Happy Monday, Winnipeg!
What a weekend it was. Between the concerts, the Santa Claus Parade, and all the Grey Cup festivities lighting up the city, it felt like every corner of Winnipeg had something going on. We hope you had a chance to bundle up, brave the wind, and enjoy at least a small piece of it.
In today’s edition, we’re catching you up on what you may have missed over the weekend and what’s coming up in the week ahead.
Grab your morning coffee, settle in, and let’s dive into what’s happening around Winnipeg.
Now, in today’s edition:
Winnipeg Raises Property Taxes for Homeowners in 2026
Restaurants of the Week
City of Winnipeg to Light Up 50-foot City Hall Christmas Tree
Manitoba Provides $750K Funding to Support Victims of Crime
Multiple events this week & more
— Jas Singh

News
Winnipeg Raises Property Taxes for Homeowners in 2026
Winnipeg shared its preliminary 2026 budget update, and a few key changes stand out for households across the city. The focus this year is on stability and keeping long-term projects moving, while still trying to keep things affordable.
Here’s a simple breakdown of the changes that matter most for Winnipeg homeowners and where the city plans to invest in the year ahead.
Here’s what you need to know:
Property Taxes: Rising 3.5%, returning to the planned multi-year rate
Impact on Homeowners: About $75 more per year for a home assessed at $371,000
Capital Spending: A record $1.2 billion, driven mainly by the North End sewage plant upgrades
Roads: $1.1 billion invested in regional and local roads, including work on Route 90 and Chief Peguis Trail
Transit: 143 new buses coming over six years to modernize the fleet
Water & Sewer: Increases held to 2.8% in 2026
These updates are part of a broader plan to manage growth while keeping essential services reliable, including clean water, safer roads, and a transit system that can keep up with the city's growth.
If you’d like to see every detail in the city’s plan, you can explore the full update below.
Click here: To see the full 2026 budget details.
Winnipeg Residents Encouraged to Share Feedback on the 2026 Budget Update
With the property tax changes now laid out, the city is inviting residents to help shape the rest of the 2026 budget. It’s a small but meaningful chance to share what matters to you and what you want to see invested in as Winnipeg grows.
Here are the ways you can share your feedback:
Online survey open until November 30
Speak in person as a delegation at a committee meeting
Send a written submission if you’d rather share your thoughts on record
Public budget meetings begin December 1 for anyone wanting to listen in or follow along
City council will review all feedback as they work toward finalizing the budget on December 17.
It’s good to see the city opening the door for everyday Winnipeggers to take part in decisions that shape our neighbourhoods, roads, services, and the future of our city. A few minutes of input might feel small, but it truly helps guide where time and money go in the year ahead.
So if something matters to you, big or small, click the link below to share your feedback and be part of the process.

Restaurant of the Week: The Forge Bagel Co.

Source: Mayor Scott Gillingham
New Hand-Forged Bagels Arrive in Winnipeg
Winnipeg loves a good food lineup, and The Forge Bagel Co. proved it this weekend. They opened on Saturday to a crowd waiting out the door, with the first person showing up at 5 in the morning.
People waited for hours, and everyone who made it through said the same thing: totally worth it!
The father-daughter team behind the shop spent nearly two years perfecting their recipe, and you can taste the care in every bagel.
Here’s what they’re serving:
Polishire bagels in flavours like Banana Bread Chocolate Chip, Old World Sesame, Blistered Onion, Double Blueberry, Cinnamon & Raisin, and Jalapeño & Old Cheddar
House-made lifts including Wild Blueberry, Dill & Garlic, Chocolate Espresso, Peanut Butter Cup, Devonshire Cream, Maple Cream, and Simply Strawberry or Blueberry Preserves
Anvil Coffee, their custom espresso blend sourced from Ethiopia, Colombia, Costa Rica, and Papua New Guinea
📍 692 St. Anne’s Road, Winnipeg
🕓 Opening Week (Nov 17–22): Mostly 7 a.m.–2 p.m.
🕓 Regular Hours (Starting Nov 23): Wed–Fri 7 a.m.–2 p.m., Sat 8 a.m.–2 p.m.
If you’re planning to visit, give yourself a bit of extra time and maybe bring a friend to chat with while you wait. The hype hasn’t slowed down, but the line moves steadily and the bagels are worth every minute.


If you enjoy this newsletter, here’s one simple truth:
It exists because of readers like you and the local businesses that support it.
Every edition takes hours to put together.
Every event, restaurant, and story is hand-picked because we want Winnipeg to feel a little more connected every single week.
And right now, Winnipeg Digest reaches over 120,000 Winnipeggers who care about their community, try new places, and genuinely want Winnipeg to thrive.
If you run a business, work at one, or know someone who does, we’d love to help you reach this community.
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If that sounds like something you want to be part of, please bring us up at work or share this with someone who might be a great fit.
And if you want to chat directly, email us anytime at [email protected].
Thank you for being here.
We never take it lightly.

Community Digest
Downtown Santa Parade Recap

Source: reincabalquinto
The Manitoba Hydro Santa Parade had one of its biggest turnouts in years, with thousands of Winnipeggers bundling up and heading downtown to catch the floats, the lights, and Santa himself.
Families showed up early, kids waved at every group that passed by, and the whole route felt bright and lively from the moment the parade began.
Colourful floats, marching bands, dancers, and volunteers kept the energy high all evening. And as Santa got closer, you could feel the excitement rise, especially from the little ones waiting along Portage.
It was a simple, joyful night that showed how much this tradition still means to the city.
If you missed the parade or just want to relive it, we put together our favourite clips from the night so you can catch the best moments.
Click Here: To watch the full parade experience!
Jets Take Shootout Win in Calgary
The Jets wrapped up their road trip with the kind of game that keeps you leaning forward the whole night. Calgary tied things late, but Winnipeg held steady, pushed it to a shootout, and came out with a well-earned win to end the trip on a high note.
Here’s a quick recap:
Jets won 4–3 in a shootout after Calgary tied it with under two minutes left
Connor Hellebuyck made 31 saves and kept the Jets steady all night
Scheifele, Perfetti, and Pearson scored in regulation
Gabe Vilardi scored the shootout winner to close the game
It was a hard-fought game with a few unlucky bounces, but the Jets kept pushing and found a way to finish strong. If you want to see the big saves, the goals, and the shootout game winner, click the link below to watch the game highlights!
Click Here: To watch the game highlights!
And before the team hits the ice again, the Jets are hosting their fourth annual Filipino Heritage Night on Nov. 18. The evening will feature cultural performances, Filipino dishes, youth hockey showcases, and digital art created by local students.
It’s a warm, lively celebration that shines a light on one of Winnipeg’s biggest cultural communities.
City Updates
City of Winnipeg to Light Up the 50-foot City Hall Tree Tonight

Source: Mayor Scott Gillingham
The holiday season in Winnipeg always feels like it really begins once the big tree at City Hall lights up.
It’s one of those small Winnipeg moments where people gather after work, kids bundled up, and the whole city seems to pause for a bit of warmth.
If you’re planning to stop by tonight, here’s what you can look forward to:
A 50ft tree decorated with 8,000 ornaments and 65,000 LED lights
A topper that gently “dances” once the lights switch on
The ceremony begins at 5:45 p.m.
Santa on-site, along with refreshments
If you’re going, consider bringing an unwrapped toy for the Christmas Cheer Board. It’s a simple way to brighten someone’s holiday, and nights like this remind us how much those small gestures matter.
Manitoba Provides $750K Funding to Support Victims of Crime
The province announced a new round of funding this week aimed at helping victims and families affected by serious crimes.
With November being Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the focus is on making sure support is available across Manitoba, from counselling and crisis shelters to programs that help families after loss.
The $750,000 comes from the Criminal Property Forfeiture Fund, which redirects the proceeds of crime back into community services.
Here’s where the funding is going:
$200,000 to Candace House for families navigating the court system after losing a loved one
Up to $110,000 for Victim Services, including travel support, translation, elder services, and emergency cellphones
$90,000 to Heartwood Healing Centre for therapy for survivors of childhood sexual abuse
$50,000 to Wiping Away the Tears, supporting families of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and two-spirit individuals
With additional support for shelters and crisis programs in Dauphin, Brandon, Winnipeg, and northern communities
These funds help strengthen the day-to-day supports people rely on, whether that means a safe place to stay, a counsellor to talk to, or someone to guide them through the justice process.
It’s a meaningful reminder of the work being done quietly across Manitoba, and how much difference steady, compassionate support can make when families are going through their hardest moments.
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Source: Assiniboine Park Zoo
Events 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!
Ms. Lauryn Hill | 9PM, Nov 19 (Tickets)
Location: Burton Cummings Theatre
Description: Joined by her band, she reimagines the stage as a live environment, where music, visuals, and experimentation unfold in real time. A unique encounter: part concert, part exhibition, part creative laboratory.
Bonnes Bonnes | Nov 19-29 (Tickets)
Location: Cercle Molière Theater
Description: Three women of Chinese descent gather around a bold new work by one of their own — a reimagining of Jean Genet’s Les Bonnes. Together, they dive headfirst into childhood memories, the love-hate tug-of-war with whiteness, the colonial residues etched in their minds and just as passionately, into Chinese soap operas, chili sauce, family rituals and the bestselling Crazy Rich Asians.
Magic/Fairy Wand Designing Workshop | 6:30PM, Nov 20 (More Info)
Location: Bronx Park Community Centre
Description: FUN!!! Back by Popular Demand! Another Magic/Fairy Wand Workshop! Come Create your own. Choose from an amazing assortment of thousands of beads and charms! All ages!
Die Harder: A Manitoba Christmas Story | Nov 20 - Dec 31 (Tickets)
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!
The Mike Janzen Band | 7:30PM, Nov 21 (Tickets)
Location: Burton Cummings Theatre
Description: Mike will be joined by stellar Winnipeg songsmith Steve Bell, singer Erin Propp as well as some of Canada’s finest musicians (Davide Direnzo, George Koller, and Lydia Munchinsky) as the band performs selections from all three albums of The Psalms Project.
Zoo Lights | November 21 - January 1 (Tickets)
Location: Assiniboine Park Zoo
Description: Over 1.75 million twinkling lights will transform the Zoo into a dazzling winter wonderland. 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!
Third + Bird Christmas Market | Nov 21-23 (Tickets)
Location: Red River Exhibition Park
Description: Their 17th annual Christmas market is just around the corner and they can't wait to showcase our carefully curated selection of 170 vendors. Buy Christmas gifts from local vendors!
Trivium | 7:30PM, Nov 22 (Tickets)
Location: Burton Cummings Theatre
Description: The band will embark on “The Ascend Above the Ashes” trek that stops in WInnipeg November 22. Special guests Jinjer will appear, while Heriot will serve as support.
Candlelight Concert: Timeless Composers | 8:45PM, Nov 22 (Tickets)
Location: Crescent Arts Centre
Description: Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations like never seen before in Winnipeg.
Tosca | November 22, 26 & 28 (Tickets)
Location: Centennial Concert Hall
Description: Heart-pounding drama, intense passion, and soaring melodies are a killer combination in this fateful day in the life of the diva Tosca.
Exciting Events: November 17th & 18th
Sports🏀
Winnipeg Jets vs. Columbus Blue Jackets | Filipino Heritage Night | 7PM, Nov 18 ($)
Location: Canada Life Centre
Music 🎵
Live at Belle's (Central Soundwave) | 12PM, Nov 17 (FREE)
Location: Belle's Kitchen + Music Hall
Live at Belle's (Jeff Sahulka/Chris Morin/Mary Simon/Daniel + Sheena) | 11:45AM-11PM, Nov 18 (FREE)
Location: Belle's Kitchen + Music Hall
Tuesday Night Jazz Jam | 8PM, Nov 18 (FREE)
Location: Park Alleys
Community Fun🎆
Mini Mondays (Rainbow Road & Colourful Popsicle Matching) | 10AM-2PM, Nov 17 (FREE)
Location: Manitoba Children's Museum
Description: A fun-filled day of stimulating play designed for our youngest visitors, children under 4 years old! We provide tailored crafts to help develop fine motor skills, activities that aid in dramatic play, and/or a special story time
Free Photos with Santa at Cabela’s 2025 | November 17 - December 24 (FREE/More Info)
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, festive crafts, and seasonal giveaways!
Special Events🥂
We Will Choir! You (Choir! Choir! Choir!) | 8PM, Nov 17 (Tickets)
Location: Burton Cummings Theatre
Description: Choir! Choir! Choir! is the fully interactive, participatory show that turns the audience into performers! So get ready to laugh, dance and SING! your hearts out with hundreds of other music-lovers just like you.
A Number Play | Nov 18-29 (Tickets)
Location: Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre - Tom Hendry Warehouse
Description: What happens when you discover more than one YOU in the world? This psychological thriller explores themes of identity, family dynamics and the ethics of scientific experimentation.
Serving Elizabeth Play | 5PM, Nov 18-23 (Tickets)
Location: Prairie Theatre Centre
Description: Politics and pop culture collide with unexpected twists as the story moves between 1952 Kenya—when an anti-monarchist cook works for Princess Elizabeth in the Royal Lodge—and 2015 London— when a Kenyan-Canadian film student clashes with convention while working on a TV series about the Royal Family.
Tyler Kotowski | 7:45PM, Nov 18-19 ($)
Location: Rumor's Restaurant and Comedy Club
Description: Tyler Kotowski is a 6 foot tall, 215 pound stand-up comedian born and raised in Winnipeg, but please don't hold that against him.

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

