For 35 years, the Ontario Power Generation Winter Festival of Lights has been lighting up Niagara Falls for the holidays, attracting millions of visitors annually from mid-November to the end of January. The falls are transformed with millions of sparkling lights into an astonishing seasonal experience that isn’t to be missed.
Credit Winter Festival of Lights
The festival has evolved significantly in recent years, with an extension on the now eight-kilometre long Illumination Route to accommodate new displays. In addition to new lights, new events and innovative light shows have been added to the Festival. In all, the festival features over two million lights, and the festival’s illumination route travels through the Niagara Parks, past the roaring falls, into Dufferin Islands and surrounding tourist areas. The route is best seen by car, but there are plenty of spots that are ideal for leisurely pit stops (and maybe a few selfies). Don’t miss the Zimmerman Fountain with its sparkling white lights, the illuminated Skylon Tower, the light show on the century-old Toronto Power Generating Station and the many Canadian-themed displays and trees wrapped in thousands of lights in the Dufferin Islands nature area.
Niagara Falls Winter Festival of Lights Credit Chris Empey
This year’s event will see weekly fireworks (snag a spot at the Table Rock Complex near the brink of the falls for the best viewing), a New Year’s Eve concert and much more. Don’t miss the Opening Ceremonies at Niagara Parks’ Queen Victoria Park, taking place on November 18. This family-friendly event will feature a fire and lightning performance, with mythical characters bringing to life the elemental forces of nature.
While the festival and events are free, donations are appreciated (they suggest $5 – $10 per car; coach bus’s $1 per passenger). All proceeds go to enhancing the lights and displays.
