The Western Manitoba Regional Library (WMRL) — at its Brandon Public Library downtown branch — is hosting an Opening Ceremony Watch Party for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026. Residents are invited to gather at the downtown branch to watch the international event together in the library’s community space as the games begin in Italy.
The event takes place at the library’s downtown location at 710 Rosser Avenue. Doors open at 12:30 PM CST and the watch party runs until 4:00 PM; the Opening Ceremony is expected to begin at approximately 1:00 PM CST (20:00 CET). The free event does not require registration, and the library has said drinks and snacks will be provided to attendees.
Organizers are staging the event to encourage community gathering and to increase midday foot traffic in the city’s core. The watch party is being organized by WMRL in cooperation with downtown business stakeholders (the WMRL event listing notes cooperation with the Brandon Downtown BIZ). The daytime slot was chosen in part to make the ceremony accessible to people who are available during midday, and organizers hope some attendees will visit nearby downtown businesses such as Chez Angela Bakery & Café or The Dock on Princess before or after the broadcast.
Local reporting and downtown revitalization updates — including a recent ‘State of the Downtown’ report and coverage of renewed downtown activity — have highlighted efforts to increase events and visitation in Brandon’s core. According to the official Milano Cortina schedule, the Opening Ceremony begins at 20:00 CET in Italy, which converts to about 1:00 PM CST in Brandon, placing it in a midday slot convenient for retirees, students and other daytime audiences.
Event details are listed on the Western Manitoba Regional Library events page; attendees should consult the library’s site for any last-minute updates.
