WIDA
FEST
2026
Four unforgettable days of culture, music, dance, food & carnival, celebrating the African & Caribbean diaspora in the heart of Windsor.
● Aug 20–23, 2026
● Lanspeary Park, Windsor ON
● Free entry · all ages
The celebration begins in
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SATURDAY, AUGUST 22
Parade Route
Grab your costume and follow the masqueraders through downtown Windsor, finishing with the festivities at Lanspeary Park.
1
Start
Head east on Ottawa Street
2
Turn
Turn north on Langlois Avenue
3
Turn
Turn west on Giles Blvd E
4
Finish
Enter Lanspeary Park at 1250 Langlois Ave
ROUTE DETAILS
Start time1:00 PM
Estimated end4:30 PM
DistanceJust under 2 km
Join us for the festivities at the park after the parade. There will be speeches and the winner will be announced.
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH TORONTO CARIBBEAN CARNIVAL
Windsor Carnival Weekender
3 epic experiences, 1 unforgettable weekend. August 21–23, 2026 · Presented with Toronto Caribbean Carnival · Partner hotel: Four Points by Sheraton
Friday Evening
Fête en Blanc
The All White Affair
Classy. Elegant. Unforgettable. An evening of curated Caribbean cuisine, live entertainment and dancing — dress in your finest white attire.
✓ Ticket included (Friday evening)
Friday Night
J'Ouvert After Dark
Outdoor Glow Experience
Fri, Aug 21 · 12AM–3AM · Dieppe Gardens, 78 Riverside Dr, Windsor ON. Wear white — glow paraphernalia, t-shirt and rum punch included.
✓ Ticket included (Friday night)
Saturday
Carnival Day
Bring Your Own Costume
Last Lap. Best Lap! Step into the music, colour and passion of the parade with fellow masqueraders through the streets of Windsor.
✓ Experience included (Saturday)
PACKAGE INCLUDES
2 nights hotel accommodation · Fête en Blanc ticket (Friday evening) · J’Ouvert After Dark ticket (Friday night) · Carnival Day experience (Saturday)
Quad · 4 People
$279 pp
Save more. Enjoy more.
Triple · 3 People
$359 pp
Good vibes. Great price.
Double · 2 People
$459 pp
Your weekend, your way.
Single · 1 Person
$699 pp
Indulge. Experience it all.
Have a band promo code? Use it at checkout in the Toronto Carnival app and save.
WHO WE ARE
More than a festival. A movement.
Founded in 2021, WIDAFEST is Windsor’s celebration of African & Caribbean heritage, an inclusive, diverse and equitable gathering of music, art, food and dance. In 2026 we join forces with the Toronto Caribbean Carnival to bring J’ouvert energy, mas bands and street-carnival spirit to Lanspeary Park.
4
DAYS OF CELEBRATION
24
CULTURAL PARADE GROUPS
5,235
IN OUR COMMUNITY
THE EXPERIENCE
Everything happening on the grounds
01
Drum
Festival
The borderless heartbeat of the diaspora, master drummers from across Africa & the Caribbean.
02
Street
Carnival
Mas bands, feathers & the colour of a full Caribbean parade rolling through Windsor.
03
Live
Music
Afrobeat, soca, gospel, jazz & afro hip-hop across the main stage all weekend.
04
Fête
en Blanc
The all-white Toronto Carnival soirée, bring your finest whites for a night to remember.
05
Food
Vendors
A taste of home, dozens of African & Caribbean kitchens, every region represented.
06
Business
Symposium
Connect with diaspora entrepreneurs, creators & community leaders building the future.
Four days. One unforgettable weekend.
Vendor markets, the cultural parade on the streets, J’ouvert energy, family activities and headline performances, full schedule & lineup dropping soon.
GET INVOLVED
Be part of WIDAFEST
Whether you sell, perform, march or lend a hand, there’s a place for you in the celebration.
Vendors
Showcase your products, food or services to thousands across the festival market.
Parade Band
Bring your mas band, flags and rhythm to the cultural parade and carnival route.
Plan your trip
Where to stay
Coming in from out of town? Windsor and Detroit sit right across the river from each other, with great hotels on both sides. We have rounded up the best places to stay for festival weekend.
Our partners
Backed by the community
We partner with organizations that believe in culture, inclusion and the power of bringing people together.
Government
Sponsors
Other Partners
