Midweek check-in, Winnipeg!

There are way too many summer events happening in our beautiful city right now, and we’re trying our best to squeeze in as many as we can.

Today’s edition is packed with 40+ events, plus a few stories we didn’t want you to miss. So grab your coffee and scroll through when you get a sec. This one’s a biggie!

In today’s edition:

• New Report Shows Where Winnipeg Stands on Housing

• Winnipeg’s First 85KM Overnight Relay Race Is Here

• Winnipeg Humane Society Launches 50/50 Raffle

• A Heartfelt Goodbye from Nikolaj Ehlers (Fly)

• Multiple events this week & more

— Jas Singh

News

New Report Shows Where Winnipeg Stands on Housing

There’s been a lot of talk lately about housing prices, and a new report from StatsCan gives us a clear picture of where Winnipeg stands.

With our population growing fast and fewer houses being built, it’s getting harder to find space to call your own. But compared to the rest of Canada? We’re still one of the more affordable places to buy a home and settle down.

What the numbers show:

• The average price for a new single-detached home in Winnipeg is $595,500, way below Vancouver’s $1.98 million

• Semi-detached homes are going for around $455,900

• Apartment builds have nearly doubled in the last decade, now making up 63% of new homes

• Over 81,000 new residents moved to Winnipeg from 2021 to 2024, but only 16,000 new homes were completed

• And construction costs are up 16.5% since 2021

We’re definitely feeling the pressure with fewer houses, more people, and rising costs. But it’s still one of the few major cities where owning a new home feels within reach.

Click here: To see the full Housing Market Report from Statistics Canada. (And see where all the other cities rank!)

RUN THE RALLY X Winnipeg Digest!

Winnipeg’s First 85KM Overnight Relay Race Is Here

We’re not saying you have to stay up all night running through the city with glow sticks and your best friends, but you could.

And that’s exactly what Run the Rally is all about.

It’s Winnipeg’s very first overnight ultra relay, and we’re proud to be sponsoring this one-of-a-kind city takeover. Whether you’re running or cheering from the sidelines, this event’s got all the energy we love about running and our city.

• Starts at 10PM on Friday, August 22 at The Forks, and ends there too

• 85KM total, split into 12 legs and run by teams of 2 to 5

• Glow-in-the-dark gear, checkpoints, snacks, DJ beats, and a Party Lot to keep you going

• You’ll get a medal, LED vest, event tote, bib, and serious bragging rights

As a sponsor, we’re thrilled to be part of events that illuminate our community in every sense.

If you or someone you know is interested, be sure to share this link with them:
Register your team here.

Want a peek at what it’ll look like? Watch the video here!

Let’s rally, Winnipeg!

Advertise with us by emailing: [email protected]

Community Spotlight

Winnipeg Humane Society Launches 50/50 Raffle for Super-Spike Weekend

It’s not every day you can win some cash and help animals, all while soaking up a summer weekend in Winnipeg.

The Winnipeg Humane Society just launched a 50/50 raffle tied to Super-Spike, a two-day outdoor volleyball tourney and concert fest happening July 18-19 at Maple Grove Rugby Park. Even if you’re not spiking or dancing, you can still take part.

How the raffle works:

• The pot’s already at $2,000 and growing

• Winner gets half; the rest supports over 10,000 animals in WHS care each year

• You don’t need to be at Super-Spike to enter

• Raffle closes July 19 at 8PM, with the draw at 8:30PM

Every ticket helps feed, house, and heal animals right here at home. And who knows, this might be your lucky weekend.

Click Here: To get your tickets and join a good cause!

Community News

A Heartfelt Goodbye from Nikolaj Ehlers (Fly)

Some players leave a team. Others leave a mark.

This week, Nikolaj Ehlers (Fly, as most of us call him) shared that his time with the Jets has come to an end.

In a letter to the city, he opened up about how difficult the decision was, how much he loved this team, and how much Winnipeg had come to mean to him.

Here’s what he said:

• Leaving was the toughest call of his life, but he’s ready for a new challenge

• He thanked the Jets for believing in him from day one

• Said his teammates became his family, brothers he wished he’d won the Cup with

• Called Winnipeg his second home and said he always felt the love

• Signed off with, “Winnipeg, I love you”

It’s rare for a pro athlete to speak this openly, but Ehlers’ words felt honest and full of heart. And after 10 years of cheering him on, it’s safe to say the love goes both ways.

Whether you cheered from the rafters or watched from your couch, chances are you’ll miss seeing him on the ice.

Thanks for everything, Fly.

Click Here: To read his official letter.

City Updates

You Can Now Fly Non-Stop from Winnipeg to Costa Rica

If you’ve been dreaming of a winter getaway that isn’t to the same old spots, here’s some sunny news.

Starting this December, WestJet is adding the first-ever direct flight from Winnipeg to Costa Rica. No more long layovers or tricky connections, just pack your bags and head straight to paradise.

• The new flight takes off from Winnipeg to Liberia, Costa Rica starting December 19, once a week

• It’s the first time we’ve had a direct link from here to Central America

• WestJet’s also boosting their flights to Cancun (12x/week) and Puerto Vallarta (10x/week) this fall

• All part of a 14% bump in sunny routes from Winnipeg this winter

It’s a good sign that WestJet sees something strong in our city. More flights, fewer layovers, and one more reminder that Winnipeg’s becoming more connected than ever.

So if you’ve got your eye on warm beaches and rainforest hikes, this might be the year to go.

Click Here: To check out the flights on WestJet!

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!

• Tunerbash | 5PM-10PM, July 11 (Tickets)

  • Location: Red River Exhibition Park

  • Description: Stop light drag racing with a car show! Tunerbash is a private track rental event that combines street style drag racing with a high energy all age environment. Think of a crazy car meet with racing, but all legal.

• Slice of Summer 2025 | 3PM-9PM, July 11 (Tickets)

  • Location: St. Norbert Farmers' Market Location

  • Description: Kick-off summer with us and come eat delicious food, shop over 90 of your favourite makers, and dance under the sun with our live band! Children 12 and under are FREE and do not require a ticket.

• Ai-kon 2025 | July 11-13 ($)

  • Location: RBC Convention Centre

  • Description: Come connect with your favourite voice actors, writers, and artists! It’s a place to gather and appreciate everything there is to love about anime, Japanese culture, and the community of fandom.

• 2025 Corydon Avenue Concert Series | 7PM-10PM, July 11-12 (FREE/More Info)

  • Location: Lilac Street S and Hugo Street N

  • Description: 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).

• Cinema Under the Stars 2025 - With Fanfare | 9:30PM, July 12 (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.

• Fish Festival | 11AM-3PM, July 12 (FREE)

  • Location: CN Field and Stage

  • Description: The Fish Festival is a free family-friendly event that provides an opportunity to learn about the world class fishing in Manitoba.

• Driven Canadian Aftermarket Car Show | 1PM-7PM, July 12 (Tickets)

  • Location: Red River Exhibition Park

  • Description: This ONE DAY show will host show cars, exhibitors and special guests from Canada and beyond. We are also excited to bring back Pro Drift Demos in the Exhibition Place parking lot!

• Postmodern Jukebox | 8PM, July 12 (Tickets)

  • Location: Burton Cummings Theatre

  • Description: Concertgoers can expect to enter a parallel musical universe where modern day earworms and iconic pop hits alike are reimagined in classic genres like 1920s jazz, Swing, Doo-wop and Motown, and brought to life by a cast of some of the world’s best singers, dancers, and instrumentalists.

• Food Truck Rally | 12PM-9PM, July 12-13 (FREE/More Info)

  • Location: IKEA Winnipeg

Exciting Events: July 9th & 10th

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

Sports🏒

• Exchange Summer Fitness – Bootcamp | 12-12:45PM, July 9 (FREE)

  • Location: 201 Portage Plaza

• Live Horse Racing | 7:30PM, July 9 (Free)

  • Location: Assiniboia Downs

• Winnipeg National Bank Challenger | July 9-13 (Tickets)

  • Location: National Bank Tennis MB Hub at West St. Paul

  • Description: Every July, over 60 tennis players descend on Winnipeg. Providing the countless international players the opportunity to showcase their talents at this one-week event with winnings of $100,000.

• Winnipeg Goldeyes vs Sioux Falls | 6:30PM, July 9-10 ($)

  • Location: Blue Cross Park

• Thursday Night Thunder | 7PM, July 10 ($)

  • Location: Victory Lanes Speedway

Community Fun🎆

• South Osborne Farmers’ Market | 4PM-8PM, July 9 (FREE)

  • Location: Lord Roberts Community Centre

• Play at The Forks | Daily (FREE/More Info)

  • Skateboarding with Pitikwé: 12PM-4PM, July 9-13

    • Location: The Plaza Skatepark

  • Basketball with Basketball Manitoba: 6PM-8PM, July 9

    • Location: CN Field and Stage

  • Table Tennis with Sport Manitoba: 6PM-8PM, July 10

    • Location: On Grass Along CN Field and Stage

  • Mushroom Foraging with River City Mushrooms: 6PM-6:30PM, July 10

    • Location: Public Orchard

• Summer Line-Up: Mosquito Life Cycle | 11AM-3PM, July 9-13 (FREE)

  • Location: Manitoba Children's Museum

  • Description: Join us all summer long for hands-on programming inspired by the season and our summer exhibition, Attack Of The Bloodsuckers! From 11AM-3PM daily, enjoy special activities that include crafts, games, and so much more.

• Baby Bison Walk | July 9 & 12 ($)

  • Location: FortWhyte Alive

  • Description: Come see the ninth-largest land animal at its smallest and cutest! See the herd in action, hear how this icon of the prairie almost disappeared, and feel a connection to the herd as you see the miracle of baby bison.

• Paddle Nights | 6PM, July 10 ($)

  • Location: FortWhyte Alive

  • Description: Spend an evening paddling before sunset for the perfect summer night.

• Downtown Farmers' Market | 10AM-2PM, July 10 (FREE)

  • Location: Manitoba Hydro Place along Graham Avenue

  • Description: The Downtown Winnipeg BIZ’s popular Outdoor Farmers’ Market has been bringing local food and goods downtown for more than 12 years.

• Transcona BIZ Night Markets | 4PM-8PM, July 10 (FREE/More Info)

  • Location: Transcona Centennial Square

  • Description: The markets showcase a rotating variety of locally grown fresh produce, handmade arts and crafts, specialty teas, artisanal oils and vinegars, homemade sauces and jams, baked goods, jewelry and much more.

• Bee Amazing Free Summer Activities | 11AM-12PM, July 10 (FREE/More Info)

  • Location: Garden City Shopping Centre

  • Description: Every Thursday at 11:00 a.m. from July 3 to August 28, 2025, families can enjoy free character meet-and-greets. Each week features a new lineup of popular characters—from superheroes to princesses—guaranteed to delight kids of all ages.

• Carman Festival | July 10-12 (FREE)

  • Location: 44 Kings Park Rd, Carman

  • Description: Rides, Games & Tons of Family Carnival Fun await you at the 2025 Carman Fair.

• Bison Bus Tour | July 10 & 13 ($)

  • Location: FortWhyte Alive

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

Performances🎭

• Paranormal Cirque | July 9-14 (Tickets)

  • Location: St. Vital Centre

  • Description: A crazy yet fun fusion between Circus, theatre, and cabaret in perfect harmony with the evolution of a show that brings you back to when we dream... and when we had nightmares and fantasies.

• Rock of Ages | July 9-12 (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.

• Thunder Concert Series | July 9-10 (Tickets)

  • Location: Princess Auto Stadium

  • Description: Rockin’ Thunder and Country Thunder Music Festival. Two days of incredible live music and unforgettable experiences.

• Grease Lightning | July 10, 12 & 13 ($)

  • Location: Destination Dinner Stage

  • Description: This immersive dinner theatre performance reimagines the world of Grease twenty years later, with classic rock and roll vibes, fun twists, and a hearty dose of nostalgia.

• Summer Concert Series: VÍÍK & Brazilian Vibe curated by Folklorama | 7PM-9PM, July 10 & 13 (FREE)

  • Location: Lyric Theatre, Assiniboine Park

  • Description: Join us for the Summer Concert Series at the Lyric Theatre, part of the Assiniboine Park's Summer Entertainment Series! All concerts are FREE!

Special Events/Comedy🥂

• Winnipeg Folk Festival | July 10-13 (Tickets)

  • Location: Birds Hill Park

  • Description: This internationally acclaimed festival features over 70 acts, nine stages, an award-winning family area, camping and delicious local and organic food all in a beautiful prairie park setting.

• Brian Posehn | July 10-12 ($)

  • Location: Rumor's Restaurant and Comedy Club

  • Description: Brian Posehn has been busy for a while. As a writer/actor/stand-up comic, he doesn’t have a ton of down time. He just recorded his fourth hour-long stand-up special.

• Jeudis Franco Thursdays | July 10 (More Info)

  • Location: Saint-Boniface

  • Description: This celebration of French culture and language offers a diverse range of activities, including a street market, live music, film screenings, art exhibits, and more.

• Full Moon Ceremony at the Forks | 9:45PM, July 10 (More Info)

  • Location: Oodena Celebration Circle

  • Description: This Ceremony is open to the community at large; all genders and cultures are invited to join together for teachings about feminine energy’s relationship with Grandmother Moon.

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].