Merry Christmas everyone! I hope that you’re having a great day today, celebrating the holiday with all of your loved ones. I wasn’t sure whether I was going to blog on Christmas Day, after all, we’ve got a busy week visiting with family and celebrating the season, but after visiting Bright Lights Windsor on Sunday, I had to share!
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If you live in Southern Ontario (or in the northern states nearby, i.e. Michigan), then this is a festive display that you don’t want to miss. Located at Jackson Park, Bright Lights Windsor includes not only a beautiful light display, complete with a giant tree set to music but also a holiday market, food vendors and entertainment throughout the park.
This beautiful display started last year, a $1.5 million project put on by the City of Windsor. While it certainly raised some controversy, with some citizens questioning whether it was the best use of that portion of the city’s budget, once those lights came up people traveled from all over to take in the sights. It came as part of the Windsor’s 125th anniversary celebrations, a great opportunity for families to celebrate the holidays together without having to worry about the cost.
The event was such a success, attracting an estimated 60,000 people that first year, that the city decided to not only bring it back but to double the lights. Not only did they extend the display, but they also added more staged photo areas so that couples and families can get great festive photography, or you can snap a fun selfie.
Due to the fact we went on a Sunday, we, unfortunately, missed the opportunity to take in any of the live performances. However, I have heard some amazing reviews of the various choirs and musicians, a clear reflection of the amazing talent that we have right here in Windsor/Essex County.
The display itself was absolutely beautiful and the park was packed with people! With lights everywhere, we easily could have spent far longer there than we had time for that evening. There was just SO much to see! We also missed out on many of the great staged photo areas simply because there were lineups of families and happy couples waiting for their chance. We had a great time, got some beautiful photographs and left feeling more festive than ever.
If you haven’t had a chance to check out this stunning display, make sure that you head over before it’s too late. Bright Lights Windsor will run from 5:30 PM to 10:00 PM each night until January 6th.
Have you ever attended Bright Lights Windsor or a similar light display? If so, what was your favourite part? Do you have memories of checking out the lights with your family as a child?
Oh my. This is such a beautiful light display! I love it. I don’t think there’s anything similar here in the UK around where I live. Would love to go to it if there was! It’s seems a lovely way to get into the festive spirit. I love all the different lights and colours.
Gemma | http://www.anoceanglimmer.wordpress.com
It really is a beautiful display, they did such a good job!
Oh wow, this light display looks magical. I haven’t been to this one but have been to similar ones in the UK, including a local one in my home town. I would like to visit Westonbirt Arboreteum or Longleat Safari Park’s light shows this year.
It was so well done, I was definitely impressed! If you do check out the local ones, make sure to share pictures!
This looks absolutely stunning, I wish I would have gone somewhere like this Christmas!
Abigail-xo
It really was so well done, and I loved that it was super close to home so that I didn’t have to go far to check it out.
This is absolutely stunning! I’m from Edinburgh in Scotland and they have a ‘festival of lights’ (basically a street all lit up) which I thought was cool, but this blows it out of the water. I love that so many people came to see it, what a cute and cosy way to enjoy the festive cheer. It’s a shame you missed out on the performances because I’m sure they would’ve made it even more magical, but you got so many beautiful photos (and memories, I’m sure!)
Beth x Adventure & Anxiety
There is a street in Detroit (which isn’t too far from me) that does the lights up and down the street approach, we usually check it out too. I agree, the performances were likely great, but we had a blast regardless! Next year we’ll plan to go when the performances are happening.
Wow, this looks amazing! It’s so magical and festive! I haven’t seen anything similar in the UK before but if there was I would definitely visit, it sounds like the perfect way to get you in the festive spirit. Hope you had a fantastic time and happy new year Britt! <3 xx
Bexa | http://www.hellobexa.com
It totally put me into the Christmas move instantly! I am looking forward to seeing what they do with it next year. Happy New Year to you too!
The place truly looks magical and I’m glad you enjoyed!
Michelle| brokebutflawless.com
It really was beautiful, you couldn’t help but get into the festive spirit
That’s certainly expensive, I can see why people questioned if that was the best use for the money. BUT you can’t deny that this looks absolutely stunning! We have nothing like this anywhere near me and I’m a little bit jealous x
Sophie
http://www.glowsteady.co.uk
Not only that, the concern people had I felt was largely short sighted, as having this as an attraction was able to draw people into the area, putting more money back into the community once again.