While summer may not officially roll in until almost July, the unique micro-climate that makes Niagara such a winemaking hotspot also means outdoor attractions, experiences, festivals, and special events kick into high gear here beginning as early as April. Grab your sunglasses and see for yourself why spring is the new summer in Niagara!
Whether you choose to hop aboard a Niagara City Cruise (opening May 1) to see the Falls, rip through the Niagara River’s raging rapids on a Whirlpool Jetboat (opening May 17), or walk alongside them on the White Water Walk (opening April 19), enjoying popular seasonal attractions and experiences in their spring season is a great way to avoid larger summer crowds.
After a long, cold winter, bud break in Niagara’s vineyards inspires a celebratory atmosphere amongst Niagara’s wineries and distilleries, where locals and visitors alike are encouraged to come out and join the party. Can’t-miss spring events include:
Spring Wine Trail – April 12 & 13
Hop to Cave Spring Vineyard, Featherstone Estate Winery, Fielding Estate Winery, Malivoire Wines, and Sue-Ann Staff Estate Winery during their Spring Wine Trail weekend to enjoy five exclusive wine tastings paired with five mouthwatering cheeses and a bottle of wine from each winery to take home and enjoy.
Dillon’s Small Batch Distillers Craft Your Own Gin Experience – April 12 & 26, May 3 & 17
Learn how the expert team at Dillon’s craft their collection of award-winning gins during this two-hour experience that includes a welcome cocktail, an in-depth lesson on flavour profiles, combinations and how to make the gin that’s perfect for you, and a take-home bottle of your personally crafted gin.
Graze The Bench – June 7 & 8
Join the fun of Graze The Bench when seven Beamsville Bench wineries celebrate the magic of their piece of the Niagara Escarpment by pouring new and special vintages, inviting Niagara chefs to create inspired dishes, and grooving with live bands at each venue.
Muddy Paws Wine Trail – June 14 & 15
Bring your pooch for a fun day out in Niagara at the Muddy Paws Wine Trail and enjoy a winery-to-winery walk with all sorts of pup-friendly activities, wine tastings, pet photography sessions, live music, and so much more.
Niagara Grape & Wine Festival Summer Discovery Pass – June 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, 29
Create a custom blend of wine and culinary pairings from your choice of over two dozen of Niagara’s top wineries with a Summer Discovery Pass.
Wine Country Tailgate Party – June 28
Nothing says summer like a tailgate party! The Wine Country Tailgate Party is a Niagara wine country tradition that brings wine lovers into a vineyard to enjoy premium VQA wines, delicious food truck fare, live music, and a festive scene that screams, “Summer is finally here!”
Boasting not one but two Great Lakes, the Niagara River, and the Welland Canal, Niagara offers endless options when it comes to finding that perfect place for 2025’s first beach day, waterside cycle, or sunny afternoon on an restaurant patio overlooking the water, like Lake House Restaurant, Waterfront Restaurant at Niagara-on-the-Lake Golf Club, or Canalside Restaurant.
Spring’s arrival ushers in a fresh chapter of fun at Niagara’s farms, public gardens, and farmer’s markets. Can’t-miss events and experiences include:
Niagara Parks Flower Gardens
Niagara Parks’ many beautifully manicured gardens come to life each spring, and this Bloom Calendar makes it easy to locate the garden with your favourite spring flowers, including daffodils, tulips, magnolias, lilacs, and roses.
Tulip Farm Experiences – mid-April through mid-May
Each spring, Niagara’s passionate tulip farmers, including The JP Niagara Tulip Experience, TASC Tulip Farm, Sarah Grey Pick Farm, and Roadside Flower Market, welcome visitors into their fields to pick bouquets, snap photos, and enjoy the colourful views. These events have become so popular that, in many cases, tickets must be purchased well in advance, so please plan accordingly.
BlossomFest at Cherrylane Farm – May 3
In addition to beautiful blossom views at one of Niagara’s oldest cherry farms, BlossomFest offers a vendor marketplace, food trucks, local wine and beer, children’s activities, and more.
Niagara-on-the-Lake In Bloom – May 9, 10, 11, 12
New this year, Niagara-on-the-Lake In Bloom transforms the streets of historic Old Town and select Niagara-on-the-Lake locations with stunning floral installations for a vibrant, immersive experience. Other signature events include a Bonnet Lunch, and a Gala dinner hosted by Mr. Frankie Flowers, as well as a Speaker Series and Vendor Fair in the Pillar and Post’s Monet Inspired Garden.
The Shaw Festival’s 2025 season heats up well before summer, with The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe and Tons of Money premiering in mid-April. In May, Anything Goes and Dear Liar join the party, and in June, the calendar gets even busier with the addition of Major Barbara, La Vie En Rose, Wait Until Dark, Gnit, and more.
The award-winning Niagara Jazz Festival brings a summery music festival experience to beautiful locations throughout Niagara from June 14 through 29, including parks, wineries, and more.
Check out our Attractions, Naturally Niagara, Outdoor Sports, Cycling, Wineries 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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