The Parenting Biz: Light Up Your Life

FEATURE STORY By Victoria Rose Get Out & About This Winter And Enjoy The Festivities . . . You Might Even Start Some New Family Traditions

(Left) The town of Amherstburg is the perfect family destination with lots of twinkling lights, outdoor events, shops, restaurants, beautiful parks and a whole lot of charm. So bundle up this winter for some quality family time at the River Lights Winter Festival! Photo courtesy of the Town of Amherstburg. (Right) The biggest cheers from the crowd at the Windsor Parade Corporation’s Santa Claus parades (Amherstburg, Essex and Windsor) always come when Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive in their sleigh. Photo by Sanja Tabor.

Windsor Essex loves to celebrate, so it is no surprise that there are many great things happening during the 2022 festive season.

Get ready to explore the region, experience top-notch entertainment, try delicious food, pick out unique gifts, and make new memories this winter!

While Biz X strives to ensure the following information is accurate, we suggest you follow up with the venue or organizer for any updates or changes in the events profiled in this feature.

Here’s a quick list of family-friendly activities you can enjoy from mid-November 2022 to January 2023. . . yes, sadly when the holidays are over and kids are back to school again!

*To view even more events be sure to check: BizXmagazine.com throughout November and December.

Amherstburg

November 19 To January 8 River Lights Winter Festival

Amherstburg’s waterfront parks and town storefronts are merry and bright for the holiday.

Take a walk through the colourful displays that light up each night until January 8.

“Our outdoor events are a great way to spend quality time outside in the fresh air with family and friends,” says Anne Ussoletti Rota, Manager, Tourism and Culture, Town of Amherstburg. “Viewing our thousands of beautiful displays in two of our premier parks while strolling the downtown streets are a must-do in the Windsor Essex region. Bundle up, stroll the parks, bring your family and friends, stop for treats or shop our local boutique shops, there is something for everyone this winter!”

More at: VisitAmherstburg.ca/events.

November 26 Amherstburg Santa Claus Parade

The Town of Amherstburg is pleased to present the 15th annual Amherstburg Santa Claus Parade, organized by the Windsor Parade Corporation. The parade starts at 6 p.m. sharp on Sandwich Street South, but

the fan zone is open from 3 to 5:30 p.m.

There will be holiday music, bright floats and entertainment for the young and the young at heart! (See the parade website: WindsorParade.org/amherstburgparade)

December 7: Christmas At The Museum

Celebrate the start of the Christmas season with a concert featuring musical performances from the Jim Walls Trio and a dessert buffet, inside the Nazrey African Methodist Episcopal Church at the Amherstburg Freedom Museum (277 King Street) on December 7, at 7 p.m.

There are also silent auction prizes, refreshments and access to visit the museum.

Tickets are $30 and can be purchased online at: CAM2022.givesmart.com.

Until December 15: Digital Scavenger Hunt

Join the scavenger hunt in Amherstburg (also in Windsor and Essex) and use your digital passport to track your progress as you find special businesses that hold the key to a special contest. (Visit: WindsorParade.org)

December 16: Santa Shout Out

It’s an interactive meet and greet with Santa!

Find Kris Kringle in his snow globe at the foot of Murray and Dalhousie Streets on Saturday, December 16 from 6 to 8 p.m. where he will call up the kids and talk about their Christmas wishes. (Amherstburg.ca/events)

Bright displays, fireworks and fun activities are all part of what you and your children can enjoy, hand in hand, at Kingsville’s Fantasy of Lights. Photo courtesy of The Corporation of the Town of Kingsville.

Kingsville

November 19 To January 4 Fantasy of Lights

Kingsville’s Fantasy of Lights celebrations include a 12 Days of Christmas virtual scavenger hunt, train rides (weekends November 25 to December 18 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.) to tour the light displays and drink hot chocolate, and specialty events held at the Lakeside Park Pavilion (315 Queen Street) each weekend leading up to Christmas.

A Christmas Artisan Market takes place on December 3 from 2 to 8 p.m. and December 4 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. And on December 6 at Paws and Claus from 6 to 8 p.m., you can bring your pet to get a great howliday photo with Santa!

“Come to celebrate the holiday season, to make memories together, to enjoy the outdoors, and to experience Kingsville!” says Karen Loney, Manager of Recreation Programs and Special Events, for The Corporation of the Town of Kingsville.

Find the latest information on their website: Kingsville.ca.

November 25 To January 8 Holiday Lights, Heritage Nights

An outdoor light display transforms the LaSalle Civic Centre (5950 Malden Road) into a brilliant walking holiday experience, complete with numerous ornamental/holiday lights and a 40-foot tall walk-through Christmas tree. Lights turn on daily at 6 p.m.

For the activity schedule refer to: LaSalle.ca/holidaylights.

Leamington

November 26: Candyland — Leamington Christmas Parade

The town’s annual Christmas parade starts at 6 p.m. at the corner of Georgia and Erie Street, continues north through town, and ends at the fairgrounds.

When Santa reaches the judging stage across from town hall, he will then wave his wand to turn on the town’s lights and kick off a short fireworks display.

“It really is a beautiful parade,” says Wendy Parsons, General Manager, Leamington District Chamber of Commerce. “Come see the many participants who put so much effort into their entries and all the smiling faces as we welcome the Christmas season!”

Learn more by going to the website: LeamingtonChamber.com/event-calendar.

Essex

December 10: Essex BIA Santa Claus Parade

The annual parade presented by the Essex BIA kicks off at 6:30 p.m. from Fairview Avenue and follows Talbot Street to Maidstone Avenue. You can also tune in to YourTV Windsor-Leamington for the live broadcast.

Come early between 3 to 5:30 p.m. and enjoy family-friendly activities at the new fan zone located next to Blimeys British Store & Gift Shop, 71 Talbot Street North.

The Essex parade is also organized by the Windsor Parade Corporation. (WindsorParade.org/essexbia)

Winter Fest (Downtown Windsor)

November 21 To January 15

“Winter Fest is designed to be a jubilant, animated and welcoming holiday-centric event for people of all ages, providing visitors with a wide variety of exciting experiences that will encourage them to rediscover the magic of downtown Windsor,” says Debi Croucher, Executive Director of the Downtown Windsor Business Improvement Association (DWBIA).

Santa on the Lane is a socially distanced photo opportunity on certain days during downtown Windsor’s Winter Fest. Santa sits on a throne inside a snow globe from where he visits with children and families to hear what gifts are at the top of their wish list. Photo courtesy of the DWBIA.

She adds: “The DWBIA’s Winter Fest invites excitement for the holidays, and brings positivity, community, collaboration and fun, even with virtual programming.”

November 26, December 3, December 10 Holiday Village/Santa On The Lane

Maiden Lane is transformed into a pseudo-North Pole where residents and visitors can enjoy carollers, make frozen bubbles and taffy pops, check out the pop-up shops, and enjoy Santa on the Lane, a socially-distanced photo opportunity with Santa inside a snow globe. (DowntownWindsor.ca/winterfest)

December 1 To January 15 Light Up The Night

Everyone is welcome to join in a full season of events and activities to celebrate the holidays. Check out the illuminated light displays on main and secondary streets creating magical experiences that encourage residents and visitors to rediscover downtown’s many treasures. (DowntownWindsor.ca/winterfest)

December 1 To 25: Virtual Concert Series

Held in partnership with the University of Windsor, the concert series features 12 local singer-songwriters and musicians presenting their own works and/or renditions of holiday favourites. (DowntownWindsor.ca/winterfest)

December 1 To 18 : House To House Combat — Battle Of The Gingerbreads

This is a wildly popular online competition, presented in partnership with St. Clair College Centre for the Arts, searching for people with the best decorating ability.

Participants submit their gingerbread house photos to the Windsor Star for a chance to be declared the Best Gingerbread House in Windsor Essex! Entries are evaluated on criteria like appearance, originality, and difficulty. Who will you bet all your dough on? LOL! (DowntownWindsor.ca/winterfest)

December 2 To January 8 Bright Lights Windsor

Over 100,000 people enjoyed the dazzling displays, top-notch local vendors and vibrant holiday entertainment at Bright Lights in 2021 and this year promises to be the best yet!

The event runs every night from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. in Jackson Park (125 Tecumseh Road East). Any questions? Find the answers on: BrightLightsWindsor.ca.

December 3: Windsor Santa Claus Parade

Another hallmark event for the Windsor Parade Corporation is the annual Windsor Santa Claus Parade, which returns for its 54th year in 2022. Presented by the Wyandotte Town Centre BIA, the parade starts at 6 p.m. from Devonshire Road in Walkerville and follows Wyandotte Street to Glengarry.

Family-friendly activities take place from 3 to 5:30 p.m. in the fan zone and you can pick up a free passport to fill out at participating merchants. Just go to: WindsorParade.org for a street map and more.

According to Maggie Durocher of the Windsor Parade Corporation their “annual parades are part of the holiday fabric of each community that we have the privilege of working in. The parades are very special to us and continue to remind us of the joy of the season, however more importantly, are the smiling faces of the children who line the routes waiting to see Santa.”

Bright Lights Windsor offers a spectacular backdrop of thousands of lights and stunning displays including the giant illuminated tree in the Queen Elizabeth II Sunken Gardens. Photo by Sanja Tabor.

December 4, 11, & 18 Breakfast With Santa, Willistead Manor

The second annual Breakfast With Santa experience offers guests a delicious holiday breakfast buffet prepared by Chef Julie Myers and her talented team at Thyme To-Go.

Included in the experience is a self-guided mini tour of Willistead Manor (1899 Niagara Street, Windsor) all decked out in its holiday finest, and the opportunity to have family pictures taken with Santa in the Great Hall at the mansion.

The event is offered on Sundays, December 4, 11 and 18, 2022 at 10 a.m. Tickets are $40 for general admission, and $20 for children 12-years-old and under. Photos are $20 extra (cash only) and will be available onsite.

This event will sell out so be sure to get your tickets soon! Learn more at: ThymeToGo.ca.

“When designing these events, we thought about the ‘At Home’ parties that Edward and Mary Walker once hosted in their grand mansion, and looked to recreate a bit of that magic,” says Christopher Lawrence Menard, Cultural Development and Willistead Manor Coordinator, the City of Windsor.

As well, Willistead Manor is open for holiday tours in December on Sundays (1 to 4 p.m.) and Wednesdays (6 to 8 p.m.).

Tour reservations are not required and full details are on their website: Willistead.ca.

December 17 & 18 WSO: A “Grinchy” Holiday Pops

Baritone Reginald Smith, Jr. joins the Windsor Symphony Orchestra (WSO) and the WSO Chorus at the Capitol Theatre (121 University Avenue West) to celebrate the music of the Grinch and other holiday favourites.

Tickets start at $17 and are available on the web page: WindsorSymphony.com/event.

Bright Lights Windsor is set to return to Jackson Park from December 2 to January 8 this holiday season with thousands of lights and stunning displays. And as this family discovered last year, there might just be a few surprise visitors stopping by as well! Photo courtesy of Jason Toner from Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island.

December 28 Kwanzaa Celebration

Family Fuse hosts Kwanzaa celebrations online on December 28 at 5:30 p.m.

Based on African harvest festival traditions, Kwanzaa is an annual celebration of African-American culture held December 26 to January 1.

The Family Fuse celebration is open to everyone and guests can register to receive the meeting link.

“Considering Windsor is a border city, with many who have relatives who are American or they share that status, Family Fuse has decided to host a Kwanzaa event for a second year,” says Christie Nelson, Program Manager, Family Fuse.

See more details in the events section on: FamilyFuse.ca.

Here Comes Santa Claus

Windsor Essex offers so many opportunities to start the festive season with a bang and take your celebrations well into the New Year.

We hope this list — ranging from parades and meet & greets with Santa Claus, to light shows and all kinds of holiday activities — provides you with some inspiration and a starting point to get out and carry on family traditions or make new memories.

Happy Holidays!