Events & Festivals

Carrousel of the Nations: Carrousel by the River 

(June 10 - 12, 2011)

June 10 to June  12, 2011 - The Carrousel of the Nations is a wonderful exploration and fusion of world music, dance, art, food and culture.

Hosted by the Multicultural Council of Windsor and Essex County, the Carrousel of the Nations supports Windsor-Essex.  
Unique multicultural identity and flavour and dominates the last three weekends in June, and is the area only regional multicultural festival. Carrousel of the Nations offers festivalgoers fine food, music and warm hospitality.  New this year the Culinary Explosion Pavilion!
Presenting signature headliners complemented by dance, art and other forms of cultural expression, the Opening Weekend of June 10-12 signals non-stop entertainment.
Venue:    Riverfront Festival Plaza, Windsor
Phone 519-255-1127 for more information.
For more information, click here. 

SummerFest  (June 15 - July 4, 2011)

Summer Fest is a festival which takes place along the scenic riverfront in Windsor Ontario. This festival is a perennial favorite for the entire family, offering something for all ages, and stages. Over the years more than 500,000 people have come out annually to enjoy the many activities, and attractions which run in conjunction with Summer Fest. 

For more information www.summerfestwindsor.org or call 519 254 2880.

Windsor Elvis Fest ( June 24-26, 2011) Presents Elvis in Hawaii

Competition and feature shows will be held in the beautiful and stately, historic Capitol Theatre. 

Friday, June 24, 2011 - Street Party

Open to the public on University Avenue near the Capitol Theatre with 'Open Mike' performances featuring Elvis Tribute Artists (ETA's) as they arrive for the weekend.  The Classic Car Show will kick off at this party featuring some of the beautiful cars in town for the Car Show on Saturday.

Saturday, June 25, 2011 - Capitol Theatre

Elvis Tribute Artist (ETA) contest preliminary rounds.

Saturday June 25, 2011 - 7:30pm - Capitol Theatre

Professional Elvis Tribute Artist Headliner Show with the EAS Band.

Sunday June 26, 2011 - 10am - 12pm - Capitol Theatre

Gospel show featuring Tribute Artists Gospel Choir performing Elvis' Gospel music.

Sunday June 26, 2011 - 1pm - 4pm Capitol Theatre

ETA Competition Finals.  Weekend packages available

Saturday, June 25, 2011 - FREE

'Cruisin' Classic Car Show' 85+ beautiful classics from the 20's to the 60's.

For more information, visit: www.windsorelvisfest.com

Festival Epicure (July 8, 9, 10, 2011)

2011 marks the 16th annual Festival Epicure. A Celebration of Food, Wine and Music. Every year the bar gets raised higher and this year is no exception. With it's eclectic, high caliber approach to every facet of the festival, Festival Epicure continues to kick off the Windsor-Detroit region's summer festival season with a bang.

Festival 2011 will deliver toe tappin' tunes featuring the areas top R&B, pop, jazz, swing artists.  2011 Will be even bigger and better than ever
with 28 vendors and a musical lineup that will prove to be the summer's best, EPICURE 2011 will definitely be Windsor's greatest summer event!

Location:  Riverfront Festival Plaza

For more information visit: www.festivalepicure.com

Windsor Rib Fest (August 11 - 14, 2011)

This is a first annual festival in Windsor with free admission. There will be some of the best 'ribbers' in North America along with 200 exhibits, 50 live bands, food booths and a beer garden.  Also featured will be carnival rides.   

BluesFest International (July 15 - 17, 2011)

In 1995, BluesFest International started in downtown Windsor and is now Canada's Premier Blues Festival. 

BluesFest International is a community event with the mandate to produce an annual world class music festival, promoting local, regional and international artists.

Location:  Riverfront Festival Plaza
For more information, click here. 

Windsor International Fringe Festival (July 15 - 24, 2011)

 A 10 day performing arts event, where live theatre and other performing arts such as: Music, Visual art, Chalk artists and more, are presented in an informal, accessible and low cost environment.

Theatre groups who were not allowed to participate in Scotland’s prestigious Edinburgh Theatre Festival first staged fringe Theatre over 50 years ago. These groups performed on the ’fringe’ or the outskirts of the city of Edinburgh and ’Fringe Theatre’ was born. This type of festival has become so popular that there is now a ’Fringe of the Fringe’ in Edinburgh, Scotland. 

For more information, please phone 519 944-1312 or click here.

Windsor Symphony Summer Series (July - August)

 FREE WSO Summer Concerts  
Sunday, July 10th at 7:00PM:  Reaume Park, Windsor
Sunday, August 14th at 7:00PM:  Odette Sculpture Park, at the foot of Bridge Avenue.

For more information, click here. 

Balloonapalooza (July 30 & 31)

Balloonapalooza - July 30-31 Downtown Windsor - Live entertainment, street cafes, rides, games and more. 

Go to: www.balloonapalooza.ca for more information.

Emancipation Celebration (July 29-August 1, 2011) 

"The Greatest Freedom Show on Earth" is a multi-cultural extravaganza that invites people of all ethnicities to come and join in on the celebration to commemorate The Emancipation Act of 1833, that made Canada the final stop on the Underground Railroad to freedom.  For more information go to: http://www.emancipationday.ca/home.php

2011 Windsor Pride Festival (August 5 - 7, 2011)

The Windsor Pride Community aims to promote equality and diversity through all of its campaigns including its annual Windsor Pride Festival.  The Pride Parade is an explosion of Pride in the heart of the Downtown Windsor, aiming to promote a sentiment in favour of equality, uniting people in a celebrative atmosphere where all are welcome and fostering a sense of community within the Windsor-Essex LGBTIQ population.  Continuing to grow year after year, the Windsor Pride Festival in 2011 promises to be one of the best so far.  The festival will begin on Friday, August 5, 2011 and continue throughout the weekend at various locations with the main events being held on Sunday, August 7, 2011 at the Riverfront Festival Plaza in Downtown Windsor.

For more information, click here.

BookFest Windsor ( November 3-5, 2011)

BookFest Windsor is a three day festival of books and authors held at the Art Gallery of Windsor.  There will be graphic novels, poetry, fiction, spoken word, musiic and more.
For further information go to:www.bookfestwindsor.com

Windsor International Film Festival (November 10-13, 2011)

The Windsor International Film Festival (WIFF) is a cultural, not-for-profit organization whose mission is to recognize and celebrate the art of cinema by showcasing Canadian and international films and filmmakers. Through its exhibition, education, and community development programs, WIFF builds audiences for Canadian content and talent, provides training opportunities for emerging filmmakers, and promotes the creative economy of Windsor and Southwestern Ontario.
For more information, click here.