The following information has been prepared to inspire future visits to Niagara Falls and we look forward to welcoming visitors back in keeping with any public health restrictions. Due to fluctuating COVID-19 restrictions, we recommend visitors contact businesses directly to confirm availability.
Between December and March, Niagara Falls is transformed into a winter wonderland of sparkling snow and ice. Whether you bundle up and explore the outdoors or head inside to escape the cold, here are some activities and events that will make your holidays in Niagara Falls unforgettable.
39th Annual OPG Winter Festival of Lights Extended to 101 Nights!
Canada’s Largest Free Outdoor Light Festival Keeps Spirits Bright from November 13, 2021 – February 21, 2022
(Niagara Falls, ON) The 39th annual Ontario Power Generation (OPG) Winter Festival of Lights in Niagara Falls, Canada’s largest FREE outdoor light festival, is extending its duration to 101 nights from November 13, 2021 until February 21, 2022.
Festival goers can experience the beauty of icy Niagara Falls, explore the engaging outdoor displays, with plenty to see and do for visitors who may wish to enjoy multiple visits to this popular winter event.
The 2021-22 OPG Winter Festival of Lights will be presented in two parts:
- November 13, 2021 – January 9, 2022
HOLIDAY - The first half of the Festival features favourite 3D animal and holiday themed displays, including the popular Dufferin Islands loop within Niagara Parks. The 20 new displays introduced in 2020 will return, including the giant gingerbread house, 20ft polar bear and fairy tale castle, plus 8 new displays for 2021.
- January 10 - February 21, 2022
WINTER WONDERLAND - The NEW second half of the Festival will showcase winter wonderland and love themed displays. 3D animals from Dufferin Islands will magically appear in other parts of the tourism district and holiday themed displays will be replaced with new illuminations.
- Festival Maps
Two maps will be featured on the WFOL.com website in mid-October to showcase the change in displays during the Festival period.
New for the 2021 OPG Winter Festival of Lights is a partnership with the Hilton Hotel & Suites to provide family-friendly entertainment on weekends, following Public Health guidelines. This exciting indoor activation will allow guests to warm up along the Festival route and enjoy live music, magicians, story time and more. The event schedule will be posted on WFOL.com in mid-October.
With over 3 million lights and 75+ spectacular displays providing colourful visuals, Niagara Falls will be transformed into a twinkling winter wonderland along the Niagara Parkway, Dufferin Islands and across the tourism districts. Visitors to this popular annual festival can bundle up and walk or drive through the Festival route to explore the outdoor, socially distanced, self-guided experience.
The OPG Winter Festival of Lights is managed by Niagara Falls Tourism and supported by funding from the Tourism Partnership of Niagara and the Government of Ontario. Host locations for the illumination displays include Niagara Parks, Lundy’s Lane BIA, Fallsview BIA, Victoria Centre BIA, and Downtown Niagara Falls BIA.
November 13, 2021 – January 9, 2022
Floral Showhouse, Niagara Parks
A family holiday tradition for over 65 years, the Floral Showhouse Annual Poinsettia Show features cyclamen, azaleas, Christmas cactus and paperwhite narcissus in addition to a spectacular display of festive poinsettias.
Traditionally a major annual celebration in Niagara Falls. Stay tuned for further details about 2021 event programming!
Indulge in delicious offerings and spectacular settings in any of Niagara Falls’ exclusive restaurants with many restaurants open 365 days a year welcoming diners on December 25th and January 1st. Visit Monastery Cellars, the first vineyard adjacent to the Falls or The Niagara Distillery featuring six signature spirits that result in perfect pours either on their own or when mixed as a cocktail. A short walk from the Falls, The Niagara Brewing Company proudly represents Canada’s brewing heritage and today’s innovative craft beer scene. Or head to nearby Niagara Wine Country. Enjoy responsibly by booking a private guide or group tour. Half-day and full-day tours available with hotel pick-ups.
See the Canadian Horseshoe, American and Bridal Veil Falls brilliantly illuminated in a multi-coloured masterpiece. This stunning light display can be viewed 365 days a year from Queen Victoria Park, Fallsview hotels and restaurants, beginning at dusk.
Inspired by Nature: watch nature come to life with a nightly illumination display featuring colour palettes and movements inspired by nature, including the sunrise, aurora borealis, rainbow and sunset.
Outdoors
Skating (2021-22 dates TBC)
Cocktails, wine and beer and a fire pit at Wayne Gretzky Estates Winery make for a fun skate alongside the vineyards of this hat trick winery, brewery and distillery. Popular weekend events include Friday Date & Skate and Saturday DJ Night (TBC for 2021).
Iconic Niagara Falls Bucket List Experiences
Venture to the Falls at night to experience an icy cool illumination or get a new perspective of the great wonder by taking flight with WildPlay Zipline to the Falls, soaring through the skies in a helicopter, taking a Journey Behind the Falls, going for a spin in the Niagara SkyWheel, or elevating your view at Skylon Tower.
Indoors
When the weather gets chilly, head indoors to warm up. Escape to a tropical oasis at the Butterfly Conservatory, Bird Kingdom, Floral Showhouse, or one of our indoor waterparks.
Other Events (2021-22 TBC)
The status of these events will depend on health restrictions at the time. Further updates will be provided.
Only during winter can you experience unique events such as Niagara Icewine Festival 2022.
February - Birds on the Niagara Festival
Every February in Niagara Falls, bird lovers and conservationists celebrate the vast diversity of northern birds that call the mighty Niagara River corridor their home each winter at Birds on the Niagara International Bird Festival and Celebration, the only international bird festival in North America. With its proximity to the Niagara River corridor, one of the world’s most biodiverse places, Niagara Falls is an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) and four-season destination for bird lovers, adventure travellers and ecotourists alike. Over 280 bird species and 27 species of gulls, many of them rare, have been found here making it the best gull watching location in the world and a top destination for birders from around the globe hoping to add them to their list. According to eBird, 170 species can be sighted at Dufferin Islands alone in Niagara Falls.
Click here for more information about Bird species that can be found in Niagara Falls each season and where to find them.
February is Black History Month
Niagara Falls, Ontario holds a place in history as one of the final destinations of the renowned ‘Underground Railroad’, a secret network of routes from Fort Erie, Niagara Falls and on to Niagara-on-the-Lake that enslaved people from the United States followed to find freedom in Canada. It is estimated that 30,000-40,000 enslaved people escaped into Canada from the US from 1800-1865. For those who wish to retrace the final steps of the thousands who found freedom in Canada and pay hommage to the heroes and heroines who helped them, here are some ways to explore the region.
By Canadian winter standards, the weather in Niagara Falls is considered mild. Typical winter temperatures in the region range from +2 to - 8 degrees Celsius. Layer on your cozy winter outfits and journey outside for an adventure. Be sure to take advantage of savings with winter iconic attraction packages.
ABOUT NIAGARA FALLS CANADA
Home of the legendary Canadian Horseshoe, American and Bridal Veil waterfalls, Niagara Falls is a four-season destination renowned for its awe-inspiring natural wonders combined with world-class accommodation, thrilling entertainment and a burgeoning culinary scene. Visitors from Ontario, across North America and around the world who come to experience adventure, discover family fun, feel the romance and create unique and memorable experiences have made it Canada’s #1 leisure travel destination.
PLAN YOUR VISIT
For more information about unique and memorable experience in Niagara Falls, please visit www.niagarafallstourism.com and these helpful resources:
WHERE TO STAY
Book a room in nearby hotels within walking distance of the Falls or a Fallsview room to enjoy a Room with a View, the majesty of the Falls from the comfort of your bed, any time of the day. Niagara Falls campgrounds and cottages afford visitors a special way of getting a little closer to nature.
RESOURCES
- Niagara Falls' commitment to guests and employees: www.SafetoPlay.ca
- What's Open in Niagara Falls: www.niagarafallstourism.com/blog/whats-open-niagara-falls/
- Niagara Falls Illumination: www.niagarafallstourism.com/Illumination/
- Niagara Falls Itinerary Ideas: www.niagarafallstourism.com/blog/itinerary/
- Attraction Packages: www.niagarafallstourism.com/attraction-packages/
- Niagara Falls 24/7 Live Cam from Fallsview Casino: Niagara Falls Live Stream
LET’S STAY CONNECTED
Website: www.niagarafallstourism.com
Instagram: @NiagaraFallsTourismCanada
Facebook: @NiagaraFallsTourismCanada
Twitter: @NFallsTourism
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