September is harvest season in Niagara, and there may be no better way to experience it than at the Niagara Grape & Wine Festival.
Returning throughout September 2026, the festival celebrates the region’s winemaking heritage with winery experiences, local food, live entertainment, family-friendly events and one of Niagara’s most anticipated fall traditions. From self-guided tastings at wineries across the region to a full weekend of festivities at Montebello Park, there are plenty of reasons to add the Niagara Grape & Wine Festival to a getaway at one of Niagara Falls best hotels in September.
Explore Niagara Wine Country With A Discovery Pass
The celebration begins with the Grape & Wine Discovery Pass, available over three September weekends: September 4–6, 11–13 and 18–20.
More than 25 participating Niagara wineries will offer specially selected wines paired with seasonal dishes, giving visitors a chance to experience harvest season through the flavours of the region. The self-guided format makes it easy to create your own route and explore up to six wineries with a Discovery Pass. Mini, Driver’s and Flex Friday passes are also available.
It’s an ideal way to discover new wineries, revisit favourites and experience the diversity of Niagara wine country at one of its most exciting times of year.
Grape & Wine Takes Over Montebello Park
The celebration comes together for one big finale from September 24–27 at Montebello Park in downtown St. Catharines.
The historic park transforms into a lively wine and culinary village with more than 100 Niagara VQA wines, food from local chefs and over 25 hours of live music throughout the weekend. Admission to Montebello Park is free Friday through Sunday.
Festival weekend begins Thursday evening with Montebello Rocks!, a ticketed concert headlined by Canadian rock band Sloan on September 24. The celebration then continues Friday, Saturday and Sunday with wine, food, music and special experiences throughout the park.
Experience A Niagara Fall Tradition
One of the weekend’s signature events returns on Saturday, September 26 at 11:00am, when the 74th Grape & Wine Grande Parade makes its way through downtown St. Catharines.
Marching bands, colourful floats, dancers and more than 1,500 performers fill the streets in a celebration of Niagara’s harvest season and community. The event has become a favourite annual tradition for both visitors and local families.
The family-friendly festivities continue at Montebello Park on Saturday and Sunday with the TELUS Family Fun Zone, featuring inflatables, face painting, crafts and activities for children.
On Sunday, September 27, kids can take part in the Pied Piper Parade before the Mayor’s Invitational Grape Stomp brings some classic harvest-season fun to the park.
Turn The Festival Into A Niagara Getaway
The Niagara Grape & Wine Festival is also a great reason to experience more of the region this September.
Make Niagara Falls your home base and pair a day in wine country with everything the Falls have to offer. Spend the morning exploring the destination, head into Niagara wine country for tastings and festival events, then return for Fallsview dining, attractions and an evening overlooking one of the world’s most famous natural wonders.
With Discovery Pass experiences running across three weekends and the signature Montebello Park celebration closing out the month, you can build a Niagara getaway around the part of the festival that suits you best.
Niagara Grape & Wine Festival 2026 At A Glance
Discovery Pass Weekends
September 4–6, 11–13 & 18–20
11:00am–5:00pm
25+ participating Niagara wineries
Montebello Rocks! Featuring Sloan
Thursday, September 24
Montebello Park, St. Catharines
Ticketed event
Grape & Wine At Montebello Park
September 25–27
Montebello Park, St. Catharines
Free admission
Grape & Wine Grande Parade
Saturday, September 26 at 11:00am
Downtown St. Catharines
Whether you come for the wine, food, music or simply the atmosphere of harvest season, the Niagara Grape & Wine Festival is one of the signature ways to experience Niagara in September.
Plan your September getaway and book your Niagara Falls hotel today