Niagara has a special way of making winter’s long, dark nights feel extra cozy and bright. Incredible light displays, spirited holiday events, one of Canada’s most renowned New Year’s Eve soirees, and a robust roster of post-holiday events running right through March will chase any chance of the winter blahs far, far away.
Look For The Light
Time a trip during Niagara Falls’ Winter Festival of Lights, which runs annually mid-November through early January, to step into a sparkling scene lit with millions of lights, engaging displays, and interactive experiences along the Niagara Parkway and through the Dufferin Islands.
When the holiday season comes to an end, Niagara Falls continues to light up the night with colourful illuminations of the Falls beginning at dusk every evening.
Merry & Bright
Nothing beats a holiday show for getting into the spirit of the season, and Niagara’s December calendar is full of excellent options. Here are just a few:
- The Shaw Festival’s heartwarming holiday performances, which has become a holiday tradition for many.
- Fallsview Casino brings out the holiday magic with a sensational selection of seasonal shows.
- The FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre in St. Catharines will be hopping right through the holidays.
Retail That’s Just Right
Whether you’re on the hunt for unique holiday gifts, Boxing Day deals, that perfect winter outfit, or just enjoy browsing around for one-of-a-kind finds, Niagara’s charming shopping districts, malls, winery boutiques, antique stores, and galleries serve up an extensive range of retail options that make shopping really fun! Excellent additions to your retail roster include:
- Outlet Collection at Niagara
- Niagara Falls’ Canada One Outlets
- Niagara-on-the-Lake’s Heritage District
- Jordan Village
- Port Colborne’s West Street
- Niagara Falls’ Queen Street
- Downtown St. Catharines
- Winery retail boutiques stocked with interesting culinary and houseware gift options, like 13th Street Winery, Trius Winery, and Vineland Estates
- Wineries with award-winning Icewines that are perfectly packaged for holiday gifting, such as Konzelmann Estate Winery, Pillitteri Estates Winery, Inniskillin, and Caroline Cellars
Only-in-Niagara NYE Fun
When it comes to memorable places to ring in the new year, Niagara has plenty of excellent options:
- Head to Canada’s Entertainment Capital for a Niagara Falls New Year’s Eve to remember with fireworks displays at both 8 pm and midnight, a special magic show at Greg Frewin Theatrical Centre, live music, and more.
- Many Niagara Falls restaurants offer special New Year’s Eve dinners, including Milestones on the Falls, Fallsview Grand Buffet, and The Rainbow Room by Massimo Capra.
- Travel back in time for an 80s celebration in the Peller Estates Barrel Cellar, complete with an 80s-inspired cocktail bar, a decadent five-course dinner paired with Peller Estates wines, and dancing.
Keep The Party Going All Winter Long
There’s no such thing as post-holiday hibernation in Niagara! The second the festive season wraps up, Niagara’s annual Icewine harvest ushers in a fresh new month of fun celebrations throughout January, including the glamorous Cool As Ice Gala at Niagara Parks Power Station, the Icewine Discovery Pass, a popular winery touring option, and Niagara-on-the-Lake’s annual Icewine festivities.
The end of the Icewine harvest doesn’t mean the end of winter fun at Niagara wineries. On February weekends, Wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake host their decadent Chocolate and Cheese, a signature event that invites guests to explore the art of pairing wine with chocolate and cheese. Niagara Benchlands Wineries also welcome guests to indulge in cozy wine and food pairings on February weekends with Love The Bench.
An impressive array of music and comedy acts also heats up Niagara’s winter entertainment scene at Niagara Falls’ OLG Stage. Niagara’s more intimate venues, including the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre and Ridgeway’s The Sanctuary, host a diverse assortment of critically acclaimed talent.
Plan Your Getaway
Discover some bright lights and big winter magic of your own in Niagara! Check out our Events, Shopping, Wineries, and Winter pages and @visit_niagara on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube for trip inspiration and to learn about upcoming events. Then, browse through accommodations and dining options to discover places that will perfectly round out your trip!
