The Season Shined for Thousands at Bright Lights Windsor 2024
Bright Lights Windsor 2024, “A Season to Shine,” wrapped up for the holidays after its final evening on Tuesday, January 7, 2025.
The City of Windsor estimates that over 105,000 people enjoyed the lights, displays and holiday cheer that were offered through December and early January.
Here are a few highlights to celebrate from this year’s event:
Guided by this year’s theme of “A Season to Shine,” guests embarked on a magical journey through a series of seasonally themed zones, including Northern Lights, 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. Photogenic displays and countless selfie opportunities throughout the path once again set social media ablaze with stunning images and glowing smiles.
Interactive additions for 2024 were a huge hit!
The Chalet: Making its debut as the event’s first licensed service area, The Chalet was located within the vendor market and operated in partnership with WindsorEats. This spacious tent offered cozy furniture, warm décor, and a relaxed environment where visitors could enjoy food, beverages, and good company.
Live entertainment: At the iconic “Big Tree,” our stage in the Queen Elizabeth II Sunken Gardens hosted local performers, treating visitors to festive music and performances as they gathered to capture memorable photos.
The popular W.E. Made It: Holiday Market returned, sponsored by Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island in partnership with the Urban Art Market and WindsorEats. Once again, the market showcased locally made gifts, along with a delectable selection of local food and beverages — celebrating the holiday spirit and supporting our amazing regional artisans.
Bright Lights Windsor continued its commitment to accessibility by offering sensory-friendly “Silent Nights” every Monday evening. During these sessions, the lights remained on while sound and strobe effects were paused, creating a calm, welcoming atmosphere for individuals with sensory sensitivities.
As always, the festival had many 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 and the University of Windsor Alumni Association; Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island; St. Clair College and the 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.
Windsor’s incredible charitable spirit shone brightly too, as each week featured a designated hut to showcase a Community Giving Partner. This year’s charitable partners included W.E. Care for Kids, Canadian Mental Health Association Windsor-Essex County Branch, Harmony in Action, DAT Optimist Club, Windsor Symphony Orchestra, Habitat for Humanity Windsor-Essex, Windsor Goodfellows, the AM800 Cans for a Cause campaign and the CBC Make the Season Kind campaign.
Jackson Park to Re-open in Phases
The focus now shifts to removal of the event displays and equipment, which organizers say will be ongoing, weather permitting. The park will be re-opened in phases (similar to those used for the set-up last fall) to ensure the public has access to walking paths as quickly as possible. Stay tuned for updates.
Share Your Thoughts!
If you visited us at this year’s event, we’d love to hear from you. Please take a few moments to share your feedback through our survey:
If you are interested in becoming a vendor for Bright Lights Windsor 2025, please email brightlights@citywindsor.ca to be added to the mailing list.
Quote:
“It was wonderful to welcome Bright Lights Windsor back this year, and for folks to have the opportunity to explore a bigger, better and brighter than ever display at Jackson Park. From the opening night tree-lighting ceremony accompanied by the Windsor Goodfellows, through to the final night of programming and festivities, the fan-favourite holiday experience truly created a season to shine in Windsor. On behalf of City Council and the City of Windsor, I offer sincere thanks to the sponsors, partners, vendors, artists and artisans, staff and organizers, charitable giving partners, and every individual and family that participated and made this another unforgettable experience for the community. We look forward to welcoming everyone back again in December of this year.”
– Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens
To learn more, visit www.BrightLightsWindsor.ca or contact 311.