We are fortunate to live near (~45 minutes’ drive) one of the world’s natural wonders, Niagara Falls. Read more HERE. In 2012, 2015 and again in 2017, free from doggie houseguests, hubby and I took an overnight getaway there to enjoy the annual Winter Festival of Lights.
Although there were no fireworks (Fridays only until the week before Christmas, then daily), we had a fabulous time exploring the displays.
This was our first visit to the top of the Skylon Tower. It’s much smaller than Toronto’s CN Tower, but the views are still amazing! Enjoy the show.
New for 2017: Icicle lights on some of the larger trees:
This is one of my favourite displays. The flag morphs from Canadian to American:
Dufferin Islands, dancing fountain:
The festive Marriott Fallsview lobby:
This is a video I made from photos of our first Festival visit in 2012:
Last post until New Year’s Eve!
Originally published Dec. 10, 2015.
Updated Dec. 10, 2017 & Dec. 19, 2021
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Dog Mom and (retired) Canine Innkeeper in suburban Toronto, Canada, known as The Doglady. Former corporate workaholic. Writer, photographer, digital creator. Animal lover, music fanatic, inveterate traveller. Eternal hippie/rockchick. History, literature and cinema buff. Hockey and soccer fan. Dedicated night owl. German/Canadian binational, multilingual. Let me entertain you!
73 thoughts on “SPECTACULAR LIGHTFEST AT NIAGARA FALLS”
Magical! I guess it’s hard to find affordable accommodation at this time of year?
Hi Tamara, thanks for checking out my post! 🙂 “Affordable” is relative, but Niagara Falls has no shortage of accommodation and I think you can find some for every price range. Of course, any room labelled “Fallsview” will cost more. Weekdays are cheaper than weekends and it’s best to plan ahead. Also, some people get annoyed about the tourism fee, added to the bottom of your bill. https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/niagara-falls-tourism-fee-marketplace-1.4001972
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How cool! I’ve never been to Niagara Falls, but will visit some day.
I may have missed the changing flag, first time around. That was very cool.
Hi Debbie – the lights must be amazing to see in person … loved the videos. I’ve seen Victoria Falls – but never Niagara – a sight to behold, I’m sure. Enjoy your down time … and all the best for a great festive season – cheers Hilary
I want to see this between Christmas and New Years. They always put on quite a show. Bummer, a couple of pics didn’t show.
Enjoy the tour, Birgit! ? Pictures didn’t show? Try reloading the page.
What a festive and beautiful post, Debbie. Thank you for sharing your stunning videos. Merry Christmas to you and yours, Debbie.
Simply amazing! Such a good job, Debbie!
Thanks, Bianca! 😀 Photography is becoming a real passion, these days.
They are excellent aren’t they? I think one of my favourites were the angels leading from the walkway all the way up to a building near the rose garden. I think there are 5 angels but…oh well, they were pretty. I love the pictures you got which are much better than mine
Hi, Birgit; This was our third time visiting during the Festival of Lights. It never gets old! 🙂 Don’t remember seeing any angels, though. They changed the displays a little bit this year. I was disappointed about the lack of lights on the Skylon Tower. Last time, it was bathed in red and white. The icicles lights are a nice addition, at least.
I think I found the angels, Birgit! 🙂 Check out my video from our first winter trip in 2012, at the 1:16 mark: (I’ll add this to the post as well.)
Wow! This is stunning… I have yet to visit the Niagara Falls so thanks a ton for sharing this wonderful display!
I’m glad you enjoyed the photos, Archana. 🙂 This is a yearly display, from Nov. to end Jan. Thanks for dropping in!
The Falls must be really special this time of year (as though they aren’t all the time!). I was reading the other day about a new lighting system that had been installed there. The Falls always looked beautiful under the old lighting. I’m assuming the new is an even better improvement.
Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out
The Winter Festival of Lights is fabulous, but as you said, Niagara Falls is spectacular any time of year. I’m glad you enjoyed the slideshow, Lee. Thanks for checking it out!
This presentation is mesmerizing, Debbie.
Did I see a Ferris wheel lit up in the city?
I will have to view this again. I know I missed to integral images, first time around.
I’m glad you enjoyed the slideshow, Myke. Yes, that is indeed a ferris wheel, all lit up. 🙂
I’ve never been to Niagara Falls and didn’t realize they had special holiday displays. The prettiest “display” I’ve ever seen was from the restaurant in Seattle’s Space Needle. We went there for dinner many years ago. As the restaurant revolved, the snow fell. It was magic.
Love,
Janie
Janie, Niagara Falls is pretty spectacular any time of year, but the Parks Dept. goes all out from Nov. to Jan. Your view from the Space Needle must have been amazing, too.
That is very cool! I’ve no doubt that Laurie’s sister’s slide show is about as close as I’ll get to Niagara, and those pics really make me want to hit the lotto while I’m still mobile…
I’m glad you enjoyed the slideshow, Chris. 🙂 Here’s hoping you win the lotto! Niagara Falls is worth the trip, any time of year.
I only live 10/15 minutes away and I just watched them last year…how pathetic is that! They are beautiful and the one old building has nights on it and you can tune into a station and listen to the music which the light show coordinates with.
We’re not much better, Birgit! 🙂 Most of our trips to The Falls have been in the summer. Our first winter visit was in 2012. Hubby and I have decided to take a drive over there this weekend, to see if there’s anything new in the light displays. I remember that old building and the radio, too. We were able to pull off to the side of the road and enjoy it.
Ah, I miss home!!!! So much! Thanks for sharing these pics Debbie. Brought back wonderful memories…
<3
Michele at Angels Bark
I’m glad you enjoyed the slideshow, Michele. 🙂 Hopefully, you’ll come back home one of these days and we can meet in person.
I would so love that Debbie! One of these days… For sure! 🙂
When (not if) it happens, watch out, world! 😉
I’ll be doing the BOTB rounds hopefully tonight. Sorry to be so far behind! ♫ “Tis the season to be busy” ♫
I’ve never seen this spectacular light display but have many wonderful memories of Niagra Falls; as a child, a newlywed and a mother.
Niagara Falls is memorable, any time of year. I’m glad you enjoyed the slideshow, Gayle. Thanks for dropping in, 🙂
Wow! You are fortunate! This made my day! Thanks, Debbie! 🙂
https://meinthemiddlewrites.com/
Glad you enjoyed the slideshow, Mary Lou. Your comment made my day. Thanks for dropping in.
Back in January 1970, two friends and I drove to Toronto to see the musical ‘Hair’. We decided to swing by Niagara Falls on the way home. Quite the site in the winter, but it was day when we visited. Lovely pics from your visit.
The Falls are spectacular year round. 🙂 I’m glad you enjoyed the slideshow, Denise. Thanks for coming by and Happy Holidays!
Debbie, fabulous! I hope to see Niagra Falls someday. What an amazing Christmas light display, too! Thanks for sharing to make the season more happy and bright, my friend. 🙂
I’m glad you enjoyed the show, Cathy. 😀 Hopefully, you will be able to see Niagara Falls in person one day. Definitely worth the trip! Thanks for hosting this great link party.
Beautiful photography, Deb!
Thanks, Chi Chi. There’s often a bit of editing needed, especially with night shots, but they did mostly turn out well.
Oh WOW, Debbie! I just loved your slide show. Now, I miss Christmas! 🙁
Thanks, Cathy. 🙂 I kind of miss it too. Niagara Falls does a great job with the Festival every year.
Hi Debbie,
I know you are off for the holidays but I wanted to wish you a good holiday vacation. Hope you are enjoying your break. The Niagra Falls WinterWonderland looks absolutely beautiful. How fun. See you in 2016! : )
Irish
Belated Merry Christmas, Irish! 🙂 Thanks so much for dropping in. Hubby and I are having a nice time with our houseful of doggie boarders. The annual Niagara Falls Festival of Lights gets bigger and better all the time.
Wishing you all the best for 2016.
Those photographs are gorgeous!
Have a lovely Christmas – I’m sure your doggy guests will!
All the best for 2016!
Belated Merry Christmas, Clowie! 🙂 I’m glad you enjoyed the photos. Thanks for stopping by and Happy New Year.
Debbie, enjoy your Christmas break from blogging. I am taking a couple of weeks of beginning Monday and won’t be back until January 4th, but I wanted to stop by to wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas and I pray for God’s blessings upon you in the coming new year, my friend.
Thank you so much, Cathy. Merry Christmas to you and your family as well. 🙂 All the best for 2016.
Merry Christmas! See you in 2016:)
Thanks, Robin. 🙂 Merry Christmas to you and your family. All the best for 2016.
No need to reply. I haven’t been around to visit many for awhile. I just wanted to stop by. A Christmas break is sane to say the least. Happy Holidays from Georgia.
Thanks for dropping in, Ann. So nice to see you again! 🙂 Happy Holidays to you and your family.
Niagara in the winter time is on my to-do list. 🙂 See you in the New Year!
Thanks for dropping in, Li. 🙂 Hope you get a chance to visit. Happy Holidays!
These are fabulous, Debbie! Thank you so much for sharing. I’ve never been to Niagara, even during the 2 years I spent in NJ, so I enjoyed these immensely. Glad you got a chance to get away before hectic times hit… The blogosphere will miss you 🙂 Happy holidays!
I’m glad you enjoyed the slideshow, Guilie. Interesting that you lived in New Jersey. We were there once, in the 80s – Atlantic City. It ‘s a long drive to Niagara Falls from there. 🙂
Yes, the plan was to have a relaxing weekend and get into holiday mode. It worked! It’s nice to be missed, but sometimes, one has to step back, for sanity’s sake! Happy Holidays to you and your family as well.
This is akin to a low flying aurora borealis… and that is a very entertaining notion.
Enjoy your Christmas Holiday, Debbie.
It sure is, Myke! 🙂 I’ve never seen an actual aurora borealis – we’re too far south – but I love the analogy. Thanks for dropping in. Wishing you and your family a happy holiday season.
I still need to visit Niagara Falls – it’s so close, I really have no reason not to do so! All the best to you over the holidays, and “see” you again in January! 🙂
You should definitely go, Laurel! 🙂 We’ve been dozens of times and still enjoy it immensely. That view never gets old.
Thanks for dropping in. Happy Holidays to you and yours.
It’s the next best thing to being there! Thank you, Sis, for sharing.
Happy Holidays and a joyous new year.
Love
Chi Chi
My pleasure, Chi Chi. I’m glad you enjoyed it. 🙂 Thanks for dropping in. Happy Holidays to you, too.
Debbie these are wonderful! Thank you for sharing. I love the Holiday lights and look forward to just walking or driving around the neighborhood, but this was beyond lovely!
Wishing you and yours a truly Merry Holiday, and a prosperous and most peaceful New Year!
I’m glad you enjoyed the slideshow, Yolanda. 🙂 It was even more impressive than our last visit in Jan. 2012. There’s just something magical about Christmas lights. Thanks for coming by. Happy Holidays to you and your family as well.
This looks so beautiful! I’m sincerely jealous that it’s only a 45 minute drive from you! It’d be a probably two-three day drive for me!
Have a great holiday time! 🙂
HI, Madilyn; Thanks for dropping in. We love going to Niagara Falls and that view never gets old! The light festival is getting bigger and better every year, too. Happy Holidays to you and your family! 🙂
I’ve only been to Niagra Falls once. It was years ago and my friends and I made a week long tour of different theme parks. We did Kings Island and Cedar Point in Ohio and then went to visit Canada’s Wonderland. On our way home, we took a roundabout way back to Wisconsin, via New York and found ourselves in Niagra Falls. We were right there so decided we had to check it out. The Canadian side reminded us of Wisconsin Dells, a city in Wisconsin that is essentially a Summer get-away and a money-trap. But for whatever reason, everyone feels they NEED to go. I’ve only been a few times, but they have umpteen hundred Water Parks there too. It’s kind of an odd city.
Anyway, sorry for going on. I love the light show you presented. I like the blue fountain sculpture particularly. Something about lights against the dark sky. I love it. Thanks for sharing all the photos.
Hi, Jeffrey; We love Niagara Falls and go there often. (Believe it or not, I’ve never been to Wonderland, but have driven by there many times.) In the “good old days”, it was our party town. 😀 Definitely not cheap, but that spectacular Fallsview never gets old. The light show is getting better and bigger all the time and it’s absolutely FREE! I’m glad you enjoyed the photos. The blue one is a perennial favourite. Thanks for dropping in.
Never been to Niagara Falls in the winter. The lighting display looks fantastic. Hope you’re enjoying the Season!
Arlee Bird
Wrote By Rote
This is the second time we’ve been during the Festival of Lights. It’s even bigger and better than the last one! 🙂
Thanks for dropping in, Lee. Merry Christmas to you and your family. See you next year!