Remembrance Day 2026 Program for the City of Windsor

Published

The City of Windsor has a proud tradition of gathering with local Veterans throughout the year to pay respects to those who have fallen in military service as well as all those who continue to serve today. This year, the City partners once again with the Windsor Veterans Memorial Services Committee, local military representatives, Windsor Police Service, Royal Canadian Legion (RCL) Branch 255, area schools, and others for a meaningful Remembrance Day program in the month of November.

Windsor’s Official Remembrance Day Service:

Wednesday, November 11, 2026, beginning at approximately 10:50 a.m. Representatives of the Windsor Veterans Memorial Services Committee, military representatives, pre-registered wreath bearers, government officials, area schools, and the public will attend the Cenotaph at City Hall Square in Windsor for an outdoor service. The service will be shared via Facebook livestream on the City of Windsor’s Facebook page. YourTV Cogeco will broadcast the service live at 11:00 a.m., with rebroadcasts at 6:00 p.m., and 10:00 p.m. on November 11.

Organizations and individuals wishing to lay a wreath at the Remembrance Day Service this year must pre-register with Ms. Bonnie Burian, Secretary of the Windsor Veterans Memorial Services Committee, at 519-973-4057 by phone or at bburian@cogeco.ca by email. Those who do not pre-register will not be called upon during the service. Please note that you may be requested to lay your wreath personally on site after 1:00 p.m. on November 11.

Window Decals and Illuminations at City Hall and in Downtown Windsor

Large window decals honouring Remembrance Day with images from the Canadian War Museum are once again on display on the main floor of City Hall at 350 City Hall Square West for the month of November. From November 9 to 13, 2026, City Hall will also be illuminated in red each night in honour of our Veterans. Again this year, look for special illuminations across City Hall Square and the façade of the building facing the Cenotaph. Additionally, during that same time, the decorative lighting along sections of Ouellette Avenue will also be illuminated in red and white each night.

Two new Veterans Commemorative Sidewalks have been installed at City Hall Square, on sidewalks leading to and from the Cenotaph. The red-and-white artwork design, stencil image of a soldier on one knee, and the words “Lest We Forget” match the sidewalk installed by the City last year outside of the Royal Canadian Legion (RCL) Branch 255 in Olde Riverside. The stencil was fabricated by E-W Metal Works (1950) Inc. and was originally made possible through the support of RCL Branch 255, the City of Windsor, and Councillors Jo-Anne Gignac and Gary Kashchak. The two new City Hall Square installations were funded through Mayor Dilkens’ 2026 ward funds and announced back in April of this year.

“Scars of War” Poetry Book Fundraiser

In 2025, Mayor Dilkens self-published his original poem Scars of War, donating 100% of the proceeds to support ongoing initiatives through the Windsor Veterans Memorial Services Committee (WVMSC). $3,354 was raised from the sales of the book and donated to the WVMSC this year. The Scars of War book sells for $20.00 and is available via print-on-demand at Amazon.ca. Mayor Dilkens will once again donate 100% of the proceeds to the WVMSC for 2026 sales. A true home-grown project, the book for ages 6 and up promotes understanding, recognition, and gratitude for the sacrifices made by Veterans who served and continue to serve our country during perilous times. The book was written by Dilkens, illustrated by local Windsor-Essex artist Christy Litster, and edited by Dilkens’ Chief of Staff Christopher Menard. Layout and design were a labour of love for Menard, Litster, and Sarah Johnson, who served as the Mayor’s digital content manager at the time of publication.

Museum Windsor Programming:

Museum Windsor will mark Remembrance Day in the lead-up and on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, with a special program that includes:

Great War South Walkerville Street Sign Tour. November 7, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. Join museum staff to learn the history behind the poppies that have been placed on the street signs of South Walkerville. Pre-registration is required, and space is limited. Call 519-253-1812 to sign up. $10.00 per person.
Free admission at the Chimczuk Museum from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Opening of Honouring the Century: 100 Years of the Royal Canadian Legion in Windsor-Essex Display. November 11, 2026. In 2026, the Royal Canadian Legion (RCL) celebrates its 100th year as an organization. Founded by Veterans after the Great War, the RCL has provided a space for Veteran community, Veteran employment, Veteran support and a century of memories held within the legion’s walls. From poppy drives to Sunday meat auctions to weddings, the RCL has imprinted itself deeply in Canadian culture. Come to the Chimczuk Museum to explore 100 years of the Royal Canadian Legion’s rich history. Free admission, no pre-registration required.

For more information on Museum Windsor, call 519-253-1812, or visit www.MuseumWindsor.ca. Art Windsor-Essex (AWE) will also offer free admission to the gallery on Wednesday, November 11, 2026. For information on current exhibitions and programming at the gallery, visit www.ArtWindsorEssex.ca.

Veterans Banner Project and Commemorative Painted Sidewalk

Everyone is encouraged to visit the Olde Riverside section of Wyandotte Street where street banners are once again on display through the end of November 2026 showing the names, the dates, and other commemorative information about some of the Veterans with connections to our community. This project, now in its fifth year, is led by Marty Flanagan and is a partnership between the Olde Riverside Town Centre Business Improvement Association (BIA), the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 255, and ENWIN. The site also includes the first Veterans Commemorative Sidewalk installed and unveiled last year.

We Remember Their Stories:

From November 4 to 11, 2026, previously recorded videos will be shared online highlighting local Veterans reflecting on their service, stories, and comrades. Many of these videos were produced through the Veterans Memories Project (YouTube) created by the Windsor Historical Society. The recordings will be shared via Mayor Dilkens’ Facebook page.

“The Gift of Life” – Windsor Classic Chorale and Chamber Orchestra

Music Director Bruce Kotowich.
Wednesday, November 11, 2026. 7:30 p.m. Salvation Army, South Windsor Citadel, 1201 Grand Marais Road West, Windsor, Ontario, N9E 1C8.

The Windsor Classic Chorale (WCC) has a longstanding tradition of presenting a concert every November to honour those who gave their lives during the First and Second World Wars so that we might live in freedom today. The WCC is celebrating its 50th Anniversary Season with the Concert “The Gift of Life – Songs for Hope.” The WCC’s Remembrance Day concerts have become part of Windsor/Essex cultural life over the past many years. This concert remembers those who have served in the wars that have changed our identity as Canadians and celebrates the freedoms that these soldiers and victims of war won for us. This year, WCC marks Remembrance Day 2026 by celebrating the gift of life that they gave to us through their sacrifice. John Rutter’s choral work The Gift of Life is the featured work on this concert along with favourites such as We Rise Again, You’ll Never Walk Alone, and other choral works for the day. Visit The Gift of Life - Remembrance Day Concert 2026 (eventbrite) to purchase tickets.

Quotes:

“The City of Windsor’s annual Remembrance Day program continues to provide many opportunities to pay our respects, pause and reflect, and say thank you to the selfless men and women who fought to leave our world safer and better than they found it, as well as all those serving today. From the images and stories on display in the windows of City Hall, light installations and the new Veterans Commemorative Sidewalks at City Hall Square, and exhibitions at Museum Windsor… to community choir performances, street banners and a poetry publication fundraiser, there are many ways to remember our Veterans once again this year. One of my greatest honours as Mayor has been to participate in these gatherings and stand alongside our Veterans and their loved ones. As always, I look forward to gathering as a community on November 11 to observe Remembrance Day at the Cenotaph, where we commit to honouring our Veterans and keeping their stories and memories alive and their legacies forever in our hearts. We will remember them.”
- Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens

“On November 11, as we should every day, we remember those who volunteered, sacrificed, served, fought and died for our freedom. We will never forget them. Once more this year, we welcome everyone to gather at the Cenotaph in downtown Windsor to remember. If you are unable to attend or to watch online, then please observe a moment of silence at 11:00 a.m., or visit one of our many city monuments or Veterans sections of your local cemetery. There are many ways to join as a community to honour our heroes. We will remember. We will never forget.”
- Paul Lauzon, Windsor Veterans Memorial Services Committee