Ai-Kon 2025: community, creativity, and celebration of anime and more in Winnipeg

2 days ago

Nothing — not even an air quality warning — could stop them.
On Friday, Ai-Kon Winnipeg, Manitoba's premier anime, video game, and Japanese culture convention, kicked off its annual celebration at the RBC Convention Centre in downtown Winnipeg.
Thousands of anime, gaming, and pop culture fans gathered to connect with others who share their passion. The event featured a packed schedule of activities, including voice actor panels, dance workshops, cosplay contests, and more.
Inside the bustling marketplace hall, attendees found a growing number of local artists and vendors offering handmade crafts and merchandise — a showcase of the convention's strong support for community creators.
First launched in 2001 at the University of Manitoba, Ai-Kon has since grown into one of the largest events of its kind in Western Canada. According to organizers, the last in-person convention drew more than 10,000 attendees.
'I think it's great. I feel like it's doubled in size since we came last year,' one attendee told CTV News.
Ai-Kon remains a family-friendly event, offering free admission for the first child under 12 when accompanied by a paying adult.
The convention wraps up on Sunday, July 13.

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CTFN hosts Haa Ḵusteeyí Celebration in Carcross

CBC

18 minutes ago

CTFN hosts Haa Ḵusteeyí Celebration in Carcross

The Haa Ḵusteeyí Celebration returns to Carcross this summer to honour and share Tlingit culture. Taking place from July 24 to 26, this biennial gathering rotates between the three inland Tlingit Nations: Teslin, Carcross/Tagish, and Atlin. This year, the Carcross/Tagish First Nation will welcome friends, families and visitors for three days of celebration. CBC North is a sponsor of the event. Nicole Welin, the Haa Ḵusteeyí co-ordinator for the Carcross/Tagish First Nation, said this year's event is about reconnecting and celebrating identity. "We are looking forward to having all the people, friends and family members that haven't seen each other in a while come together at Haa Ḵusteeyí this year and celebrate being Indigenous, our culture and our languages," she said. Welin added that this year's celebrations will include a mix of cultural expressions. "We will also be hosting some tattoo artists, one from Haida Gwaii and three or four traditional hand-poke artists from Yukon." Thursday, July 24, serves as the event's soft open. Volunteers and vendors will prepare throughout the day. Later in the afternoon, the public is invited to gather at 5 p.m. for a hand warming ceremony and opening remarks. Friday and Saturday celebrations The main festivities run on Friday, July 25, and Saturday, July 26, with a full lineup of performances, competitions and hands-on activities. Most of the activities will be happening at the Haa Shagóon Hídi learning centre. Friday morning begins at 10 the arrival of canoeists travelling from Atlin, B.C. Community members will gather to greet the paddlers on shore, marking the end of their journey. It will be followed by the opening ceremony. Weekend highlights include workshops, performances, an artist market and evening feasts. Visitors can also look forward to a fashion show on Friday and a tug-o-war on Saturday. This family friendly event also features a kids' zone that includes the Go For Literacy Bus from the Yukon Literacy Coalition. The event closes Sunday evening with a final feast and ceremony. Admission is free, and all ages are encouraged to attend this cultural gathering.