City of Windsor Nominated for 20 Best of Windsor Essex Awards

Published

The City of Windsor has received 20 nominations in the 11th Annual Best of Windsor Essex Awards. The online initiative hosted by Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island (TWEPI) is about learning from locals where they like to go and explore, dine, shop, play and stay. The nomination period ran earlier this year, with nominees named in 25 award categories. 

The City of Windsor’s 20 nominations across 13 categories cover parks, trails and other outdoor spaces, events, culture and heritage facilities, works of art and more, including the following:

  • Best Family-Friendly Attraction – Adventure Bay Family Water Park presented by WFCU Credit Union
  • Best Historical Attraction – Willistead Manor
  • Best Festival, Event or Parade – Bright Lights Windsor
  • Best Holiday Event – Bright Lights Windsor
  • Best Tour Experience – Willistead Manor
  • Best Art Gallery, Art Space or Installation – Windsor Sculpture Park
  • Best Park or Garden – Jackson Park; Ojibway Park; Willistead Park; Coventry Gardens 
  • Best Trail – Windsor Riverfront; Ganatchio Trail; Ojibway Park; Right Honourable Herb Gray Parkway
  • Best Waterfront Experience – Peche Island
  • Best Waterfront View – Legacy Beacon & Streetcar No. 351; Windsor Riverfront
  • Best Photo Op – Windsor Riverfront
  • Best Live Performance Venue – The Capitol Theatre (City-owned facility)
  • Best Art Gallery – Art Windsor-Essex (AWE) (City-owned facility)

The City of Windsor also provides significant support to many nominees on this year’s ballot, including experiences and points of interest like the Canadian Aviation Museum, Carrousel of the Nations, Windsor Santa Claus Parade, Dropped on Drouillard, Windsor Essex Pride Fest, Downtown Windsor Farmers’ Market, WIFF Alley and more. 

The voting period for the Best of Windsor-Essex Awards opens February 9 and runs to March 1, 2026. Vote online at www.BestOfWindsorEssex.ca/vote! 

Quotes:

“For over a decade, the annual Best of Windsor-Essex Awards have provided a solid opportunity to showcase our community and to celebrate some of the best places, spaces, assets, amenities and experiences that the City of Windsor and surrounding region have to offer. I’m proud to see the impressive list of nominations once again this year for the City of Windsor. We are Investing Responsibly as we leverage this time of growth and development and work to strengthen Windsor’s future. These community nominations serve as recognition that efforts to improve quality of life and create a city that people love are working well while also helping to highlight some of the reasons so many folks continue to be drawn here. Congratulations to all the nominees working together to make our communities shine. Thanks to TWEPI for organizing this initiative and to everyone who nominated the City of Windsor. Don’t forget to cast your vote!”
- Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens

“The Best of Windsor Essex Awards were created to highlight the places and experiences that locals genuinely love. At their core, the Best of Windsor Essex Awards are about celebrating what locals value most and using that insight to inspire visitors, knowing that those same recommendations inspire future trip planning. The City of Windsor’s 20 nominations this year reflect the strength and diversity of its parks, venues, attractions and public spaces, and we’re proud to help showcase those experiences through our marketing efforts throughout the year. These are spaces that shape the Windsor experience and play an important role in driving awareness, encouraging exploration and reinforcing the sense of place that makes our region so compelling. The City’s nominations help support broader storytelling efforts that highlight why Windsor continues to resonate with both residents and visitors.”
- Gordon Orr, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island and CEO Invest WindsorEssex

Latest News