Your Guide To A Hot Summer: Festivals, Fireworks & Fun in Windsor Essex
Get ready to fill your calendar with sunshine, sounds, and unforgettable summer memories! Windsor Essex is turning up the heat with an incredible lineup of festivals, concerts, food events and outdoor fun that will have you dancing, sipping, exploring and celebrating all season long. Whether you’re a foodie, music lover, culture seeker, or outdoor adventurer, there’s something happening in every corner of our region and our Summer Event Guide is your ultimate ticket to it all. For the most up-to-date list of all events happening in Windsor Essex head to our Event Calendar. Keep reading for your summer checklist!
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JUNE
Kick off your summer right with some of our region’s most iconic events.
Stroll through lush green spaces during Art in the Park taking place June 6th and 7th at Willistead Park. Art in the Park is held the first full weekend in June of each year and is the signature event that launches Windsor’s festival season. This event is one of Ontario’s largest outdoor arts and crafts shows, with exhibitors from all over Ontario and Quebec.
Celebrate our favourite local berries at the LaSalle Strawberry Festival, June 11th to 14th at the Vollmer Complex in LaSalle. This beloved event celebrates the local strawberry and the rich agricultural heritage of our region, bringing together families, friends and visitors for four days of unforgettable fun.
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Explore the delicious diversity of Windsor Essex at the Carrousel of the Nations. From small-town street festivals to waterfront fireworks displays, there’s no shortage of energy and excitement. Explore cultures from around the world by visiting each country’s village at the award-winning Carrousel of Nations!
Shop Fresh. Shop Local. All Summer Long!
Make the most of the season with the W.E. Heart Local Digital Passport—your guide to discovering the freshest farm stands, markets and local gems across Windsor Essex! From sun-ripened strawberries to handcrafted goods and farm-fresh fare, this FREE digital pass makes it easy (and rewarding!) to support local all summer long. Check in at participating locations for exclusive offers, monthly prize draws, and the chance to win big just by showing your love for local. Register today at weheartlocal.ca and start exploring the tastes and treasures of Windsor Essex—one stop at a time!
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JULY
Canada Day celebrations in Windsor Essex are truly a sight to behold. Grab a blanket and enjoy live music and fireworks displays lighting up the sky. Local communities go all out with parades, family activities, and community BBQs—it’s the perfect time to gather with friends and family and feel the pride of Canada’s 158th birthday. Head to our Event Calendar for a listing of community celebrations.
Begin your summer with a tour of Willistead Manor. Step inside one of Windsor’s most elegant heritage treasures with a guided tour of Willistead Manor, a stunning 36-room mansion set within the scenic 15-acre Willistead Park. Built in 1906, this historic estate offers visitors a glimpse into the grandeur of early 20th-century architecture and the legacy of Edward Chandler Walker and his wife, Mary.
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Get ready for world-class jazz in the heart of Windsor! The Electric Avenue International Jazz Festival is bringing critically acclaimed artists to the WindsorEats Food Hall and other neighbourhood locations for an unforgettable celebration of music, culture, and community. Event is FREE to attend and will take place Friday July 3rd and Saturday July 4th.
Canada Celebrates is coming to Windsor!
FIFA World Cup 2026 is coming to Canada and FIFA is kicking off a first-of-its-kind programme bringing communities across Canada together to celebrate the biggest FIFA World Cup™ in history. From shared match moments to culture, community and celebration, this is where Canada comes together as one – and Windsor is part of the journey on Wednesday July 15th, 2026. Stay tuned for more info!
Soak up the sounds of summer with the Windsor Symphony Orchestra’s Summer Concert Series! Enjoy beautiful live performances in scenic outdoor settings across Windsor Essex—perfect for a relaxing evening under the stars. Bring your lawn chair, pack a picnic, and let the music move you all season long!
2026 World Junior Summer Showcase in Windsor
The 2026 World Junior Summer Showcase will take place at WFCU Centre in Windsor, ON from Sunday July 26th through Sunday August 1st, 2026.
Get in on all the action featuring 10 games and World Junior hopefuls from Canada, Finland, Sweden and the United States. Don’t miss your chance to enjoy some of the top junior players on the planet and an event heavily attended by National Hockey League and NCAA scouts as the first viewing following the 2026 NHL Entry Draft
Fans can choose from 10-game full event packages starting at $164 or three-game Team Canada packages starting at $129. Individual game tickets go on sale June 8 at 11 a.m., with prices starting at $18 (all pricing is plus applicable fees).
Kingsville Pro Rodeo
Head to the Kingsville Pro Rodeo for four days of rodeo action, live entertainment, and family-friendly fun at the Kingsville Pro Rodeo! From rising young talent to professional competition, this event brings the best of rodeo to Windsor-Essex County.
Event Highlights:
-Professional rodeo performances including bull riding, barrel racing, bronc riding & more
-High School Rodeo showcasing the next generation of competitors
-19+ Beer Gardens and evening entertainment
-Food vendors, local exhibitors, and on-site amenities
Sip Your Way Through Summer
Sip, savour, and celebrate summer with the EPIC Wine Country Tasting Pass—your ticket to discovering the award-winning wineries of Windsor Essex! With this pass in hand, you can explore stunning vineyard views, sample handcrafted wines, and enjoy exclusive tastings at participating EPIC Wineries. Whether you’re a seasoned wine lover or just starting your tasting journey, it’s the perfect way to experience the flavours of our region one sip at a time. Grab your pass, gather your friends, and toast to an unforgettable summer in EPIC Wine Country!
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August
Hogs for Hospice roars into town for a weekend of concerts, bike games, stunt shows, beer garden, rib fest and of course the charity ride. The action packed weekend kicks off Friday July 31st at Seacliff Park.
Celebrate pride in Windsor Essex August 7th to 9th at Lanspeary Park with select events at various locations throughout the region taking place July 31st to August 6th for the Windsor Essex Pride Festival! The Pride Fest Parade will take place Sunday August 9th at 11am on Ottawa Street.
Indulge in wine tastings from our EPIC Wineries at An EPIC Afternoon – Summer Wine Fest Sunday August 9th at the Event Centre at LaSalle Landing. Winemakers and winery owners will be on hand pouring their best vintages for you! Culinary delights will be available to purchase from local food vendors.
The Ouellette Car Cruise takes place Friday August 14th building on the nostalgia of Windsor’s storied automotive history and seeks to engage car enthusiasts, hobbyists and the community at large in celebration of our region’s deep automotive roots.
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The annual favourite Art by the River returns to Fort Malden National Historic Site Saturday August 29th and Sunday August 30th for it’s 59th year! With over 170 artists and artisans it’s a perfect way to ease into the end of summer.
Celebrate a good old fashioned country fair at the 172nd Annual Harrow Fair September 3rd to 6th at the Harrow Fairgrounds. There’s nothing like The Harrow Fair!
Hold On To The Summer Vibes ~ With A Cold Glass In Your Hand
There’s no better way to savour the season than with the Barrels Bottles & Brews Trail Flight Log, your passport to tasting your way through some of the best craft breweries, cideries and distilleries in Windsor Essex. Choose from a 1-day, Weekend, or Frequent Flyer pass and enjoy curated samples at each stop along the trail. As the leaves change and the air gets crisp, cozy up with bold brews, smooth spirits, and unforgettable local flavours. Whether you’re a craft beer connoisseur or just love exploring new tastes, the Flight Log is your perfect fall companion. Start sipping and discover your new favourite pour!
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Hop Into Summer Nights with the Windsor Essex Night Market Hop!
There’s nothing like warm summer evenings spent under twinkling lights and the Night Market Hop is your ticket to discovering the region’s most vibrant night markets! From fresh produce and handmade goods to local wine, beer, and spirits, these lively markets are bursting with flavour, fun, and community vibes. Enjoy live entertainment, unique finds, and the chance to connect with local makers and artisans all summer long. Sign up for the Night Market Hop now to get the full schedule sent straight to your inbox. Don’t forget to visit the Tourism Windsor Essex booth for your chance to win a $1,000 shopping spree!
Use our Official Visitor Guide to plan a self-guided adventure through our scenic trails and waterfront parks, and pair it with stops at farmers markets, u-pick farms, or wineries offering seasonal treats. Whether it’s discovering a new event in a neighbouring town or stumbling upon live music while sipping a flight at a craft brewery, summer in Windsor Essex is all about embracing the moment—and our Summer Event Guide is your perfect planning companion. Let the summer fun begin!
