If you missed the Santa Clause Parade and the Candlelight Stroll on December 10, don’t worry… There are plenty more opportunities — and reasons — to celebrate the magic of the Holiday Season in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Stay in one of STAY Niagara-on-the-Lake’s member bed and breakfasts, cottages, villas or apartments. Sip Icewine in one of 38 wineries that dot the immediate countryside. Enjoy the Shaw Festival’s two Christmas shows — A Christmas Carol and Brigadoon. Shop in the authentic Christmas village or at one of the holiday markets for handcrafted artisan-made gifts. Get pampered in one of five spas.

But wait… there’s so much more.

Vote for Your Favourite
Queen Street has been transformed into a Christmas wonderland with decorated shop windows and Christmas trees lining the main thoroughfare. Get into the spirit and vote for your favourite Christmas tree and shop window at the Chamber of Commerce at 26 Queen Street. Voting for the People’s Choice Awards is open until December 31 at 5 p.m., and winners will be announced at the 2024 Icewine Festival.

Take in a Light Show
The Reif Estate Winery invites you to experience Niagara-on-the-Lake’s First Light Experience. The Seasky International Light Show runs from 5 to 9 p.m., Thursdays through Sundays, from December 21 to February 29. This spectacular event is crafted by artisans featuring scenes of magic, animals, nature, festive delights and Chinese culture. Take it all in with some warm mulled wine, hot apple cider, Vinea hot chocolate, award-winning Icewine and more. It’s the perfect date night or family outing!

Ready, Set, GLOW!
Not to be outdone, Canada’s Original Estate Winery — Inniskillin — is aglow in glittering lights until February 25. You’re welcome to experience an unforgettable evening as you get cozy and sip Icewine. The magic happens Fridays and Saturdays, from 5 to 9 p.m.

Lace Up Those Skates
Head over to the skating rink in the beautifully decorated Monet-inspired gardens across the street from the Pillar and Post Hotel. Then, cozy up to one of many warming stations located throughout the gardens with a snack and a hot drink or a glass of wine from the Outpost. It’s the perfect place to reminisce and share family Christmas stories and lots of laughter with one another. Go ahead, take a selfie or two while you’re at it. You’ll want to share your special day or evening with friends and family back home.

Experience a Fine Scottish Tradition
In honour of the Shaw Festival’s production of Brigadoon, the Prince of Wales Hotel is serving a Highland Candlelight Tea from 7 to 9 p.m. every Friday and Saturday evening in their Drawing Room. The menu features Sloane premium teas, housemade finger sandwiches, sweet cakes and pastries, signature scones and savory steak pie.

Run, Santa, Run!
Grab your family and friends, put on a Santa suit and run the Annual 5K Santa Run at 10 a.m., December 17. Later, enjoy breakfast and an award ceremony at The Irish Harp where prizes for best race times and keepsake medals will be doled out to participants. All proceeds support the NOTL Youth Collective, a program committed to creating a safe, accessible and inclusive environment for youth aged 12 to 18 in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Strike a Pose
Step out of the cold and into the warmth of the Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum where an exhibit called The Art of Self-Obsession is on display until April 29. The desire to leave a mark on the work and chronicle our lives is not a new concept. Over centuries, we have recorded our likeness through drawings, portrait paintings, sculpture, photography, and now, through social media and selfies. This exhibition shows how the people of Niagara-on-the-Lake documented themselves through paintings, drawings, photography and pixels.

Get Set for the New Year 2024
After the Holiday Season, some of us need a rest or something to look forward to. After all, we don’t want you to miss out on the fun.
January 13 & 14: Icewine Festival Kick-Off Weekend at the Outlet Collection
January 20: A Naval Dinner — An Evening with the Captain
January 20 & 21 and 27 & 28: 29th Icewine Festival Icewine Village on Queen Street
January 26: Sparkle & Ice Celebration at the Court House

Helpful Tips
Parking is free in Old Town and at Fort George during the month of December.

Did you lose something while you were in Niagara-on-the-Lake? Contact the lost and found centre at the NOTL Chamber of Commerce located at 26 Queen Street in the lower level of the building. Or call 1-905-468-1950 or email tourism@niagaraonthelake.com for more information.

Many Canadians have family members who served in World War I and II as well as other wars since then. In Niagara-on-the-Lake, their service and sacrifices are not taken lightly.

The Cenotaph at the corner of Queen and King Streets in Old Town is a daily reminder of the freedom we enjoy as Canadians, thanks to the bravery and patriotism our veterans exhibited over the years. For that, we are forever grateful.

Every year on November 11, as a nation, we honour them with a few moments of silence at 11 a.m.

A Poppy Path
The Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum chose to expand this annual ritual in 2021 by introducing the Niagara-on-the-Lake Poppy Project, headed by an energetic group of local volunteers. In 2022, the project was expanded to the Court House at 26 Queen Street in Old Town. Poppy wreaths adorned shop doors on Queen Street and poppy wraps draped lamp posts to create a “poppy path” from the Museum to the Court House. A fabric poppy garden at the Museum was expanded and soldiers’ names were added to these poppies.

In 2023, from November 2 to 13, the Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum on Castlereigh and the Court House Building at 26 Queen Street will once again be dressed in handmade poppies supplied by dedicated volunteers. The project is expanding to include two more nets of poppies at the Royal Canadian Legion on King Street and more poppy wreaths for shop windows along Queen Street.

A Fitting Tribute
STAY Niagara-on-the-Lake is proud to be part of a community that cares so deeply for our fallen and living heroes. Our only wish is that someday there will no longer be any need for anyone to go to war because freedom, peace and respect for the sacredness we see in each other will be the order of the day for all here at home and around the world.

Until then, thank you to the Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum and all the volunteers who brought this project to fruition. We are humbled by your dedication to keep the memories of our veterans alive in our hearts. Our members praise and deeply appreciate all your efforts.

Some Poppy Stats
40+ volunteers
2,000 hours of hand labour
7,500+ poppies
19,000 zip ties
2,500 square feet of bird netting
200 feet of steel cabling
Days of laughter and remembrance

Tag: STAY Niagara

Celebrate the Holiday Magic of Niagara-on-the-Lake

Niagara-on-the-Lake Remembers Our Heroes