The holiday season has arrived in the region with a list of upcoming festivals and activities the public can enjoy.
The Town of Tecumseh got the ball rolling on Friday night with its Christmas in Tecumseh celebrations, which included a full slate of activities following two years of COVID-19 restrictions.
If you missed the celebrations in Tecumseh, you could still head down Hwy. 3 to Kingsville, where the Fantasy of Lights Celebration starts on Saturday night.
(Photo courtesy of the Town of Kingsville)
Those festivities kick off with the Santa Claus Parade, which starts at 5 p.m. at the corner of Jasperson Drive and Main Street. From there, the route heads down Main Street East to Division Road, where it travels south to Park Street, ending at Lansdowne Avenue.
The evening ends with Christmas music, hot chocolate and a Santa movie in the upper bowl of Lakeside Park before the fireworks.
The Town of LaSalle is already feeling the season with its outdoor light display at LaSalle Civic Centre. Until January 8, the centre will host colourful outdoor displays including a forty-foot-tall walk-through Christmas tree. Family Fridays include a visit with Santa, and shoppers can find unique gifts during Night Market Sundays.
Next weekend, Leamington and Amherstburg get in the spirit with separate Santa Claus Parades.
(Photo courtesy of the Town of Amherstburg)
The Amherstburg Santa Claus Parade is on Saturday, November 26, on Sandwich Street, with holiday music, festive lights, floats, and entertainment. The route is on Sandwich Street South, Richmond Street, and Dalhousie Street.
Families can check out the new Fan Zone or the Windsor Parade Corporation's digital Christmas Scavenger Hunt, where you can collect points by following a map to local businesses.
Amherstburg's River Lights Winter Festival starts on Saturday, November 19 and continues until January 8. Each night, customized LED lights light up Toddy Jones park and King's Navy Yard Park.
Also on Saturday, November 26, the Jolly Ol' Elf takes part in Leamington's Candyland Leamington Christmas Parade. It starts at 6 p.m. at Georgia Avenue and continues north through town to the Leamington Fairgrounds.
Windsor holds its 54th Annual Windsor Santa Claus Parade presented by the Wyandotte Town Centre BIA the following weekend, on December 3.
(Map courtesy of the Windsor Parade Corporation)
The parade, featuring Santa Claus, floats, musical entertainment, and more, starts at 6 p.m. on Wyandotte Street East at Devonshire Road. It travels west along Wyandotte and ends at Aylmer Avenue.
Spectators can come early, between 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., for family-friendly activities and a free passport for use at participating businesses.
The Essex BIA invites the public to its parade on December 10. At 6:30 p.m. sharp, the fun gets underway with the Essex BIA Santa Claus Parade along Talbot Street North between Fairview Avenue and Medora Avenue. The new Fan Zone is next to Blimey's British Store and Gift Shop.
The Town of Essex is hosting a list of Christmas activities ranging from wreath making to special markets and afternoon tea events.