Happy Friday, Winnipeggers!

Thank you for all the love and support in our last edition about the summer markets. We’re working hard to make this the biggest community-driven market in Winnipeg, and we truly can’t thank you enough for being part of it. We’ll keep sharing updates as we go, and we can’t wait to see you all there this summer!

In today’s edition, we’re diving into ways to support local businesses, exciting events happening around the city, and some heartwarming community initiatives you won’t want to miss.

If you enjoy today’s edition, let us know with the poll at the end! We love hearing from you, and your feedback helps us make this newsletter even better.

In today’s edition:

• A New School in SouthWest Winnipeg

• Winnipeg’s Biggest Winter Festival

• Manitoba Stands Tall in Washington

• 55+ Weekend Events & Live Music

— Jas Singh

News

A New School in SouthWest Winnipeg

When new neighborhoods pop up, it’s exciting—but it’s also tough for the kids growing up there. Long bus rides and far-from-home schools mean less time with friends and more time on the road. But for Prairie Pointe families, that’s about to change.

A new K-8 school is coming to southwest Winnipeg, giving over 600 students a place to learn right in their own community.

Here’s what to know:

• Location: Castlebrook Drive between Landover Drive and Skyline Drive.

• Dual-track: Offers both English and French programs.

• Child care: Includes 74 infant and preschool spots.

• Future-ready: Built with room to grow as more families move in.

• Timeline: Construction starts in early 2026, with an opening set for September 2027.

For parents, it means less travel. For kids, it means more time with friends. And for Prairie Pointe, it’s one step closer to becoming a tight-knit community!

Festival du Voyageur: 10 Days of Winter Fun

Winter in Winnipeg can feel long, but if there’s one thing we do best, it’s turning the cold into a reason to come together. And from Feb. 14 to 23, Festival du Voyageur will do just that—bringing the music, history, and community spirit that make Manitoba winters feel a little warmer.

Here’s what makes it special:

• Snow sculptures all over the city, crafted by artists with over 80 years of combined experience.

• Concerts, fiddling, and jigging contests that’ll have you tapping your feet all day long.

• French Canadian food that warms you up from the inside out (yes, there’s a pea soup competition!).

• Family fun: Sleigh rides, ice sculpting workshops, wood carving demos, and a free pancake breakfast for the first 200 visitors on the final day.

• A revamped school program to teach kids about our heritage and a new virtual tour of Fort Gibraltar for classrooms across the province.

Held at Whittier Park and other locations in St. Boniface, the festival celebrates Manitoba’s diverse francophone cultures and fur-trading history. The Manitoba government is also backing this tradition with a $324,000 grant to keep the festival thriving for years to come.

So, whether you’re dancing in your winter boots, checking out the sculptures, or just soaking in the history, Festival du Voyageur is something you don’t want to miss. See you there!

Community Digest

RRC Polytech’s Entrepreneur Challenge

With all the talk about U.S. tariffs and economic uncertainty, supporting local businesses has never been more important. And that support starts with young entrepreneurs dreaming big right here at home. Like those participating in RRC Polytech’s 2025 Entrepreneur Challenge in Portage la Prairie. Helping youth aged 15 to 30 turn their ideas into reality.

Here’s what you need to know:

• Teams have two weeks to refine their business ideas before pitching them on Feb. 27 at Portage Collegiate Institute.

• The top three teams will share $1,500 in prizes and gain access to Prairie Project Studio’s resources like 3D printers, business support, and more.

• Hosted by RRC Polytech and local partners, this challenge is about building future businesses that will keep our local economy strong.

So, if you or someone you know has a business idea they’ve been waiting to bring to life, now’s the time—be sure to share this with them!

New Nurses, New Hope for Manitoba

We all know how much we rely on nurses, especially after the past few years. So, seeing 146 new nurses graduate from UM—the largest class ever—feels like a breath of fresh air for our healthcare system and our community.

Here’s why this matters:

• This class includes 14 Indigenous graduates, the most ever, supported through the PINE program.

• Graduates shared their hopes to serve northern First Nation communities and local hospitals, bringing care to where it’s needed most.

The ceremony celebrated not just academic success but also the commitment and compassion these nurses bring to their work every day. This new wave of nurses means better care for all of us. And knowing many of them want to give back to Manitoba makes it even more special.

City Updates

Manitoba Stands Tall in Washington

When jobs are at stake, especially in places like Selkirk where we make steel right here in Manitoba, it’s reassuring to see someone standing up for us. Premier Wab Kinew is in Washington, D.C., meeting with U.S. leaders to oppose new tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum.

Here’s what’s happening:

• The U.S. is imposing a 25% tariff on Canadian steel, threatening jobs in Manitoba’s steel industry.

• Kinew is meeting with key U.S. leaders to advocate for Manitoba’s steel industry and protect jobs in Selkirk.

• Discussions also cover Canada-U.S. ties, jobs, energy, border security, and more.

With Manitoba industries facing challenges, having someone fight for our workers and businesses matters now more than ever. It means that the people who make a living from steel production in Selkirk aren’t being forgotten. It means that small businesses relying on those industries have someone in their corner. And it means that, as Manitobans, we’re not just watching from the sidelines—we’re making sure our voices are heard.

Manitoba Sees Increase in Canadian Flag Sales

If you’ve noticed more Canadian flags waving around the city lately, you’re not imagining it. As reported by City News, The Flag Shop in Winnipeg has seen a surge in sales, with more flags sold in the past week than in an entire year. Many Manitobans are showing their pride in response to U.S. tariffs and an open letter from five former Canadian Prime Ministers encouraging everyone to raise the maple leaf high.

With National Flag Day just around the corner, Manitobans are clearly proud to stand tall and show their love for Canada, no matter what challenges come our way.

Exciting Events: Feb 14th - 16th

This section only includes events until the next edition on Monday, so here’s what’s happening Friday till Sunday!

Sports🏀

• Manitoba Moose vs Texas Stars | Feb 14

  • Location: Canada Life Centre

• Winnipeg Run Club | 8AM, Feb 15 (FREE)

  • Location: The Forks (by the main elevator)

• Guns N' Hoses Hockey | 4PM, Feb 15 (Tickets)

  • Location: Canada Life Centre

  • Description: LLVIPS and Centennial Youth Hockey Association proudly support The Front Line Foundation, which aids families of fallen first responders, funds training, and helps provide essential safety equipment for frontline personnel.

• Manitoba Moose vs Milwaukee Admirals | Feb 16-17

  • Location: Canada Life Centre

Family Fun🎆

• Worlds Largest Snow Maze | Feb 14 - March 30 (Tickets)

  • Location: A Maze in Corn

  • Description: Enjoy warming areas with bonfires, slide down the giant snow mountain, relax in the warming barn or hop on a sleigh ride!

• Yellowstone: A Wild West Musical! | Feb 14 - March 20 (Tickets)

  • Location: Canad Inns Destination Centre Fort Garry (1824 Pembina Hwy)

  • Description: Saddle up for a wild ride as Destination Dinner Stage takes you on a hilarious journey through the untamed wilderness of family drama, ranching antics, and a hearty dose of cowboy humor.

• Indecent Play | Feb 14 - March 8 (Tickets)

  • Location: John Hirsch Mainstage

  • Description: Told through music, song, dance and comedy, Indecent is an arresting play about forbidden love, artistic censorship and the enduring power of theatre.

• Free Entry to Manitoba Parks | Feb 14-28

  • Location: Multiple Locations

• Festival du Voyageur | Feb 14-23 (Tickets)

  • Location: Whittier Park

  • Description: This festival showcases the arts of several disciplines, including music, dance, sculpture and visual arts, while prioritizing francophone and indigenous artists. (75,000 festival-goers per year)

• CIAO - Dine About Winnipeg | Feb 14- 23

  • Location: Multiple Locations

  • Description: For two weeks, top restaurants heat up the season by offering signature three course, prix-fixe meals at a special price!

• Guided Snowshoe Experience | 10-11:30AM, Feb 15 (Tickets)

  • Location: Assiniboine Park (Riley Family Duck Pond Shelter)

  • Description: Depending on the session you choose, come ready to learn more about winter creatures, winter tracking, winter trees or Park history.

• St. Norbert Farmer’s Market | 10AM - 2PM, Feb 15

  • Location: 3514 Pembina Hwy, Winnipeg, MB

• GameFest Winnipeg | Feb 15-17 (Tickets)

  • Location: RBC Convention Centre

  • Description: Play games, listen to live music, shop local and more all in one place.

• Learn to Winter | 1-4PM, Feb 16

  • Location: The Forks

  • Description: Skate and Snowshoe Lessons, DJs by The Canopy, Winter Wellness Classes, Storytelling and Drumming in the Teepee and more!

Comedy❗

• Laugh & Love - A Valentines Day themed comedy show | 8PM, Feb 14 (Tickets)

  • Location: The Rec Room

  • Description: An unforgettable evening of comedy featuring some of the best comedians from across Canada.

• The Snowed In Comedy Tour | 7:30PM, Feb 14 (Tickets)

  • Location: Gas Station Arts Centre

  • Description: It has now grown to become the biggest comedy tour in Canada. Playing in 70 cities this year, coast to coast.

• Derek Seguin Comedy | Feb 14-15 (Tickets)

  • Location: Rumor's Restaurant and Comedy Club

  • Description: He has performed at the prestigious invitation-only Just For Laughs festival an impressive 10 times as well as appearing numerous times at every other major festival in the country, making several television appearances along the way.

• Bobby Knauff Comedy | Feb 14-15 (Tickets)

  • Location: Yuk Yuk's Comedy Club

  • Description: Bobby has performed on The Fresh Meat Showcase at The Second City, NXNE Music & Comedy Fest, JFL42, won the 2012 Toronto Comedy Brawl, and has had numerous appearances on Much Music and MTV Canada.

• Love Hurts - Valentine's Comedy Show! | 7PM, Feb 15 (Tickets)

  • Location: The Basement Comedy Lounge

  • Description: You guys a couple? An All-Star Lineup of Winnipeg's best comedians dish on all things love! The good, the bad, probably more of the bad.

• Tim Dillon Comedy Show | 7PM, Feb 16 (Tickets)

  • Location: Burton Cummings Theatre

  • Description: Known for his no-holds-barred humor and incisive social commentary, Dillon’s comedy has captured audiences around the globe.

• Mundane Problems | 7:30PM, Feb 16 (Tickets)

  • Location: The Basement Comedy Lounge

  • Description: Mundane Problems is a 4-piece comedy band that comes up with improvised songs about everyday issues.

Special Events 🥂

• Valentine's Day Jazz Night | 6:30PM, Feb 14 (Tickets)

  • Location: Speakeasy The Basement Lounge

  • Description: Come watch an amazing jazz show featuring the city's most talented musicians!

• The Leaf After Dark | 7-9PM, Feb 14 (Tickets)

  • Location: The Leaf

  • Description: Adults-only atmosphere complete with live musical entertainment. Wine, beer, and more!

• Victorian Valentine’s Day Party | 7-9PM, Feb 14 (Tickets)

  • Location: Dalnavert Museum and Visitors' Centre

  • Description: Parlour games, exploring the historic house, cocktails (and mocktails), and more!

• Dinner & A Movie at The MET | 6PM, Feb 14 (Tickets)

  • Location: The MET – 281 Donald St

  • Description: Featuring Dirty Dancing (1987)

• Culinary Night at the Museum | 5:45, 6:30 & 7:15PM, Feb 14 (Tickets)

  • Location: Canadian Museum for Human Rights

• Four Season RV Show & Sale | Feb 14-17 (Free)

  • Location: Red River Exhibition Place

  • Description: Manitoba’s largest RV show and sale, presented by Four Seasons, is back!

• Raw Almond Restaurant | Feb 14- 16 (Tickets)

  • Location: The Forks

  • Description: World class chefs gather to create a pop-up restaurant experience like no other.

• Mix Tapes From My Mom | Feb 14-15 (Tickets)

  • Location: Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre - Tom Hendry Warehouse

  • Description: Winnipeg theatre veteran Cory Wojcik, shares a deeply personal story of the day he travelled back and forth between two hospitals.

• Winnipeg Wellness Expo | Feb 15-16 ($10 per day)

  • Location: RBC Convention Centre

  • Description: Learn about many of the new and even some ancient products and services, try out all the sample therapies and don’t forget to taste all the different healthy options for nutrition.

Music 🎵

Events marked with ($) require prior ticket purchase. Other events may require the purchase of food or tickets available at the door.

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

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