Niagara Winter Festival of Lights

The Niagara Winter Festival of Lights is an annual event that takes place in Niagara Falls, Canada. The festival typically runs from November to January, and is a popular winter attraction for visitors to the area.

The festival features a wide variety of light displays, including illuminated buildings, animated light shows, and Christmas-themed displays. The festival also features an eight-kilometer route of illuminated trees, buildings, and Niagara landmarks along the Niagara Parkway, Dufferin Islands, and across the Niagara River in Ontario and New York.

One of the highlights of the festival is the illumination of the Niagara Falls, which is done every night during the festival. The falls are lit up in different colors, creating a spectacular display that can be seen from various viewing points around the Niagara Parks.

The festival also includes a number of other events and activities, such as ice skating, horse-drawn carriage rides, live music performances, and fireworks shows. Visitors can also enjoy a variety of food and drink options, including outdoor food trucks and warming stations.

History

The Niagara Winter Festival of Lights is an annual event that has been taking place in Niagara Falls, Canada since 1983. The festival was created as a way to attract visitors to the area during the winter months and to showcase the natural beauty of Niagara Falls during the winter season.

The festival began with a small number of light displays and has grown to become one of the largest winter festivals in Canada, featuring over two million lights and a wide variety of light displays. The festival features an eight-kilometer route of illuminated trees, buildings, and Niagara landmarks along the Niagara Parkway, Dufferin Islands, and across the Niagara River in Ontario and New York.

One of the highlights of the festival is the illumination of the Niagara Falls, which is done every night during the festival. The falls are lit up in different colors, creating a spectacular display that can be seen from various viewing points around the Niagara Parks.

Over the years, the festival has added new features and events to keep the visitors engaged, such as ice skating, horse-drawn carriage rides, live music performances, and fireworks shows, which are now some of the most popular events during the festival.

The Niagara Winter Festival of Lights has become a popular winter attraction and draws visitors from all over the world. It is a celebration of the natural beauty of Niagara Falls and an opportunity for visitors to experience the falls in a different light.

How is the festival going?

The festival begins with a closing ceremony at Queen Victoria Park. In addition to lighting installations, you can also enjoy firework shows. Your evenings will also be magical with nightly Falls illumination. Other events are organized throughout the period, such as the Sparkle Lighting Awards and the Niagara Falls New Year’s Eve Concert.

Many buildings, whether commercial or business, are encouraged to decorate their facades, turning every corner of the city into a Christmas fairy tale. Sparkle Lighting Awards are given to buildings with the best and most creative decoration.

Where are the light decorations placed?

The Niagara Winter Festival of Lights features an eight-kilometer route of illuminated trees, buildings, and Niagara landmarks along the Niagara Parkway, Dufferin Islands, and across the Niagara River in Ontario and New York. The festival takes place in several locations throughout Niagara Falls, including:

1. Niagara Parks: The Niagara Parks Commission is one of the main partners of the festival and features a number of light displays throughout its property, including illuminated gardens, buildings, and landmarks.

2. Dufferin Islands: This small park located on the Niagara River features a number of light displays and is a popular spot for visitors during the festival.

3. Niagara River: The Niagara River is also a key location for the festival, with a number of light displays and illuminations placed along the river’s edge.

4. Clifton Hill: This is a popular tourist district in Niagara Falls and features a number of light displays and illuminations, as well as a variety of shops, restaurants and attractions.

5. Niagara Falls Illumination: One of the highlights of the festival is the illumination of the Niagara Falls, which is done every night during the festival. The falls are lit up in different colors, creating a spectacular display that can be seen from various viewing points around the Niagara Parks.

The festival also includes a number of other events and activities, such as ice skating, horse-drawn carriage rides, live music performances, and fireworks shows. Visitors can also enjoy a variety of food and drink options, including outdoor food trucks and warming stations.

An addition to the decorations is the laser show over Clifton Hill. It takes place in the evenings and lasts about 15 minutes.

The lights placed around Niagara Falls are powered by the Ontario Power Generation.

There is no fee for visiting the festival. It is funded by donations collected during the holidays.