Happy Monday, Winnipeg.
Hard to believe it’s already January 26th. This month has flown by, even with all the cold days in between. The good news is the weather is looking a bit warmer later this week, which feels like a small win we’ll happily take.
There’s also a lot happening around the city right now. From incredible art installations out on the ice to new doctors coming to Manitoba, there’s a lot to feel good about this week.
So grab your coffee, settle in, and let’s get into what’s worth knowing around Winnipeg today.
Now, in today’s edition:
New Warming Huts Are Coming to The Forks This Winter
Free Hot Yoga or Pilates for You and a Friend
Restaurant of the Week
Manitoba Recruits 13 U.S.-Trained Doctors to Improve Access to Care
Multiple events this week & more
— Jas Singh
News
New Warming Huts Are Coming to The Forks This Winter
Source: The Forks
If you’re looking for something fun to do this winter, this is a good one to save!
The annual Warming Hut design competition is officially underway at The Forks, and the first builds are already in place along the Nestaweya River Trail.
More than 200 designs were submitted, and the selected artists are now turning those ideas into real structures you can walk through, sit in, and explore.
Each year brings something different, and this winter’s lineup mixes international design with local creativity.
Here’s what to expect:
Winning designs from artists around the world, including China, France, Belgium, Germany, and the United States
Interactive and walk-through structures, from glowing sculptures to sound-based installations
Local student contributions, including Grade 7 students and University of Manitoba architecture students
Huts designed for play, rest, reflection, and photos, all spread along the river trail
If you want to see what’s there before you head down, you can check out the full set of renderings below.
And you can also book a guided tour and walk the trail with someone who knows the stories behind each of the huts.
Click Here: To book a Warming Hut tour this winter!
A Message From Modo Yoga
Free Hot Yoga or Pilates for You and a Friend
If the new year has you thinking about moving a little more, trying something new, or finding an easy workout to do with a friend, this is a great place to start.
For a limited time, Winnipeg Digest readers can claim a FREE Hot Yoga or Hot Pilates class for two at Modo Yoga. This offer is exclusive to our readers and valid at either of their Winnipeg studios.
Modo’s classes are heated, beginner-friendly, and focused on helping you feel stronger, looser, and a little lighter walking out than when you walked in.
Here’s what to expect:
45–60 minute hot yoga or hot pilates class
Classes running from 6 AM to 8 PM, with 85+ options each week
Support for strength, flexibility, weight loss, stress relief, and injury recovery
Your choice of the Waverley or Donald Street studio
And a built-in excuse to actually use it, because…
Once you claim your passes, you’ll have 7 days to use them, and spots are limited.
Modo has been Winnipeg’s favourite place to sweat since 2007, with a team of inspiring, highly trained teachers who’ve helped thousands of locals take their first step into hot yoga and hot pilates.
P.S. This one’s perfect for the group chat. Share the link with friends or family, pick a class, and make a night (or early morning) of it.
Restaurant of the Week: Tabula Rasa & Solera
Source: Tabula Rasa & Solera
Two Great Spots Under One Roof In South Osborne
Some nights call for a little more intention. A place where you can settle in for dinner, then keep the night going without rushing off somewhere else. That’s exactly what this duo offers, all in one stop on Osborne.
Tabula Rasa sets the tone. As the menu leans Spanish and Mediterranean, built around small plates meant for sharing.
Shareable small plates like patatas bravas, grilled octopus, and lamb
A strong wine list and well-crafted cocktails
A warm, relaxed dining room that suits dates and celebrations
Then there’s the surprise. Hidden inside is Solera, a tucked-away cocktail lounge many people don’t realize exists until someone shows them the way.
A speakeasy-style space that feels intimate and low-lit
Creative cocktails and oysters served late into the evening
A quieter, moodier atmosphere made for lingering
If you’re planning a night that’s meant to linger, these two spots together make it easy to turn dinner into something more memorable.
📍 725 Osborne Street
Tabula Rasa and Solera Hours
🕓 Tuesday–Thursday: 5:00 PM–11:00 PM
🕓 Friday–Saturday: 5:00 PM–1:00 AM
Community Digest
Recycle Your Christmas Tree Before January 31
If your real Christmas tree is still leaning against the garage or sitting in the backyard, here’s a quick nudge to take care of it before the month wraps up.
Let’s Chip In depots are open until January 31, and dropping off your tree is completely free. Instead of heading to the landfill, these trees are turned into wood chips and mulch that can be reused around the city. You can even pick up free wood chip mulch at the depots while supplies last.
Before you head out, here are a couple quick reminders:
Remove all decorations, lights, and tree stands
Please don’t leave extra items at the depot
It’s an easy errand, helps reduce waste, and clears a little space at home too.
If you want to see all drop-off locations or check out other options, including curbside collection, click the link below to get the full details.
City Updates
Manitoba Recruits 13 U.S.-Trained Doctors to Improve Access to Care
Source: mySteinbach
Manitoba continues to add more doctors to its health-care system, with 13 U.S.-trained physicians now recruited to practise in communities across the province.
Here’s what this update means:
Builds on 285 physicians added in 2025, one of the largest increases in recent years
Alongside the new medinav booking system, this supported nearly 50,000 patient visits last year
Manitoba now has the highest rate in Canada for same-day or next-day access to a health-care provider
Doctors are being placed in communities across the province to help patients receive care sooner
The province says recruitment efforts will continue, with a focus on filling gaps, supporting care teams, and making it easier for families to see a doctor when they need one most.
Manitoba Invests $16.8M in New Research Facilities at the University of Manitoba
The University of Manitoba is getting a major boost, and it’s something our city can feel proud of.
The Manitoba government is investing $16.8 million to build two new biological research facilities at the University of Manitoba, helping local researchers do work that often had to happen elsewhere.
Here’s what this funding supports:
A new Prairie Biologics Accelerator at the Fort Garry campus, focused on vaccine development and biomanufacturing
A highly secure respiratory disease research centre at the Bannatyne campus, with testing capabilities Manitoba has never had before
Beyond the science, this means more jobs, more hands-on learning for students, and more reasons for talented researchers to stay and build their careers right here.
For Winnipeggers, this is a reminder that big, important work is happening right here at home. Our local talent is strong, our institutions are growing, and Manitoba is stepping onto a bigger stage in global health research.
A New Way to Make Friends in Winnipeg
The response to our Dinner Club has been huge. Seriously. We’ve already had 125+ people book for this Wednesday, and it’s been amazing to see how excited everyone is to come out and meet new people.
Because of the demand, we’ve officially opened up a new dinner date on February 17. So if this Wednesday didn’t work for you, this gives you another chance to join in.
A few quick things to know:
This Wednesday’s dinner is almost full
Sign ups for this Wednesday close at 6:30 pm tonight
February 17 is now live and open for booking
Same idea. Local restaurants, small tables, and easy conversation
If you’ve been on the fence, this is your moment. And if this Wednesday does work for you, it’s your last chance to grab a seat before we lock everything in with the restaurants.
So if you’ve been looking for an easy, low-pressure way to make new friends in Winnipeg, this is exactly what we built this for.
Events Coming up this week:
Source: A Maze in Corn
This section includes only the major events happening soon. For a complete list of all events, you'll have to wait for future editions!
WAG Wednesday Nights | 5-9PM, Jan 28 (More Info)
Location: Winnipeg Art Gallery—Qaumajuq
Description: Enjoy weekly free admission to the galleries and more from 5-9pm. WAG-Qaumajuq transforms Wednesday nights into an after-hours experience designed for people who want more from their week — more creativity, more connection, more inspiration.
Spirits with Spirits | 7-9PM, Jan 28 (FREE)
Location: The King's Head Pub
Description: Spirits with Spirits is back again!!! Co-hosted with The Winnipeg Paranormal Group we will be discussing the haunted history of Ouija Boards!!! Come for the food....stay for the Paranormal stories!
Oyster Nights Under Patio Lights! | 5PM-8PM, Jan 29 (FREE)
Location: The Forks Market
Description: Patio season doesn’t have to end in summer. Join us every Thursday this winter for fresh oysters and seafood paired with a drink from The Common. Whether you are skating in or stopping by, settle in by the fire and enjoy the winter ambiance.
Happy Daze Again Play | January 29 - April 12 (Tickets)
Location: Destination Dinner Stage
Description: Arnold’s is the hottest spot in town—jukebox blaring, milkshakes swirling, and everyone ready to tear up the dance floor. But this isn’t just any night, it’s the annual talent show and under the glow of a full moon, the energy’s electric, the music’s wild and something in the air has everyone acting a little… strange.
Mid Canada RV & Boat Sale | January 29 - February 1 (Tickets)
Location: RBC Convention Centre
Description: Whether it’s hitting the open road in an RV, cruising the river in your very own boat or touring the lake on a brand new sea-doo, start your journey by comparing different options here. Your journey begins at the Mid Canada RV & Boat Sale!
Duckworth Challenge | Jan 29-31 (Tickets)
Location: Investors Group Athletic Centre
Description: It's the clash of the province's largest post-secondary institutions. The University of Manitoba Bisons and University of Winnipeg Wesmen face off in the annual Duckworth Challenge, a storied competition between the two schools that dates back to 1991.
The Snow Maze Opens | Jan 30 (Tickets)
Location: A Maze in Corn
Description: Home of the Guinness Book of World Record's Largest Snow Maze! Enjoy warming areas with bonfires, slide down the giant snow mountain, relax in the warming barn or hop on a sleigh ride!
Tad and Birdy Play | January 30 - February 7 (Tickets)
Location: Manitoba Theatre for Young People
Description: Tad, a bird-voiced tree frog tadpole, and Birdy, a lovebird who knows everything except how to be happy, form an unlikely friendship. As Tad emerges into the world, they find themselves in a messy bedroom, where Birdy has been living for much longer.
Exciting Events: January 26th & 27th
Music 🎵
Central Soundwave | 12PM, Jan 26 (FREE)
Location: Belle’s Kitchen & Music Hall
Winnipeg New Music Festival (WNMF) | Jan 26-29 (Tickets)
Location: Centennial Concert Hall, Desautels Concert Hall
Description: The Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra’s annual Winnipeg New Music Festival (WNMF) is one of Canada’s premiere cultural events dedicated to contemporary art, and the largest festival of its kind in Canada dedicated entirely to contemporary art music.
Dean Lewis | 7:30PM, Jan 27 (Tickets)
Location: Burton Cummings Theatre
Description: Dean Lewis has announced his anticipated third studio album The Epilogue will be released Friday October 18 via Capitol Records and has shared dates to his global album tour.
Elseweyr/Inteference/Hound | 7PM, Jan 27 (Tickets)
Location: Park Theatre
Description: Winnipeg heavyweights Elseweyr bring their chaotic riffs, massive breakdowns and cathartic screams to the stage, backed by the relentless Interference and the riff-driven assault of Hound. This is wall-of-sound energy from start to finish, built for two steps, circle pits and yelling every word back at the stage.
Joe Lezak/Duncan Cox/Keith MacPherson/Rob Klym | 12-11PM, Jan 20 (FREE)
Location: Belle’s Kitchen & Music Hall
Open Mic Tuesdays | 8PM, Jan 27 (FREE)
Location: The Osborne Taphouse
Community Fun🎆
Mini Mondays: Chalk Creations & Dough Art Patterns | 10AM-2PM, Jan 26 (More Info)
Location: Manitoba Children's Museum
Description: Mondays at the Children’s Museum are very special days. From September – April, join us on Mondays from 10:00AM – 2:00PM for a fun-filled day of stimulating play designed for our youngest visitors, children under 4 years old!
Lights on the Exchange | January 26 - March 21 (More Info)
Location: Various Venues in the Exchange District
Description: From brick and terracotta building facades, to storefronts and alleyways, Lights On the Exchange – Allumez le quartier invites you to explore our iconic neighbourhood and engage with a collection of artwork by over 30 contemporary Canadian and Manitoban artists, featuring installations, large-scale digital projections, and live performances and events.
Special Events🥂
Those Who Made The Winter - Walking Tour At The Forks | Jan 26 - Mar 31 (Tickets)
Location: The Forks - Explore Indigenous Space
Description: Those Who Made the Winter is an Indigenous-led walking tour at The Forks that brings winter survival to life. With a cup of Labrador Tea in hand, guests learn how First Peoples used shelter, food, community, and star knowledge to master winter, including stories of Peguis and “The Falcon.”
Murder on the Orient Express Play | Jan 27 - Feb 7 (Tickets)
Location: John Hirsch Mainstage
Description: Detective Hercule Poirot is aboard the Orient Express when a fellow passenger is murdered. As the famous detective investigates, he encounters a cast of intriguing passengers, including the glamorous Mrs. Hubbard and the enigmatic Princess Dragomiroff.
Big Stuff Play | Jan 27 - Feb 1 (Tickets)
Location: Prairie Theatre Exchange
Description: Keep, or toss it out? Real-life married couple and celebrated comedy duo (who met while performing with Toronto’s Second City) Baram and Snieckus take on all of the “stuff” that accumulates in our lives.
Steve Furey | Jan 27-31 (Tickets)
Location: Rumor's Restaurant and Comedy Club
Description: Steve Furey is quickly emerging as one of the sharpest stand-up comedians in the comedy world. Fresh off a three-year run performing in arena tours as the opener for Bert Kreischer, Furey is a paid regular at The World Famous Comedy Store, the Hollywood Improv, and Joe Rogan’s Comedy Mothership in Austin.
Thanks for reading The Winnipeg Digest! Let’s chat again on Wednesday!
