Hey Winnipeg,

Let’s keep the intro short, as these summer editions are already super packed.

From Manitoba ending its state of emergency, to Graham Avenue getting a full transformation, to a ton of cool events popping up all over the city.

So grab your coffee, settle in, and let’s get into it.

In today’s edition:

• Manitoba Ends State of Emergency

• New Program Helps Cut Energy Costs Up to $1,000 a Year

• Graham Ave Turns Intoa Pedestrian-Only Street

• Free Art Workshops by the City of Winnipeg

• Multiple events this week & more

— Jas Singh

News

Manitoba Ends State of Emergency as Fire Conditions Improve

It’s been nearly a month since the province first declared a state of emergency due to wildfires, and while the situation is still serious, conditions have improved enough to lift the province-wide order.

Here’s what’s changed:

• About 9,000 evacuees have been able to return home

• Firefighters made strong progress on the ground

• Some local evacuation orders still remain

• The province is holding extra hotel rooms just in case

• And travel is open again, but caution is still advised

Things aren’t totally back to normal, but it’s a good sign that we’re getting there.

Premier Wab Kinew says this marks a turning point, but one that comes with a reminder to stay alert. The province will continue monitoring active fires, especially in areas where people haven’t yet been able to return.

A big thank you goes to the firefighters, front-line responders, and support teams who’ve worked non-stop to protect homes and communities in these tough times.

Click here: To see what’s changed, check the latest update, and wildfire info.

New Program Helps Cut Energy Costs Up to $1,000 a Year

If you’ve ever braced yourself before opening a winter hydro bill, you’re not alone. Heating our homes in Manitoba isn’t cheap. But there’s some hopeful news for homeowners.

The province just launched the Affordable Home Energy Program to help folks upgrade to heat pumps, which can keep your house warm in winter and cool in summer while using way less energy.

• It can save some households up to $1,000 a year on energy

• Heat pumps run on electricity and can lower your heating costs by up to 30%

• The program covers ground-source heat pumps and other upgrades like insulation

• There’s a no-upfront-cost option for families who qualify

• And it also supports multi-unit buildings, not just single homes

The program is part of the province’s push to make life more affordable while moving toward clean energy.

Click Here: To learn more about the program and check if your home qualifies

Together with Cleanr Property Maintenance!

Winnipeg’s One-Stop Shop for a Great Backyard

If weekends are starting to fill up with mowing, raking, and trying to figure out why the grass still looks off, you’re not alone.

With July right around the corner, Winnipeg lawns are growing fast. And for a lot of folks, it’s the perfect time to get a little help.

That’s where Cleanr comes in.

This isn’t a big chain or some pop-up crew. Cleanr started with just $200, a borrowed mower, and some flyers printed at Staples. Nearly 10 years later, they’ve grown into one of Winnipeg’s most trusted names in lawn care, serving hundreds of homes, condos, and local businesses.

Here’s what they handle:

• Weekly mowing, trimming, and edging.

• Lawn aeration, fertilizer, and power raking.

• Spring cleanups, sod installs, and all of your landscaping!

It’s all backed by their 200% satisfaction guarantee. If it’s not done right, they’ll come back. Still not happy? You don’t pay!

It’s one of the easiest ways to take lawn care off your plate and give your yard the summer it deserves.

Spots fill up fast this time of year, so if you or someone you know could use the help, click below to learn more and get started.

Advertise with us by emailing: [email protected]

Community Spotlight

Art Donations Now Open for Art From the Attic Event

If you’ve got old paintings or prints gathering dust in the basement, here’s a feel-good reason to finally let them go.

The people behind Art From the Attic are once again collecting gently used art for a good cause. And this year, they’re hoping to top last year’s $40,000 total, which helped support the Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign through the Stephen Lewis Foundation.

Here’s how you can pitch in:

• They’re accepting art donations now until September 6

• All the pieces will be sold this fall to raise funds for African grandmothers caring for kids orphaned by HIV/AIDS

• Last year’s sale featured over 3,000 donated works from Winnipeg homes

It’s a sweet way to clear out some space and know it’s going to something bigger. Because sometimes, helping out is as simple as passing along what you already have.

Got art to donate or questions about the process? Just send a note to [email protected].

Click Here: To learn more about the cause!

City Updates

Winnipeg Turns Graham Ave Into a Pedestrian-Only Street Starting Next Week

Winnipeg just launched a pedestrian placemaking pilot on Graham Avenue, and starting next week, buses will be removed from most of the street to make space for people to walk, bike, and enjoy downtown in a new way.

Here’s what’s happening:

• Four blocks of Graham will no longer have regular vehicle traffic

• Protected bike lanes and wider pedestrian areas are being added

• New street furniture, lighting, and picnic spaces will brighten the area

• With murals by local artists being painted directly on the road

This is part of a bigger effort to bring new life to downtown through CentrePlan 2050, a long-term vision to make our core more walkable, vibrant, and welcoming.

And it’s not just the city making this happen:

• Tec-Voc High School students helped build and design the furniture

• Downtown Winnipeg BIZ is adding ping pong tables, planters, and benches

• And community partners like Storefront Manitoba, Ron Paul Greenhouses, and Lights Unlimited are also stepping in

It’s a fresh chapter for Graham Avenue and downtown Winnipeg. So, let’s help make it a place worth spending time in.

Click Here: For more information on the project and see what’s planned next.

Nominations Open for the 2025 Manitoba Healthy Aging Awards

The Manitoba Healthy Aging Awards are back for 2025, and the province is calling for nominations to honour older adults (65+) who go above and beyond for others in their communities.

Here’s what to know:

• There are four award categories, including one for intergenerational impact and one focused on mental wellness

• The awards line up with Seniors and Elders Month in October

• Winners will be recognized on the government’s website and at a special ceremony this fall

• Nominations close on August 4

The goal? To recognize older adults who support health, movement, connection, and care. Whether it’s someone leading walking groups, mentoring younger folks, or fighting for better supports for seniors, these are the people making life better for all of us.

So if you know someone worth nominating, be sure to click the link below to submit your nominations…

Let’s give the quiet champions in our lives the thanks they truly deserve.

Click here: To nominate someone you know!

Community Digest

Free Art Workshops at the Public Library with New Maker-in-Residence

This summer, local artist Callen Maude is the Winnipeg Public Library’s Maker-in-Residence, and they’re inviting folks of all ages to get creative through a series of free workshops across the city.

• Callen’s residency runs from July 8 to October 11 at the ideaMILL inside Millennium Library

• Their workshops cover everything from textile art and collage to illustration and sculpture

• Sessions are beginner-friendly and focus on accessible, sustainable materials

• They’ll also be offering free creative workshops at other library branches

Callen’s all about community, creativity, and making space for everyone to explore their own ideas, whether you’re a seasoned maker or just curious to try something new.

Click Here: To check the full schedule of the free workshops!

Quick heads up, Winnipeggers!

Just wanted to say sorry for a small mix-up in our last edition. We accidentally linked the wrong pages for Loveville and Village Music Fest. Totally our bad.

But we’ve fixed it this time, so if either of those caught your eye before, you’ll find the right links below to check them out properly!

Now, onto all the awesome things happening around the city…

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!

• Winnipeg Sea Bears vs Scarborough Shooting Stars | 7:30PM, June 27 ($)

  • Location: Canada Life Centre

• Village Music Fest | June 27-28 (More Info)

  • Location: Osborne Village

  • Description: Showcase how Canada’s multicultural landscape continues to shape the nation’s music scene.

• 2025 Corydon Avenue Concert Series | 12PM-1PM, June 27-28 (FREE)

  • Location: Hugo Street N and Cockburn Street S

  • Description: People come from all over Winnipeg to dance under the stars in Little Italy. Every night there will be live music by talented local musicians. Bring a lawn chair and sit back and enjoy the warm Winnipeg nights with the sounds of Jazz, Rock, Pop, Soul and Blues music (or hit the dance floor and practice your best moves).

• RISE Musical Theatre presents: The REMIX | 2PM & 7PM, June 28 (Tickets)

  • Location: Prairie Theatre Exchange

  • Description: The first-ever choreographic showcase spotlighting 10 of Winnipeg's top hip hop and commercial dance choreographers.

• Loveville Music Festival 2025 | 2PM-12AM, June 28 (Tickets)

  • Location: Assiniboia Downs

  • Description: The Biggest Afrobeats Festival in Central Canada. Good times beyond the stages. An unforgettable experience with live performances from top artists, delicious food and exciting activities.

• Eat Like a Victorian | 1PM, June 28 (Tickets)

  • Location: Dalnavert Museum

  • Description: Join us for an afternoon of edible history as we serve a variety of Victorian snacks and dishes while discussing the history of each dish. We will take you through the dishes of the household staff all the way to the head of the house.

• Bumper to Bumper Carshow | 9AM, June 29 (Tickets)

  • Location: Open Grounds of Outlet Collection Winnipeg

• WHOSE LIVE ANYWAY? | 8PM, June 29 (Tickets)

  • Location: Centennial Concert Hall

  • Description: 90 minutes of hilarious improvised comedy and song all based on audience suggestions. Audience participation is key to the show so bring your suggestions and you might be asked to join the cast onstage!

Exciting Events: June 25th & 26th

Events marked with (Tickets / $) require advance purchase. Double-check dates before heading out!

Sports🏒

• Live Horse Racing | 7:30PM, June 25 (Free, more info)

  • Location: Assiniboia Downs

• Exchange Summer Fitness – Bootcamp at the 201 Portage Plaza
  | 12-12:45PM, June 25 (free/learn more)

  • Location: 201 Portage Plaza

• Exchange Summer Fitness – Yoga in Stephen Juba Park
  | 12-12:45PM, June 26

  • Location: Stephen Juba Park

Community Fun🎆

• South Osborne Farmers’ Market | 4PM-8PM, June 25 (FREE)

  • Location: Lord Roberts Community Centre

• Many Nations, One Heartbeat | June 25 - July 1 (FREE)

  • Location: The Forks

  • Description: From National Indigenous Peoples Day to Canada Day, The Forks will host 11 days of programming under the theme “Many Nations, One Heartbeat” — a celebration of the many cultures that make up Manitoba and Canada. Each day offers free, family-friendly programming.

• Paddle Nights | 6PM, June 26 ($)

  • Location: Fort Whyte Alive

  • Description: Spend an evening paddling before sunset for the perfect summer night. No experience is required.

• Bison Bus Tour | June 26 ($)

  • Location: FortWhyte Alive

  • Description: See North America’s largest land mammal from just metres away, interacting in their natural habitat.

• Jeudis Franco Thursdays | June 26 (FREE)

  • Location: Saint-Boniface

  • Description: A vibrant cultural event series that takes place every Thursday from June to August in the St. Boniface quarter to celebrate French culture and language with a diverse range of activities, including a street market, live music, film screenings, art exhibits, and more.

• sākihiwē festival | June 26-29 (FREE)

  • Location: Turtle Island Neighbourhood Centre

  • Description: Celebrating Indigenous music and culture in Winnipeg’s core and North End. Featuring over 20 First Nation, Inuit, and Métis performers, the festival connects live music with Indigenous and newcomer communities.

Performances🎭

• Rock of Ages | June 26 - July 12 (Tickets)

  • Location: Rainbow Stage

  • Description: The broadway musical Rock of Ages tells a love story between a small-town girl and a city boy set against the backdrop of 1980s Hollywood’s Sunset Strip.

• Waiting for Godot at Shakespeare in the Ruins | June 25 - July 6 ($)

  • Location: Trappist Monastery Provincial Heritage Park

  • Description: SIR’s 2025 season embraces the theme of destiny.

    Samuel Beckett’s absolute masterpiece, and one of the most important texts of the last century: Waiting for Godot has surely become one of the most canonical and enigmatic plays since Shakespeare.

• Macbeth, by William Shakespeare | June 25 - July 5 (Tickets)

  • Location: Trappist Monastery Provincial Heritage Park

  • Description: This popular ‘Shakespearean noir’ is exciting as a murder mystery, but it is its palpable and sensual atmosphere that really grabs us.

• Grease Lightning Musical | June 26, 28 & 29 ($)

  • Location: Destination Dinner Stage

  • Description: Greetings, Winnipeg High class of 1959, you are all invited to the biggest Rock and Roll reunion this town has ever seen!

Special Events/Comedy🥂

• Spirits with Spirits | 7-9PM, June 25 (FREE)

  • Location: The King's Head Pub

  • Description: We are back with The Winnipeg Paranormal Group for a night of cool spookiness! Prepare for a night where the veil between worlds grows thin! Join us for an evening of eerie tales, shared over quenching beverages - 'Spirits with Spirits'!

• Tommy Mellor | June 25-28 (Tickets)

  • Location: Rumor's Restaurant and Comedy Club

  • Description: He recently won the title of best comedian in Calgary at the 2022 Laugh Shop comedy competition and recently released his comedy special “The Prince Of All Comics” to much fanfare and critical praise.

• Cinema Under the Stars 2025 - No Fighting in my Cabin | 9:30PM, June 26 (FREE)

  • Location: Ruins of St. Boniface Cathedral

  • Description: Movies Under the Stars offers screenings of French-language films, accessible to all thanks to the presence of English subtitles.

• Bonsai Winnipeg | June 26-29 (Tickets)

  • Location: WAG-Qaumajuq

  • Description: Join us for a rare showcase of beautifully crafted trees by some of central Canada’s finest bonsai artists right here in Winnipeg.

Music 🎵

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].