or keeping things simple, there’s lots to choose from!

Scroll to see what’s happening around the city and a few updates worth knowing as you plan the days ahead.

Now, in today’s edition:

  • New Housing Development Starts at The Forks

  • Homes of the Week

  • Manitoba Freezes Milk Prices for 2026

  • Winnipeg Police Step Up Enforcement Against Drug-Impaired Driving

  • 40+ Events this weekend & Live Music!

— Jas Singh

News

New Housing Development Starts at The Forks

Source: The Forks

Construction is officially underway on Railside.

A long-term project that will turn surface parking lots into a new, people-first neighbourhood right in the heart of downtown.

It’s a shift many Winnipeggers have been waiting to see. More homes, more green space, and more everyday life woven into one of the city’s most familiar gathering places.

The development sits along Israel Asper Way, across from the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, and is designed to feel walkable, welcoming, and connected.

Here’s what to know about what’s coming:

  • A mixed-use neighbourhood with homes, courtyards, public art, and walkable pathways

  • Ten mid-rise buildings planned over time, including condos, market rentals, and deeply affordable homes priced well below typical market rent

  • Up to 350 homes coming in Phase 1, with as many as 1,200 homes once the full project is complete

  • Outdoor spaces designed to reduce wind, bring in more daylight, and keep views open

Phase 1 is now underway on about 3.5 acres and is expected to be under construction through 2027, with additional phases following in the years ahead.

To limit disruption, no basements will be built, and an archaeologist will be on site during construction to ensure the land is treated with care.

If you’re curious about how this new neighbourhood will take shape over time, you can explore the full plan and future phases below.

A Message from Paragon Living!

New Apartments Now Open in Whyte Ridge

If you’ve driven past the Costco near Kenaston and McGillivray recently, you’ve probably noticed a lot of construction happening nearby. What you might not know is that those brand new apartments are now complete.

55 Post Street is Paragon Living’s newest apartment community in Whyte Ridge, and Winnipeg Digest readers are getting one of the first looks.

These are brand new, just-completed homes, designed for people who want modern living in a neighbourhood that feels active, family-friendly, and easy to settle into.

Here’s what’s waiting for you at 55 Post Street:

  • Modern townhome-style living with designer finishes

  • One and two-bedroom suites with walk-out balconies

  • Quartz countertops, designer cabinetry, and walk-in closets

  • In-suite full-size washer and dryer

  • Central air conditioning and individual thermostats

  • FREE high-speed internet included and more!

Living in Whyte Ridge means having everything close by. Grocery stores, schools, parks, restaurants, and major routes are all within easy reach, making day-to-day errands, commutes, and family routines feel simple and manageable.

So if you, or someone you know, is thinking about moving this year and wants something brand new in a well-connected, family-friendly part of the city, be sure to click below to get a first look at 55 Post Street.

Homes of the Week:

Home 1: Under $450k

  • Price: $429,900

  • Address: 78 Arlington Street / Wolseley

  • Details: 1412 sqft / 3 Bed / 1 Bath

  • Built in: 1909

Home 2: $450k - $650K

  • Price: $499,999

  • Address: 35 Packard Place / River Park South

  • Details: 1700 sqft / 4 Bed / 3 Bath

  • Built in: 1985

  • Parking Type: Attached Garage

Home 3: Over $650k

  • Price: $2,725,000

  • Address: 218 Handsart Boulevard / Tuxedo

  • Details: 3600 sqft / 4 Bed / 4 Bath

  • Built in: 1937

  • Parking Type: Detached Garage

City Updates

Manitoba Freezes Milk Prices for 2026

For many Winnipeg families, milk is one of those weekly essentials that adds up quickly. And that’s why this update matters.

The province has confirmed that the retail price of milk will be frozen for all of 2026, keeping Manitoba’s milk prices among the lowest in the country.

The decision was announced by Wab Kinew and Agriculture Minister Ron Kostyshyn, with a focus on keeping healthy food affordable while still supporting local dairy farmers.

Here’s what that means in practical terms:

  • No price increase on milk in 2026

  • More predictability for grocery budgets

  • And continued support for Manitoba dairy producers

Groups that work closely with families and schools point out that food costs are often one of the biggest challenges when it comes to healthy eating, especially for kids.

The province says this is one of several steps being reviewed as it looks at ways to help ease grocery costs over time.

Share Your Feedback on Proposed Changes to Winnipeg Transit Plus

If you or someone you know relies on Winnipeg Transit Plus, a few important updates are on the table, and the city wants riders to be part of the conversation.

The city is reviewing several draft policy changes and wants riders and families to understand what’s being proposed before anything is finalized.

They’re hosting information sessions to walk through what’s being proposed and hear directly from the people who may be affected.

Here’s what’s being reviewed:

  • Eligibility changes that better reflect real-life barriers, such as mobility challenges or physical environments, while still considering medical needs

  • No-show and late cancellation policies, shaped by feedback from earlier consultations

  • And carry-on bag rules, to clarify what riders can bring with them

The goal is to make the service clearer, fairer, and more responsive to how people actually use Transit Plus. Both in-person and virtual sessions are planned, and registration is required.

If Transit Plus plays a role in your day-to-day life, or supports someone you care about, this is a meaningful opportunity to stay informed and be heard. Click the link below to sign up and help shape how this service works moving forward.

Community Digest

Winnipeg Police Step Up Enforcement Against Drug-Impaired Driving

Source: City of Winnipeg

Most of us want the same thing when we get behind the wheel. To get where we’re going and make it home safely. That’s why this update matters for everyone sharing the road.

The Winnipeg Police Service, working with Manitoba Public Insurance, is increasing checks for drug-impaired driving through March 1. Officers will be paying closer attention to drivers who may be under the influence of cannabis or other drugs.

Police are also reminding people that cannabis can affect the body longer than many expect. Edibles can take hours to fully kick in and may impact driving well after use, while inhaled cannabis can impair judgment sooner than people realize.

Here’s what police saw during a similar effort last year:

  • 302 traffic stops were made

  • 97 drivers tested positive for recent cannabis use

  • 86 tickets were issued for cannabis-related offences in vehicles

An awareness campaign is running alongside this effort, supported in part by Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries, with one clear message: #DontDriveHigh.

For families and caregivers, this is a good reminder to have open conversations at home about safe choices. Those small talks can make a real difference in keeping everyone safe on Winnipeg’s roads.

Exciting Events: January 16th - 18th

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

Sports🏀

  • Winnipeg Jets vs Toronto Maple Leafs | 6PM, Jan 17 ($)

    • Location: Canada Life Centre

  • Winnipeg Run Club | 8AM, Jan 17 (FREE)

    • Location: Forks Main Elevator

Community Fun🎆

  • Fleurs de Villes | Jan 16-25 (Tickets)

    • Location: The Leaf

    • Description: Fleurs de Villes - Wonder is a fresh floral celebration of the natural wonders of the world brought to life by Winnipeg’s talented floral designers.

  • Living Prairie Museum Snowshoe Saturday | 11AM-3PM, Jan 17 (FREE)

    • Location: Living Prairie Museum

    • Description: Free snowshoe rentals available between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Learn to snowshoe on the prairie and then warm up with hot chocolate!

  • Learn to Winter Activites | 1-4PM, January 17-18 (FREE/More Info)

    • Location: Multiple Locations

    • Description: Discover the joy of winter with The Forks Learn to Winter programming!

    • Activities:

      • Warming Hut Tours

      • DJs on Ice

      • Skating Lessons

      • Storytelling and Drumming

      • Winter Wellness Classes

Markets🎡

  • Winnipeg Renovation Show 2026 | Jan 16-18 (Tickets)

    • Location: RBC Convention Centre

    • Description: The Winnipeg Renovation Show is a vibrant marketplace where you can shop in-person with REAL people for home-related products and services, experience stunning displays to help inspire your next home project.

  • St. Norbert Farmers’ Market | 10AM-2PM, Jan 17 (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.

Performances🎭

  • Murder on the Orient Express Play | Jan 16 - Feb 7 (Tickets)

    • Location: John Hirsch Mainstage

    • Description: Detective Hercule Poirot is aboard the Orient Express when a fellow passenger is murdered. As the famous detective investigates, he encounters a cast of intriguing passengers, including the glamorous Mrs. Hubbard and the enigmatic Princess Dragomiroff.

  • WSO presents The Music of Studio Ghibli | 2PM, Jan 17 (Tickets)

    • Location: Centennial Concert Hall

    • Description: A symphonic journey through the musical world of Studio Ghibli and the acclaimed composer Joe Hisaishi.

  • ImproVision | 8:30PM, Jan 17 (Tickets)

    • Location: The Getaway

    • Description: They take suggestions from the audience (that’s you) and make stuff up on the spot with their own unique brand of twisted short form improv. It’s like Whose Line Is It Anyway suffered a head injury and decided to incorporate clothespins, audience cell phones, puppets and more.

Comedy❗

  • Friday Comedy Showcase | 8:30PM, Jan 16 ($)

    • Location: The Basement Comedy Lounge

    • Description: An all-star lineup of Winnipeg's most talented comedians strutting their stuff at The Basement!

  • Bryan Hatt | Jan 16-17 ($)

    • Location: Yuk Yuks Comedy Club

    • Description: Nearly two decades in the business have transformed Bryan into one of the best acts in the country. He’ll make you laugh and feel thinner all at once!

  • Clayton English Comedy | Jan 16-17 ($)

    • Location: Rumor's Restaurant and Comedy Club

    • Description: He first came to national attention as the winner of NBC's 2015 ‘Last Comic Standing’ competition and has since headlined in clubs, colleges, and festivals non-stop throughout the country.

  • Comedy Battle Royale | 8:30PM, Jan 17 (Tickets)

    • Location: The Basement Comedy Lounge

    • Description: It's an audience-favourite that pits teams of comedians against each other to test their joke-writing skills and comedic instincts under some seriously high pressure.

Special Events🥂

  • An Evening of Sherlock Holmes | 7PM, Jan 16 (Tickets)

    • Location: Dalnavert Museum

    • Description: Step into the parlour for an intimate evening with the world's greatest detective. Enjoy a reading of the classic Sherlock Holmes tale "The Adventure of the Speckled Band" in the immersive setting of Dalnavert's lavish surroundings

  • ilycha matcha Pop-Up | 10AM-6PM, Jan 17 (More Info)

    • Location: Jenna Rae Cakes

    • Description: A one-day-only matcha pop-up at Jenna Rae Cakes featuring exclusive drinks and sweet treats you won’t find anywhere else in Winnipeg.

  • Classic Albums Live Performs Led Zeppelin II | 7:30PM, Jan 18 (Tickets)

    • Location: Centennial Concert Hall

    • Description: Do you remember listening to an entire album? The thrill of dropping the needle on the greatest music ever recorded? Classic Albums Live does. Classic Albums Live takes the greatest classic rock albums and recreates them live on stage - note for note, cut for cut.

  • Gumo Matcha Pop-Up | 11AM-3PM, Jan 18 (More Info)

    • Location: Archival Studios

    • Description: Spend your Sunday sipping matcha and browsing curated vintage clothing.

  • Ski Library at the Marsh | Jan 18 ($)

    • Location: Oak Hammock Marsh

    • Description: Make the most of winter and try skiing surrounded by the beauty of Oak Hammock Marsh. Glide through wide-open prairie skies and frozen wetlands on peaceful, scenic trails.

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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