The winter months are a perfect time to plan a getaway to Niagara Falls because from November 21^st to January 31^st over three million sparkling lights transform Niagara Falls and the surrounding parklands into an enchanting winter wonderland.

The Ontario Power Generation Winter Festival of Lights features a 5km route consisting of breathtaking lights, amazing holiday displays, incredible fireworks, and much more. It’s an incredibly unique family attraction that draws in countless visitors from around the globe and leaves them with unforgettable memories of Niagara Falls.

And while you’re in the city, don’t forget to check out the other amazing sights, attractions, and events like the Fallsview Indoor Waterpark, 21^st Annual Icewine Festival, Journey Behind the Falls, Adventure City, Niagara Brewing Company, and more. The excitement never stops in Niagara Falls!

Autumn has officially arrived, bringing with it crisp breezes, changing leaves, and very soon- Halloween. And if you’re planning on spending October 31st in beautiful Niagara Falls then make sure to check out these family friendly destinations:

Safari Niagara is hosting their annual Boo at the Zoo event on Saturday October 10^th from 10am-4pm. Stop by for some Halloween fun and trick-or-treat your way around the zoo! The day will feature costume contests, animal presentations, tram rides, corn mazes, bouncies, and more. And children who show up in costume will get in for free!

It’s also the perfect time of year to take a family trip to the pumpkin patch. Warner Ranch and Pumpkin Farm in Niagara Falls and Howell Family Pumpkin Farm in Fonthill are two amazing family-friendly destinations that are sure to get you in the Halloween spirit. Warner Ranch and Pumpkin Farm is one of the largest pumpkin farms in Niagara and offers a petting zoo, horse drawn hay ride, and a corn maze, while Howell Family Pumpkin Farm offers scenic wagon rides, a corn maze, Haunted Spook Barn, Straw Jump Barn, a Hay Play area, and much more!

And for some tasty Halloween treats the whole family will enjoy, stop by the Hershey’s Chocolate World Niagara Falls store! You’ll find all of your favourite Hershey’s candies like Reese’s, Twizzlers, Kisses, and Kit Kat as well as delicious freshly made treats like cookies, fudge, cupcakes, and milkshakes. It’ll be the sweetest Halloween yet!

There is no shortage of Halloween fun to be had in Niagara Falls, so grab your costume and trick-or-treat bag and get ready for some sweet and spooky fun!

Here are three events to attend at the end of September to help you say a proper goodbye to summer in Niagara Falls:

Hornblower Niagara Cruises “Salute to Summer” Event Series

Experience a spectacular summer send-off with Hornblower Niagara Cruises! Up until September 23^rd you can climb aboard the Voyage to the Falls Boat Tour, relax on Hornblower’s Falls Viewing Licensed Patio, attend the Great Gorge Outdoor Barbeque, listen to live musical entertainment at the Hornblower Landing, and much more. It’s a great way to spend time outdoors in direct view of Niagara Falls, so don’t miss out!

Open Mic Night at Niagara Brewing Company

The inaugural Open Mic Night at Niagara Brewing Company kicks off on September 30^th at 7 p.m. and musicians, comedians, and performers looking to jam are welcome to sign up. You can stop by the brewery on Clifton Hill to enjoy amazing beer on the outdoor patio, eat some delicious food, and watch one-of-a-kind entertainment that you won’t find anywhere else.

Niagara Falls Night of Art at the Niagara Falls History Museum

On Thursday September 24^th the Niagara Falls History Museum will be hosting the Niagara Falls Night of Art, which is a free, family-friendly event unlike any other. The event will feature art installations, exhibits, live entertainment, activities, and crafts for people of all ages, and is a great place to take the family while visiting Niagara Falls. The event runs from 5 to 10 pm and is sure to be an unforgettable evening.

Summer is quickly winding down, but there’s still time to coordinate an exciting getaway to Niagara Falls this upcoming Labour Day long weekend. If you plan on visiting the city, here are some fun and exciting things to check out and experience:

Hornblower Niagara Cruises

Take a ride on this famous Niagara Falls attraction and get up close and personal with the American, Bridal Veil, and Horseshoe Falls. Hornblower Niagara Cruises will connect you with breathtaking views and offers one-of-a-kind experiences like the Falls Illumination Cruise that will allow you to see the Falls lit up at night by vibrant lights and spectacular fireworks. It’s a must-do attraction while visiting Niagara!

Beautiful Natural Areas

Savour the last few weeks of warm weather by relaxing in one of Niagara’s many natural areas like Queen Victoria Park, located right across the street from Niagara Falls. You also won’t want to miss the beautiful Oakes Garden Theatre, Botanical Gardens, and Niagara Gorge which all offer amazing sights and perfect spots to sit back and relax in nature.

One-of-a-kind Entertainment

Niagara Falls is a world-class destination and there is never a shortage of fun to be had around the city. For unique attractions that are perfect for kids stop by the Fallsview Indoor Waterpark, Hershey’s Chocolate World Niagara Falls store, Adventure City Arcade and Iwerks 4D Motion Theatre. And adults are sure to love the 24-hour excitement of Casino Niagara and the delicious beer and food at the brand new Niagara Brewing Company craft brewery right on Clifton Hill.

The “Imagine” Magic Show at Greg Frewin Theatre

Experience a one-of-a-kind magic show featuring rare tigers, spectacular illusions, and exotic birds from around the world at the “Imagine” Magic Show at Greg Frewin Theatre. The theatre is located in the heart of the Niagara Falls tourist district and offers delicious buffet dinners and a chance to head backstage after the show for photo opportunities with a tiger. It’s a magical all-ages experience that you won’t want to miss!

Spongebob Squarepants 4-D and Great Wall of China

The Iwerks 4D Motion Theatre on Falls Avenue Resort will take you on the adventure of a lifetime with simulator stadium seating, air blasters, water jets, and amazing 3D movie technology. The theatre is currently playing Spongebob Squarepants 4-D The Great Jelly Rescue where you set off on a wild adventure with Spongebob and friends through Bikini Bottom, and Great Wall of China, which takes you on a rocket powered rickshaw ride across the incredible Great Wall. Come see, feel, and hear what all the excitement is about!

2015 Play Bill at the Shaw Festival Theatre

The Shaw Festival Theatre in Niagara-on-the-Lake is a beautiful local institution that has been putting on the plays of George Bernard Shaw and his contemporaries since 1973. The 2015 playbill features plays such as Sweet Charity, Pygmalion, Peter and the Starcatcher, and Light Up the Sky, which run on various dates until fall. The Shaw offers incredible entertainment and unique cultural experiences, so while visiting historic Niagara-on-the-Lake for the acclaimed wineries and beautiful scenery make sure to also stop by the Shaw for some world-class theatre.

Excitement is building in Niagara Falls as the start of the 2015 Pan Am Games quickly approaches on July 10^th. On Saturday June 20^th, the celebration begins early as the Pan Am Games Torch Relay passes through Niagara Falls.

The torch relay will span over 41 days, pass through more than 130 communities, and end in Toronto on July 10^th for the official opening ceremony. Saturday June 20^th will be a one-of-a-kind experience with a celebration at Welland Market Square kicking off the day. After the morning celebration the flame will visit the Welland Pan Am Flatwater Centre, make its way to Market Square in St. Catharines, and then travel to the day celebration at Lakeside Park. To end off the day, the flame will travel in a rowing boat at the Royal Canadian Henley Rowing Course, travel on the Hornblower boat in Niagara Falls and then travel to an evening celebration in Queen Victoria Park.

Come out to the Pan Am Games Torch Relay celebrations to experience the excitement of the 2015 Pan Am Games, and book a summer stay in Niagara to be a part of the sporting events that bring together thousands of athletes from throughout the Americas.

Looking for outdoor festivals and fun family events to attend while visiting Niagara Falls? Check out
Springlicious 2015 and Niagara Falls Comic Con!

Niagara Falls’s annual Springlicious festival is happening May 29-31^st on Queen Street in the city’s historic downtown district. This free three-day street festival features wonderful local cuisine, great beer
and wine, and all kinds of live entertainment that makes it a perfect outdoor family activity.

Niagara Falls Comic Con is taking place June 5-7^th at the Scotiabank Convention Centre and will feature hundreds of exciting exhibits and a number of popular celebrity guests. This year’s guests include David Hasselhoff, Sean Astin from Lord of the Rings, Billy Dee Williams from Star Wars, Alfonso Ribeiro from The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, and many more. Comic Con is one of the biggest events of the summer, so purchase your tickets ahead of time to get in on the fun!

Mother’s Day is coming up on May 10th and a day in Niagara Falls is the perfect way to celebrate and
spend time with mom.

Start the day with a beautiful meal at the Rainbow Room by Massimo Capra’s Mother’s Day Brunch,
which features delicious culinary delights in a spectacular Fallsview setting. The menu features unique and tasty dishes like stuffed French toast, dark chocolate rubbed lamb, sweet and savory breads and pastries, carved prime rib, and much more.

Afterwards take a stroll through Queen Victoria Park, right across the street from the incredible Niagara Falls. The park features beautiful floral arrangements and gardens throughout, and has plenty of places where you can sit down, relax, and enjoy the beauty of nature.

And to finish off a wonderful day, stop by McFarland House in Niagara on the Lake to enjoy some traditional afternoon tea. The setting is a lovely Georgian-style house built in 1800 that offers an incredibly charming and memorable experience.

Floral Clock and Niagara’s Garden Trail

One of Niagara’s most beautiful sights in spring is the impressive Floral Clock, which is made up of approximately 16,000 carpet bedding plants. Located on the Niagara Parkway, the Floral Clock features viola in the springtime and is kept in wonderful working order for everyone to enjoy.

From mid-May to mid-June, visitors can also enjoy the Centennial Lilac Garden, located along Niagara’s Garden Trail, which features dozens of varieties of spectacular lilacs. Also along the Garden Trail are the Botanical Gardens, Queenston Heights Park, the Floral Showhouse, and the stunning gardens of Queen Victoria Park.

Springlicious Festival

Niagara’s annual Springlicious festival is a great activity for people of all ages looking to have some unique and exciting outdoor fun. Taking place on Queen Street in downtown Niagara Falls, Springlicious runs from May 29^th-31^st and features amazing food and drink vendors, live entertainment, and fun activities.

Shaw Festival

This year marks the 53^rd season of the Shaw Festival in Niagara-on-the-Lake, which kicks off on April 8^th and will feature shows such as Sweet Charity running from April 17^th-October 31^st, Pygmalion from May 31^st-October 24^th, Peter and the Starcatcher from April 8^th-November 1^st, and many more.

Red Bull Wings for Life World Run

If you’re looking for some springtime exercise, or just want to experience a high-energy and unique sporting event, then check out the Red Bull Wings for Life World Run being held in Niagara Falls on May 3^rd in support of finding a cure for spinal cord injury. This race is unique because, according to the website, “Instead of racing to a set finish line, you run away from the Catcher Car. Everyone, at the 35 locations worldwide, starts running at 11am UTC on May 3, 2015, then 30 minutes later, the Catcher Car sets off, chasing runners until the last person is left standing.” It’s a one-of-a-kind athletic experience you won’t want to miss!

Fallsview Indoor Waterpark

With 16 waterslides, a giant wave pool, 1,000-gallon tipping bucket, outdoor activity pool, adult-only hot tubs, and much more, Fallsview Indoor Waterpark offers incredible water fun directly across the street from the amazing Niagara Falls. It’s the perfect destination for families, friends, and people of all ages, and is directly connected to Falls Avenue Resort, which features some of the city’s best entertainment, dining, and accommodation sites.

The Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory is currently hosting an exciting new Nocturnal: Creatures of the Night exhibit, which is a wonderful family-friendly activity for people visiting Niagara Falls.

Nocturnal: Creatures of the Night is running from February 7^th until May 10^th and is showcasing fifteen different nocturnal creatures and a number of smaller animals that people are able to interact with while visiting the exhibit. Zoo educators will be on-site daily to offer interactive and fun programming and educate people on these very interesting and diverse species.

If you are looking for some unique family fun and want to interact with creatures like the Common Snapping Turtle, Emperor Scorpion, and Burmese Python, stop by the Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory and check out this fun new exhibit!