Take Your Family to The Winter Festival of Lights
Just because it’s January doesn’t mean that the festive holiday fun has to end. The Niagara Winter Festival of Lights is still on until January 31!
It might be cold outside, but winter is a beautiful time of year to spend with family and friends. Plus, it’s an excuse to treat yourself to a warm cup of hot chocolate.
The Niagara Festival of Lights is one of our favourite local events around the holidays. At Duliban Insurance Brokers, we look forward every year to taking our families out to see the beautiful displays our dedicated community puts together.
If you’re trying to figure out what to do in Niagara this month, we recommend this event. Every year, millions of Niagara residents and guests from around the world come to enjoy these spectacles, so why not see what the buzz is all about?
There’s tons to see and do, so we’ve put together a guide you can follow to get the most family fun time possible.
What is the Niagara Winter Festival of Lights?
This year marks the 34th annual Niagara Festival of Lights. It’s sponsored by Ontario Power Generation and attracts over 1 million visitors every year.
For the holidays, Niagara Falls always produces spectacular and elegant Christmas light displays. Everything is lit up, from the trees to the lamp posts. Plenty of structures are also created from scratch, filled to the brim with lights.
The Niagara Festival of Lights has won multiple awards, including being named one of the Top 100 Festivals in Ontario.
The main feature is the 8km route that takes visitors along the Niagara Parkway, up through Dufferin Islands, and through some parts of the tourist areas.
Entrance to the Festival of Lights is free, but donations are always graciously accepted.
The Main Event: Featured Displays For The 2016-2017 Season
The Winter Festival of Lights takes place in many different areas. Each area contains different displays and new sights to see.
Here’s a breakdown of where you can find this year’s featured attractions.
The Toronto Power Generating Station: On your way to the Dufferin Islands, take a look at this beautiful historic building. 72 LED light displays light it up, and the display is also choreographed to music!
Dufferin Islands: The Dufferin Islands are home to the Canadian wildlife light displays. This year, check out the kissing swans, bears, geese, and wolves. A cool 3D wooly mammoth is brand new to the wildlife group, so make sure you catch it on your way out.
Clifton Hill and District: The tourist area is lit up with a variety of sparkling trees, including one with presents underneath. There are also some really cool Asian-inspired dragons and illuminated objects. The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are also there!
Fallsview District: This district is lit up with illumination, from the Skylon Tower to the pedestrian crosswalks. You’ll never get lost with these bright lights to guide your way.
Niagara Parkway Displays: Scattered throughout the Niagara Parkway you’ll take in some of the various illuminated buildings and trees. The world’s largest illuminated Canadian-American flag is also here.
Lundy’s Lane: Here you’ll find a couple of 8 foot tall nutcrackers and some 12 foot tall candy canes, among other extra large decorations. In the Battlefield Park at the top of the hill, you’ll find elegant silver and gold Christmas themed displays.
The “Spirit of Niagara” Show
This is the second year for the “Spirit of Niagara” light and sound show. It’s new to the Niagara Festival of Lights, but it’s a must-see for all.
During the presentation, powerful projectors transform the walls of the Oakes Hotel Overlooking the Falls with motion graphics and bright visual images. These visuals tell Niagara’s interesting story, from the history to the mythology.
The show lasts for about 5 minutes and it’s free to watch. It’s perfect for the little ones who might not have developed their full attention spans yet.
Catch it every night beginning every 15 minutes between 6:00pm and 9:00pm. The Oakes Hotel is at 6546 Fallsview Boulevard.
All Fun Family Events Could Use Some Fireworks!
What screams fun louder than fireworks lighting up the sky? Not much!
One of the most popular Niagara Falls attractions is the fireworks. These displays are always a huge hit. They are done for every occasion and throughout the summertime.
The Festival of Lights is one of these special occasions.
Take your kids to see the magnificent fireworks displays at Queen Victoria Park. It’s right at the bottom of Clifton Hill, so you can even stop and play some games.
Catch the fireworks every Friday night in January at 9:00pm, weather permitting.
Where to Park For Niagara Falls Attractions
The most convenient parking lot is just off Clifton Hill, behind the Skywheel. There’s a shortcut here that takes you right down to Victoria Park with one staircase.
You can access it from 3 locations:
- Clifton Hill: turn in beside the Dinosaur mini-putt
- Victoria Ave: this year, there’s a brand new entrance to this lot right off Victoria Avenue.
- Robinson St.: this entrance is beside the Skylon Tower parking lot.
There is also leveled parking at the Casinos, or you can try one of the private lots scattered throughout the tourist areas.
Duliban Insurance Brokers Can Help Your Family Save
The friendly hometown brokers at Duliban know that your family is the most important thing in the world. That’s why we want to make sure you get the most affordable insurance package with enough coverage to keep everyone safe.
Our local insurance brokers will treat you like family. That means we put your needs first.
We work with 20 Canadian insurance companies who compete for your business, and we’ll find you the best premium at a price that works for you.
Ready for your free car, home, commercial, or farm insurance quote? Then contact us today.
Drop by our offices in Pelham, Beamsville and Haldimand, or give us a call at 1-855-385-4226.
