Home for The Holidays – Must See & Do in Windsor Essex This Season
Home For The Holidays
It’s that time of year where many of us either venture home to celebrate with family and friends or have time off to explore the happenings in our hometown. As they say, there is no place like home …. but sometimes too much home-time can be too much of a good thing! Is there an inflatable mattress in your future? Or are you looking for an “in-law free” zone this holiday season? If you have friends & family visiting during the break why not get in all the family time you can, then let them retreat to the comfort of their own room & own bathroom by booking an exclusive over-night stay in one of our newly renovated hotel rooms across the region!
Make their holiday visit in Windsor Essex memorable and comfortable with these affordable options at our local hoteliers. Enjoy a few moments of peace and quiet between dinners and social gatherings. Plus someone else will make their bed!
There is no place like home – but sometimes too much home-time can be too much of a good thing!
Use our Home for the Holidays discount hotel packages as a great way to visit with friends and family during the day but send them somewhere safe to stay at night – or use it as a staycation for yourselves during the holidays!
BONUS: Get instant cash back when you book your room! Stay for JUST ONE NIGHT during the holiday season you will receive a $50 VISA Gift Card* for free to use while in Windsor. Additional details below.
While You Are Home
There is never a shortage of people to see and things to do over the holidays but while you have visiting friends & family in Windsor Essex, there are a few things that should be on your “must-see” list!
Bright Lights Windsor
In the spirit of the holidays, both residents and visitors enjoy a leisurely winter stroll through the beautiful and historic Jackson park at night and be absolutely wowed by hundreds of thousands of LED lights.
Make sure that Bright Lights Windsor is on your to-do list this holiday season!
Wander through the dazzling lighting displays in the gardens and pose by the giant illuminated tree in the Queen Elizabeth II Sunken Gardens. Be wowed by thousands of lights and a host of iconic holiday characters and instagrammable photo areas throughout the park.
Bright Lights Windsor features the WE Made It: Holiday Market sponsored by Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island. Come early and stay late to experience all of the holiday festivities such as the local artisan market with new vendors each week, food huts and trucks, train rides, festive performances and you may even can catch a glimpse of the roaming Santa!
Hopeless romantics take note—there have even been some epic “lit” proposals in the past at the Bright Lights festival!
For a full listing of holiday events happening in Windsor, visit our YQG Holiday Guide.
Willistead Manor Holiday Home Tour
Sundays, December 7, 14, 21 and 28, 2025, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Wednesdays, December 3, 10 and 17, 2025, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Experience includes tours of Willistead Manor all decked out in its holiday finest, tours of the new Coach House Historical Exhibition, and access to the Friends of Willistead’s holiday display. Prices: $6.50 for adults, $5.50 for students and seniors, $3.00 for children ages 12 years old and under.
Click here for upcoming dates.
River Lights Amherstburg
The annual Amherstburg River Lights Festival is open Saturday November 15, 2025 to Sunday January 4, 2026. attracting visitors with themed displays, interactive photo ops, a life-sized gingerbread warming house and fireworks to top it all off!
Stroll through two of Amherstburg’s downtown parks, the King’s Navy Yard Park and Toddy Jones Park, and be dazzled by light every night!
The River Lights Winter Festival is an amazing event that is sure to put you into the holiday spirit and not to be missed ! Come make this a family tradition in Downtown Amherstburg.
For a full listing of holiday events happening in Amherstburg, visit our YQG Holiday Guide.
Caesars Windsor Holiday Shows at The Colosseum
Don’t miss your chance to hear all your holiday favourites during the stellar performances at Caesar’s Colosseum this holiday season!
The Tenors kick off the holiday season with an all-ages performance on their Joy To The World Tour, live from The Colosseum stage on November 28th.
With Holiday Dreams, A Spectacular Holiday Show, the stage comes alive with some of the most amazing, award-winning acts seen on America’s Got Talent and other international television programs. Perfect for families, Holiday Dreams is more than just entertainment, it’s a memory-making holiday experience that will leave audiences of ALL AGES cheering for more.
For a full listing of holiday events happening in Windsor Essex, visit our YQG Holiday Guide. These unique holiday experiences provide a special evening for you and your loved ones to capture those perfect holiday memories so get out there and enjoy!
