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.
Time a trip during Niagara Falls’ Winter Festival of Lights, which runs from November 16 through January 5th, 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.
For a lighting celebration that’s a little smaller in scale, head to Let It Glow – A Celebration of Light displays and events in St. Catharines and Port Dalhousie.
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.
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 adaptation of A Christmas Carol brings the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge to Niagara-on-the-Lake for a heartwarming performance that’s become a holiday tradition for many.
• Fallsview Casino brings out the holiday magic with a sensational selection of seasonal shows, including the skating spectacular Holiday On Ice, Christmas With The Tenors, and Christmas With Johnny Reid.
• With performances by the Niagara Symphony Orchestra, as well as a diverse range of other holiday concerts, including an Elvis Christmas Special, The Jersey Nights Before Christmas, Natalie MacMaster, Handel’s festive Messiah, Music of a Charlie Brown Christmas, and Choir, Choir, Choir’s interactive Unsilent Night experience, the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre in St. Catharines will be hopping right through the holidays.
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
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.
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 on January 18 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. March’s annual Cuvée weekend is another can’t-miss event for wine lovers, with both a Grand Tasting gala and a winery touring component.
An impressive array of music and comedy acts will also be heating up Niagara’s entertainment scene this winter. Niagara Falls’ OLG Stage will host big-name acts, including The Beach Boys, Morrissey, Diana Krall, Ryan Adams, The Beaches, and Melissa Etheridge. Comedians Craig Ferguson, Billy Gardell, Larry The Cable Guy, Gerry Dee, Tony Hinchcliffe, and Paul Reiser will serve big laughs at the Fallsview Casino. Niagara’s more intimate venues, including the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre and Ridgeway’s The Sanctuary, will host a diverse assortment of critically acclaimed talent, like The Strumbellas, Jully Black, Finger Eleven, Brett Kissel, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Great Lake Swimmers, and Ashley MacIssac.
Are you ready to discover some bright lights and big magic of your own in Niagara this winter? 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!
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