As the leaves begin to turn, Stanley Park will be alive with colour, flavour, and sound this Saturday, September 20, when Cultural Connections 2025 returns for a day of celebration and community. From 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., residents are invited to take part in a free family-friendly festival that honours the many cultures making Brandon their home. Organized by Westman Immigrant Services in partnership with the Brandon Local Immigration Partnership and the Westman Multicultural Festival Society, the event promises a full slate of entertainment — cultural performances ranging from music and dance, international fashion shows, interactive games, and storytelling. No registration is necessary, and admission is free. Attendees are encouraged to come with family and friends to enjoy a day that aims to build bridges, foster understanding, and highlight the rich tapestry of cultures in Brandon. Stanley Park will serve as a fitting backdrop for the event — central, open, and accessible — offering space for both performances and relaxed mingling among neighbours and newcomers alike. With plans for engaging experiences for people of all ages, Cultural Connections 2025 looks to be a highlight of this autumn’s cultural calendar.

Country music fans will have plenty to celebrate this holiday season as George Canyon and Aaron Pritchett bring their Coast-to-Coast Cowboy Christmas tour to Virden. The concert is set for Wednesday, December 3, 2025, at The Aud Theatre, and promises an evening of Christmas classics, country hits, and holiday cheer. Canyon, a JUNO and Canadian Country Music Association award-winner, is known for hits such as Just Like You and Slow Dance. Pritchett, one of Canada’s most recognized country performers, has built a reputation on high-energy shows and fan favourites including Hold My Beer and Dirt Road in ’Em. Together, the two artists will share the stage for a show blending music, storytelling, and festive spirit. The tour is billed as a holiday tradition in the making, offering audiences a mix of familiar seasonal songs and career-defining hits. Tickets for the Virden concert go on sale Friday, September 12, and will be available through George Canyon’s official website and local outlets. Organizers say the event will not only give fans a rare chance to see two of Canada’s biggest country stars in an intimate setting, but also provide a seasonal boost for local businesses as visitors make their way to town for the show.

Photo: Brandon General Museum and Archives Brandon will once again be brimming with brine as Pickle Fest makes its long-anticipated return in the summer of 2026. The quirky celebration, which last took place many years ago, is making a comeback by popular demand, promising a weekend full of flavor, fun, and community spirit. The event is being brought back to life by local volunteer community members and the Brandon Downtown Biz. Previous editions of the event included a street market, kids activities, live entertainment, and many different food vendors. For full details, including dates, timesm and schedules, please follow their Facebook page here.  

Brandon audiences are in for a night of laughs as Canadian comedy icon Brent Butt takes the stage at the Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorium (WMCA) later this fall. Best known as the creator and star of the hit sitcom Corner Gas, Butt will perform live in Brandon on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, with the show beginning at 7:30 p.m. The performance is part of his cross-country comedy tour, which has been drawing strong crowds across Canada. Tickets are priced at $62.25, taxes and service charges included, and go on sale Thursday, September 4. They can be purchased in person at the WMCA Box Office or by phone at 204-728-9510. The appearance marks a return to Manitoba for Butt, whose sharp wit and down-to-earth humour have made him a household name nationwide. Fans can expect an evening filled with the observational comedy and storytelling style that has earned him acclaim for decades. For more details, visit wmca.ca or call the box office directly.

Westman Communications Group (WCG) wrapped up their Connecting Westman Tour in Virden on August 28, 2025. A total of $4,484.50 was raised, with all proceeds going to the Border Regional Library. This total includes a matched donation from WCG, significantly boosting the library’s efforts to enhance existing programs and support renovations of the Border Regional Library, and ensuring it can continue serving the community as a welcoming and modern resource. The Connecting Westman Tour is a unique, community-focused initiative where WCG hosts charity barbecue lunches throughout the summer. Hot dogs, smokies, chips, and drinks are offered with donation-based pricing, and 100 percent of the proceeds go directly to a nominated local charity. WCG matches the total amount raised, amplifying the community’s support for its own causes. “Our final stop on the 2025 Connecting Westman Tour in Virden built on the strong momentum from earlier events, with outstanding community engagement that brought this year’s tour to a successful close.” said WCG Marketing Manager Brandi Crowe. “It was fantastic to see such strong support from the Virden community for this important cause. We’re proud to play a role in creating meaningful fundraising opportunities and cannot wait until next year to do it all again.” The Connecting Westman Tour is just one of the many ways WCG actively engages with the communities it serves, demonstrating its commitment not just as a service provider but as a dedicated community partner. For more information about Westman Communications Group and the Connecting Westman Tour, or to submit a community initiative for funding consideration, please visit https://westmancom.com.