Midweek check-in, Winnipeg!

Today’s edition is a little lighter on events as we start to shift into winter mode. But don’t worry, the holiday fun is just around the corner. To help you plan ahead, we’ve rounded up all the major events happening across Winnipeg this November.

From festive markets to concerts and family outings, there’s plenty coming up to keep your calendar full. Scroll through, catch up with everything Winnipeg, and find the full list of November events under the Community Digest section.

In today’s edition:

• Winnipeg Police Releases November Most Wanted List

• Free Hamper Applications Are Now Open at the Christmas Cheer Board

• The Best Things to Do in Winnipeg This November!

• Manitoba Adds Over 300 New Hospital Beds to Ease Winter ER Wait Times

• Multiple events this week & more

— Jas Singh

News

Winnipeg Police Releases November’s Most Wanted List

We don’t usually cover crime stories in our newsletter, but this week’s update felt like one our community should know about.

Winnipeg Police just released their November Most Wanted list, and while it’s not the kind of thing that’s fun to read, it could help keep your friends & family safe.

Every person on this list is wanted for serious offences, and by sharing their names and photos, there’s a chance someone might recognize them.

Here’s what to know:

• Individuals are wanted for serious offences like robbery, assault, weapons, and breach of probation

• Tips are completely anonymous and could make a real difference

• You don’t need to get involved, just stay alert and informed

• Rewards may be available for successful tips

Staying informed is one way we all look out for each other in this city, and even just recognizing a face or name could help move a case forward.

You can read the full list, the charges, and more details at the link below. Being aware of what’s happening around us can make a real difference in keeping our families and communities safe.

Click Here: To see the full November Wanted List and stay alert in your area.

High-Risk Offender Released in Winnipeg With Public Notification

While we're already on the topic, police have also issued another public alert regarding Leslie Wayne Oliver Mercredi, a 33-year-old high-risk sex offender who has now been released and is expected to live in Winnipeg under strict probation orders.

Mercredi has a long history of violent and sexual offences, and police say he’s still considered high risk to re-offend, particularly against children and young girls.

Here’s what’s in place:

• Lifetime bans from parks, schools, and areas where minors are present

• Curfews and mandatory counselling

• Three overlapping probation orders restricting contact with minors

• And a lifetime weapons ban

While this can feel scary to read, the goal of these alerts is to give people the chance to stay informed and take care of themselves, their families, and their communities.

Click Here: To see his picture and read the full public notification.

Our goal with stories like these is simple: to help keep Winnipeggers aware and safe. We know crime isn’t something we usually cover, but when it impacts the community, we want to make sure you’re informed.

We’d love your thoughts on this…

Community Spotlight

Free Hamper Applications Are Now Open at the Christmas Cheer Board

For some Winnipeg families, the holidays are harder than they look. That’s why the Christmas Cheer Board is already back in action, working quietly behind the scenes to make sure no one feels forgotten this season.

Last year, they delivered over 21,000 hampers packed with food, small gifts, and kindness to families across the city. And this week, hamper applications officially opened.

To apply for a hamper, you’ll need to qualify under one of these categories:
Income Assistance, low-income, pensioner, or new Canadian. Once you qualify, here’s how it works:

• Call the number that applies to you; all applications are by phone only

• No online or in-person sign-ups available

• Choose pickup or delivery when you apply
  • Pickup: 1441 Main Street
  • Delivery: December 5–23

• Each adult will need their Manitoba Health Card or case number while applying

Click Here: To learn how to apply or see the numbers to call.

And if you’re looking to give back, the Feed-A-Family program lets you sponsor one or more hampers, and it’s open to everyone: workplaces, schools, friend groups, or just you.

• Choose how many families you’d like to help

• Sponsor as a group or as an individual

• And your support helps cover food, essentials, and gifts for kids

It’s a small gesture that goes a long way, and helps make the holidays a little brighter for a family in need.

Click Here: To learn how to donate or sponsor a hamper!

The holidays can be hard, but they’re also a chance to show up for one another. Whether you’re receiving or giving, the Christmas Cheer Board reminds us that kindness is the heart of this city.

Community Digest

The Best Things to Do in Winnipeg This November!

With the holidays right around the corner, everyone’s schedule is about to get a little busier. Between gift shopping, family dinners, and all the cozy catch-ups, it’s easy to miss out on the fun stuff happening around the city.

So we put together a guide to help you plan ahead, and still make time for the best events this month.

Whether you're carving out time for a festive night with friends, a daytime outing with the kids, or just looking for something new to check out on a weekday evening, there’s something happening all month long.

Here are just a few highlights from our full roundup:

• Grey Cup Festival (Nov 10–16): Live music, family fun, and Canada’s biggest football celebration

• Hydro Santa Parade (Nov 15): A full Santa parade returns to Portage & Main

• Zoo Lights (Nov 21 – Jan 1): Over 1.75M lights transform the Assiniboine Zoo into a winter wonderland

• Canad Inns Winter Wonderland (Nov 28 – Jan 3): Drive through over 2 million lights at Exhibition Park

Whether you’re staying close to home or heading downtown, this month is packed with ways to get out, explore, and make some memories before the December rush kicks in. We pulled everything together in one spot so you don’t miss a thing.

Click Here: To see our full November Events Guide!

Winnipeg's Grey Cup Game Sells Out Weeks Ahead of Kickoff

Even without the Bombers on the field this year, Winnipeg showed up, loud and proud.

The 112th Grey Cup, set for November 16 at Princess Auto Stadium, is officially sold out. That’s a pretty big deal, especially considering we’ve packed the stands at every Blue Bombers home game this season.

Here’s what to know:

• Grey Cup tickets are completely sold out ahead of game day

• Festival events are nearly full, including the CFL Awards

• With Brad Paisley’s Nov 14 concert still having a few seats left

While the big game is sold out, there’s still plenty happening across the city in the lead-up. It’s not every day we get to host a moment like this, and even if the Bombers aren’t in the big game, Winnipeg fans have made it clear: this is still our celebration.

From backyard watch parties to downtown festivities and weeklong events, the city’s gearing up for something special, and the energy is already building up.

Click Here: To see all the events happening during Grey Cup Week!

City Updates

Manitoba Adds Over 300 New Hospital Beds to Ease Winter ER Wait Times

Long nights in crowded emergency rooms have become all too familiar across the province, but change is quietly underway.

Since October 2023, the Manitoba government has added 323 fully staffed hospital beds, aiming to bring down ER wait times and prepare for the busy respiratory virus season ahead.

Here’s what’s new:

• 323 new hospital beds across Winnipeg, Brandon, Selkirk, Dauphin, and Steinbach

• 10 additional ICU beds at Grace, St. Boniface, and HSC Children’s

• 141 personal care home beds are now also open to improve hospital flow

• All with 3,400+ new healthcare workers hired across Manitoba

This investment is about making sure care is available when it’s needed most, especially during the colder months when hospitals see their highest demand.

It's a step toward a stronger system, and for many families, a bit more breathing room when it really counts.

Click Here: To read more about the expansion.

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!

• Candlelight: A Tribute to ABBA | 6:30PM, Nov 7 (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.

• First Friday in The Exchange | 5PM-9PM, Nov 7 (FREE)

  • Location: Various businesses in the Exchange District

  • Description: FIRST FRIDAYS offers a perfect opportunity to explore all the Exchange neighbourhood has to offer. Come and take part in one of the most engaging and inspiring arts events in our city.

• Paul Brandt and Terri Clark Homecoming Tour 2.0 | 7:30PM, Nov 7 (Tickets)

  • Location: Burton Cummings Theatre

  • Description: The legendary duo will once again share the stage for an intimate, stripped-down concert experience that spans generations of beloved country hits.

• Disney On Ice - Let's Dance | Nov 7-9 (Tickets)

  • Location: Canada Life Centre

  • Description: Disney On Ice is bringing the party to hometowns across the country, and the guest list is jam-packed with audience’s favorite Disney characters!

• Candlelight Concerts: Tribute to Queen and The Beatles | 6:30PM, Nov 8 (Tickets)

  • Location: Crescent Arts Centre

  • Description: Get your tickets now to discover the music of Queen and The Beatles at Crescent Arts Centre under the gentle glow of candlelight.

• The Winnipeg Ice Fishing Show | Nov 8-9 (Tickets)

  • Location: Red River Exhibition Place

  • Description: Dozens of retailers on site with all of your favourite tackle, equipment, shelters, augers, electronics, winter apparel, and more to help you get geared up for the hardwater season.

• Artisan Alley by Inspirations Market | Nov 8-9 (Tickets)

  • Location: Assiniboia Downs

  • Description: Do your early holiday shopping from 200 different makers over the 2 weekends!

• The Mush Hole Musical | Nov 8-9 (Tickets)

  • Location: Manitoba Theatre for Young People

  • Description: Created by award-winning dance artist Santee Smith, The Mush Hole is a powerful performance that uses song, dance and theatre to explore the lives and spirits of children forced to attend Ontario’s Mohawk Institute residential school.

• Masters of Illusion | 6:30PM, Nov 9 (Tickets)

  • Location: Burton Cummings Theatre

  • Description: Starring the world’s greatest award-winning magicians, this 21st century magic show is filled with modern illusions and arts of deception performed live on stage.

Current Events: November 5th - 6th

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

Community Fun🎆

• Life of Pi Play | Nov 5-8 (Tickets)

  • Location: Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre - John Hirsch Mainstage

  • Description: Based on the best-selling novel, this epic story of courage, faith and survival roars to life with riveting storytelling and stunning puppetry.

• Storytime with a Pilot | 11AM-12:15PM, Nov 6 (FREE)

  • Location: Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada

  • Description: Take off into our new Storytime with a Pilot program at the Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada!

Performances🎭

• MJ The Musical | Nov 5-9 (Tickets)

  • Location: Centennial Concert Hall

  • Description: He is one of the greatest entertainers of all time. Now, Michael Jackson’s unique and unparalleled artistry comes to Winnipeg in MJ, the multiple Tony Award®-winning musical centered around the making of the 1992 Dangerous World Tour.

• Matthew Good and His Band with I Mother Earth Tour Fall 2025

  | 7PM, Nov 6 (Tickets)

  • Location: Club Regent Event Centre

  • Description: Matthew Good & His Band: Matthew Good is a multi-platinum selling Canadian recording artist, best known for his signature vocal style, guitar-driven melodies, and cinematic lyrics.

• Die Harder: A Manitoba Christmas Story | Nov 6 - 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!

• Moving Inspirations Dance Festival | 7PM, Nov 6-8 (Tickets)

  • Location: Gas Station Arts Centre

  • Description: Moving Inspirations Dance Festival is an international dance festival hosting internationally acclaimed choreographers, founders of dance techniques and dancers of African origin as well as culturally diverse and contemporary dance traditions from across the globe.

Special Events/Comedy🥂

• The Leaf After Dark: Adults Only Nights | 7PM-9PM, Nov 5 (Tickets)

  • Location: The Leaf, Assiniboine Park

  • Description: Join us for an evening of botanical bliss at The Leaf After Dark! Enjoy a relaxing adults-only atmosphere complete with live musical entertainment.

• Full Moon Ceremony at the Forks | 5PM, Nov 5 (FREE)

  • 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.

• Benji Rothman | 7:45PM, Nov 5 (Tickets)

  • Location: Rumor's Restaurant and Comedy Club

  • Description: Benji Rothman’s alternative and interactive comedy has been on display all over Canada and the world. He was a semi-finalist at Sirius XM Canada’s Top Comic, he’s performed at the Winnipeg Comedy Festival.

• Cigars in the Exchange | 6PM-9PM, Nov 5-6 (Tickets)

  • Location: Sofia Cigars

  • Description: Learn about this emerging premium brand of cigars with leading female cigar influencer, Barbara Cabrera of Infiel Cigars, paired with selections of premium rum and food by HERMANOS Steakhouse.

• Steph Tolev | Nov 6-8 (Tickets)

  • Location: Rumor's Restaurant and Comedy Club

  • Description: She was named a COMEDIAN YOU SHOULD AND WILL KNOW by Vulture, which recognized her one of Toronto’s funniest exports. She was featured on Comedy Central’s THE RINGERS stand up series, and season two of UNPROTECTED SETS.

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].