Canada Day 2025: Here's what you need to know to celebrate the holiday across Windsor-Essex
Many city services will be closed, but there will be events across the county
School's out and Canada Day is here, Windsor-Essex. Whether you're planning on soaking in the air conditioning on your day off or taking the family out to enjoy some of the festivities, here's what you need to know across Windsor-Essex.
Canada Day festivities, fireworks and activities
The Downtown Windsor BIA is bringing back its Canada Day Arts Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on University Avenue (between Pelissier Street and Freedom Way), featuring more than 30 vendors as well as a variety of entertainment including stilts walkers, face painters and aerial performers. There are also free activity stations for kids.
The Canada Day Parade will run through Downtown Windsor, kicking off at 11 a.m. from Ouellette Street at Giles Boulevard and running north to Pitt Street. The parade will include more than 60 floats and marching units.
After the parade, the city welcomes families to the Fan Zone on University Avenue East for music, entertainment, Canada Day Timbits and giveaways.
In Amherstburg, the town welcomes families for a Mighty Machine event, allowing them to see, touch, and honk the horns of some cool municipal vehicles. There will also be games of field hockey with the Amherstburg Admirals, live music throughout the day, a 5K Canada Day Run/Walk/Wheel and a fireworks show at dusk to cap off the day, viewable from King's Navy Yard Park or Fort Malden. Fort Malden is also having free admission all day. Visit the town's website for further details.
In Kingsville, families can visit the field around the Kingsville Arena for an afternoon and evening of activities kicking off at 4 p.m. Food trucks, lawn games and inflatables like a bounce house will be available with fireworks launching at 10 p.m.
In Essex, the Harrow Rotary Club will host a celebration at the Harrow Fairgrounds with food, local vendors and a barbecue, capped off with a fireworks show.
LaSalle's Canada Day celebrations will run from 5 to 11 p.m. at the Loop and the Event Centre at LaSalle Landing. The highlights include a Canada-themed drone show beginning at 10 p.m., visible from across LaSalle Landing and surrounding area. Festivities will also include buskers, a bubble show and face painting, food trucks and live music. Find more information on the town's website.
City of Windsor services, parks and recreation
The City of Windsor administrative offices and 311 will be closed today, however 311 online services will be available. 211 services are available.
Garbage and recycling collection will be delayed by one day due to the holiday, find details on your garbage collection calendar. Public waste and chemical depot drop-offs will be closed.
Sand Point Beach remains closed to swimmers, however the sand and parkland remain open.
The WFCU Centre and arenas will be closed, including day camp programs, indoor pools and fitness centre at the Gino and Liz Marcus community complex.
The Atkinson, Central, Lanspeary, Mic Mac Remington Booster and Riverside Centennial outdoor pools will be open as scheduled for recreational swimming today, please visit the city website for details.
The pool at the Windsor International and Aquatic Training Centre will be closed, but the fitness centre will be open.
The Adventure Bay family water park will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. today, and city splash pads will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Programming at the Homelessness and Housing Help Hub will be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call (519) 253-3806 for more information.
Municipal ticket payment offices will be closed but ticket payments can be made online.
All branches of the Windsor Public Library will be closed today.
The Chimczuk Museum and François Baby House will be open today from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Streetcar No. 351 at the Legacy Beacon will be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Transit Windsor buses will operate on a holiday schedule.