The Niagara Falls fireworks shows are in full swing this spring, summer and beyond. This is the 26th year the Niagara Falls fireworks shows have lit up the sky, and the shows go on rain or shine. They’re one of the top Niagara Falls attractions and one of the free fun things to do in Niagara Falls with your family.
Use this guide to learn more about Niagara Falls fireworks, see the schedule for when they illuminate the sky and Niagara Falls,
and learn about other Niagara Falls attractions that complement the dazzling fireworks shows, like ziplining and a cruise.
When Are Niagara Falls Fireworks?
The Niagara Falls fireworks season kicks off in spring and goes all summer. Niagara Falls fireworks shows also happen on select holidays and during the Winter Festival of Lights.
There’s typically one show each night the Niagara Falls fireworks are scheduled. Here is the spring/summer/fall schedule for Niagara Falls fireworks. All shows start at 10 p.m.
May 2019
May 17-20, May 24-26, May 31
June 2019
June 1-2, June 7-9, June 14-30
July 2019 and August 2019
Every night
September 2019
September 1-2, September 6-8, September 13-15, September 20-22, September 27-29
October 2019
October 4-6, October 11-14
Each show lasts around 10 minutes long. There are a total of 114 Niagara Falls fireworks shows scheduled from May through October, so you’re bound to be able to see one when you visit during those times.
Also, look for more Niagara Falls fireworks during the Winter Festival of Lights, November 16, 2019, to January 12, 2020. Typically, there are fireworks shows every week during this event.
Nightly Niagara Falls Illumination
In addition to the special season of Niagara Falls fireworks shows, every night you can see Niagara Falls illuminated in special colours. It’s a chance to see Niagara Falls unlike anything you’ll see in the day time. Lights are shone from three different Niagara Falls locations to show off the waterfalls in a glittering way. On holidays, specially colour themes dominate the illumination show.
The first Niagara Falls illumination took place in 1860, when lights were arranged to welcome a visit by the Prince of Wales. Through the early 1920s, Niagara Falls continued to be illuminated for Royal visits and special events.
In 1925, the Niagara Falls Illumination Board was formed and now finances and operates the nightly illumination. The illumination has evolved over the years, with the most recent update in December 2016 that brought a new $4 million lighting grid. The grid provides twice the brightness and more diverse colours at a quarter of the energy consumption compared to previous illumination.
The 2019 Niagara Falls illumination schedule is as follows:
- May 1-14: 8:15 p.m.-2 a.m.
- May 15-31: 8:30 p.m.-2 a.m.
- June 1-July 22: 8:45 p.m.-2 a.m.
- July 23-31: 8:30 p.m.-2 a.m.
- August 1-15: 8:15 p.m.-2 a.m.
- August 16-31: 7:45 p.m.-2 a.m.
- September 1-19: 7:15 p.m.-2 a.m.
- September 20-30: 6:45 p.m.-2 a.m.
- October 1-15: 6:30 p.m.-1 a.m.
- October 16-November 4: 6 p.m.-1 a.m.
- November 5-December 30: 4:30 p.m.-midnight
- December 31: 4:30 p.m.-2 a.m.
Both the Niagara Falls fireworks shows and Niagara Falls illumination are free to view.
Unique Ways to See the Niagara Falls Illumination and Fireworks Shows
You can watch the Niagara Falls fireworks and illumination from your Niagara Falls hotel or a Fallsview restaurant, or even outside – Queen Victoria Park is a great place to go to see them. You could also book a unique adventure that gets you close to Niagara Falls at a special time of night.
Hornblower Niagara Cruises Falls Illumination Cruise
See Niagara Falls when it’s illuminated by boat on a Hornblower Niagara Cruises.
Hornblower Niagara Cruises Falls Fireworks Cruise
Hop on this extended 40-minute Light Mist night-time cruise to take in both the Niagara Falls illumination and the Niagara Falls fireworks show.
MistRider Night Illumination Zipline to the Falls
Take a night-time zipline ride past the American and Canadian Horseshoe Falls as they’re illuminated by colour in the dark. You’ll get a complimentary light-up wristband to take home.
Niagara Skywheel
Take a trip on the Niagara Skywheel at night to see Niagara Falls lit up as you go around the Ferris wheel next to Niagara Falls.
Book Your Niagara Falls Trip
There aren’t many places in the world can you see a world wonder lit up in brilliant colours any night of the year. That’s one of the many reasons why Niagara Falls is such a spectacular place to visit. Day and night, you’ll never run out of fun things to do in Niagara Falls, including free entertainment like the Niagara Falls fireworks and illumination.
If you want to see the Niagara Falls fireworks show yourself, book your Niagara Falls trip now.