Niagara Falls Winter Festival of Lights 2023-24

THE NIAGARA FALLS WINTER FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS OPENS SATURDAY NOVEMBER 18^th

For 41 years the Niagara Falls Winter Festival of Lights has dazzled visitors to Niagara Falls and this year will be even more exciting, with 51 nights of twinkling lights & 26 nights of spectacular fireworks. With the help of this year’s Shine Sponsor, Ontario Lotto & Gaming Corporation (OLG), over 3 million lights are set to illuminate various tourist districts around Niagara Falls with a focus along the Niagara Parkway & Dufferin Islands. Learn more here.

FESTIVITES BY THE FALLS HOSTED BY NIAGARA PARKS 

Queen Victoria Park will play host to a free outdoor celebration on Saturday November 18^th, as it is transformed into an illuminated winter wonderland. Visitors will be able to explore the amazing interactive light displays while DJ Nicolas Picholas provides a musical backdrop starting at 6 p.m. A special performance by Circus Orange will take place at 7:30 p.m. with a display of spectacular gravity-defying acts. All of this leading up to a fireworks spectacular set to go at 8 p.m, to complement the Sparkling Falls Illumination.

26 NIGHTS OF DAZZLING FIREWORKS

In addition to the opening night fireworks display, 24 nights throughout the festival will feature a 5-minute show, while New Year’s Eve will be 9 minutes of wonder at midnight.

SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO THE FALLS

Even Santa wants to keep coming back to see the wonder of Niagara Falls, but this time he will be spending it to help families capture lasting memories. FREE photos with Santa will be taking place on select weekends from 6-8 p.m. at the Floral Showhouse compliments of Ontario Power Generation. The full schedule of Santa photos can be found here.

MEET THE MISTY KIDS

Flurry, Flake, Crystal Bunny, Cool Cat & Chilly Dog, also known as the Misty Kids are back to greet and delight visitors brought to you by Cogeco. Each weekend and throughout the week of the Christmas Holiday the Misty Kids will be in the Floral Showhouse to meet guests and take photos. Kids will also have the chance to show off their art skills with a Misty Kids colouring contest, the winner will have an opportunity to win a surprise prize pack. Entries can be submitted via digital photo or dropped off at the Floral Showhouse until January 7^th. For full entry details and downloadable colouring sheets, visit wfol.com

Volunteer opportunities are still available at wfol.com

NIAGARA FALLS HOT CHOCOLATE TRAIL WILL DELIGHT AGAIN THIS YEAR

Warm up this winter season with a hot beverage while exploring the Niagara Falls Winter Festival of Lights. This self-guided trail will lead you to delicious stops of chocolatey concoctions created by chocolatiers, chefs and mixologists at some of the area’s excellent restaurants and bake shops across Niagara Falls. From classic combinations with mint, orange and s’mores to inventive cocktails like a Dulce De Leche or Naughty But Nice Hot Chocolate featuring unique homemade ingredients. The Hot Chocolate Trail will have 22 stops with 36 unique and delicious flavours to sip and savour (both non-alcoholic and alcoholic options).

Pick your favourites and plan your route here

Niagara Falls Winter Festival of Lights (WFOL) continues to shine brightly. The Tourism Industry Association of Ontario has named the Niagara Falls Winter Festival of Lights as the Tourism Event of the Year for last year.

The Niagara Falls Winter Festival of Lights is presented by Niagara Falls Tourism with funding support provided by the Government of Ontario, Tourism Partnership of Niagara, Ontario Lottery & Gaming Corporation, the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission, Ontario Power Generation and Cogeco. Host locations for the illumination displays include Niagara Parks, Lundy’s Lane BIA, Fallsview BIA and Victoria Centre BIA.

Learn more about the Niagara Falls Winter Festival of Lights here.

GETTING TO NIAGARA FALLS FROM TORONTO

TRAIN 

• GO Transit – 3 daily trips

• Save with GO / WEGO combo tickets starting at $25/person 
• Kids 12 and under ride free on all GO Trains; children 3-12 pay $8 for the Niagara transportation portion 
• $62.50/group including tax (up to 5 people, max 2 adults 18+ per group). 
• Tickets include round-trip GO Train ride from Union Station to Niagara Falls and Niagara WEGO shuttle bus service throughout the Falls.

BUS 

• Megabus – Union Station to Niagara Falls $20 each way approximately

• Flixbus – Harbourfront to Niagara Falls $16-18 each way approximately

CAR 

• Niagara Air Bus – private shuttle approximately $220 from Pearson or $250 from Union Station

Transportation within Niagara Falls 

• WEGO ***If you purchase the Niagara Parks Adventure Pass it includes 2 days of transportation. Added value! More information about getting to Niagara Falls here

Other articles from totimes.ca – otttimes.ca – mtltimes.ca