Niagara doesn’t shy away from winter—it seems built for it. Once December settles in, a cool shimmer hangs in the air and the mist from the Falls hardens into tiny crystals that cling to railings, branches, and anyone who lingers long enough to notice. The whole region leans into the season. Old town squares throw a warm glow from their lanterns, theatres dust off holiday scores, and cafés dream up hot drinks piled high with cinnamon foam that somehow taste better when your hands are cold. Little moments have a way of sticking with you here. Couples take their time beneath iron archways, and even seasoned road-trippers pause, realizing they’re not in a hurry for once.
- Niagara Falls Winter Festival of Lights
- Niagara Falls Fireworks
- Safari Lights
- Poinsettia Show at the Floral Showhouse
- Fallsview Casino’s Christmas On Ice
- Christmas With Jersey Nights
- A Very Sinatra Christmas with Matt Dusk
- Hot Chocolate Trail: Naughty or Nice
- Garrison Christmas at Fort George
- Christmas with Johnny Reid
- Arkells: Sleigh the Night
- A Christmas Carol at the Royal George Theatre
- Rat Pack Holiday Show: Tribute to Frank, Dean & Sammy
- Grimsby Fantasy Of Trees
- Niagara Falls Comic Con: Holiday Edition
- The Ultimate Christmas Village in Niagara-on-the-Lake
- Other Amazing Christmas Activities
- Give the Gift of Fun, Get Fun Passes at Costco!
- FAQ: Christmas in Niagara
- Final Thoughts
This year’s Christmas lineup feels especially full. Big light shows, time-honoured festivities, musicals that could hold their own on a major stage, and concerts featuring names people will recognize are scattered across the calendar. Wander through gardens lit like a winter fairytale, duck into a performance, warm up with something sweet in a mug, then move on to whatever calls your name next. In Niagara, the season doesn’t pass you by. It wraps itself around you and insists you take part.
Niagara Falls Winter Festival of Lights
November 15, 2025 – January 4, 2026
The Niagara Winter Festival of Lights tradition illuminates the Niagara Parkway, Queen Victoria Park, Dufferin Islands, Clifton Hill, Fallsview Boulevard, and Lundy’s Lane with dreamlike installations. Spanning more than eight kilometres, the route features animated displays, colour-drenched trees, and themed scenes that invite return visits—you’ll likely notice new details each time.
Niagara Falls Fireworks
November 15, 2025 – January 4, 2026
Celebrate the Holidays with Fireworks at Niagara Falls
Few winter sights compare to fireworks bursting over the icy Falls. Weekend shows begin in November, shifting to nightly displays starting Christmas Day through January 4. On New Year’s Eve, two full shows light up the sky at 8:00 PM and midnight, their colours shimmering across the frosty mist.
| Date Range | Show Days | Show Times | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 15 – Dec 20 | Fridays & Saturdays only | 8:00 PM | ~5 minutes |
| Dec 25 – Jan 4 | Nightly | 8:00 PM | ~5 minutes |
| New Year’s Eve (Dec 31st) | Special Schedule | 8:00 PM and Midnight | ~9 minutes each |
Safari Lights
November 21 – December 30, 2025
Safari Niagara transforms into a glowing drive-through spectacle, with more than a million lights tracing a three-kilometre route. Families enjoy the parade of holiday figures from the warmth of their cars, accompanied by seasonal music and plenty of wide-eyed wonder from the back seat.
Location: Safari Niagara 2821 Stevensville Rd, Fort Erie, ON L0S 1S0
Poinsettia Show at the Floral Showhouse
November 15, 2025 – January 4, 2026
A holiday tradition for over sixty years, the Floral Showhouse blooms with more than 1,400 poinsettias, orchids, cyclamen, azaleas, and tropical flowers arranged in artful, immersive displays. It’s a lush indoor retreat when the winter air grows brisk.
Location: Floral Showhouse 7145 Niagara River Pkwy, Niagara Falls, ON L2E 6X8
Fallsview Casino’s Christmas On Ice
November 27 – December 17, 2025
Step into a world of glamour and glitter with this lavish ice-skating spectacular at the Avalon Theatre. You’ll be dazzled by vibrant costumes, dynamic choreography, and all your favorite holiday tunes performed with incredible style.
Location: Avalon Theatre at Fallsview Casino, 6380 Stanley Avenue, Niagara Falls, ON.
Christmas With Jersey Nights
December 4, 2025
Get ready for a high-energy musical tribute at the Greg Frewin Theatre, featuring the unforgettable harmonies of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons—blended seamlessly with holiday spirit.
Location: Greg Frewin Theatre: 5781 Ellen Ave, Niagara Falls, ON L2G 3P8
A Very Sinatra Christmas with Matt Dusk
December 20, 2025
Matt Dusk brings timeless class to the OLG Stage at Fallsview Casino, capturing the smooth charm of Sinatra himself. Enjoy brass-backed swing classics and festive favorites in a show that’s pure elegance.
Location: OLG Stage at Fallsview Casino, 6366 Stanley Avenue, Niagara Falls, ON.
Hot Chocolate Trail: Naughty or Nice
November 28, 2025 – February 1, 2026
Explore over 30 local spots serving more than 50 unique takes on hot chocolate. Choose from family-friendly creations loaded with marshmallows to spirited grown-up versions that feel like dessert. Take your time wandering—every stop is a delicious reward.
Check out the Hot Chocolate Trail
Garrison Christmas at Fort George
December 13–14, 2025
Journey back two centuries at Fort George, where you’ll discover how the holidays were celebrated long before tinsel or electric lights. Experience musket drills, try your hand at wreath-making, and listen to stories told in period costume—an authentic window into winters past.
Location: Fort George at 51 Queens Parade Niagara-on-the-Lake ON L0S 1J0
Christmas with Johnny Reid
December 3, 2025
Johnny Reid returns to the OLG Stage for an evening of soulful melodies and personal storytelling. Blending his own beloved songs with timeless holiday classics, Reid creates a performance that feels both uplifting and deeply heartfelt.
Location: OLG Stage at Fallsview Casino, 6366 Stanley Avenue, Niagara Falls, ON.
Arkells: Sleigh the Night
December 18, 2025
Get ready for a high-energy, all-ages holiday show with the Arkells! Expect plenty of singalongs, festive surprises, and the kind of joyous, infectious fun that has become their trademark.
Location: OLG Stage at Fallsview Casino, 6366 Stanley Avenue, Niagara Falls, ON.
A Christmas Carol at the Royal George Theatre
November 1 – December 21, 2025
The Shaw Festival’s touching production of Dickens’ classic comes to life on the intimate stage of Niagara-on-the-Lake’s Royal George Theatre—a beautiful retelling of this timeless story.
Location: Shaw Festival Theatre: 10 Queen’s Parade, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON L0S 1J0
Learn more about A Christmas Carol
Rat Pack Holiday Show: Tribute to Frank, Dean & Sammy
December 12 & 13, 2025
Crooners channel the cool of Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr. at Seneca Niagara. It’s a night of smooth vocals and nostalgic style in a sophisticated lounge atmosphere.
Location: Bear’s Den Showroom at Seneca Niagara Casino 310 4th St, Niagara Falls, NY 14303, United States
Grimsby Fantasy Of Trees
November 27 – December 7, 2025
The Grimsby Museum transforms into a winter wonderland of beautifully decorated trees and wreaths. Get inspired for the holidays while supporting community causes—all in a festive, free-admission setting.
Location: Grimsby Museum 6 Murray Street, Grimsby ON L3M 3N7
Niagara Falls Comic Con: Holiday Edition
December 6, 2025
This festive twist on Comic Con brings cosplay, gaming, celebrity guests, and pop-culture fun to the Niagara Falls Convention Centre. Explore over 200,000 square feet of activities for a playful seasonal escape.
Location: Niagara Falls Convention Centre, 6815 Stanley Ave, ON (5 minutes from Clifton Hill)
The Ultimate Christmas Village in Niagara-on-the-Lake
November 1 – December 21, 2025
Meander through a scene straight from a storybook—complete with horse-drawn carriages, beautifully decorated old-world shops, carolers wandering the streets, and decorations inspired by classic tales. A dream setting for shoppers and romantics alike.
Other Amazing Christmas Activities
WFOL Laser Show
November 15, 2025 – January 4, 2026
Meet the Misty Kids at Misty Lodge
November 15, 2025 – December 20, 2025
Give the Gift of Fun, Get Fun Passes at Costco!
Holiday shoppers can find exclusive pricing on the Clifton Hill Fun Pass at Costco Warehouses. They make exceptional stocking stuffers and include admission to some of Niagara’s most exciting attractions.
FAQ: Christmas in Niagara
Is Niagara Falls a good place to visit during Christmas?
Yes. The season features light festivals, concerts, theatre, and family attractions spread across the region.
Is the Winter Festival of Lights free?
It is. The event covers several districts and welcomes millions of annual visitors.
Where can I watch fireworks?
Queen Victoria Park and viewpoints near the Falls offer the strongest sightlines.
Are most events family-friendly?
They are. Niagara’s holiday programming encourages attendance from all age groups.
How should visitors explore during the holidays?
A mix of walking tours, indoor attractions, and theatre outings creates a comfortable, flexible itinerary.
Final Thoughts
Niagara’s Christmas season blends light, music, history, flavour, and spectacle into something that lingers long after the decorations come down. Whether this is your first December visit or another chapter in a growing family tradition, the region offers more reasons than ever to return and celebrate winter in style.