Boris Tsun Hang Leung, arts and culture editor
Nuit Blanche returned to Winnipeg on Sept. 26, bringing art installations and performances to downtown Winnipeg, the Exchange District and St. Boniface throughout the night. The 2026 edition boasted 87 events in total, according to the festival guide.
Despite the pouring rain, the festival was well attended with considerable foot traffic. It was amusing to run into people I know when I least expected it, speaking to Winnipeg’s status as a big city with a communal, small-town feel.
One highlight was “IMABOX” in the Old Market Square by Winnipeg-based Kurdish artist Bîstyek, whose works on Kurdish culture and identity were previously exhibited at the Winnipeg Art Gallery. This installation of towering illuminated inflatable figures brought his vibrant paintings to life.
However, I was disappointed by how the city seemed sparsely populated with visual art. I expected to find a multitude of light-based art installations simply by wandering in public spaces, but instead vendors, DJs and parties dominated places like Arthur Street. Art enthusiasts will likely gain more from the event by planning an itinerary beforehand, given how the festival is spread across multiple areas of the city.
Nevertheless, I still enjoyed the variety of art forms represented at Nuit Blanche, from spoken word poetry to interpretative dance. I left with pleasant memories of messily devouring late-night shawarmas and being in good company. Perhaps the art was also the memories we made along the way.
Arifah Gheesah, news editor
This year was my first time attending Nuit Blanche, and it was wonderful to see Winnipeg so alive at night.
Surprisingly, my favourite part of the evening was the water bus ride. There was something special about being on the water and watching the city shine around you — the Esplanade Riel in all its glory, the tall buildings glimmering through the fog on a rainy night and the Canadian Museum for Human Rights standing tall against the skyline. It was a beautiful way to experience the city from a different perspective.
What makes Nuit Blanche so special is seeing so many people come together. Streets that are usually quiet, even during the day, were filled with laughter, music and conversation, despite the rain. It was also wonderful to see people stopping to appreciate art and engage with the different installations around the city. There was a sense of community that made the night feel so magical.
An event wholly dedicated to art, culture and community is something Winnipeg could use more often.
Faiyaz Chowdhury, sports editor
I was not familiar with Nuit Blanche, so I did not have any assumptions or ideas about what to expect and just wanted to experience whatever was to occur.
As the sun was setting, I was completely smitten by the smell of petrichor in the environment, and I found myself waiting in a long line for a boat that was too small. It only took a minute before I started complaining.
But my complaints went away as soon as we were a couple of minutes into the boat ride, as I stared over my shoulder into the shallow black water, and everything around me came to a halt. I could almost sense my pulse, although it was not racing.
I felt grateful in that moment as I reflected upon everything I had.
Maybe this was not an endless night of wonders for me, but there were many moments of self-reflection.
Eden Quiring, copy editor
J’aime Nuit Blanche.
I have seen great art, but at Nuit Blanche, I saw a lot more than that. I also got to watch my friend hem and haw over buying a painting from her favourite gallery and how kindly her boyfriend supported her. I played Wii Rock Band with my friends in a cool place I had never heard of and got to impress them with my guitar skills. I was reminded of how wonderful and lively the Exchange is when it is filled with people.
I also witnessed a mishandled situation that reminded me of Winnipeg’s systemic issues. A night like Nuit Blanche cannot only bring out the good side of our city, but I found love and community in my friends and many strangers, and they gave me hope for the future of Winnipeg. I saw the best and worst in people too, but I’ll do it all again next year.
