The Brandon Riverbank is inviting the community to experience the Assiniboine River in a new way at Paddlefest 2026, a full day celebrating paddling, river history, outdoor recreation and community connection. From relaxing on the water to hunting for hidden rubber ducks and hearing stories from experienced paddlers, Paddlefest offers activities for both first-time paddlers and seasoned river enthusiasts. There will be a photo opportunity from roughly 5:15pm to 5:45pm on the 18th Street Bridge to photograph the Sunset Cruise, which will feature a larger gathering of boats paddling west from Riverbank Discovery Centre, down the Assiniboine River. The day’s programming includes: Floating Sound Bath | 12–1:30 p.m. Paddle Bros Brandon will lead an all-levels floating experience designed to help participants relax and experience the river through sound. Rubber Duck Challenge | 1–3 p.m. The Western Manitoba Kayakers will challenge participants to find 150 hidden ducks on the river. Paddlers of all experience levels are welcome. Voyageur Boat Rides | 1–4 p.m. Riversong Wilderness will offer free Voyageur canoe rides, giving participants an opportunity to enjoy the Assiniboine from the water with an experienced guide. History on the River | 1–4 p.m. Keith Waterfield, Executive Director of the Brandon General Museum and Archives will share stories about the steamboats that once travelled the Assiniboine River. All Ages Paddle Panel | 2–3 p.m. Paddlers from different generations and experience levels will share their stories, experiences and perspectives on life on the water. Sunset Cruise | 5–6 p.m. Participants are invited to bring their own boat or board and join a fun group paddle at sunset. Paddle Soirée | 6:30–10 p.m. The evening continues at the Brandon Riverbank Discovery Centre with an opportunity to gather, socialize and enjoy a beverage. Keynote: Mick Lautt | 7:30 p.m. Adventure paddler Mick Lautt will share stories and images from his packrafting expedition on Iceland’s glacial rivers. “Paddlefest was created to help build a community of people who use and respect Manitoba's beautiful network of waterways” said Brandon Riverbank Inc. Executive Director Dean Hammond. “It's about bringing together paddlers (and non-paddlers too) to share adventures, stories and knowledge.” Paddlefest also highlights the many ways people can experience the river, both on the water and from shore, while celebrating the stories and nature that make the Assiniboine an important part of Brandon. Paddlefest 2026 welcomes paddlers and community members of all experience levels. Participants are encouraged to bring their boat, bring their curiosity and spend the day exploring the river.  Paddlefest 2026 Brandon Riverbank Discovery Centre and Assiniboine River Saturday, September 26th Programming runs from 12 p.m. through 10 p.m.

The 14th Brandon Beer Tasting Festival, presented by the Sunset Rotary Club of Brandon, will be held at the Victoria Inn on Saturday October 3, 2026 from 7-10pm. The event features local and Canadian brands and the proceeds will support local community projects. Samples will be available as well as a light lunch. This is an 18+ event. Come and taste all types of beer, network, have fun and have some food, all for the price of $40 per ticket!

Country music fans in Virden and the surrounding area will have a chance to get into the Christmas spirit this December when two of Canada's biggest country music stars return to the community. George Canyon and Aaron Pritchett will bring their “A Coast-to-Coast Cowboy Christmas – Part 2” tour to Virden on Monday, December 7, 2026, at 8 p.m. Presented by Children Believe, the 30+ date tour will travel from Summerside, PEI to Sidney, BC between November 12 and December 22. The concert follows the success of the pair's inaugural Cowboy Christmas tour, which brought Canyon and Pritchett to communities across Canada, including a stop at Virden's Aud Theatre in December 2025. The two Canadian country stars are once again joining forces for an evening combining holiday favourites and Christmas classics with some of their biggest country hits. With more than 25 years of music between them, Canyon and Pritchett have established themselves as two of the country's most recognizable country performers. Both have earned multiple Canadian Country Music Association honours, along with other national music awards and nominations. Canyon has built a successful career as a singer, songwriter, actor and humanitarian, with hits including “Just Like You,” “I Believe in Angels” and “Slow Dance.” Pritchett, meanwhile, is known for his energetic live performances and a string of Canadian country hits, including “Better When I Do.” The Cowboy Christmas show offers audiences something different from a typical country concert, with the longtime performers sharing stories and holiday memories while performing their music and seasonal favourites. The original tour was presented by Children Believe and featured 35 dates across Canada. The organization said the concerts were designed to combine holiday entertainment with an opportunity for audiences to learn more about its work supporting children and communities around the world. The return of Canyon and Pritchett to Virden gives local audiences another opportunity to enjoy the pair's Christmas show without having to travel out of town. “A Coast-to-Coast Cowboy Christmas – Part 2” is scheduled for Monday, December 7, 2026, at 8 p.m. in Virden. For country music fans, it promises to be an evening filled with Christmas classics, familiar country hits, stories and plenty of holiday spirit.

The Wheat City Fall Fair makes its debut at the Keystone Centre grounds starting tomorrow and runs from Sept. 18 to 20. The three-day event is designed to bring families and community members together for a weekend of carnival rides, food, entertainment and local shopping. A major attraction will be the Select Shows Midway, offering a variety of rides throughout the weekend. Ride wristbands will be available for $35 on Friday, $40 on Saturday and $35 on Sunday. The fair will run from 5 to 11 p.m. Friday, noon to 10 p.m. Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $5 per person, while children two and under can attend free of charge. Along with the midway, visitors will be able to check out local vendors, enjoy food from area food trucks and take in live entertainment throughout the weekend. The event will also have a charitable component, with partial proceeds being donated to Westman Dreams for Kids. Organizers are hoping the new event will become an annual fall gathering for Brandon and the surrounding Westman community, providing an opportunity to enjoy some family entertainment while supporting local businesses, vendors and a community organization. With the arrival of fall bringing cooler temperatures and the start of a busy community-events season, the Wheat City Fall Fair is looking to add another annual tradition to Brandon's calendar.

Brandon rock fans will have a chance to see one of Canada’s best-known rock bands when Finger Eleven brings its Last Night on Earth Tour to the Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorium on Saturday, April 3, 2027. The Burlington, Ontario-based band will make a stop in Brandon as part of its latest tour supporting Last Night on Earth, the group’s first studio album in a decade. Finger Eleven has been a fixture on the Canadian rock scene for more than three decades. The band first emerged in the 1990s before gaining widespread attention with songs including “One Thing” and “Paralyzer.” Its 2007 album Them vs. You vs. Me went on to win the Juno Award for Rock Album of the Year. The group consists of vocalist Scott Anderson, guitarists James Black and Rick Jackett, bassist Sean Anderson and drummer Steve Molella. Following an extended period away from the studio, Finger Eleven began working on new material and eventually returned with Last Night on Earth. The album marked the band's first collection of new studio material in approximately 10 years. The album's release followed the band's return to recording after the success of its 2023 single “Together Right,” which was the group's first original song in more than seven years. For longtime fans, the Brandon concert promises an opportunity to hear new material alongside songs from throughout Finger Eleven's career. The Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorium, located on the Brandon University campus, has long served as one of the region's primary venues for touring concerts and other live entertainment. The main theatre seats approximately 800 people, providing an intimate setting for touring performers. With a catalogue spanning more than 30 years, Finger Eleven's Brandon appearance is expected to appeal both to longtime fans who grew up with the band's biggest hits and to a newer generation discovering its music. ARTIST and FRIENDS OF THE WMCA PRESALE SEP 16th GENERAL ON SALE FRIDAY SEP 18th Tickets ONLY at the Westman Box Office