RESCHEDULED: Downtown Windsor Set To Roar With Detroit Lions Drone Show

Note: due to inclement weather the Detroit Lions drone show has been RESCHEDULED to Saturday January 11th, 2025

The City of Windsor is gearing up to join in the excitement of the Detroit Lions Playoffs with a breathtaking and awe-inspiring show high above the Windsor waterfront downtown this Friday, January 10, 2025. A Detroit Lions themed drone show, gifted to the City of Windsor by the Detroit Lions, will take place to celebrate Canadian Lions fans and the start of NFL playoffs.

The drone show kicks off at 7pm on Friday towering over the Windsor waterfront, with hundreds of drones taking off from the Riverfront Festival Plaza site, which will be closed for the launch. Details can be found at www.visitwindsoressex.com/lions, including parking restrictions, road closures, and exclusive offers from downtown businesses to make your visit during the show a touchdown.

Where to view the show: The drone show will be viewable from various locations across the city, and Downtown Windsor will be the top spot to be that evening, and all day long. A map of optimal viewing areas is available at www.visitwindsoressex.com/lions including street closures and restricted zones in the downtown core in place for the safety of fans and operators.

In support of our neighbours to the North, several events will be occurring throughout the day to celebrate the Detroit Lions, including:

• Detroit Lions flag raising at Charles Clark Square at 10:30am
• Detroit Lions ‘We Want More Tour’ presented by Bud Light will be at Caesars Windsor from 12:30pm through 2pm at the Grand Entrance located off Riverside Drive
• Complimentary hot chocolate and coffee being served on the sidewalks in downtown Windsor courtesy of the Downtown Windsor Business Improvement Association (BIA).

Fans are encouraged to wear their Honolulu blue all day long, and line the streets of Downtown Windsor to cheer on the Detroit Lions. The show is weather dependent.

Quotes:

“The City of Windsor is thrilled to be partnering with the Detroit Lions, Tourism Windsor Essex, the Downtown Windsor BIA, and many stakeholders to celebrate the Detroit Lions – Windsor’s unofficial football team – with this exciting drone show. We thank the Detroit Lions for this generous gift to our community, and for ensuring Canadian fans can join in the excitement of these playoffs. This is another solid opportunity to highlight the Windsor-Detroit region’s strong reputation as a world-class sports tourism destination and to reinforce our identity as the ultimate ‘Two Nation Destination’. The drone show and associated activations and events also create the latest unforgettable experience that helps to Strengthen the Core of downtown Windsor, with positive impacts across the broader community.”
– Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens

“We’re thrilled to bring the Detroit Lions postseason celebrations directly to our fans in Windsor. After two successful drone shows in Detroit, and the launch of our ‘We Want More Tour’ presented by Bud Light earlier this week, our playoffs fan experience will make its international debut across the river. The Lions organization is grateful to have an international fan base that is proudly represented throughout Ontario, and excited to continue on the journey to our goal of winning a Super Bowl together.”
– Detroit Lions Senior Vice President of Marketing & Brand Emily Griffin

“Thank you Detroit Lions, what a great opportunity to celebrate the Lions (Canada’s Favorite NFL Team) and visit Downtown Windsor! Pack up the kids, book a dinner reservation or enjoy a cocktail and have a toast to the Lions! This will be a spectacle you just can’t miss. 400 drones over the core! Go Lions”
– Renaldo Agostino, Ward 3 Councillor

“What better way to promote our Two Nation Destination of Windsor and Detroit and showcase the Detroit Lions in a prominent way on the iconic Windsor waterfront. Red and white are Canada’s colours, but all playoff season long we know Windsor residents will be proudly displaying their Honolulu blue, and we look forward to thousands heading to downtown Windsor to show their love for Windsor’s unofficial football team. And spending time afterwards visiting our shops and restaurants to make it a night out! We see a spike in hotel accommodations on game days, and we look forward to seeing the Lions being an economic driver for the city.”
– Gordon Orr, CEO, Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island

“As our streets come alive with the energy of fans and festivities, the DWBIA recognizes the meaningful impact the Lions will have on our downtown businesses, residents, and visitors throughout the season. The Detroit Lions are more than just a team they are a catalyst for economic growth, community engagement, and urban revitalization.”
– Chris MacLeod, Chair, Downtown Windsor BIA

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