Bright Lights Windsor: A Season to Shine Begins November 29!
‘Tis the season for cherished traditions, and there’s no better way to experience the magic than with Bright Lights Windsor!
Bright Lights Windsor returns to Jackson Park to light up the night and bring the holiday spirit to life from November 29, 2024, to January 7, 2025.
Bright Lights Windsor Highlights:
This year’s theme is “Bright Lights Windsor: A Season to Shine.” The exciting new path takes you through a series of seasonally themed zones: Northern Lights, The Enchanted Children’s Village, Wish Upon a Star, W.E. the North, Candy Cane Lane, Merry and Bright, Santa’s Workshop, Winter Wonderland, and Peace and Love Around the World.
As always, there will be many selfie opportunities throughout the site!
The W.E. Made It: Holiday Market returns, sponsored by Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island in partnership with the Urban Art Market, and WindsorEats. New to the market area this year will be the addition of the Chalet, which is a spacious, tented structure within the vendor market area (see New for 2024 below). The full holiday market will be open Fridays and Saturdays, with a partial market for food and beverages operating during the week. Along with the market, several excellent local food and beverage options will be available.
Sensory friendly “Silent Nights” are offered on Monday evenings. The lights will be on, but sound will be muted and strobe elements paused so the display can be enjoyed in a peaceful environment that is accommodating to sensory sensitivities.
We have a number of generous sponsors this year, including support from the Province of Ontario and the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming, ENWIN Utilities, Windsor Utilities Commission, Tim Hortons, Libro Credit Union, Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG), University of Windsor, University of Windsor Alumni Association, Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island, St. Clair College, St. Clair College Alumni Association, Cineplex, HD Development Group, RE/MAX Care Realty Team Goran, WindsorEssex Community Foundation, Detroit-Windsor Tunnel, Trillium Machine and Tool, Inc., Paul Davis Property Restoration Experts, AM800 CKLW, windsoriteDOTca News, and The Windsor Star.
We're excited to continue fostering Windsor’s incredible charitable spirit this year by dedicating a hut each week to highlight a Community Giving Partner. Stay tuned for the announcement of our weekly partners! Additionally, W.E. Care for Kids will be on-site every weekend throughout the festival offering hot chocolate to warm your hearts and support a great cause.
New for 2024:
Northern Lights Themed Area
This new themed area on the north side of Jackson Park will provide an atmospheric journey for visitors. Designed to recall the Aurora Borealis, Northern Lights features diffused lighting in purple, green, blue and magenta; and a variety of cool-toned large-scale displays. This area will also include the inflatable igloo tunnel featuring aurora projection lighting.
The Chalet
Situated within the vendor market, this interactive licensed space provides an engaging new feature to Bright Lights Windsor. The Chalet — a spacious tent furnished with cozy décor — offers a warm and inviting setting for visitors. In partnership with Windsor Eats, guests can enjoy delicious food and beverages, making it the perfect spot to relax, socialize, and warm up during their Bright Lights Windsor experience. The Chalet will be open Thursday through Sunday.
New Displays
Enjoy our new fireworks lights, interactive ice cube display, Henry the giant 17-foot-tall moose, Aurora Borealis lighted igloo, enhanced Santa’s bench, enhanced Holiday Train Station interior lighting, and more!
Decorative Lighting Along Ouellette Avenue
As a satellite installation for Bright Lights Windsor, the recently installed decorative lighting along sections of Ouellette Avenue will be illuminated in various colours and designs throughout the festival dates to help spread the celebration across the community. These new lights were installed in partnership between the Downtown Windsor Business Improvement Association and the City of Windsor.
Save the Date: Opening Ceremonies
Opening ceremonies take place this year at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, November 29, 2024, after which the event runs every night from 5:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. until January 7, 2025. Dan MacDonald from The Dan MacDonald Show, and Meg from The Morning Drive on AM800 CKLW will be this year’s emcees for our opening night.
Quote:
“Bright Lights Windsor is back, and the wonderland on display at Jackson Park is bigger, better and brighter than ever before! From the return of fan-favourite display zones, the W.E. Made It: Holiday Market, and Silent Nights ... to the addition of cool new elements like our Aurora Borealis lights, the Chalet, Henry the giant moose, enhancements to many areas and displays, and even the addition of decorative lighting along sections of Ouellette Avenue, our multiple-award-winning festival is not-to-be-missed. This celebration of our community continues to bring people together to enjoy the holiday season in an unforgettable and engaging way while highlighting giving opportunities through community organizations, supporting local vendors and artisans, and so much more. That remains the magic formula of what we’ve created here. Thanks to everyone who makes it possible, and to everyone who joins us during our Season to Shine at Bright Lights Windsor.” – Mayor Drew Dilkens
To learn more, contact 311 or visit BrightLightsWindsor.ca online.