The Winter Festival of Lights: Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada

One of the fondest memories of many childhoods is the wonder and awe of the light displays during the holiday season. I’m from Buffalo, NY, and while there are several prominent light displays throughout the city of Buffalo, the one that I remember best as a child wasn’t in Buffalo, but rather in nearby Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada.

Celebrating its 25^th anniversary this year, The Winter Festival of Lights is Canada’s largest light festival. Also known as the Niagara Parks Winter Wonderland, this fascinating display includes over 125 animated light displays and over 3 million tree and ground lights that span a 5 kilometer route along the Niagara Parkway. It also includes the world famous Enchantment of Disney® displays as well as the world’s largest illuminated Canadian-American flag.

The Winter Festival of Lights began on November 3, 2007 and will run until January 7, 2008. There is no admission fee to view this wondrous sight, but donations are gratefully accepted as all proceeds go towards enhancing future light displays at the festival.

As mine did, over one million local residents as well as visitors from around the world have made a wintertime visit to the Niagara Falls Winter Festival of Lights a family tradition. This festival is exciting because in addition to the lights and displays, there are also many other events and attractions that are going on as well. This year you can check out musicals, comedy festivals, concerts and more.

Bringing the little ones with you? Disney’s® Beauty and the Beast will be running at the Niagara Centre for the Arts from November 23, 2007 – January 1, 20007. Take a break from the cold and get your children re-acquainted with their old Disney® pals! If you’re in to comedy, the Niagara Falls comedy fest is running November 23-24^th. Also check out the Niagara Concert series to find out when your favorite band will be performing at The Winter Festival of Lights.

Do you have plans for New Years Eve? The New Years Eve Concert Extravaganza is a one of a kind way to ring in the new year. This free New Years Eve Party in Niagara Falls, Ontario attracts over 30,000 people each year and features an out door area with food and beverage vendors, two fireworks displays over the falls (at 9pm and midnight) as well as fantastic musical entertainment. There’s no better way to celebrate the new year with the ones you love than at The Winter Festival of Lights.

Not only will there be fireworks at the New Years Eve Extravaganza, but fireworks displays can also be seen at 9pm every Friday night during the festival as well as at 9pm every day from December 26th to the last night of the festival January 6th. So bring your family, bring your friends and bring your loved ones to this one of a kind event. A visit to The Winter Festival of Lights in Niagara Falls, Ontario is the perfect way to celebrate the holiday season I guarantee it’s an experience you’ll never forget!

Happy Holidays!

Sources:

The Lights. The Winter Festival of Lights.