Ring in 2019 in Niagara Falls! The annual Niagara Falls New Year’s Eve event in Queen Victoria Park is one of Canada’s longest running New Year’s Eve celebrations, featuring a free concert, fireworks, food and beverage vendors, and more.
This year’s outdoor concert features an amazing all-Canadian lineup of musicians including The Sheepdogs, Walk Off the Earth, Niagara-based Avenue Inn, and headliner Burton Cummings. This totally free event begins at 8pm and will feature two fireworks shows over Niagara Falls, at 9pm and midnight, along with an outdoor licensed area, and food and beverage vendors.
Here’s what you need to know about this year’s performers:
Burton Cummings
Legendary Canadian musician Burton Cummings has a long and celebrated music career as the lead-singer and songwriter of The Guess Who and a solo artist with hits like “Stand Tall” and “My Own Way to Rock”. In 2016 he was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame.
The Sheepdogs
The Sheepdogs are a multi Juno Award-winning retro rock band from Saskatchewan with six studio albums and many popular songs including “I Don’t Know”, “Feeling Good”, and “The Way It Is”.
Walk Off the Earth
Burlington-based Walk Off the Earth is an indie pop band known for their music videos of covers and original songs, one of which features all five members of the band simultaneously playing one guitar. Walk Off the Earth won the 2016 Juno Award for Group of the Year and has released a string of successful original songs.
Avenue Inn
Avenue Inn is a Niagara Falls-based alternative rock band that won Band of the Year at the Niagara Music Awards and has released a brand new album called “Tonight”.
This free outdoor celebration in Queen Victoria Park is the perfect place to ring in 2019, so start planning your Niagara Falls getaway today!
Cascades of Fire International Fireworks Competition in Niagara Falls.
This November, countries from all over the world will head to Niagara Falls to compete in the Cascades of Fire International Fireworks Competition as part of Niagara’s annual Winter Festival of Lights celebration. The competition will feature 18-minute pyrotechnic shows presented by each country and spectacularly light up the skies over Niagara Falls.
Participating countries include:
China – November 9, 2018
Finland – November 16, 2018
Brazil – November 17, 2018
Each show starts at 9pm and can be enjoyed from Queen Victoria Park, along the Niagara Parkway, or from a Fallsview room at a spectacular Niagara Falls hotel. And don’t forget to check out all of the other amazing events and lighting displays that are a part of this year’s Niagara Falls Winter Festival of Lights, which kicks off on November 3, 2018!
Experience the best of the fall season in Niagara Falls this September and October at a number of exciting local celebrations. Here are some of the top Niagara events to check out this fall.
Chinese Harvest Moon Celebration
September 24, Montebello Park
The harvest moon is the full moon that falls closest to the fall equinox, which this year will be visible on the night of September 24th. And you can view the beautiful orange-coloured moon and celebrate the harvest in Montebello Park in St. Catharines.
Stop by the Chinese Harvest Moon Celebration to experience:
Games and Chinese cultural dances
Moon cakes and Chinese-inspired cuisine
Chinese games and lantern-making ceremonies
Live music
The celebration is from 5-10pm and admission is free.
Niagara Falls Oktoberfest
October 5th & 6th, Scotiabank Convention Centre
Beer lovers unite! The Niagara Falls Oktoberfest celebration is taking place on October 5th and 6th at the Scotiabank Convention Centre and admission is totally free!
You can taste beer from a number of great local breweries including Niagara Brewing Company, Brimstone Brewing Co., and the Exchange Brewery, enjoy live music, and indulge in delicious German fare like pork schnitzel, chicken schnitzel, beer-braised Oktoberfest sausage, German potato salad, and braised red cabbage with sauerkraut.
Canadian Thanksgiving
October 8th
Celebrate Canadian Thanksgiving on October 8th with a number of exciting events happening throughout Niagara, including:
On October 21st, 27th, and 28th you can embark on a spooky All Hallows’ Eve ghost tour at Old Fort Erie and experience Halloween traditions, 1812-style on this historic battlefield. It will be a fun and frightening evening that ends with refreshments and the annual burning of a Guy Fawkes effigy. Tours are available at 7:30pm. 7:45pm, and 8:00pm.
There are a number of great fall celebrations and Niagara events happening all season long, so start planning your Niagara Falls getaway today to experience them!
The start of the school year is just around the corner, which means it’s time for one last summer hurrah. A visit to Niagara Falls is a great way to make the most of the Labour Day long weekend, and there are so many fantastic sights to see and attractions to check out! Here are a few of our picks for what to see and do this labour day weekend in Niagara Falls.
Coca Cola Concert Series & Falls Fireworks
The Coca Cola Concert Series in Queen Victoria Park draws to a close this Labour Day weekend with a lineup of free performances from:
Ben Hudson – August 31st
The Howling Horns – September 2nd
Under the Influence – September 3rd
Performances are from 8-10pm and are followed by spectacular fireworks over Niagara Falls. The daily fireworks shows run until September 3rd and will be happening on weekends (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) and holiday Mondays from September 7th to October 8th.
Niagara Brewing Company
Stop by Niagara Brewing Company on Clifton Hill to sip some awesome new brews, which are on the rotating taps for a limited time. Right now you can try exclusive brews like Clockwork Berliner Weisse, Annie’s English Ale, Irish Red Ale, and Cream Ale, along with their four signature beers.
And don’t forget to grab some delicious snacks and sit out on one of the brewery’s two outdoor patios to soak in as much of that summer sunshine as you can!
Niagara Speedway & Hornblower Niagara Cruises
Hornblower Niagara Cruises boat ride.
You’ll definitely want to check out a few attractions while in Niagara Falls this Labour Day weekend and Hornblower Niagara Cruises and the Niagara Speedway are at the top of our list. Hornblower Niagara Cruises offers iconic boat rides to the Falls and has a number of different experiences to choose from, including:
Voyage to the Falls Boat Tour – 20 minutes
Voyage to the Falls Evening Boat Tour – 20 minutes
Falls Illumination Cruise – 40 minutes
Falls Fireworks Cruise – 40 Minutes
And don’t miss out on the Niagara Speedway, which is one of Niagara’s newest summer attractions! This elevated outdoor go-kart course is the first of its kind in Canada and features a 4-storey helical spiral followed by a 2-tiered coaster style ramp.
Majestic Monarchs at Butterfly Conservatory
On September 1st and 2nd you can stop by the Butterfly Conservatory on the Niagara Parkway for their Majestic Monarchs event, which will teach you all about the migration of the beautiful Monarch Butterfly.
The event runs from 11am-4pm and will even give you the chance to help tag butterflies that are ready to embark on their journey south.
We hope your Labour Day weekend in Niagara Falls is one for the books!
This year marks the centenary of the iron scow (or “Old Scow”) wreck in Niagara Falls, and Niagara Parks will be paying tribute to this event with the unveiling of a new plaque on August 6th, 2018.
In honour of this historic Niagara landmark, let’s revisit the story of what happened on that fateful day on the Niagara River when the iron scow became legend.
The Incident
It was August 6th 1918 when a small dumping scow with two men aboard was dredging up sandbanks on the Niagara River, upstream from the Canadian Horseshoe Falls. The scow was approximately 1.6 km up-river when it broke loose from the tugboat that was meant to bring it back to shore and began heading for the brink of the waterfall.
After breaking loose, the scow got caught on a rock shoal 838 yards from the waterfall’s edge, leaving the two men stranded in the middle of the turbulent upper rapids of the Niagara River.
The Rescue
The harrowing rescue mission of the two men onboard the marooned scow involved heroic efforts. A rescue boat couldn’t be sent to reach them, so instead, a lifeline cannon was brought to the scene by the U.S. Coast Guard to shoot a line from the Toronto Power House to the barge. It was this method, along with the tireless efforts of many people that brought the men back to shore using a breeches buoy rescue device.
The Legacy
While the two men were able to return to safety after the wreck, the iron scow still remains stuck in the upper Niagara River, just a short distance away from the brink of the waterfall.
Join Niagara Parks in honouring this historic Niagara Falls event on August 6th, 2018. The event takes place at the old Toronto Power Generating Station on the Niagara Parkway from 7-8pm.
Celebrate the summer season with a Niagara Falls family vacation that kids and adults will love! Home to exciting attractions, themed restaurants, and affordable accommodations, Niagara is the perfect place to plan a kid-approved weekend getaway for the whole family!
Attractions
Fallsview Indoor Waterpark
Kids and adults alike will love all of the thrills and excitement that Fallsview Indoor Waterpark has to offer! Featuring 16 waterslides, a full-sized wave pool, 1,000-gallon tipping bucket, plunge bowl, outdoor activity pool, adult-only Jacuzzis, and more, the waterpark offers a full day of water fun just steps away Niagara Falls.
And Fallsview Indoor Waterpark makes it easy to book a family getaway with fanastic hotel & waterpark getaway packages that give you access to the waterpark and connect you with amazing Niagara Falls hotel stays.
Niagara Speedway Go-Karts
One of Niagara’s newest and most thrilling summer attractions is the Niagara Speedway located right on Clifton Hill. The Niagara Speedway is an elevated outdoor go-kart course spread across four acres, featuring a 4-storey helical spiral and a 2-tiered coaster-style ramp. It’s a fast and exciting attraction for people of all ages!
Hornblower Niagara Cruises
No summer visit to Niagara Falls is complete without a Hornblower Niagara Cruises boat ride, which takes you into the mist and as close as you can get to the magnificent Canadian Horseshoe Falls . Hornblower offers a number of iconic Niagara Falls journeys including:
Voyage to the Falls Boat Tour (20 minutes)
Voyage to the Falls Evening Boat Tour (20 minutes)
Falls Illumination Cruise (40 minutes)
Falls Fireworks Cruise (40 minutes)
And to make your Niagara Falls boat voyage even more convenient and unforgettable, Hornblower offers Mobile Ticketing Scan & Go, 360° views, free wifi, and onboard refreshments!
Dining
Sweet Jesus Ice Cream
Sweet Jesus’ signature Krusty the Kone flavour.
Located at the corner of Clifton Hill and Falls Avenue, Sweet Jesus ice cream shop offers innovative and delicious soft serve creations that you’ll have to see (and taste) to believe. Some Sweet Jesus signature flavours include:
Birthday Cake – made with vanilla soft serve, cream cheese icing, birthday cake bits, and rainbow sprinkles.
Hella Nutella – made with chocolate and vanilla twist soft serve, Nutella sauce, wafer cookies, Corn Flakes, and toasted pistachios.
Krusty the Kone – made with vanilla soft serve, cotton candy pieces, cotton candy sauce, and rainbow sprinkles.
And with straight up soft serve, limited-time seasonal cones, and dairy-free options, Sweet Jesus is a delicious dessert experience that everyone can enjoy!
Rainforest Cafe
Embark on an adventure in dining at Rainforest Cafe Niagara Falls. Located on Clifton Hill, Rainforest Cafe offers an extensive menu of family favourites like burgers, salads, sandwiches, and pastas, which can be enjoyed inside a unique rainforest-like dining room. Kids will love the animatronic animals and 80-foot bubbling volcano, while the indoor thunderstorm every 30 minutes complete with lightning, thunder, and a wall of rain is sure to impress the whole family.
Accommodations
Clifton Victoria Inn
Clifton Victoria Inn is a family-friendly hotel in Niagara Falls located across the street from Falls Avenue Resort and just one block away from Niagara Falls and the Clifton Hill tourist district. It’s a great place for families to stay on a Niagara Falls family vacation as it offers spacious Family Suites and amazing amenities like a complimentary hot breakfast buffet, free wireless internet, and free parking.
And with great family getaway packages that bundle together accommodations and attraction experiences, planning a Niagara Falls family vacation has never been easier.
Sklyine Hotel and Waterpark
Another fantastic Niagara Falls hotel for families is the Skyline Hotel & Waterpark. The Skyline offers a variety of guest rooms for groups of all sizes including family suites that have 3 queen size beds to accommodate up to six guests.
The Skyline’s central location and indoor climate-controlled skywalk to the Fallsview Indoor Waterpark, Skyline Hotel & Waterpark also connects you to the best accommodations, dining, entertainment, and attractions that Niagara Falls has to offer.
Niagara’s live music events happening all summer long.
Summer’s finally here and it’s the perfect time to catch amazing live music events in one-of-a-kind venues all around Niagara. Here are 3 Niagara music events that you won’t want to miss!
Coca Cola Concert Series
June 1 – September 3, Queen Victoria Park
The Coca Cola Concert Series is back for another year in Queen Victoria Park, featuring live musical performances from local Niagara artists across a variety of exciting genres. You can catch these free live performances on select dates from June 1st – September 3rd at 8pm, which finish with a spectacular fireworks show over Niagara Falls at 10pm.
This year’s series will kick off with performances from Graywater, Gravely James, Chelsea Crites, The Treetops, Jessica Wilson, Ear Candy, and more!
Jackson-Triggs Summer Concert Series
Jackson-Triggs Winery, Niagara-on-the-Lake
Jackson-Triggs Winery in Niagara-on-the-Lake is once again hosting their popular Summer Concert Series from June through September, featuring incredible live musical performances in a beautiful outdoor amphitheatre in the vineyard. Concert Only and Concert & Cellar Dinner tickets are both available.
This year’s Summer Concert Series performers include:
Grammy Award-winning country music duo Sugarland is coming to Fallsview Casino Resort on July 6th and 7th, performing hits like Stuck Like Glue, Stay, All I Want to Do, Baby Girl, It Happens, and more. Tickets start at $150 and can be purchased at Fallsview Casino’s Resort’s Box Office or online.
Gaming is even more exciting when Niagara Falls grandeur surrounds two popular casinos. Get all the key details on Canada’s Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort and Casino Niagara before you depart on your thrilling Ontario trip. Everyone who enters these always-open casinos, bets, wins, and drinks alcohol must be 19 or older. Who’s ready for never-ending fun?
Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort
If you’re seeking an elegant casino hotel, Niagara Falls, Canada, is your ultimate destination. Book your stay with Niagara Falls Hotels for the best rates. Enjoy lavish overnight accommodations with a 200,000-square-foot gaming space at the four-diamond Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort on Ontario’s Fallsview Blvd. The area’s newest and biggest casino resort’s 374 luxury suites and rooms soar high above Niagara Gorge on a cliff, providing stunning Horseshoe Falls and vibrant city backdrops. This hotel boasts wonderful amenities, 24-hour room service, indoor pool, fitness center, and spa indulgences like facials, manicures, massages, body wraps, steam room, and whirlpool.
As a guest, you can access the resort’s massive gaming floor easily to try your luck at 3000-plus slot and video poker machines (1¢-$100 denominations). Over 130 table games include baccarat, blackjack, Caribbean stud, craps, and roulette. Join one of the poker room’s 26 tables. Check the casino’s website for the latest promotions like Tuesday Date Nights and Thursday Rendezvous for Two. After spending specified amounts, visit the Players Advantage Club Booth. Show your receipt(s) to receive rewards including free slot plays in various sums. Put some of your winnings toward personal treats, souvenirs, or gifts at diverse Galleria shops.
Fallsview Casino’s over 20 casual to fine dining options suit every taste with an international flair from authentic Asian and Italian to classic Canadian cuisine. Grab quick bites at Auntie Anne’s, Falls & Firken, Canyon Creek, Johnny Rockets, Tuscan Market, Shoeless Joe’s, Mama Mia’s, Subway, Famous Coffee Shop, Tim Horton’s, Starbucks, and Sweet Point. For relaxed meals, visit Grand Buffet, Golden Lotus, Noodle Bar, Sushi & Oyster Bar, or Falls Deli. Refined palates may prefer Ponte Vecchio and 17 Noir.
Sip your favorite cocktails at lounges and bars. When you’re in the mood for live entertainment, settle into Avalon Theatre. The all-star lineup has included such renowned recording artists such as Kelly Clarkson, Harry Connick Jr., John Legend, Matchbox 20, Tim McGraw, Steven Tyler, and many others. Various famous Niagara Parks and Niagara Falls attractions are just an easy walk from the casino resort.
Casino Niagara
Niagara Falls Casino Niagara
For more betting action, visit Casino Niagara, the classic Niagara Falls, Ontario, casino on Falls Avenue. Two players’ floors spread popular games across 95,000 square feet. Choose from 1500 slots (1¢-$5 denominations) and 45 table games from Mississippi stud and blackjack to Spanish 21 and roulette. Refer to the casino website for current Players Advantage Club promotions such as Double Point Mondays to multiply your winnings and Friday Ladies Nights to receive exclusive prizes.
At Casino Niagara, you get to relish personal favorites at restaurants offering wide menu selections. Enjoy whatever you’re craving at three dining and beverage spots. All are close to Casino Niagara’s gaming area that promises nonstop excitement. That means you can devour quick bites before betting or celebrate afterward by clinking drink glasses.
Fuel yourself hastily with deli sandwiches, chips, pastries, and coffee or tea at Perks Café. Sample numerous international varieties at Market Buffet. Combine sporting events with pub eats and drinks in LEV2L Sports Bar & Entertainment. This premier gaming and sporting restaurant’s 50-plus high-definition plasma screens broadcast action-packed games. Place wagers on multiple sports. Get an adrenaline rush by testing your skills at the interactive gaming zone’s hottest sports-oriented challenges. Live entertainment ranges from eclectic local bands to acclaimed tribute shows to hilarious comedy acts.
Lodging Options
You may want to choose lodgings close to a casino or other attractions you plan to visit. Because the Niagara Falls Hotels website contains over 165 properties of all kinds, you’ll find multiple options to meet your needs. The Victoria Motor Inn on Ontario’s Victoria Ave., for example, is just a short walk to Casino Niagara and the must-see falls. It features newly updated guest rooms, Jacuzzi tubs, and an outdoor swimming pool. Search for the perfect resort, hotel, motel, inn, or bed and breakfast for your party. Make your reservations today so the fun can begin.
Go online anytime to observe two popular tourist spots via the Niagara Falls webcam. Live high-definition feeds from the sky-high Sheraton Fallsview Hotel provide panoramic views of Canada’s majestic Horseshoe Falls and equally impressive Rainbow Bridge. Staying at your choice of 165 luxurious to comfortable Niagara Falls Hotels will make these fun attractions easy to reach. Discover what to expect on your exciting trip below.
Niagara Falls Overview
This world-famous spectacle on the Ontario, Canada and New York, USA, border has been fascinating international visitors for decades. Melting glaciers formed Niagara Falls nearly 12,000 years ago. Previously, honeymooners found this breathtaking wonder a romantic destination. Daredevils engaged in stunts like walking on tightropes above the rushing water and crossing the roaring cascades in barrels.
More recently, sightseers come for the setting’s natural beauty and physical phenomenon’s uniqueness. Goat Island separates Niagara River’s two main waterfall areas. The left Canadian bank’s larger Horseshoe Falls has a 185-foot height. It boasts a 2200-foot curved crest that resembles a horseshoe. On the right bank, American Falls measures 190 feet tall by 1060 feet across.
Horseshoe Falls Streaming Video
From an amazing 23rd-story vantage point at Sheraton Fallsview Hotel, this webcam overlooks magnificent Horseshoe Falls. Still photos can’t compare to seeing this forceful waterfall and exciting fireworks shows in real-time action. Horseshoe Falls claims about 90 percent of Niagara River’s water, after hydropower generation diversions. Viewing this picturesque spot 24/7 via live streaming footage will make you eager to plan or enjoy your Canadian visit.
Rainbow Bridge Webcam
The Bridal Vale, American Falls and Rainbow Bridge
What’s the scenic way to cross the American/Canadian border and encounter the waterfalls? Drive 1,450 feet across beautifully arched Rainbow Bridge above Niagara Gorge. Check out this locale via the Rainbow Bridge webcam anytime while arranging your trip. Discover current weather, road conditions, and traffic flow before your arrival and whenever you use the bridge. It provides four lanes for vehicles with $3.75 U.S. and $4.75 Canadian dollar (CAD) tolls along with welcoming pedestrians and bicyclers ($1 in each country’s currency). All methods are thrilling experiences with nature’s splendors surrounding you.
Area Attractions
To see the falls in person, park across from Horseshoe Falls. On the other side of the street, peer over the edge into the mist for an awe-inspiring rush. If you want to grasp the falls’ immense power more closely, enjoy a Hornblower Niagara Cruise. Additional adventurous options include taking a jet boat tour of whirling Devil’s Hole Rapids and soaring through the sky with WildPlay on an exhilarating MistRider Zipline.
As a popular tourist area, Niagara Falls boasts fun and entertainment for all ages besides the waterfalls. Diverse attractions include theme and water parks, casinos, theaters, museums, festivals, golf courses, sky diving, botanical gardens, wildlife parks, forts, shopping, spas, beer and wine tastings, fine dining and theme restaurants, fireworks displays, and nightclubs.
Overnight Accommodations
The Niagara Falls hotel options are as abundant as the area’s cascading and spraying water. From luxury resorts and hotels to cozy motels and inns to quaint bed and breakfasts to family-friendly campgrounds, you’ll find suitable accommodations for you and your travel companions. Here’s a sampling of various types of possibilities:
Sheraton Fallsview Hotel: When you stay where the Niagara Falls webcam originates, you’ll relish the same spectacular views from your four-diamond room with comfy beds.
Holiday Inn by the Falls: Guest room amenities range from queen- and king-size beds to whirlpools to private balconies. Relax at the on-site Nordic Spa.
Clifton Victoria Inn at the Falls: Enjoy conveniences including sitting areas and upgraded bathrooms, freebies from breakfast buffets to HBO movies, and inviting public spaces like the atrium terrace.
Blue Moon Motel: You’ll appreciate optional yet affordable one to three beds, whirlpools, and kitchen apartments.
Lion’s Head B&B: This highly rated and elegant home offers beautiful guest rooms, ensuite bathrooms, and gourmet French breakfasts.
Campark Resorts: Over 400 cabins and tent sites give you access to hot showers and bathtubs, miniature golf, arcade, horseshoes, volleyball, and more.
Many other comfortable accommodations with attentive service at great rates are close to top attractions. Start exploring your hotel and activity options online today to make your trip unforgettable. If you’re planning far enough ahead of time, keep checking the Niagara Falls webcam to see what awaits you in upcoming seasons.
If you’re planning a getaway to Niagara Falls this spring, set some time aside to shop for fresh local produce and amazing specialty products at any one of these unique Niagara markets.
Niagara Falls and St. Catharines Farmers Markets
Niagara Falls and St. Catharines
Fresh fruit available at Niagara’s farmers markets.
Visit the Niagara Falls and St. Catharines farmers markets to shop for fresh local produce and amazing artisan food items. Many fruits and vegetables are now coming into season including apples, rhubarb, carrots, beets, and radishes, which you can buy directly from local Niagara growers while they’re at their freshest.
The Niagara Falls Farmers Market is located at 5943 Sylvia Place and is open on Saturdays from 6am-12pm, while the St. Catharines Farmers Market is located at 91 King St. and is open on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 6am-2pm.
Spring to the Market
Club Italia, April 18th
Spring to the Market is a hands-on marketplace event taking place at Club Italia where you can shop for a variety of food, fashion, and cosmetic items, and experience expert cooking and styling demonstrations, spa services, DIY workshops, mystery prizes, and more.
This special spring event is hosted by the Niagara College Event Management Program with proceeds going to the Niagara College Nourishing Minds Program. Admission price is $5.
Etsy: Made in Canada Niagara Spring Market
The Hare Wine Co., April 28th
Shop around for great hand-made products made by Niagara Etsy artisans at the Etsy: Made in Canada Niagara Spring Market on April 28th. Taking place at The Hare Wine Co. in Niagara-on-the-Lake from 10am-4pm, this countrywide pop-up market offers some of the very best in homemade local goods.
Canadian Gifts & Marketplace
Canadian Gifts & Marketplace inside the Sheraton Fallsview.
Sheraton Fallsview Hotel
Located in the lobby of the Sheraton Fallsview hotel in Niagara Falls, Canadian Gifts and Marketplace is a unique open-concept shopping experience where you can shop for amazing souvenirs and merchandise, and indulge in fresh food and drinks at the Fresh Market Bakery. It’s located just a short walk away from the world-famous Horseshoe Falls and is a great place visit when you want to take a break from sightseeing and enjoy a little retail therapy.
Visit any of these Niagara markets this spring for wonderful merchandise and one-of-a-kind shopping experiences.
