Things to do this Thanksgiving Weekend in Windsor Essex Region
Friday, October 9 – Monday, October 12, 2020
Thanksgiving weekend events & activities including free, fun family & kids’ activities, live music, theatre & performing arts, sports, and exhibitions. A few weekday and online events are also listed.
I. Family & Kids Activities this weekend
Scared Evil Haunted House
Only “Stay-Dry” Indoor Haunted attraction in the region. 3 haunts under 1 roof. Details
October 9 – 10, 2020 | 7:00 PM – 12:00 AM
Sunday, October 11, 2020 | 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Scarehouse Windsor, 1441 McDougall Street, Windsor
$18 – $125
Phantoms of the Canard Ghost Tour
A 2-hour ghostly historical tour on land on water in historic River Canard. Details
Saturdays & Sundays in October | 8:00 PM
River Canard Outpost, 9350 Malden Road, LaSalle
$20 – $25
Thanksgiving at Thiessen Orchards
Enjoy a day with the family at the Thiessen Orchard! Live entertainment with Whoa Nellie, yummy desserts, and great family fun!
The FUN ACRE is located right in the middle of our orchard and has 2 huge swings, 2 giant tube slides, bouncy castle, barrel train ride, climbing areas and more! Your children will benefit from being active, having fun on the farm and maybe meet a new friend along the way. Details
September 10 – October 24, 2020 | 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Thanksgiving | Sunday, October 11, 2020 | 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Thiessen Apple Orchards, 400 Talbot Road East, Leamington
$4 – $10
Family Fun at Colasanti’s
Saturday & Sunday, October 10 – 11, 2020 | 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Colasanti’s Tropical Gardens, 1550 Road 3 E, Ruthven
$3.99 – $8.85+tax
Go Apple Picking
Delicious apples are now ready to pick. Check out these u-pick apple farms.
- Meleg’s Lakeview Orchard & Cider Mill
- Thiessen Orchards
- Wagner Orchards and Estate Winery
- Kennette Orchard
You may like: Places to Go For Apple Picking in Greater Toronto Area & Hamilton
Do call the farms to confirm their hours before starting
Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze
Corn Mazes in Ontario
Get lost at world-famous corn mazes or the one nearest to you for a memorable experience with the family or your bestie. Most of these farms also have a whole bunch of other great activities so you can enjoy the entire day picking pumpkins, milking goats, cuddling bunnies and so much more! Details
Fall in Southwestern Ontario
Fall is a time of country harvests, crunching leaves, and soothing drinks. It’s a time when families curl up close to stay warm and prepare for winter: the leaves are changing and the air is getting crisp. Don’t let the weather fool you, though; Fall shouldn’t mean hibernating alone at home. There are plenty of fun fall activities to get you outside, around the table, or jumping from the tree tops. To help you make your Fall bucket list, we’ve compiled a list of 50 Fun Fall Activities in South Western Ontario.
- Fun Things to Do this Fall in Southwestern Ontario
- Weekend Getaways from GTA: Exploring Ontario Provincial Parks
Fall Activities and Getaways in Ontario
When Ontario comes alive with vibrant colours in autumn, cities and towns across the province offer a unique environment, and distinct character for visitors and locals to truly explore.
- Bucket List Ideas for Fall Activities and Getaways in Ontario
- Fall Day Trips From Toronto
- 10 Fantastic Fall Activities in Ontario
II. Live Music
Fly Me to the Moon: Sinatra and Beyond
In a tribute to the world’s greatest crooners, singer Michael Vanhevel and the KWS take you on a sentimental journey of crooner classics including songs like Fly Me to the Moon, Unforgettable, The Way You Look Tonight and so many more.Details
Friday, October 9, 2020 | 8:00 PM & 9:30 PM
Online
$15 – $100
WSO – Digital Concert Series
Join host, WSO Music Director Robert Franz, for a new musical experience! 12 one-hour concerts. Details
Saturday, October 10, 2020 | 7:30 PM
Various dates, until December 31, 2020
Online
$100
Enjoy a Quarantine Concert
There are many free concerts live-streamed every day. Check them out.
III. Theatre/Performing Arts
Fatboy by John Clancy
It’s time to feast on the American dream! John Clancy’s Fatboy is a fast-paced, profane, merciless dark comedy that shines a twisted spotlight on the American appetite for power, consumption, and destruction. Details
October 9-10, 15-17, 22-24, 2020 | 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Shadowbox Theatre, 1501 Howard Ave. Unit 103B, Windsor
$27.54
Enjoy Live Theatre from around the World
With COVID-19 pandemic forcing theatres to shut their doors, many performing art centres have taken to being open virtually. Check out theatre performance online from around the world. Details
Drive-in Movies
What a better way to spend an enjoyable time with family than to watch a movie under the stars?
Check out the Drive-In Theatres in Ontario
Various dates
IV. Sports
Love Fitness in the Park
Love Fitness Training will be running a 1hour group workout session in the park. Fitness Requirements: The session will be modified for all ages, and fitness abilities. Details
Saturdays, October 3 – 31, 2020 | 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Willistead Park, Niagara Street, Windsor
$10 a session (Cash or e-transfer)
Go Hiking or Visit Nature Areas
Parks and pathways, Provincial parks and conservation reserves are open for people to enjoy some time with nature.
Enjoy a leisurely walk with the family at any of these locations:
- 25 Hikes to Enjoy Fall Colours in Ontario
- Must-Visit Nature Attractions & Parks in the Windsor Essex Region
- 25 Fabulous Scenic Lookouts to Visit in Ontario
- 25 Nature and Wilderness Adventures in Ontario
V. Exhibitions, Festivals & Other Events
Ontario Culture Days
Culture Days is a national celebration of arts and culture. At the end of each September, millions of people attend thousands of participatory arts and culture events across the country. Culture Days programs invite the public to get hands-on and behind-the-scenes to highlight the importance of arts and culture in our communities. Details
September 25 – October 25, 2020
Across Ontario
Free
Needle Felting Pumpkins with Renee Labute
Learn to sculpt with needles and fiber! Renee’s next workshop will focus on pumpkins.The techniques you will learn in this workshop are essential to good needle felting. This class is suitable for beginners, and no experience is needed. The best part, you’ll take home a pumpkin to use in your fall decor, without a trip to the farm stand! Details
Friday, October 9, 2020 | 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Fusion Fiber Arts, 628 Monmouth Avenue, Windosr
Workshop Fee $60.00
Go on a Mural Tour
View the thirty -six outdoor murals located along Drouillard Road that signifies the importance of Ford City in history. A self-guided Mural Tour booklet is available by calling Marina Clemens at (519) 253-1073. Details
Wine Trail Ride Cycling Tour
Meander through the farmlands along the Lake Erie coastline a la bicyclette and fall in love with Canada’s southernmost region.
Our friendly guide will lead you to enjoy world-class wines and a progressive meal at 4 Essex Pelee Island Coast wineries. We’ll roll through the scenic, flat countryside at a leisurely pace and take in the sights, sounds and smells of a burgeoning wine appellation. Details
Sunday, October 11, 2020 | 11:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Colchester Harbour
Adult (Bring Your Own Bike) – $139.50; Adult (Includes Single Bike Rental) – $155
Urban Gallery Bike Tour
Get on a bike and explore Windsor’s dynamic urban art while also getting down and dirty creating your own masterpiece. Details
Saturday, October 10, 2020 | 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Walkerville Artists’ Co-Op, 1974 Wyandotte St. East, Windsor
$45 – $50
Visit Sculpture Gardens
Sculpture gardens are the perfect blend between nature and art, featuring art installations from local and international artists and concerning multiple different themes. As you stroll or bike through these outdoor galleries, you’ll find yourself experiencing a unique story at each location.
Downtown Windsor Farmer’s Market
At the Downtown Windsor Farmers Market you’ll find farm fresh fruit, vegetables, produce and unique artisan food products from the best our area has to offer. We have a Kids Corner, art exhibits and crafts vendors, community booths, entertainment, food demonstrations, and other special events that attract the community to our fun and family-friendly environment. Details
Saturday, October 10 2020 | 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Pelissier St. & Maiden Ln W, Windsor
Free
Amherstburg Farmer’s Market
The Amherstburg Farmers Market is a weekly rural market for local produce, prepared food & craft products. Details
Saturday, October 10 2020 | 8:30 AM – 1:30 PM
8728 Howard Avenue, Amherstburg
Free
Explore Canada or the World From Home
Explore Canada’s arctic, Winnipeg, National Parks, and many more places from Home. Travel to international or outer space destinations like the international space station, discover Egypt’s Heritage Sites from tombs to monasteries, or take a trip on scenic trains in Europe virtually.
VI. Thanksgiving Dinner/Events
You may like: Thanksgiving Trio Wine pack from Oxley Estate Winery
Thanksgiving Turkey Take-Out
Thanksgiving Dinner Dine-In
- Ciociaro Club on October 11
- Kingsville Golf & Country Club on October 11 – 12
- Colasanti’s Tropical Gardens on October 5 – 12
- Open Table listing
VII. Virtual Events & Activities
Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest
This virtual Oktoberfest experience will offer two days of live (and some pre-recorded) Oktoberfest-themed entertainment and interactive experiences to engage the whole family. Details
September 25 to October 12, 2020
Live: Murder on the Montreal Bullet
It’s New Year’s Eve, 2040. You received an invitation and ticket to a luxury private car on the inaugural trip of the first bullet train! A virtual futuristic speakeasy event. Details
Until Saturday, October 31, 2020 | 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Hamilton Youth Film Festival
Founded in 2017, the Hamilton Youth Film Festival (HYFF) was created to give the youth of Hamilton a chance to shine. Now an annual event, HYFF is largely promoted to the young adults of the Hamilton community and beyond. T Details
Fridays, September 18 – October 9, 2020 | 10:00 PM
Ball’s Falls Thanksgiving Virtual Festival
Join us on a virtual adventure where guests will enjoy heritage village tours and historical demonstrations, as well as music and entertainment, all from the comfort of their home. This year’s virtual event will feature more than 80 juried artisans, vendors, demonstrators and entertainers participating in this long annual tradition. Details
Virtual Vendor Market: September 12 – October 7, 2020
Heritage Tours | October 9 – 12, 2020
Festitalia Virtual Festival
Festitalia Virtual Festival Program features the greatest of Italian Art, Culture, Culinary, Music, and Literature! From regional recipes to curated music playlists, all the way to ornate metalworks and Bocce games of the past. Details
Through October 31, 2020
We do try to make the listings as accurate as possible, but there may be typographical/oversight errors or events may be cancelled or postponed without any notice. Verify all details from concerned event Websites/officials.