As the calendar turns to 2026, Windsor-Essex residents are presented with a perfect opportunity to set the tone for the year ahead. Whether you're aiming for a gentle recovery from the holidays or a vigorous leap into new resolutions, the region offers a diverse array of activities to match any ambition.
Embrace Wellness and the Great Outdoors
For those seeking peace and natural beauty, a winter visit to Ojibway Park provides a serene escape. Meanwhile, Point Pelee National Park in Leamington is offering free admission until January 15, 2026, inviting visitors to explore its snow-dusted trails, frozen marshes, and icy shoreline—an ideal setting for hiking and winter birding.
If rejuvenation is the goal, Lungovita Beach Retreat in Essex offers a comprehensive recovery day. For a $59 day pass, guests gain access from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. to hot tubs, cedar barrel saunas, a heated outdoor pool, and warm lounges. Passholders can also join a complimentary yoga class at 10 a.m. on both January 3 and 4.
Wellness seekers can also visit the 7 Lives wellness centre on Walker Road. Here, you can refresh with cold plunges, infrared sauna sessions, contrast therapy, and cold-pressed juices, with packages starting at $31.
Get Active and Give Back
For a more energetic start, Dub City Runners hosts its first five-kilometre group run of the year on January 2. The social run departs at 6:30 p.m. from Walkerville Brewery on Argyle Road, with a well-earned post-run beer awaiting participants.
The new year is also a prime time to consider community involvement. The Workforce WindsorEssex website lists numerous volunteer opportunities, making it easy to find a meaningful way to contribute in 2026.
Family-Friendly Creative Adventures
Younger residents and families have engaging options too. The Ojibway Nature Centre on Matchett Road is hosting a unique drawing workshop on January 3 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., teaching participants how to capture animal likenesses using a single continuous line.
Additionally, Art Windsor-Essex on Riverside Drive West is running open studio sessions. On January 3 from 1 to 4 p.m., families can drop in to try clay pinch pot moulding. The following day, January 4 during the same hours, the studio shifts to printmaking, allowing for experimentation with various materials and textures. Both sessions are free, require no registration, and welcome all ages.
From frosty nature walks and invigorating cold plunges to community runs and creative workshops, Windsor-Essex provides all the ingredients for a memorable and intentional beginning to 2026.
