Happy Monday, Winnipeg!

Looks like the rain's here for the whole week, so keep that umbrella handy and maybe a warm drink too.

But don't let the grey skies fool you. With Canada Day landing right in the middle of the week this Wednesday, there's plenty going on. We've broken down what's open and closed, and rounded up the best spots to celebrate.

Now, in today’s edition:

— Jas Singh

Canada Day is almost here, and if you're planning to head out on Wednesday, July 1, here's a quick heads-up before you leave the house.

We've rounded up what's open and what's closed across Winnipeg so you can plan your day accordingly and avoid any last-minute surprises.

Whether you're running errands, heading to a barbecue, or planning a day out with the family, a quick check now can save you from getting caught off guard when you head out on Canada Day.

P.S. Keep scrolling for our roundup of the best Canada Day events happening across Winnipeg!

If you've never experienced Summer of Sound before, this is the year to change that.

For two nights, Red River Exhibition Park becomes the best place to be in the city.

World-renowned DJs.
Massive stages.
Incredible production.

Thousands of people all there for the same reason: an unforgettable start to summer.

And now, the wait is almost over.

Winnipeg's biggest electronic music festival starts tomorrow, running June 30 and July 1 with Tiësto, SLANDER, and a stacked lineup of internationally renowned DJs.

The best part? It all leads into Canada Day, making it the perfect way to celebrate, make memories with friends, and kick off the rest of summer.

So whether you've been counting down for months or it's your first Summer of Sound, this is the kind of event you'll be glad you didn't miss.

The festival starts tomorrow, so don't wait! Click the link below to get your tickets now before they're gone!

P.S. Share this in your group chats, grab your tickets together, and make this your Canada Day plan!

Tucked on Stafford Street is a tiny spot with soft lighting, a handful of tables, and a kitchen working just a few steps away.

No big crowd. No rushed servers.

Just twelve seats and a meal made for the people in them.

That's Petit Socco, one of the smallest restaurants in Winnipeg, and one of the hardest reservations to land in the city.

Run by a two-person team, it's a four-course tasting menu cooked with real care and the kind of attention you hope for on a special night out.

The menu changes every two months, so whatever's on the table tonight won't be there next season. Miss the window, and that exact meal is gone for good.

If a slow, intentional dinner has been on your list, this is the kind of place worth planning around. Just don't wait too long, because those twelve seats fill up fast.

Click here: To check out their menu beforehand and make a reservation!

Every so often, a story reminds us just how much talent this city is quietly raising

A team of five students from Gordon Bell High School just won an international culinary competition in Paris, beating an elite team from Nice, France to take the world title.

What's even more impressive is how quickly it all happened. Just a few weeks earlier, they won the Canadian finals in Montreal, earning their place in Paris before going on to win it all.

Their journey began through Kitchen Brigades, an after-school program that teaches young people cooking skills, teamwork, and confidence.

The final challenge was no joke.

Five minutes to plan, then one hour to cook with mystery ingredients. Their maple pan-seared vegetables with an olive-Parmesan pesto won the judges over and sealed the title.

What a thing to bring home. And a pretty good reminder of just how much talent is sitting in Winnipeg classrooms right now.

Click here: To read the full story of these Gordon Bell students’ championship!

It won't be long before Jets fans are looking these names up and picking their favourites.

Over the weekend in Buffalo, the Jets added a fresh mix of forwards, defencemen, and goalies to the prospect pool. Most are still a few years from skating at Canada Life Centre, but honestly, that's half the fun.

Headlining the group is Swedish centre Viggo Björck, taken eighth overall and called one of the smartest players in the draft by Jets scouting director Mark Hillier.

If things click, fans could even see him pushing for a roster spot as early as training camp.

Click here: To know all seven new Jets prospects and see why this draft class has fans talking.

If you've walked past the Burton Cummings Theatre before, you probably remember the old Odeon Park.

Next time you're downtown, you'll notice something completely different.

Kevin Walters Plaza officially opened last week, turning the space into a brand new gathering place where people can meet before a show, relax between events, or simply spend a little more time enjoying downtown.

The plaza honours Kevin Walters, a longtime concert promoter whose work helped bring major events like the 2006 Grey Cup Festival, the Canadian Country Music Awards, and the JUNO Awards to Winnipeg.

It's the kind of place that adds a little more life to downtown. Whether you're catching a concert or simply out for a walk, there's now one more reason to stop, sit, and enjoy the neighbourhood.

Click here: To read the full story about the new plaza!

Anyone who's tried to picnic with kids in the middle of a Winnipeg summer knows shade is everything. The cooler, the snacks, the wagon full of stuff.

None of it matters if there's nowhere to sit out of the sun.

A new shade structure and picnic area officially opened at Jinnah Park, giving families in South Pointe a comfortable spot to gather, eat, and slow down on warm afternoons.

The project came together through the City of Winnipeg Communities Fund and the Parks and Recreation Enhancement Program, after years of advocacy from the South Pointe Residents Association.

It's a small upgrade, but the kind that quietly changes how a neighbourhood spends its summer.

Click here: To learn more about the grand opening of the shade structure!

This section includes only the major events happening soon. For a complete list of all events, you'll have to wait for future editions!

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