The Traditional Christmas Dinner was started in 1985 by Rocky Addison in a little church on the corner of 8th Street and Victoria Avenue in Brandon. It was held on December 25th, and that first year only 30 people attended.
The dinner quickly outgrew the church so it was decided to move it to the Prairie Oasis Centre where it was held both December 25th and 26th to better accommodate the growing number of guests. A few years later, the dinner once again outgrew its venue, and was moved up to the Keystone Centre. At one point, up to 4,300 meals served between deliveries and dine in. Currently, the Traditional Christmas Dinner serves about 3,400 meals on Christmas Day alone. The dinner is always free and open to anyone who wants to attend.
The Westman & Area Traditional Christmas Dinner takes place on December 25th, 2024 from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm at the Brandon Keystone Centre’s MNP Hall. Brandon Transit service and free car rides to/from dinner are available. If you are unable to attend in-person, delivery of a hot meal is available. Please call 204.728.7987 to order prior to December 23rd at 6:00 pm. No requests will be accepted after the 23rd.
Volunteers are also needed – and if you can help out please email christmasdinner@wcgwave.ca or call 204.728.7987 to register.
No-one Should Be Alone At Christmas.
