Bright Lights Windsor Returns: The City’s Holiday Tradition Shines!

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‘Tis the season for cherished traditions, and Bright Lights Windsor 2025 is an excellent way to capture the magic of the holidays!

Bright Lights Windsor returns to Jackson Park from November 28, 2025, to January 7, 2026, nightly from 5:30 to 10:00 p.m. This year, visitors can enjoy a Bright Lights Windsor that’s bigger, better and brighter, and the City cannot wait for residents and visitors to see and experience the festival!

And as always, admission is free!

So Much to See!

Bright Lights Windsor has become one of the City’s most anticipated holiday traditions. This year, guests can once again enjoy a series of seasonally themed zones: Northern Lights, The Enchanted Children’s Village, 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 located throughout the site!

New for 2025

  • Free Wi-Fi in the park offered by WaveDirect. 
  • W.E. Made It: Holiday Market expanded hours:
    • Guests can now shop the full holiday market at Bright Lights Windsor from Thursday to Sunday.
  • Chalet programming:
    • Tuesday Senior Programming and Wednesday Kids Programming.
  • Mobility Tours from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily. Registration is required.
  • Walking Club on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. Registration is required.
  • Family Tree Farm light display.
  • New displays, including firework lights, light-up seesaws, large heart-shaped arch, new photo opportunities and more!

Cheers to Fabulous Food, Drink and Shopping!

The W.E. Made It: Holiday Market returns, sponsored by Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island in partnership with the Urban Art Market. Support local vendors and tackle holiday shopping lists in style! Along with the market, several excellent local food and beverage options will be available. The beautiful Chalet also returns this year with delicious drinks and exciting programming.

The full holiday market has been extended to additional days and will be open Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, with a partial market for food and beverages operating during the week. 

Sensory-friendly “Silent Nights”

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.

The Giving Spirit

Encouraging Windsor’s incredible charitable spirit will be a priority once again this year, and each week the festival will have a designated hut to showcase a Community Giving Partner. Weekly partners will be announced at a later date. In addition, W.E. Care for Kids will be on site with hot chocolate on weekends for the duration of the festival.

Opening Ceremonies

Gates open at 5:30 p.m., and opening ceremonies take place this year at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, November 28, 2025. Patty Handysides from AM800 CKLW’s The Shift will be this year’s emcee for the opening night festivities. She will be joined by very special guests this year: Janet Lassaline is the youngest living granddaughter of former Windsor Mayor Cecil E. Jackson, who served from 1927 to 1930. During his time as mayor, he supported the purchase of the Windsor Jockey Club to be used as municipal parkland. Today, Jackson Park bears his name and is one of Windsor’s most beloved parks. Janet, her husband Len, and Ward 3 Councillor Renaldo Agostino will join in the festivities and help light the tree this year. 

Thank You, Sponsors!

The City has a number of gracious sponsors this year, including ENWIN Utilities Ltd., WaveDirect, Tim Hortons, Libro Credit Union, Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG), University of Windsor, Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island, Ground Effects, YQG International Airport, Windsor Regional Hospital Foundation, Motor City Community Credit Union, St. Clair College Alumni Association, HD Development Group, WindsorEssex Community Foundation, Detroit-Windsor Tunnel, Trillium Machine and Tool Inc., Paul Davis Property Restoration Experts, Tucker Electric, AM800 CKLW, WindsoriteDOTca News, and The Windsor Star.

Quote:

“Bright Lights Windsor is back, and the wonderland on display at Jackson Park is bigger, better and brighter than ever! Each year, residents and visitors look forward to the return of fan-favourite display zones, the W.E. Made It: Holiday Market, and Silent Nights. This year’s new additions provide even more to see and do on site. Our multiple award-winning festival is not to be missed. This celebration of our community brings 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 at Jackson Park. Thanks to everyone who makes it possible, and to everyone who joins us at Bright Lights Windsor, where the tradition grows year after year.”
– Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens

To learn more, contact 311 or visit BrightLightsWindsor.ca online.

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