This Christmas in Niagara-on-the-Lake promises to be one of the most special yet, so plan your holiday getaway now to have something truly extraordinary to look forward to once the snow starts falling. From taking care of your gift-giving through to festive events and activities the whole family can enjoy, Niagara is the perfect destination to get you and your loved ones in the holiday spirit this season.
Discover what’s going on in Niagara-on-the-Lake during this Christmas season and have a magical holiday experience in the heart of Ontario wine country. Here are some wonderful festive events taking place in Niagara-on-the-Lake this holiday season:
- The Ultimate Christmas Village in Niagara-on-the-Lake
- A Christmas Carol at The Shaw Festival
- Lerner and Loewe’s Brigadoon
- Dickensian Feast at Vintage Hotels
- Winery Tours and Tastings
- Holiday Shopping at Niagara Heritage District & Outlet Collection
- Outdoor Ice Skating in Niagara-on-the-Lake
- The Candlelight Stroll in Niagara-on-the-Lake
- Niagara-on-the-Lake Christmas Parade
- Rotary Holiday House Tour
The Ultimate Christmas Village in Niagara-on-the-Lake
Dates: December 1st to January 29th, 2023
Immerse yourself in the festive world of everyone’s favourite Dickens’ classic during Niagara-on-the-Lake’s Ultimate Christmas Village. Running through December to January, this “village” combines activities that are tailored to adults, children and the entire family. See how Niagara-on-the-Lake is transformed with decorations, holiday cheer and all the fixings you’ll be wishing for this Christmas season.
Shaw Festival a Christmas Carol
ACC – Cast of A Christmas Carol (2021). Photography: David Cooper – Image courtesy of the Shaw Festival.
There are few holiday traditions that are more beloved or universally shared than a viewing of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol during the Christmas season. Visit the Shaw Festival to enjoy a thoughtful rendition of this classic tale, which has been reimagined by talented director, Molly Atkinson, and her extraordinary cast. Purchase tickets well in advance to ensure you have a seat at Ebenezer Scrooge’s table as he learns the most important lessons we all need to keep in mind during the holidays.
Dates: From November 5 through December 23, 2023 (times vary)
Tickets: From $28.25 depending on the show date. Tickets are very limited. Purchase your tickets early to ensure you get to see this year’s show!
Lerner and Loewe’s Brigadoon
Kristi Frank in Brigadoon (2019). Photography: David Cooper – Image courtesy of the Shaw Festival.
Experience the magic of Brigadoon in Niagara-on-the-Lake! Visit the Shaw Festival to get into the Christmas spirit and enjoy the tale of a modern boy, Tommy, as he discovers the magical village of Brigadoon, meeting Fiona, a beautiful girl from the past. Whether visiting Niagara-on-the-Lake for the day or staying for the weekend, you can experience the true meaning of the season at the Shaw Festival in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Tickets to see this show are expected to sell out! Be sure to purchase your tickets early to ensure the best seating!
Dickensian Feast at Prince of Wales Hotel
*2023 EVENT DATES SOLD OUT*
Enhance your time-travelling experience in Niagara by booking a spot at the Dickensian Feast within the truly spectacular Prince of Wales. This Victorian hotel pays the perfect ode to the classic tale, and the plates will be unparalleled for dinner guests with the same cultivated taste for food as they have for theatre. Experience a truly regal evening of wining and dining before you see A Christmas Carol at the Shaw Festival – the perfect end to a magical evening!
Dates: November 24 and December 1,8, & 15, 2023 | 5:00 – 8:00 P.M.
Cost: $75, includes dinner, tea and coffee – reserve your Dickensian Feast at Vintage Hotels today.
Candle Light Tea at Prince of Wales Hotel
In honour of the Shaw Festival’s production of Brigadoon, we invite you to join us for a Highland Candlelight Tea every Friday and Saturday evening in our Drawing Room at Prince of Wales! Indulge in one of the finest Scottish traditions with a menu of Sloane premium teas, house made finger sandwiches, sweet cakes & pastries, signature scones and savory steak pie. Cheers to a wonderful evening of theatre with a Rob Roy or Penicillin Scotch Cocktail. Wine by the glass and the Region’s best Scotch list will also be available to help you celebrate the season.
Dates: Available Friday & Saturday evenings from November 2, 2023 – January 6, 2024
Cost: $65 per person
Breakfast with Santa
Join us on Saturday, December 9th for a festive breakfast at Prince of Wales before visiting Santa at the Churchill Lounge. Santa will be ready to take pictures with all the girls and boys in the morning from 9:30 am to 10:00 am before he heads off to the big parade on Queen Street! Be sure to bring your cameras to capture these memories that the little ones will remember for a lifetime.
Date: Saturday, December 9, 2023
Location: Prince of Wales Hotel, 6 Picton St, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON L0S 1J0
Cost: $28 Breakfast Buffet, Kids 12 & Under are $16. Kids Under 3 are Free
Winery Tours and Tastings
Many of our favourite wineries are celebrating the season alongside all our visitors, serving food and offering tastings of the year’s bounty, and of course, Icewine. Spend a wintry weekend tasting your way through the Niagara region at many of the most beautiful winery estates in the area. Taste holiday-inspired food and enjoy the luxurious decorations that elevate the typical wine-tasting experience even further.
Holiday Shopping at Niagara Heritage District & Outlet Collection
Why shop in a humdrum mall when you can spend your weekend looking in truly unique stores, within one of Ontario’s most festive towns? During the Christmas season, you can enjoy a hot chocolate as you walk between our heritage boutiques – or you can hit up the outlets before coming into the heart of town to enjoy a magical night for holiday memory-making.
Outdoor Ice Skating in The Gardens at Pillar and Post
This winter, we look forward to welcoming everyone back to the Ice Rink at the Gardens at Pillar and Post. Enjoy the beautiful grounds while skating under twinkling lights and sipping on signature beverages from The Outpost.
This 120 x 60 ice rink is the perfect way to spend a winter evening. Because we wanted to ensure everyone could partake in the festivities, there are skate rentals available for our guests. Warm up with some tasty concessions and skate away the evening under the stars.
Date: From winter 2023 until March 2024. Please visit the Facebook page for daily rink operations updates.
Cost: Admission is free, skate rentals can be purchased for $5 and there is an on-site concession for snacks and hot cocoa.
Niagara’s Candlelight Stroll
Image courtesy of Niagara This Week
Each year, Niagara-on-the-Lake hosts a breathtaking candlelight stroll that offers visitors a truly unique way to experience choral Christmas music, while also touring our town’s elegant Heritage District. The Candlelight Stroll begins at the Old Courthouse. From there, you’ll enjoy a guided tour of our historic town, and, at a number of the stops, you’ll be serenaded by local choirs and other seasonal entertainment.
Date: Friday, December 1st, 2023 – begins at 6:30pm
Cost: Event is free to attend, candles can be purchased for $5 each
Location: Niagara-on-the-Lake Heritage District, starting at the Old Courthouse.
Niagara-on-the-Lake Christmas Parade 2023
Image courtesy of Niagara Now.
Come to see Santa when he visits Niagara-on-the-Lake this December. Considered one of Ontario’s most anticipated Santa Clause parades, it’s a favourite for locals and Niagara visitors alike. See the many beautifully constructed floats that are sure to inspire holiday memories. See the Niagara-on-the-Lake Christmas Parade route for details.
Date: Saturday, December 9th, 2023 – 11:00am to 1:00pm
Cost: FREE
Location: Niagara-on-the-Lake Heritage District
Rotary Holiday House Tour
Image courtesy of the Rotary Club of Niagara-on-the-Lake
Enjoy a self-guided tour through some of the most beautiful homes in Niagara-on-the-Lake that are carefully decorated in the spirit of Christmas. With a different theme each year, The Rotary Holiday House Tour is an ever-changing festive adventure, highlighting some of the area’s most distinctive homes and landmark destinations. Enjoy the magic of the season on this holiday home tour, running December 1st and 2nd, 2023.
Plan a Magical Holiday Getaway to Niagara-on-the-Lake
Escape to Niagara-on-the-Lake this Christmas season and enjoy a holiday getaway in Niagara with Vintage Hotels. Consider changing up your holiday traditions to incorporate refined dinners, jolly festivities and VQA and vintage wines that will put even the grumpiest of Scrooges in a great mood for the holidays.
*Featured image courtesy of Andrew Fischer Photography