Best Things To Do in Niagara Falls in Winter by a Local Guide
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Are you worried that most of the attractions in Niagara Falls will be closed in the winter?
I have gone to Niagara Falls to visit family around Christmas every year and there’s always fun things to do! You will need to bring good winter clothes, preferably water resistant, but it’s still worth the trip. Come explore this winter wonderland with ice dripping off every surface and sparkling Christmas lights on every tree.
Things To Do in Niagara Falls in Winter
Niagara Falls sees over 9 million visitors per year, but most of them come in the summer. This might be because people don’t have the vacation time, or they simply want to avoid Canada’s harsh winter, but I think people who don’t get to visit Niagara Falls in the winter are missing out.
Visiting Niagara Falls in the winter is a magical experience with fewer crowds and lots of things to do and see! So let’s get into it!
1. Get Lit Up by the Festival of Lights
From mid-November to early January the Niagara Falls Illumination Board, who are responsible for lighting up the Falls year-round, produce the largest outdoor light festival in Canada.
What’s even better? It’s FREE for the public!
Niagara Parks maintains much of the land surrounding the Falls (on the Canadian side) as parkland for the public to enjoy. But during the festival of lights, the parks are filled with twinkling light displays. Most displays are oriented around Christmas, Canada, our nature and wildlife.
Remember
It gets dark around 4:30 pm in December in Niagara Falls.
The real trees get decorated with lights too! You’ll be amazed how many lights are in the trees, but there’s a trick to all this work! I’ll share the secret with you. Many of the Christmas lights are left on the trees all year, just not plugged in!
While there are many lights along the parkway, I’d say the main event is at Dufferin Islands. Drive your car along the one-way loop through the park to see beautiful light displays on the islands. Donations are collected at the end of the loop and traffic is heavily controlled due to it being a very popular attraction.
So, plan to visit the Falls in the evening and give yourself extra time to enjoy the lights.
2. Fireworks
In the summer, fireworks are set off above the Falls every night at 10pm. But in the winter, they are at 8pm only on certain days.
Here is the schedule for 2024/2025:
November 16 – December 21: only Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm
December 27 – January 5: Every night at 8pm
*except for an additional show at midnight on NewYear’s Eve
So, plan your evening of walking around the light displays on the Parkway ending with a 5-minute fireworks show at 8pm if you’re there on the right day.
Pro Tip
The fireworks go off just above the American Falls, so I recommend standing along the railing anywhere between the Zip-line and the Table Rock Centre. If you are much further back, there is a chance the trees will block your view.
3. Journey Behind the Falls
This is a classic attraction at Niagara Falls any time of year, and thankfully, it is open in the winter. But this is where you will want your warm layers.
This is one of the most thrilling and intimate experiences with Niagara Falls that you can have. You go down an elevator into tunnels carved behind the Horseshoe Falls and explore a viewing platform to the side of the Falls. This is a fantastic spot for pictures!
I love how strongly you can feel the rumble and power of the Falls when you are in the tunnels. But they can be slippery, despite the salt keeping the ice away.
To enter Journey Behind the Falls, you will go to the Table Rock Centre to purchase your tickets there. Once you have your ticket, or if you got it online in advance, then follow the signs into the attraction.
♿ If you have mobility issues, please tell the Niagara Parks staff and they will help you to the elevator that doesn’t require stairs.
4. Icewine Festival
The Niagara region – particularly down by Niagara-on-the-Lake – is world-famous for its icewine. This super sweet dessert wine is only made when the grapes are harvested frozen and have a very high natural sugar content.
In celebration of the harvest and our frosty climate that brings us icewine, Niagara hosts the Icewine Festival through the month of January.
You can’t find an event like this anywhere else on the planet.
One of the main events are the festival weekends in Niagara-on-the-Lake. The town shuts down the iconic Queen Street and transforms it into a pedestrian-only icewine wonderland. Wander past the ice sculptures with your glass in hand to try more icewine and food pairings at the next booth.
Another super cool event is the Cool As Ice Gala held in the grand Niagara Parks Power Station. Feel like getting dressed up for a night of the best local food and drink? This is the event of the season!
If you are in the area for a while, I would also recommend getting one of the Discover Passes. The pass will grant you access to various tastings at up to 6 unique wineries in the region. They even offer designated driver passes with non-alcoholic options and a new shuttle bus service.
Note: You must be 19 or older to drink alcohol in Ontario.
5. Winter Wineries
If you’re not in Niagara in time for the Icewine Festival, you can still taste the famous dessert wine and explore the local wineries anyway!
Many wineries have lovely restaurants as well as wine tasting rooms that are open year round.
Trius Winery has a particularly nice restaurant focussed on serving local food with their wine. They have a few tour and tasting options including the Trius Tour and a seated tasting experience.
I also recommend checking out Konzelmann Estate’s outdoor seasonal wine flight and pairing board. For spring, summer, fall, and even winter, they change the food and wine pairing to reflect the themes of the season. In the summer it was BBQ and local peaches. In the autumn, it was Oktoberfest.
I love that they’re always doing something fresh so even locals can keep coming back for a different experience.
This is an outdoor activity however, so dress appropriately and bring warm layers. Just check-in at the main counter in the lobby and they’ll send you out to the patio with picnic tables and lounge chairs. Temporary walls provide cover from most of the wind, but I wont say it’ll be warm. Welcome to Canada!
Note: You must be 19 or older to drink alcohol in Ontario.
6. Hot Chocolate Trail
If you want a fun way to explore Niagara Falls, enjoy the journey on the Hot Chocolate Trail. This list of participating restaurants, hotels and attractions will be expecting you and eager to show off their specialty hot chocolates.
Some are alcoholic, some are not, but all are incredibly delicious. From an Oreo mint hot chocolate to a Cocoa Cupcake Delight Hot Chocolate, there’s something new for everyone.
There are participating locations on Clifton Hill and close to the parkway, so whenever you’re done marvelling at the Festival of Lights displays, go find your first cup of hot chocolate to warm up.
7. Floral Showhouse – Poinsettia Show
This historic green house is an affordable attraction that shows off the hard work of the horticulturalists year-round. They change out the displays seasonally and over Christmas, they always do a fantastic poinsettia show.
What a great way to get into the Christmas spirit than surrounding yourself with bright-red poinsettias while also getting out of the cold and into a lovely, warm greenhouse.
8. Niagara SkyWheel
The SkyWheel is a ferris wheel located just off of Clifton Hill with enclosed, heated gondolas. It takes you up for a great view of Niagara Falls. It runs all year long and is open from about noon to midnight, or 2am on weekends.
Tickets are approximately $15 CAD + tax and you can get them there or buy the Clifton Hill Fun Pass. This pass gets you tickets to the SkyWheel as well as into a number of other attractions on Clifton Hill, like the Movieland Wax Museum and the Dinosaur Adventure Golf.
9. Skylon Tower
Skylon Tower was built in the 1960’s with an arcade in the base of the tower, yellow elevators on the outside of the tower and three levels at the top of the tower: the observation deck, the buffet restaurant, and the revolving dining room.
You get amazing views of the Falls from any of the upper levels, but most people come for a quick visit to the observation deck. The deck has an indoor hallway and a caged-in balcony that can get windy, so dress for the weather.
As a tour guide, I have brought many groups to Skylon Tower, and most would agree when I say, seeing the view is fantastic. But if the line is long, the wait time might not be worth it.
I’m warning you so you can make the best call for you. If there are a couple big busses in the parking lot and the elevator line is to the doors, the wait could be up to an hour. Most of the time, the wait is about 10-20 minutes. Or there could be no line.
The wait is due to the elevators only being able to take so many at a time. It gets really bad if one of the elevators is down for maintenance.
If you go for food at Skylon, it’s best to make a reservation, then check in at the front desk before heading to the elevator. Some people get really dressed up to go to the revolving dining room, but you don’t have to.
♿ It is partially wheelchair accessible. The observation deck has a balcony that is not accessible but the interior is fine. The restaurants are accessible.
10. Butterfly Conservatory
Want to escape from the Canadian winter to a tropical oasis for a little bit? Then head on over to the Butterfly Conservatory locate within the Botanical Gardens on the Niagara Parkway.
This architectural statement piece is nestled gracefully within the grounds of the Botanical Gardens (which are worth a visit themselves). The glass greenhouse immerses visitors in the world of butterflies—warm, slightly humid, and teeming with plants.
As you step into this butterfly paradise, around 2,000 butterflies from about 40 different species will greet you. Many of them were raised in the butterfly nursery behind the conservatory, while others arrived in cocoons from butterfly farms around the world.
Do check out my full guide to visiting the Butterfly Conservatory where I go into much greater detail and directions.
11. Bird Kingdom
If you like exotic birds, the Bird Kingdom is another warm spot to explore. I went in February and it was so nice to get out of the cold and see some of the birds I got to see in South Africa.
Getting to the start of the walkway was a little confusing, as it takes you through the Old Museum, which is the historical part of the building that was a museum before the aviary.
But once you get into the main aviary, a floating walkway winds its way down and around the multi-story room.
Along the way you’ll get to see their many varieties of birds, but also, surprisingly, an authentic and rare Javanese House from the 1800s. The theme of the aviary is a kind of “search for the lost kingdom” idea, through a jungle environment, so maybe the Javanese House was brought in to enhance the exotic experience.
The Javanese House it is now set up as a museum with informational panels to read before you continue on your way through the aviary.
♿ It is wheelchair accessible, but you may have to ask for assistance.
12. Niagara Parks Power Station
One of the newest attractions for the Niagara Parks is their Power Station. This impressive building was built as the Canadian Niagara Power Generating Station using the water from the river and the drop in elevation from the Falls to create some of the world’s first hydroelectricity.
Construction began in the late 1800’s and continued until the 1920’s, but the first power was being generated around 1905. The hard work, engineering, and craftsmanship that went into building this power generating station is what makes this building so special.
Come appreciate it for yourself! There’s a bonus too!
When you buy an entry ticket, you also get access to “The Tunnel”. This tunnel was how the water from the power plant exited the station after being used to generate power. What once saw thousands of gallons of water gushing back to the river is now a silent walkway for us to go visit the Falls. At the end of the Tunnel they have built an observation deck, giving you a great view of the Falls from below (similar to Journey Behind the Fall’s platform).
There are three decommissioned hydro power plants of this era on the Niagara River, but this is the only one open to the public. Don’t miss the chance to appreciate the generations who came before us and their legacy in pushing Canada and the world closer to a greener future.
13. Zipline Adventure
One of the most exhilarating things to do in Niagara Falls in winter is experiencing the breathtaking views from the Niagara Falls Zipline. Imagine gliding effortlessly in front of the majestic American Falls, with the iconic Horseshoe Falls looming ahead.
This is the only zipline in the area, located on the Canadian side of the river, it is a safe and thrilling ride that does not cross over to the USA, of course.
Ideal for adventurers aged seven and up, this zipline offers a secure and unforgettable experience. You’ll find it nestled at the base of Clifton Hill in the Grandview Marketplace, conveniently situated above Niagara City Cruises (formerly known as Maid of the Mist/Hornblower).
While you’re there, take advantage of the gift shop and eatery, not to mention the free viewing platforms that offer stunning vistas of the Falls.
Ziplining at Niagara Falls is not just a unique thing to do in winter; it’s an adventure you won’t want to miss!
Where to Stay
Just in case you need some ideas for hotels in Niagara Falls, here are my top picks. Not only have I been to these hotels, but I also base my recommendations on the many, many honest reviews I got from asking my tour groups when I was tour guiding in Niagara Falls.
➡️ The Marriott Fallsview Hotel & Spa
The Marriott has 2 hotels on the same street: Marriott Fallsview Hotel & Spa, and Marriott on the Falls. Both are great, but I love that you can elevate your experience and treat yourself to a spa experience at Marriott Fallsview.
The views of Niagara Falls from your room or suite are phenomenal – you can’t get any better. You will even be able to watch the lights on the Falls every night or the fireworks from the comfort of your own room. The location is central to many restaurants, attractions, and public transit. This is a classic and highly recommended place to stay in Niagara Falls.
➡️ Grandview Boutique Hotel
This gorgeous, historical hotel established in 1891 will immerse you in the culture and heritage of Niagara Falls with elegance. Enjoy a superb complimentary breakfast after waking up in your beautifully updated, yet unique room. Rooms on the upper levels have balconies overlooking the Niagara Gorge.
The hotel is located just beyond the tourism centre of Niagara Falls, giving it a calmer, serene atmosphere while still being within walking distance of the main attractions and easy access to the WEGO bus system.
FAQs
As a tour guide in Niagara Falls, I got asked lots of questions. Let me answer a few for you.
Do the Niagara Falls ever freeze?
No, the Falls never freeze solid. If it’s a cold winter, a lot of ice will build up in front of the Falls to make it look like it is frozen, while it is still flowing underneath.
What are typical Niagara Falls winter temperatures?
The average winter temperature daily highs and lows are as follows:
December: 2°C to -5°C
January: -1° C to -8°C
February: 0°C to -8°C
Note: If there is a cold snap (like a heat wave, but cold), temperatures could drop to the -20°Cs or even -30°Cs. Always check the weather and dress appropriately.
Is it worth going to Niagara Falls in winter?
Yup! Do you want a real Canadian experience! Then embrace the winter! That’s what Canada is famous for and there are lots of attractions and things to see and do all winter long. In fact, seeing the Festival of Lights is something you can only do in the winter.
Just remember, any winter hardship you encounter, like lots of snow, will just give you even more exciting stories to tell later!
What do you wear to Niagara Falls in the winter?
Anything warm. Dress appropriately for the weather. Lots of people like to bring out their cute wool trench coats for those perfect instagram photos, which, yes, will look great, but are not waterproof.
The Falls creates a lot of mist that freezes onto everything it touches. So even if it’s not raining or snowing, consider wearing a proper winter coat so you stay warm and dry throughout your adventures.
Is Clifton Hill open in the winter?
Yes, Clifton Hill is open year-round. This is a specific road lined with amusements and attractions, often great for kids.
Wrap Up
I hope you do get the chance to visit Niagara Falls in the winter, particularity from mid-November til early January when the Festival of Lights is on. Don’t forget to experience the SkyWheel for panoramic views, wander through the enchanting Butterfly Conservatory, and take the Journey Behind the Falls.
The Icewine Festival in Niagara-on-the-Lake is a must for wine lovers, while the Hot Chocolate Trail offers a sweet indulgence perfect for the season. And don’t forget to visit the Niagara Parks Power Station for a fascinating glimpse into the region’s hydroelectric history.
With so many incredible attractions and things to do, your winter getaway to Niagara Falls is sure to be an unforgettable Canadian adventure!
