Happy Wednesday, WPG!
Over the past week or so, we’ve seen our biggest jump in readership since launching. So to all of you new subsribers — welcome! And to all of you OG subscribers — welcome back (and thanks for spreading the word)!
In this issue, you’ll notice that we’ve separated live music from all the other local events. With all of the incredible shows in all of the world-class venues across our great city, we figured it deserved a section of its own.
Also in today’s issue:
Parking ban set
Hellebuyck hurt
Holiday shopping spots
And more …
Let’s go!
— Ryan Bowman
WEATHER FORECAST
Wednesday, Nov. 26
🌡️ High -3 Low -8 ⛅ Mix of sun and cloud
Thursday, Nov. 27
🌡️ High -7 Low -14 ⛅ Mix of sun and cloud
Friday, Nov. 28
🌡️ High -8 Low -12 ⛅ Mix of sun and cloud
TALK OF THE TOWN
Winter’s coming — and so is the winter parking ban❄️
Time is ticking for all you street parkers out there. The city just announced that this year’s annual parking ban will take effect at 2 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 3. Once the ban is in place, parking is prohibited on designated streets from 2 a.m. to 7 a.m. (snow or not), with tickets starting at $75 and the possibility of a tow.
Find out if the ban applies to where you’re parking by: downloading the Know Your Zone app, searching the city’s interactive snow map, using the online address lookup tool or contacting 311.
ALT 94.3 lands a familiar voice🎙️
Death, taxes and shakeups in the local radio scene. Last week we told you about Gabrielle Marchand joining Bounce 99.9 and the launch of Bounce Mornings with Beau & Gabby. This week, it’s longtime radio host (and the Winnipeg Jets’ “last minute of play” announcer) Jay Richardson moving from Power 97 to ALT 94.3 as the station’s new music director.
We recently caught up with Jay in our My WPG series; check it out here.
Hammer time 🔨
One of Canada’s most iconic home improvement brands is finally hoping to make a name for itself in Winnipeg. The city’s first Home Hardware location opened on Tuesday at 30-2860 Pembina Hwy., in the space formerly occupied by Peavey Mart.
FOOD & DRINK
The Forks Market doubles down on deliciousness 🍝
A pair of new eateries will make dining decisions at The Forks Market even more difficult. Colleen, an Italian restaurant that makes its own cheese and pasta in-house, opened on Nov. 20 in the space formerly occupied by Passero, while Sharecuterie will be serving up their city-famous charcuterie boards starting in early 2026.
LOCAL BUSINESS
A(nother) new business in the House 🏡
If you’re looking to support a new local business in the East Kildonan area, Dotted Lines — a fun little shop selling “Manga and more” — will celebrate its Grand Opening at House of Local (680 Watt St.) on Saturday, Nov. 29. Follow them on Instagram for news and details.
SMALL BIZ SPOTLIGHT
Want to see your small business (or your favourite small business) featured here? Reach out to [email protected]
SPORTS
Valour no more ⚽
In some not-so-great local sports news, Valour FC announced last week that it has suspended operations. The city’s professional men’s soccer team, which was owned and operated by the Winnipeg Football Club, played in Winnipeg for seven seasons.
Jet grounded ✈️
The Winnipeg Jets will be without their best player for at least a month. Connor Hellebuyck, who’s coming off back-to-back Vezina Trophy seasons as the NHL’s top goalie and the 2025 Hart Trophy as league MVP, recently underwent knee surgery and will miss four to six weeks of action. The Jets have gone 0-2 since his injury.
New arm in town 🏈
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are hoping for some help from a former NFLer. On Tuesday, the team signed American quarterback Bryce Perkins, who spent three seasons with the Los Angeles Rams and had a brief stint with the Carolina Panthers. Perkins was also named MVP of the United Football League in 2025.
EXPERIENCE LOCAL
Here we glow again ✨
One of the city’s most highly-anticipated holiday traditions is back. Zoo Lights is back at Assiniboine Park Zoo until Jan. 1, transforming the zoo into a glowing winter wonderland with over 1.75 million lights, interactive games, firepits, snowshoeing, hot chocolate, and new features like the Enchanted Jungle and a scavenger hunt.
Special nights include a Sensory Night (Dec. 3) with lowered light/musical intensity and a New Year’s Eve bash (Dec. 31).
Winter(peg) Wonderland 🎄
If you’d prefer to see some sparkly lights without leaving the comfort of your vehicle, there’s also Canad Inn’s Winter Wonderland at Red River Exhibition Park (Nov. 28 to Jan. 3). In addition to over 2 million twinkling lights, over 40 new light displays and a few other surprises await you along the 2.5-kilometre route.
You can also plan for outdoor photo ops, outdoor skating and food stands serving up warm drinks and tasty treats.
Get cultured 🎭
There are plenty of arts events to check out over the next month or so, including a number of exhibits at the Winnipeg Art Gallery, performances at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Manitoba Opera’s production of Tosca, and the Manitoba Museum’s presentation of I Belong Here. Elf The Musical also runs at Manitoba Theatre Company from Nov. 25 through Dec. 28.
Seeing stars 🌟
If science is more your thing, there are also some stellar shows taking place at the Planetarium over the next while. Check out the full schedule here.
Throwing punches 🥊
Cheer on Team Manitoba as the best boxers from across the country duke it out at the 2025 Canadian Elite National Championships Nov. 26-29 at Sport Manitoba. Full details here.
LOCAL EVENT LISTINGS 📅
Wednesday, Nov. 26
Paint Night at St. James Lanes. 7 pm at 1805 Portage Ave.
Hoist yerself down to Devil May Care Brew Co., fer a Sea Shanty Singalong. 7 pm to 9 pm at 155-A Fort St.
Enjoy a relaxing adults-only evening of botanical bliss, complete with wine, beer and live music at The Leaf After Dark. 7 pm to 9 pm at The Leaf
Thursday, Nov. 27
Start your holiday shopping at the Winnipeg Christmas Market. 10 am to 9 pm at the RBC Convention Centre (Day 1/4)
Celebrate the best in advertising at the annual CANNES Lions screening at the Winnipeg Art Gallery. 5:30 pm at 300 Memorial Blvd.
Get cozy and join Hustle + Charm for PJs & Popcorn: A Hallmark Holiday Movie Night. 6 pm at 429 Beaverhill Blvd.
Brew Ha Ha: A Cozy Standup Comedy Show at Barn Hammer Brewing Co. 8 pm at 595 Wall St.
The Killer Keys: Winnipeg’s only duelling piano duo battle it out at The Basement. 7 pm at 3740 Portage Ave.
Winter Paint Night at Torque Brewing Co. 7 pm at 330-830 King Edward St.
Friday, Nov. 28
Holiday Rug Painting Workshop at Bronx Community Centre. 7 pm to 9 pm at 720 Henderson Hwy.
Start your holiday shopping at the Winnipeg Christmas Market. 10 am to 9 pm at the RBC Convention Centre (Day 2/4)
Visit Kildonan Place Shopping Centre for the Santa Shops Local pop up featuring makers, bakers and small businesses. 10 am to 7 pm at 1555 Regent Ave W.
Explore local crafters, German imports and more at Canada’s longest-running Christkindlmarkt. 12 pm to 8 pm at Fort Garry Place Mall (Day 1/3)
Canadian Fighting Championship returns to Winnipeg for a night of MMA, kickboxing and muay thai. 7 pm at RBC Convention Centre
Family Fun Night features crafts, board games and more at Valour Community Centre. 6:30 pm to 8 pm at 448 Burnell St.
Family Movie Night features The Bad Guys 2 at Burton Cummings Community Centre. 6 pm at 960 Arlington St.
Family Movie Night features The Santa Clause at New Hope Community Church of the Nazarene. 6 pm at 214 Henderson Hwy.
Community Movie Night features K Pop Demon Hunters at Robert A. Steen Community Centre. 6 pm at 980 Palmerston Ave.
Saturday, Nov. 29
Winterpeg Holiday Sale at the Notre Dame Recreation Centre. 10 am to 3 pm at 271 rue de la Cathedrale
Visit Kildonan Place Shopping Centre for the Santa Shops Local pop up featuring makers, bakers and small businesses. 10 am to 6 pm at 1555 Regent Ave W.
Start your holiday shopping at the Winnipeg Christmas Market. 10 am to 6 pm at the RBC Convention Centre (Day 3/4)
Explore local crafters, German imports and more at Canada’s longest-running Christkindlmarkt. 10 am to 7 pm at Fort Garry Place Mall (Day 2/3)
Good Neighbours Christmas and Craft Sale. 11 am to 2 pm at Bronx Community Centre
Make a craft, enjoy special holiday bannock and get a photo with the jolly man himself at Santa in the Marsh. 12 pm to 3 pm at Oak Hammock Marsh
Sip n’ shop at the Little Brown Jug Vintage Market. 5 pm to 11 pm at 336 William Ave.
Raw Bar Oyster Co. Seafood Boil at Devil May Care Brewing Co. 5 pm to 9 pm at 155-A Fort St.
Build Your Own Italian charm watch bracelet with JODE x kopi while enjoying specialty drinks and sweet treats at the Tara Davis Studio Boutique. Workshops from 12 pm to 5:30 pm at 246 McDermot Ave.
Listen to owl calls, examine feathers and measure your wingspan at Living Prairie Museum’s free Exploring Owls event. 11 am to 4 pm at 2795 Ness Ave.
Sunday, Nov. 30
Support budding entrepreneurs at the Kid Boss Market. 10 am to 2 pm at 1188 Dakota St.
Find unique treasures at the Merry Thriftmas Vintage and Thrift Market. 11 am to 5 pm at 517 Pandora Ave E.
Explore local crafters, German imports and more at Canada’s longest-running Christkindlmarkt. 10 am to 4 pm at Fort Garry Place Mall (Day 3/3)
Visit Kildonan Place Shopping Centre for the Santa Shops Local pop up featuring makers, bakers and small businesses. 11 am to 6 pm at 1555 Regent Ave W.
Toss some rocks at the Fort Rouge Curling Club. Their drop-in Learn to Curl program is available for adults of all ages, no experience necessary. Just bring a clean pair of indoor shoes and everything else will be provided. Drop in between 11:45 am and 1 pm at 750 Daly St. South.
Join Laurie McDougall of Velvetleaf Beadworks for a beading workshop at Dalvanert Museum. 11:30 am at 61 Carlton St.
Start your holiday shopping at the Winnipeg Christmas Market. 10 am to 5 pm at the RBC Convention Centre (Day 4/4)
To submit future event listings, shoot us an email at [email protected]
LIVE MUSIC 🎵
Wednesday, Nov. 26
Thursday, Nov. 27
Friday, Nov. 28
Saturday, Nov. 29
Sunday, Nov. 30
Tuesday, Dec. 2
To submit future live music listings, shoot us an email at [email protected]
ICYMI 👀
The city’s calling on kids (and kids at heart) to name its fleet of snow clearing equipment, specifically six snow plows, six grading machines and a team of walk-behind push plows. Entries will be open until Dec. 5, with the winners getting custom name plates at a special announcement in January.
Get the full details and submit your names here.
BEYOND THE PERIMETER 🛣️
Two people who died during the wildfires will be honoured with a local landmark. The bridge over the Winnipeg River on Provincial Road 313 near Lac du Bonnet will be renamed the Susan and Richard Nowell Memorial Bridge, in honour of the couple who were trapped on their property and died on May 13.
“Susan and Richard Nowell were the kind of neighbours who make Manitoba the place we’re proud to call home. By naming this bridge in their honour, we’re recognizing the generosity and spirit they shared with everyone around them.”
Thanks for reading and stay warm out there. See ya next week!