Professional Development days present a rare chance to break from routine and create shared experiences that are equal parts enriching and fun. On Friday, January 16th, 2026, Niagara Falls delivers a thoughtfully curated day of family-friendly activities, blending city-run PD Day programs, seasonal events, indoor entertainment hubs, and Clifton Hill attractions designed to keep energy levels high and curiosity active. Whether you’re local to the Niagara Region or visiting for the day, this PD Day itinerary reflects the city’s commitment to meaningful experiences that resonate with families.
- City-Run PD Day Programming for Families
- MacBain Community Centre
- Niagara Falls Exchange: Club Rex
- Gale Centre Arena Skating
- Niagara Falls Public Libraries
- Clifton Hill: The Heart of Indoor Entertainment
- Seasonal Experiences Enhancing the PD Day
- Niagara Icewine Festival (January 16–February 1, 2026)
- Hot Chocolate Trail (through February 1, 2026)
- Cyclamen Display at the Floral Showhouse (January 10–March 1, 2026)
- Niagara Falls Illumination (Ongoing)
- Live Entertainment to Cap the Day
- Planning Tips for Families
City-Run PD Day Programming for Families
Niagara Falls organizes a wide range of school holiday activities at community venues, making it easy to build a structured yet flexible day.
MacBain Community Centre
The MacBain Community Centre (7150 Montrose Road) hosts a series of creative and active PD Day options:
- PA Day Play Dough Fun: Learn to make and shape play dough, with all materials provided. Parent supervision is required, and advance registration is available through ActiveNet.
- Open Swim: Leisure pool available from 8:00 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.; lane pool with slide in the evening. Prices are family-friendly and include a free option for children under four.
- Sports & Play: All-ages basketball, pickleball, and ping pong sessions throughout the afternoon and evening.
- Indoor Play Structure: Open most of the day for ages 4–12.
Niagara Falls Exchange: Club Rex
At the Niagara Falls Exchange, dinosaur enthusiasts can attend Club Rex, an interactive presentation that explores the prehistoric past with genuine artifacts and engaging storytelling. Two presentations (11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.) offer a fun way to kick off scientific curiosity, and museum galleries and scavenger hunts extend the experience.
Gale Centre Arena Skating
Stay active with public skating (11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.) and Youth Stick & Puck (12:45 p.m.–2:00 p.m.) at the Gale Centre Arena (5152 Thorold Stone Road), ideal for families who enjoy winter sports and group activity.
Niagara Falls Public Libraries
Local libraries (Chippawa, Community Centre, Stamford Centre, and Victoria Avenue) host board games, crafts, obstacle challenges, and scavenger hunts from 10:00 a.m. All activities are free and open to families, encouraging fun and connection in a relaxed setting.
Clifton Hill: The Heart of Indoor Entertainment
For families seeking continuous, indoor entertainment, Clifton Hill stands as Niagara Falls’ most concentrated hub of activity. Located just minutes from the Falls themselves, this entertainment district provides climate-controlled fun spanning skill games, immersive exhibits, visual spectacle, and social play.
Arcade and Play Zones
- Midway Arcade: A classic game-play environment featuring skill games, ticket games, and interactive screens that entertain across age groups.
- Strike Game Zone: Bowling lanes paired with electronic games and lounges offer both structured activity and casual play.
Clifton Hill Attractions That Extend the Day
- SkyWheel: Ride in fully enclosed gondolas for sweeping perspectives of the Falls and winter landscape. This experience bridges indoor comfort with outdoor viewing without exposure to cold.
- Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Odditorium: More than a museum, this interactive exhibit blends curiosity, history, and entertainment, encouraging observation and discussion around extraordinary objects and stories.
- Movieland Wax Museum: Life-size figures and themed rooms provide a narrative-rich experience that appeals to curious minds and pop culture fans alike.
- Wizard’s Golf Mini Putt: Indoor mini-golf with whimsical themes and glow-in-the-dark elements offers an engaging shared activity that bridges generations.
These Clifton Hill destinations act like a constellation of entertainment nodes that can be explored individually or woven together into a seamless day.
Seasonal Experiences Enhancing the PD Day
January makes Niagara Falls a distinctive winter destination, and several seasonal events enrich the PD Day atmosphere:
Niagara Icewine Festival (January 16–February 1, 2026)
This signature winter festival highlights regional food and cultural experiences. While wine tastings are designed for adults, many venues integrate live music and walkable village environments that families can enjoy earlier in the day.
Hot Chocolate Trail (through February 1, 2026)
A self-guided tour of creative hot chocolate offerings across Niagara helps families turn a simple treat into a city-wide discovery. Participating cafés and shops make this a cozy indoor-to-indoor experience that pairs perfectly with Clifton Hill stops.
Cyclamen Display at the Floral Showhouse (January 10–March 1, 2026)
The Niagara Parks Floral Showhouse presents vibrant cyclamen in full winter bloom, creating a sensory retreat that introduces children to horticulture and plant life cycles in a warm indoor environment.
Niagara Falls Illumination (Ongoing)
As day fades, the Niagara Falls Illumination paints the American and Horseshoe Falls in evolving hues, creating a visual anchor for the evening and a beautiful backdrop for family photos.
Live Entertainment to Cap the Day
Niagara Falls’ entertainment calendar enhances the PD Day:
Tom Cochrane LIVE in Niagara on January 16, 2026, brings iconic Canadian rock to the stage, offering an evening cultural highlight that appeals to multi-generational families.
Wild Magic by Greg Frewin (featuring Greg and Alexandra) brings illusion and theatrical spectacle that extends the sense of discovery well into the night.
Planning Tips for Families
Niagara Falls is designed for straightforward navigation on PD Days:
- Advance ticketing for seasonal events and Clifton Hill attractions saves time.
- Park once, explore everywhere by focusing movement within the Clifton Hill and Fallsview areas.
- Layered clothing and waterproof footwear enhance comfort near the Falls and outdoor viewing areas.
From morning swim and play to evening illumination and live entertainment, Friday, January 16th, 2026 showcases Niagara Falls as a destination where ease, creativity, and activity combine. Families can rely on structured programs, immersive entertainment, and thoughtful seasonal offerings to create a PD Day that feels complete, engaging, and memorable.