Niagara Digest 🎄 December 27, 2025 Edition

Hey Niagara!

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! ❄️

Top News Stories in Niagara Right Now

🎆 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 🔥

Local Business & Food Scene Highlights

☕ 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 💕

Community & Feel-Good Stories

🎁 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 💫

Event Calendar – 60+ Ways to Fill Your Weekends (or Weeknights!)

✨ THIS WEEKEND & WEEK (Dec 27-31)

🎆 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 (Dec 31)

🎆 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!

❄️ JANUARY HIGHLIGHTS

🏒 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

🎄 ONGOING THROUGH EARLY JANUARY

🦁 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

🍷 WINE COUNTRY EXPERIENCES

🍇 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

⛸️ WINTER RECREATION

⛸️ 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!

🎭 ARTS & CULTURE

🎸 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

🏛️ HERITAGE & MUSEUMS

🏰 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

🍽️ DINING EXPERIENCES

🍽️ 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!

🛍️ BOXING WEEK SHOPPING

🎁 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!

🎅 FAMILY ACTIVITIES (REGION-WIDE)

🎬 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

That's a wrap for this edition! 🎁

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!

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