For those looking for an escape this holiday season, look no further than Niagara Parks. While winter is already a magical time to experience the majesty of the Horseshoe, Bridal Veil and American Falls, the area has been transformed into a festive wonderland as part of its free Winter Festival of Lights.
From twinkling lights and colour-filled displays to lush poinsettias and whimsical creatures, Niagara Parks has unveiled an enchanting experience where visitors will be immersed in the warmth of the holiday season — and there is a hot chocolate trail as well to keep you warm.
Here is what is in store for visitors to Niagara Parks in the weeks ahead.
Winter Festival of LightsÌý
Held annually for the last 42 years, this — it runs nightly through to Jan. 5 — sees Niagara Parks transformed by more than three million twinkling lights and 75 unique displays that capture the magic of the season.
Canada’s largest illumination festival, it runs along the Niagara Parkway to Dufferin Islands and features trees wrapped in lights and illuminated displays that include the two-storey tall Zimmerman Fountain, a 12-metre-long light tunnel and even an illuminated castle.
Explore interactive light displays, including a 12-metre long light tunnel, all along the Niagara Parkway overlooking Niagara Falls, running until Jan. 5, 2025.
ContributedKids and kids at heart will enjoying discovering the new interactive installations at this year’s festival. They include Les Diamants by Perséides Studio, which you can spin to make its light patterns change and music play, and Entre les rangs by KANVA Architecture in partnership with Montreal’s Quartier des Spectacles. The latter is comprised of thousands of flexible stems topped with white reflectors that mimic a field of wheat. As you walk through it, sensors cause the stems to merge into a gigantic canvas of changing lights, colours and patterns.
Hot Chocolate Trail
Back this year as part of the festival is the popular . This self-guided trail through the destination of Niagara Falls features more than 20 stops where you will find delicious chocolate concoctions prepared by chocolatiers, chefs and mixologists.
Be sure to stop in and grab a table at or to enjoy Niagara Parks’ featured creation — a special Butter Pecan Hot Chocolate made with Wayne Gretzky’s Butter Pecan Cream Liqueur. A non-alcoholic version is also available.Ìý
Special Falls Illuminations
It’s not only the parks and trees that are being transformed into a tapestry of lights. The Falls themselves will also be illuminated with a themed spectacle of lights during the Festival. Sparkling Winter Lights is a five-minute-long show that plays tribute to winter in the north, from gently falling snowflakes to gusty blizzards and the northern lights. This special display is part of the regular nightly illumination of the American Falls and Horseshoe Falls that takes place throughout the year. The Sparkling Winter Lights show can be seen at 6 p.m., 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. until Jan. 5.
Poinsettias and Whimsical Creatures
The brilliant colours on display during the Winter Festival of Lights are not only found outside, they’re also inside at the with its annual poinsettia display. The classic holiday show features hundreds of meticulously cared for poinsettias, from the traditional red we are familiar with to other unique, eye-catching colours, that transform the space in a festive wonderland.
The Floral Showhouse’s popular Whimsical Creatures outdoor garden exhibit, which includes topiary-like living sculptures meticulously crafted from thousands of plants to look like real and imaginary animals, has also been redecorated for the festival.
Crafted through the horticultural style known as Mosaïculture, thousands of recycled water bottles and lights have been added to the larger-than-life 3D sculptures, taking on a new look for the festival.
The Annual Poinsettia display is now on at the Floral Showhouse through Jan. 5.Ìý
ContributedDuring the Winter Festival of Lights, the has extended its hours and will be open from noon to 8 p.m. for visitors. The poinsettia display and Whimsical Creatures exhibit is included with general admission to the Floral Showhouse.
Not sure where to park to make the most of your visit to Niagara Parks to experience the Winter Festival of Lights? The Falls Parking Lot is located in the heart of Queen Victoria Park, where the interactive light installations are located. There are also parking lots at the Floral Showhouse, Dufferin Islands and Rapidsview Parking Lot.
To make it easy for you to enjoy all the Winter Festival of Lights has to offer, and to make multiple visits to experience it all — or to take in other season events in the year ahead — Ontario residents can consider purchasing a .
Valued at $50, each purchase activates up to two vehicles in the same household and is valid from the time it is purchased in December through to the end of 2025, so you can come back and enjoy Niagara Parks attractions throughout the year.
Learn more about the Winter Festival of Lights at , and the 2025 Parking Pass by visiting .
