santa helps flip switch to kick off bright lights windsor festival
“the community is really excited because we keep refres...
2 minute read
david and karen simpson take some selfies in one of the 'tunnel of lights' at jackson park on friday, nov. 29, 2024, during opening night of bright lights windsor, which continues nightly until jan. 7.
trevor wilhelm
/
windsor star
it’s a sparkling winter wonderland for all ages — from the twinkling children’s village to boozy warm-ups in the chalet. the seventh annual bright lights windsor officially opened in jackson park friday night with a ceremonial lighting of the giant main 64-foot tree.
“the community is really excited because we keep refreshing and renewing the displays, and giving them a reason to come back,” mayor drew dilkens said following the ceremony.
“we were awarded the ‘best festival’ in ontario last year. it’s just a sign of the effort that’s put in by so many people and sponsors to make this happen.”
hundreds attended jackson park on friday, nov. 29, 2024, for the christmas tree lighting ceremony that officially kicked off this year’s bright lights windsor.
trevor wilhelm
/
windsor star
hundreds of people crowded around the tree in the queen elizabeth ii sunken gardens to watch dilkens, ceremony emcees dan macdonald and meg roberts from am800, and the one and only santa claus flip the switch to light up the annual festival.
bright lights is open nightly from 5:30 to 10 p.m. until jan. 7.
henry the giant moose is among the new attractions at this year’s bright lights windsor.
trevor wilhelm
/
windsor star
millions of sparkling lights throughout the park bring to life this year’s theme: a season to shine. various zones include northern lights; the 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.
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sensory-friendly silent nights will be offered on monday evenings. the lights will be on, but sounds will be muted and strobe elements paused.
hanan mortada and zahra abouelhassan take a selfie during opening night of the seventh annual bright lights windsor on friday, november 29, 2024.
trevor wilhelm
/
windsor star
new attractions this year include a 17-foot-tall moose named henry, a northern lights igloo, fireworks lights, an interactive ice cube display, an enhanced santa’s bench, and beefed-up holiday train station interior lighting.
the w.e. made it: holiday market returns on fridays and saturdays with roughly 20 vendors.
issam tunks,5, pays a visit to santa during opening night of the seventh annual bright lights windsor on friday, november 29, 2024.
trevor wilhelm
/
windsor star
there is also the licensed chalet — a cozy tent akin to the larger cadillac lodge at detroit’s campus martius — offering food and drinks. it will be open thursday through sunday in partnership with windsoreats.
the city estimates about 100,000 bright lights visitors walk through the park every year.
“there are people who come several times with different family members and friends,” said dilkens. “it’s a great event. we love hosting it, and we’re happy to have it in jackson park.
“and the best part is it’s free for everybody. so at a time when everyone is struggling with affordability as an issue, they can come out and celebrate the season with all windsorites.”
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