While you will find plenty of holiday light displays in the U.S., Canada arguably outshines them all with Niagara Falls’ CAA Winter Festival of Lights, where more than 125 animated presentations and 3 million tiny bulbs glow along with the iconic falls.
More than 1.3 million visitors drive through Niagara Parkway around this time of the year to gaze at over three miles of lights. For the 30th anniversary of the free winter lights festival — the country’s largest — check out the Dufferin Islands stretch, which showcases illuminated Canadian wildlife, like wolves, dinosaurs and whales. The animated Enchantment of Disney display brings classics like Fantasia and The Lion King to life, and is sure to be a hit with the kids. New displays this year include the 50-foot-long Santa’s Top Shoppe and Cinderella. Several lots are available along the route so you can park and snap some pictures.
Of course, it wouldn’t be winter in Canada without ice skating. Do some laps around the fest’s outdoor TD RINK at the Brink and get another view of the lit-up falls. The fest will also host Canada’s biggest New Year’s Eve concert, with Nelly Furtado and Hedley headlining.
The Winter Festival of Lights runs daily from 5 p.m. to midnight through January 31. For even more dazzle, time your trip for a Friday night. Every Friday through January 25, a fireworks display will light up the sky as part of the festivities, too.
Photos Courtesy of CAA Winter Festival of Lights
