A well-loved festival in Windsor-Essex is being recognized for the fourth year in a row.
The Carrousel of the Nations has been named Ontario’s Top Festival and Event for 2026 by Attractions Ontario.
The honour comes as part of the 11th annual Ontario’s Choice Awards and marks the fourth consecutive year Carrousel has earned the recognition.
For more than 50 years, Carrousel has brought the world to Windsor-Essex by celebrating cultures through food, music, dance and family-friendly activities.
The Multicultural Council of Windsor and Essex County (MCC) says more than 226,000 people attended the festival in 2026, which took place over two weekends in June, making it the biggest and most successful Carrousel yet.
The festival consisted of 42 villages across Windsor, LaSalle, Amherstburg, Harrow, Kingsville and Leamington.
Fred Francis, Executive Director of the MCC, says they’re so humbled to receive this award for another year.
“We can’t say thank you enough to the people of Windsor-Essex... over 200,000 people attended Carrousel this past June. We can’t say thank you enough to the different cultural villages, the thousands of volunteers, and obviously the staff and everyone at the MCC that puts in the hard work.”
He says this recognition continues to put the region on the map.
“To let all the other communities in Ontario know that Windsor-Essex has the best festival, the best event in all of Ontario. And when you look at all the festivals and events in Ontario, you’re talking about thousands upon thousands, and for Windsor-Essex to have the best one - that’s certainly something we’ll be singing from the rooftops.”
Francis says the community makes this festival so special.
“When you go to Carrousel, it’s people getting to know people, people wanting to learn about different cultures, people wanting to experience different cultures, be it food, or dancing, or cultural dress... all that stuff is important. And it really comes down to the people and without the people of Windsor-Essex, Carrousel wouldn’t be what it is.”
These awards are determined entirely by public voting.
Francis says planning for the 2027 Carrousel of the Nations is already underway.
Attractions Ontario is a non-profit association dedicated solely to optimizing attendance for their member attractions.