Whether you are looking to party like it’s your birthday, wine and dine with a few thousand of your newest friends, have a multi-course meal in one of the city’s handsomest rooms, or looking to celebrate under the fireworks with the whole family, Winnipeg has a NYE event for you.
So without further ado, here’s just a few of the biggest celebrations happening on December 31 to ring in 2019.
RBC Convention Centre Winnipeg
This year the Convention Centre is tailoring their NYE celebration to foodies, with an evening that starts (6 p.m.) with cocktails and food stations, followed by a five-course dining experience, then a night of dancing to the always on point Ron Paley Big Band.
For only $140 per person – or a $130 per person should your crew of eight or more purchase a whole table (which also includes two bottles of wine), you can unleash your inner gourmand, as this whole evening will be awash with culinary delicacies, including more food stations for desserts.
This past week we were treated to a sneak peek, and between the cocktail bars featuring smoked Caesars, and food stations brimming with fondue, flambeed shrimp, and a selection of amuse bouche that included grilled scallops on okame seaweed and smoked pheasant on apple compote, we were in good hands. Oh, and we haven’t even mentioned the dessert stations, like the build your own s'more bar where you can get all that gooey, chocolatey marshmallow goodness pressed between Norwegian waffle cookies (now just imagine that with a glass of champs before you get back on the dance floor).
You can also purchase dessert and dance tickets for just $75, while they’ve teamed up with Delta Hotels Winnipeg (which is connected via the heated skywalk) to offer rooms starting at just $139.
The Forks
The Forks is always bringing it when it comes to ringing it, and 2019 is no exception.
On top of the whole place being a winter wonderland to begin with – replete with magical on-land skating trails, amazing food kiosks, an atmosphere that permeates holiday merriment, and a mighty fine selection of wine and beer at The Common – the most important thing you families need to know is that this year they are having a family countdown and mini fireworks at 8 p.m. at the WINNIPEG sign (so your little ones can still see the sky lit-up before heading off to bed) and a regular fireworks spectacle at midnight in the Port (just like in our lede photo).
There will also be a bunch of activities and some music, the precise bands/acts and activities of which will be announced in the coming days.
SMITH at Inn at The Forks
Should you be planning to attend the festivities at The Forks, why not add on a delightful NYE dinner to your agenda?
SMITH, the super handsome restaurant in the Inn at The Forks which specializes in farm-to-table fare, is hosting a fabulous sounding dinner for just $80 per person. This four-course meal features starter options like spiced cauliflower fritters with lime yogurt, scallop ceviche with pomegranate and avocado or Berkshire pork belly with gochujang aioli and kimchi arancini; multiple soup or salad choices; entrees that range from braised pork shank to steelhead trout to farro risotto; and four dessert options, including churros with dulce de leche and an almond and dark chocolate flourless cake.
Reserve by calling 204-944-2445 or online through Open Table.
Thermëa by Nordik Spa Nature
Looking for the most tranquil NYE ever? Look no further than Winnipeg’s famed outdoor spa, where the Scandinavian saunas, steam rooms, thermal pools and relaxation chambers are always a good choice – particularly in winter. And on that note, throughout the holiday season (December 26 to January 5), Thermëa relaxes its whispering policy, allowing the site to become a bit more talkative, making it an ideal time to steam with your team. #squadgoalsandsteamgoals
For NYE (6 p.m. to 1 a.m.), Thermëa is hosting an excellent event (tickets must be purchased in advance here https://bit.ly/2KH0Mie , and warning, they go fast!), you get some great additions to your spa experience, including a delicious smörgåsbord (festive buffet) designed by chef Thomas (who does wonders with local ingredients prepared in a holistic manner), more food stations, a complimentary glass of sparkling, bathrobe rental, and fireworks. There will also be special Aufguss rituals (that’s when a trained Aufguss Sauna Meister melts balls of snow infused with essential oils then proceeds to swoosh the resulting steam around the sauna) and more surprises.
The fact that you can ring in 2019 shoulder-deep in a thermal pool while watching fireworks overhead is pretty much the greatest sell there is.
McPhillips Station Casino
Remember how amazing Much Music Video Dance Parties used to be? Well get this, McPhillips Station Casino is holding down their own Video Dance Party to cap off 2018 in their poker room, which will be zesty indeed.
On top of that, there will be party favours, a photo booth, MUST GO Bingo, and so much more gaming goodness.
You can find the full deets here.