Niagara Digest 🎄 December 27, 2025 Edition

We're officially in that magical between-Christmas-and-New-Year's week where time feels a little slower, the lights are still twinkling EVERYWHERE, and fireworks are happening EVERY SINGLE NIGHT! ✨🎆 Whether you're catching the IceDogs tomorrow night, bundling up for nightly fireworks over the Falls, or just enjoying some cozy downtime with hot chocolate in hand ☕, Niagara is serving up all the winter magic right now. Let's see what's happening! ❄️

🎆 Fireworks EVERY NIGHT through January 4! – The Winter Festival of Lights has shifted into peak mode with fireworks nightly at 8pm from December 27 through January 4 (plus midnight on New Year's Eve!). This is THE week to catch the spectacular displays over the frozen Falls 💥

🚔 Holiday DWI patrols ramped up across Niagara County – Police across all municipalities are participating in the STOP-DWI Holiday High Visibility Campaign through January 1. Expect increased enforcement on all major roads. Plan ahead with designated drivers! 🚗

🏛️ Virgil long-term care home expansion complete – NOTL's Virgil facility just wrapped up a $70.5M redevelopment adding 119 new beds. Current residents are moving into their beautiful new homes this week – perfect timing for the holidays! 🏡💙

🏒 IceDogs away but returning December 29 – The Niagara IceDogs are on the road at Brampton Monday December 29 at 7pm, then return home January 2 vs Windsor. #DogCountry is heating up! 🐕

🌬️ West Lincoln fire under investigation – Niagara police are investigating a suspicious residential fire that occurred earlier this week in the West Lincoln area. No injuries reported 🔥

☕ Hot Chocolate Trail extended through February 1! – The Niagara Falls Hot Chocolate Trail continues with 30 stops and 50+ creative flavours (including spirited options!). Perfect for warming up between festive activities! ☕🍫

🍷 New Year's Eve dining experiences booking fast – Restaurants across Niagara Falls and NOTL are offering special NYE packages. Watermark Fallsview has two seatings with gourmet three-course menus ($129-149), while wineries throughout wine country are planning elegant celebrations 🥂

🎄 Floral Showhouse open through January 5 – The 67th annual Poinsettia Show at Niagara Falls Floral Showhouse features 1,400+ poinsettias. A warm, beautiful escape on cold winter days! 🌺

🍕 Support local eateries between holidays – Restaurants across all 12 municipalities need your love this week! Many family-owned spots in St. Catharines, Welland, Grimsby, Port Colborne, Thorold, and Fort Erie are open and ready to serve you 💕

🎁 NOTL volunteers delivered Christmas stockings – Volunteers across Niagara-on-the-Lake gathered last Friday to make and deliver dozens of Christmas stockings to residents in long-term care homes. The NOTL Holiday House Tour has raised over $1.5 million since it began, including $260,000 last year alone! 🎅💝

🧤 Mitten Tree still accepting donations – The St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Centre is collecting new or gently used winter wear through January 6 for Community Care of St. Catharines & Thorold and Start Me Up Niagara. Drop off mittens, scarves, and hats! 🧣

⛪ Fatima Shrine lights continue through January 6 – Our Lady of Fatima Shrine in Lewiston features over 75 lighted displays including a life-size nativity scene. FREE admission for a peaceful winter stroll 💫

🎆 Winter Festival of Lights Fireworks – NIGHTLY!
📍 Queen Victoria Park (Niagara Falls)
⏰ Dec 27, 28, 29, 30 at 8pm | Dec 31 at 8pm AND MIDNIGHT
🎆 The nightly holiday fireworks series is HERE! Spectacular displays every single night through Jan 4
Schedule

💡 Winter Festival of Lights – ONGOING
📍 Niagara Parkway, Dufferin Islands & Queen Victoria Park (Niagara Falls)
⏰ Nightly through January 4, 2026 | 5pm-midnight
✨ 3 million lights, 75+ displays, Falls illumination at 6pm, 7pm & 8pm
Full Info

🌟 Laser Light Spectacular – NIGHTLY Dec 26-Jan 4!
📍 Queen Victoria Park (Niagara Falls)
⏰ Shows every 30 min, 6-9pm (nightly through Jan 4)
🎵 Music-synced laser shows painting the sky | FREE
Watch

🏒 IceDogs @ Brampton Steelheads
📍 CAA Centre (Brampton)
⏰ Monday, Dec 29 at 7pm
🐕 Catch the Dogs on the road! Home game returns Jan 2
Schedule

☕ Hot Chocolate Trail
📍 30 locations across Niagara Falls
⏰ Through February 1, 2026
☕ 50+ unique hot chocolate creations, spirited & non-spirited options
Trail Map

🌺 Poinsettia Show – Floral Showhouse
📍 7145 Niagara River Parkway (Niagara Falls)
⏰ Daily through January 5
🌸 1,400+ poinsettias in stunning displays | 67-year tradition
Visit

🎄 Let It Glow St. Catharines – ONGOING
📍 Rennie Park, Port Dalhousie & Downtown (St. Catharines)
⏰ Through January 4, 2026
💡 60+ interactive light displays, 3-storey tree, glittering St. Paul Street canopy
Explore

🔥 Misty Lodge Open – Fridays & Saturdays
📍 Queen Victoria Park (Niagara Falls)
⏰ Fridays & Saturdays, 6-9pm
🧸 Meet the Misty Kids mascots, warm up by fire pits, get FREE treats!
Location

🌟 Interactive Swings & See-Saws
📍 Queen Victoria Park (Niagara Falls)
💡 Illuminated playground equipment that lights up as you play!
FREE | Part of Winter Festival
Details

🎨 Poetry Hut – AI Digital Art
📍 Queen Victoria Place (Niagara Falls)
🤖 Interactive installation: "What does your dream world look like?"
FREE | Part of Winter Festival
Visit

🎆 NEW YEAR'S EVE DOUBLE FIREWORKS
📍 Queen Victoria Park (Niagara Falls)
⏰ December 31 at 8pm & MIDNIGHT
🥂 TWO spectacular 9-minute displays to ring in 2026!
Details

🍽️ New Year's Eve Dining Packages
📍 Multiple restaurants (Niagara Falls)
🥂 Watermark Fallsview offers two seatings: 4:30-5:45pm ($129) or 6:30-11pm ($149)
Includes 3-course gourmet dinner, sparkling wine toast, live music
Book

⛸️ New Year's celebrations across region
📍 Various municipalities
Check your local community centre for family-friendly NYE events!

🏒 IceDogs vs Windsor Spitfires – HOME OPENER 2026!
📍 Meridian Centre (St. Catharines)
⏰ Thursday, Jan 2 at 7pm
🐕 First home game of the new year! Welcome back #DogCountry
Tickets

🏒 IceDogs January Home Games
📍 Meridian Centre (St. Catharines)
🎟️ Jan 2 vs Windsor, Jan 3 vs TBA, Jan 5 vs TBA, Jan 10 vs Brantford, Jan 11 vs Guelph
Multiple home games throughout January!
Full Schedule

🎆 Winter Festival Final Fireworks
📍 Queen Victoria Park (Niagara Falls)
⏰ Jan 1, 2, 3, 4 at 8pm (NIGHTLY)
✨ Final four nights of spectacular displays!
Info

💡 Laser Shows Continue
📍 Queen Victoria Park (Niagara Falls)
⏰ Jan 1-4, shows every 30 min from 6-9pm
Final weekend of the music-synced laser spectacular!
Watch

🍷 Niagara Icewine Festival – Jan 16-Feb 1, 2026
📍 Region-wide (multiple municipalities)
🧊 Discovery Pass Weekends: Jan 16-18, 23-25, 30-Feb 1
🎉 NOTL Icewine Village: Jan 17-18 & 24-25, 12-6pm (FREE admission)
💃 Cool As Ice Gala: Niagara Parks Power Station (Jan 31)
🍸 IceHaus Cocktail Competition: NOTL (Jan 24, 8-11pm)
Full Schedule & Passes

🎭 Shaw Festival 2026 Season
📍 Multiple theatres (Niagara-on-the-Lake)
🎟️ ON SALE NOW!
✨ Season runs April-December 2026 featuring Lion, Witch & Wardrobe, Anything Goes, White Christmas & more
⏰ NEW showtimes: Matinees 1pm, Evenings 7pm
Book

🦁 Safari Lights – Safari Niagara
📍 2821 Stevensville Rd (Fort Erie)
⏰ Nightly through December 30
🚗 Drive-through experience with 1 million lights!
Tickets

🎨 Grimsby Museum Fantasy of Trees
📍 6 Murray Street (Grimsby)
⏰ Through December
🎄 26th annual event with decorated trees & wreaths | FREE admission
Visit

⛪ Fatima Shrine Festival of Lights
📍 Our Lady of Fatima Shrine (Lewiston - near Fort Erie)
⏰ Through January 6
💫 Over 75 illuminated displays including life-size nativity | FREE
Details

🎡 Clifton Hill Attractions – Year-Round
📍 Clifton Hill District (Niagara Falls)
🎢 SkyWheel (175ft views!), wax museum, haunted houses, arcades, restaurants
⛄ Extra festive atmosphere through holidays!
Explore

💡 Niagara Parks Power Station Laser Mapping
📍 Niagara Parks Power Station (Niagara Falls)
🎨 Century-old architecture brought to life with lasers
Visit

🔥 Dufferin Islands Drive-Through
📍 Dufferin Islands (Niagara Falls)
✨ Light Anemones kinetic sculptures, Cosmic Wolf, 4 Burning Man exhibits
🚗 One-way route through islands | FREE
Map

🌊 Sparkling Winter Lights Falls Illumination
📍 Niagara Falls
⏰ Nightly at 6pm, 7pm & 8pm
💡 5-minute choreographed light show transforming the Falls
Features aurora borealis, snowfalls, blizzards & frosted falls
Watch

🍇 Winery Winter Tastings
📍 Niagara-on-the-Lake, Lincoln, Grimsby, Beamsville
🔥 Fireside tastings, winter menus, Icewine previews
🍷 Peller Estates, Trius, Wayne Gretzky Estates, Thirty Bench & more
NOTL Wineries

🍽️ Winery Dining Experiences
📍 Various locations (NOTL, Lincoln, Grimsby)
❄️ Special winter menus, Icewine pairings
Reserve ahead for New Year's week!

⛸️ Wayne Gretzky Estates
📍 NOTL
🥃 Backyard ice skating rink + heated whisky bar patio
🔥 Hot cocktails & winter menu
Details

⛸️ Public Skating
📍 Arenas across all 12 municipalities
❄️ Check local arena schedules for holiday ice times
Many offer special NYE skates!

🥾 Conservation Area Activities
📍 Pelham, Grimsby, Lincoln, West Lincoln
🎿 Hiking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing (weather permitting)
NPCA Info

🎳 Indoor Entertainment
📍 Bowling, trampoline parks, indoor attractions
Perfect for cold winter days across Niagara!

🎸 FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre
📍 250 St. Paul St (St. Catharines)
🎭 Check for New Year's week performances
Schedule

🎪 Greg Frewin Theatre
📍 Niagara Falls
🎄 Holiday magic shows continue
Tickets

🎰 Fallsview Casino Shows
📍 Avalon Theatre, Fallsview Casino (Niagara Falls)
🎤 Blue Rodeo plays December 28!
Schedule

📚 Local Libraries – Holiday Programs
📍 All 12 municipalities
📖 Check your local branch for winter break activities
Many open with reduced holiday hours

🎨 Niagara Pumphouse Arts Centre
📍 247 Ricardo St (Niagara-on-the-Lake)
🎁 Holiday exhibitions & gift shop
Gallery Hours

🏰 Fort George
📍 Niagara-on-the-Lake
❄️ Check for special New Year's programming
Schedule

🚢 St. Catharines Museum & Welland Canals Centre
📍 St. Catharines
🧤 Mitten Tree donations through Jan 6
🏛️ Exhibits open (check holiday hours)
Visit

🎄 Local Museums
📍 Grimsby, Port Colborne, Welland, Thorold, Lincoln, Pelham
Check individual sites for New Year's week hours

🍽️ Restaurant Week (if scheduled)
📍 Check local restaurant associations
Multiple municipalities participate
Support local eateries between holidays!

🍷 Wine & Dine Experiences
📍 Throughout wine country
🥘 Chef's tasting menus, winemaker dinners
Book ahead for New Year's celebrations!

🎁 Downtown Shopping Districts
📍 St. Catharines, NOTL, Grimsby, Port Colborne, Welland, Thorold
Boxing Week sales continue!
Support local boutiques & shops!

🌟 Clifton Hill Shopping
📍 Niagara Falls
🎁 Souvenir shops, candy stores
Open daily through New Year's!

🎬 Movie Theatres
📍 Niagara Falls, St. Catharines, Welland
🎥 Holiday movie releases & family films
Check local listings!

🎨 Winter Craft Activities
📍 Various community centres
Check for drop-in crafts & New Year's activities

🏊 Recreation Centres
📍 St. Catharines, Niagara Falls, Welland, Grimsby, Fort Erie, Port Colborne
Indoor pools, gyms, sports – check holiday schedules
Many have special New Year's week programming

🎡 Niagara SkyWheel
📍 Clifton Hill (Niagara Falls)
⏰ Year-round
🎄 See ALL the lights from 175 feet up!
Tickets

What a SPECTACULAR week to be in Niagara! Fireworks EVERY SINGLE NIGHT, the IceDogs heading into the new year, twinkling lights across ALL 12 municipalities, and that magical between-holidays energy that makes everything feel a little more special! ✨ Whether you're in Niagara Falls catching nightly fireworks, St. Catharines enjoying Let It Glow, wine country sipping something cozy, or anywhere from Grimsby to Fort Erie to Welland to Wainfleet – we're SO lucky to call this region home during the most magical time of year! 🎆

Stay warm, stay safe, shop local, and soak up every moment of this festive week!

See you under the lights (and fireworks!),
The Niagara Digest Team

P.S. Don't forget – fireworks happen EVERY NIGHT at 8pm through January 4, with a BONUS midnight show on New Year's Eve! 🎆 That's 11 consecutive nights of spectacular displays over the frozen Falls, plus the biggest bang at midnight to ring in 2026. Bundle up, grab your hot chocolate ☕, and make it a nightly tradition this week! Full fireworks schedule here

📧 Have a local event, business opening, or community story to share? We love celebrating Niagara – send us your news!