New Additions To Bright Lights Windsor 2021 Announced

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Bright Lights Windsor returns in just two weeks and the city has announced several new additions to the hugely popular festival.

Mayor Drew Dilkens announced improvements and new events planned as part of the festival during a media event, Thursday afternoon.

Highlights include a new park theme, sensory friendly nights, the return of the holiday market, the launch of the YQG Hearts for Hope campaign and more.

“We altered the Bright Lights Windsor program and spread the light across the community to encourage social distancing with our citywide variation last year,” said Mayor Drew Dilkens. “It was the right thing to do at that time. Now, with the pandemic situation improving and additional safety measures in place, folks have the chance to go walking in a Windsor Wonderland once again this year.”

Enhanced COVID-19 safety measures will include directional signage to manage the one-way flow of people, properly spaced attractions to avoid traffic jams and gatherings, the WE Made It: Holiday Market will have increased spacing between vendors to allow for physical distancing, and masks will be required to be worn when physical distancing of two metres is not possible.

(See photos from 2019’s Bright Lights Windsor)

What’s New This Year

• Following this year’s theme, “Walking in a Windsor Wonderland,” the event pathway will guide you through a series of festive and seasonally themed displays: Wish Upon a Star, Winter Wonderland, Candy Cane Lane, Santa’s Stable, Peace & Love Around the World, and W.E. the North. Opportunities to be wowed at every turn and excellent settings for the perfect picture – including some fun new selfie stations – will be abundant.

• The WE Made It: Holiday Market returns, sponsored by Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island in partnership with the Urban Art Market, Rose City Etsy Team and WindsorEats. 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 Tuesday 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.

• Sparking Windsor’s well-known charitable spirit will be a priority again this year, and the event will be hosting a number local charities, including Operation Keep Windsor Warm, Windsor Essex Care for Kids Foundation (W.E. Care for Kids), UHC – Hub of Opportunities, and The Salvation Army.

• New this year, Bright Lights has partnered with Windsor Regional Hospital Foundation and Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare Foundation to launch The “YQG Hearts for Hope” campaign. This exciting display will include four magnetic walls that will be placed near the word HOPE under a large tent. Guests will be able to purchase a heart for a $5 donation, decorate it with a message of hope, and display it on the wall. These walls will be placed in local hospitals for staff to see when this year’s event concludes. Funds raised from the campaign will benefit Transition to Betterness, UHC – Hub of Opportunities, and The Salvation Army. Donations will be accepted using a new contactless device to collect donations on site.

Opening ceremonies take place this year at 6:30pm on Thursday, December 2nd, after which the event runs every night from 5:30pm to 10:00pm until January 9th, 2022.