Sikh celebration to bring thousands to downtown Winnipeg

ManitobaThousands of Sikhs are expected to gather in Winnipeg Sunday to commemorate the anniversary of the religion’s holy book, with food, music, prayer and a parade through the downtown core.Everyone welcome to Nagar Kirtan celebration beginning at Memorial Park, organizer saysCBC News · Posted: Aug 31, 2025 11:54 AM EDT | Last Updated: 6 hours agoThe celebration of Nagar Kirtan in Winnipeg draws thousands to Memorial Park and downtown core. (Gavin Axelrod/CBC)Thousands of Sikhs are expected to gather in Winnipeg Sunday to commemorate the anniversary of the religion’s holy book, with food, music, prayer and a parade through the downtown core.The Nagar Kirtan parade Sunday marks the 421st anniversary since the Guru Granth Sahib — the religion’s holy book, which Sikhs believe is the last in a line of gurus — was installed in the Golden Temple of Amritsar, in India’s Punjab region.The procession in Winnipeg, organized by the Sikh Society of Manitoba, began on Memorial Park begins shortly after noon on Sunday. A celebration with free food and traditional dance and music is happening there prior to a prayer and the parade Sunday morning.Harbans Singh Brar is president of Manitoba Sikh Society and has been helping to organize Sunday’s event. “The city did very good. The city and the province of Manitoba, we are so proud we live in Manitoba, we live in Manitoba,” he said, adding both supported the event to make it possible. “Everything got done.”People gather together for the Nagar Kirtan celebration last summer. This year’s gathering is being held at Memorial Park on Sunday. (Jeff Stapleton/CBC)He added everyone is welcome to come and join the celebration on Sunday.”We have no discrimination, any gender, any colour, everyone can come and eat free and enjoy,” he said. He said members of the Royal Riders Winnipeg motorcycle club have been participating in the procession for years.”It’s not political or anything like that, but it’s always religious festival. We honour our premier, our city mayor, our MP, MLA because we live in Canada and we got enough support from them,” he said. The celebration begins at Memorial Park, across Broadway from the Manitoba Legislature, on Sunday morning. Memorial Boulevard will be closed between York Avenue and Broadway until 7 p.m. on Sunday.