Niagara Digest — January 3, 2026 Edition

The Niagara Icewine Festival is gearing up for its January run with Discovery Pass experiences at wineries across the region — a perfect excuse to support local vineyards from Lincoln to NOTL. Learn more.visitniagaracanada​

Downtown St. Catharines is getting ready to shine on a provincial stage as host of the 2026 BIA Conference – “Main Streets in Bloom”, spotlighting local storefronts, eateries, and entrepreneurs. Details here.mydowntown​

Niagara’s wine country hospitality scene is leaning into winter with cozy stays and Icewine experiences at local inns and hotels in Niagara-on-the-Lake and Niagara Benchlands. Get a taste of winter wine weekends.vintage-hotels​

Local business groups across South Niagara are pushing “shop local” and support for small bricks-and-mortar shops heading into 2026 — a reminder that your latte, hardware run, or haircut keeps neighbours employed. Read the business update.myniagaraonline​

Two Niagara residents, including St. Catharines’ own Mary Ann Edwards, have been named to the Order of Canada, shining a national spotlight on local leadership and community-building work. 🇨🇦 Story here.101morefm​

Niagara-on-the-Lake is encouraging residents to share real-life kindness stories — everything from neighbourly snow shovelling to surprise coffees — to celebrate what makes the town feel like a small village at heart. 💛 Share or read stories.notl​

Until Jan 4 — Let It Glow: A Celebration of Light (St. Catharines) ✨ Stroll through light installations in downtown, Port Dalhousie and Rennie Park for a final weekend of holiday magic. Event info.visitniagaracanada​

Until Jan 4 — Winter Festival of Lights & Illumination (Niagara Falls) 🌈 Catch the final glow along the Niagara Parkway as the city’s signature light displays wrap up for the season. More details.niagarafallstourism​

Tonight & Jan 4 — Misty Lodge Winter Experience (Niagara Falls) 🔥 Cozy up in Queen Victoria Park with a seasonal lodge vibe, running on select evenings as part of the winter programming. See listing.niagarafallstourism​

Jan 2–3 — HYPROV: Improv Under Hypnosis (Niagara Falls) 😂 A wild mix of comedy and hypnosis on stage — great if you’ve “done the Falls” and want something totally different. Show info.niagarafallstourism​

Jan 3 — Niagara Events Roundup (Region-wide) 🎟️ From small-town markets to live music and workshops, check this week’s curated list covering all 12 municipalities. Browse the roundup.niagaradigest​

Jan 4 — Winter Festival of Lights Finale Night (Niagara Falls) 🎆 Soak in the last night of the lights and seasonal displays before they power down until next season. Event details.niagaradigest​

Jan 7–14 — Legends in Concert: Back to the 80s (Niagara Falls) 🎸 Big hair, big tunes and tribute performances lighting up the Avalon Theatre. Find out more.niagarafallstourism​

Mid-January — Niagara Icewine Festival & Discovery Pass (Region-wide) 🍇 Sip your way through wineries from Lincoln and Pelham to NOTL with curated Icewine and culinary pairings. Festival overview.niagaradigest​

Late January — Niagara-on-the-Lake Icewine Village (Niagara-on-the-Lake) 🧊 Queen Street turns into a winter wine village with tastings, food, music, and sparkling ice sculptures. Event preview.vintage-hotels​

Ongoing — Community Events Across Niagara (All municipalities) 🥶 Indoor skates, fitness classes, library programs and more are popping up this week from Grimsby to Fort Erie. See what’s on.niagaradigest​

Coming Up — Cool As Ice Gala (Niagara Falls) 🕺 Dress up for a night of Icewine, food and live entertainment at the Niagara Parks Power Station later this month. More on the gala.niagarawinefestival​