It’s hard to believe that the Niagara Falls Winter Festival of Lights is 30 years old. This world renowned Festival has become a family tradition for thousands over the years. With over 3 Million sparkling lights over a 6km route, the Winter Festival of Lights (or WFOL as us locals like to call it) transforms Niagara Falls into a Winter Wonderland. This year the Skylon Tower is going to be revolutionized. Many locals referred to the Skylon Tower as “Niagara’s largest Christmas tree” with strings of lights cascading down towards the base of the Tower.

However, 2012/2013 is going to be a Winter of wonderful changes throughout the city. The Tower will now be illuminated using 12 special projectors along with three image projectors that will project images on the underside pod of the tower. “It’s going to be light years from what it once was. Literally, you will have a nightly light show occuring on the Skylon Tower every night during the Festival of Lights,” says Dino Fazio, Festival General Manager.

The opening ceremonies begin at 5:45 pm on November 3rd which will include a one-hour stage show, a musical salute to the holidays that concludes with a magical appearance from Disney’s Mickey and Minnie Mouse, who will flip the giant light switch that will illuminate all of the displays. The Festival continues until January 31st, 2013.

If you haven’t been, here is what others are saying about the Festival. The Niagara Falls Winter Festival of Lights was included in the Top 10 Canada’s best winter festivals from Canoe.ca, while Frommer’s Travel placed Niagara Falls on its list of Top 10 decorated cities.

Only 63 days until Saint Nicholas comes to town. We’ve handpicked our three favourite Niagara Christmas Craft Shows for all of those special people on your “nice” list:

Ridley Christmas Market, Ridley College Fieldhouse

Don’t miss the Ridley Christmas Market, happening on Friday, November 16th from 3-8 pm in the Ridley College Fieldhouse, located at 2 Ridley Road in St. Catharines. This free event is filled with unique goodies for all of those people “near and dear to your hearts.” Featuring artisans/crafts, jewellery/clothing, specialty shoppes/specialty food, a children’s craft corner, a market café, prize draws/raffle and a special visit from Saint Nick himself.

The holidays are very much about giving and so many local charities will be benefiting from this spectacular annual event: Wells of Hope, Free the Children, Make a Wish, Red Roof Retreat, Gift of Reading, Operation Christmas Guild, Mainstream Services, Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation, and Missionary Work in Africa.

Christmas by the Falls, Scotiabank Convention Centre

The Rotary Club of Niagara Falls is also having their annual Craft Show on Saturday, December 1st (10 am - 6 pm) and Sunday, December 2nd (10 am - 5 pm). There will be lots of stocking stuffers and holiday inspiration at this event: arts/crafts, men’s tools, floral and home decor, clothing and more. Looking for some new holiday food ideas? Don’t miss the Culinary Cooking Demonstrations, courtesy of Niagara College. Tickets are $5 each.

Hernder Estate Wines 18th Annual Craft Show, Hernder Estate Winery

Picture two floors of quality crafters on November 2nd, 3rd and 4th from 10 am - 5 pm. In lieu of admission, help a local family this Christmas. Donations or Non-Perishable Foods
will be accepted for Community Care of St. Catharines & Thorold.

The Christmas Handmade Market - November 24th and 25th, 11am - 4pm

Held at 2 locations:

Fielding Estate Winery
4020 Locust Lane, Beamsville, Ontario

Directions → http://www.fieldingwines.com/page/contact_us

and

The Good Earth Food and Wine Co.
4556 Lincoln Avenue, Beamsville, Ontario

Directions → www.goodearthfoodandwine.com/howtofindus

To all of you craft lovers out there, these three Niagara Craft Shows will definitely get you inspired for the holidays!

If you are from out of town and need a place to stay, the Niagara Falls Courtyard by Marriott has 258 guest rooms just waiting to provide you with a good night’s rest. After all shopping and present planning can be both mentally and physically exhausting.

If you haven’t visited Niagara Falls in the Winter, then you are missing out on some of the most wonderful events and attractions. Starting on November 3rd, don’t miss one of Niagara’s greatest winter traditions, the Niagara Falls Winter Festival of Lights. Picture three million sparkling lights and 120 animated displays including the world-famous Enchantment of Disney® displays. Make your Winter Wonderland experience even more wonderful, by skating on the TD Rink at the Brink ‘s open-air, outdoor rink with Niagara Falls as your backdrop. It is open from November 28th to February 28th. Plus to make your winter adventure even more exciting, each evening the Falls will be illuminated in various colours of the rainbow.

Don’t miss the newest Niagara Falls winter attraction, the Red Bull Crashed Ice 2013, which crashes Niagara Falls on December 1st. This extreme winter sport promises to be filled with excitement, exhilaration and wonder as competitors race down a 540 metre icy track, four at a time on ice skates at 60 km//hr.

If you are not a fan of the Jack Frost, there are plenty of winter indoor activities that will keep you toasty warm, like the Bird Kingdom, featuring 400 featured friends, reptiles and more. They are the largest free-flying indoor aviary in the world. There’s also the Butterfly Conservatory, The Canadian Midway, located on Clifton Hill, featuring 70,000 square feet of fun (300 arcade games, bowling) and much more.

Don’t forget about the dozens of Niagara Wineries. They will certainly keep you toasty. The Niagara Falls Courtyard by Marriott has their very own Niagara Wine Tour , which runs until the end of October.

It’s not too early to start thinking about New Year’s Eve. Ring in 2013 in Niagara Falls. Last year’s event is going to be hard to beat, as there were so many talented artists on one stage in Queen Victoria Park, overlooking Niagara Falls: Simple Plan, Our Lady Peace, The Sheepdogs, Keshia Chanté and Stephanie McIlroy. Stay tuned for 2013′s talent announcement.

Niagara Falls is the place to be this Winter.

Did you know that Niagara Falls has a lot of fun and spooky Halloween history? If you are looking to add a dash of eerie excitement to your Halloween, be sure to head to this way for some of the most “chilling” and “thrilling” Niagara Falls Halloween events.

Drummond Hill Cemetary Tours - October 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, at 7pm, 8pm and 9pm. Drummond Hill Cemetery is a nationally recognized heritage site. It is most famously known as the battle grounds of the “Battle of Lundy’s Lane”, as well as the burial site of Laura Secord. Take a night-time walk through Niagara Falls history through one of the most historic cemeteries in Canada. Led by a costumed guide, the human drama unfolds as you wander the grounds and happen upon theatrical performances that provide a glimpse into the lives of some of the famous and not so famous people from the history of the city. The vignettes are based on real people who are buried in the cemetery. Some content may not be suitable for younger audiences. Recommended for ages 14+.

Howell’s Family Pumpkin Farm - It’s fun for the whole family. The list of fun is endless: Corn mazes, pig races, tractor rides, a haunted house, haystack jumping pillow, kettle corn, apple cider, pumpkin donuts, cow and t-rex trains and more. Open now until November 3rd.

All Hallows Eve at Old Fort Erie - Oct 19th, 25th and 26th. Over 200 years of history with a touch of fright.

Haunt Manor - Haunted House & Hayrides - Weekends until November 1st. Here you are taken back into time and walking through a Victorian style house haunted by the original family that once lived here in 1776, but tragically disappeared during the war. Voted the best haunted attraction and hayride in Canada.

Haunted Hayrides at Warner’s Ranch - During the Halloween season enjoy the fright and delight of a Haunted Hayride, held October 11th, 12th, 18th, 19th, 25th and 26th with the first ride going out at 7:00 pm with the last ride departing at 10:45 pm.

Ghost Walks of Niagara-on-the-Lake -Niagara-on-the-Lake is Canada’s Most Haunted Town! Over 200 years of history and ghosts are featured with tales of haunted pubs, inns, and homes. Open daily in October. Tours start at 8pm.

Haunted Hernder Hallows - Hernder Estates Winery is hosting their Haunted Halloween Party V. Please check their website for the final date to be announced. Prizes awarded for the best Halloween costumes and musical performance from Jonesy. Proceeds from this event go to the New Regional Walker Family Cancer Centre.

You can also head down to the Clifton Hill area and experience the haunted houses for an extra spooky evening.

Be sure to visit some of the most exciting and frightening Niagara Falls Halloween Events this October.

There are a lot of exciting Niagara Falls events happening this time of year. And why not save a few dollars while you’re at it. The more savings, the more fun can be had.

Here is the “go to” site, for savings on Niagara Falls attractions such as the Bird Kingdom, Great Canadian Midway on Clifton Hill, Movieland, Niagara SkyWheel, Whirlpool Jet Boats Niagara Helicopters and much more:

NiagaraSuperSaver.com

If you’re looking for a fun-filled family weekend, be sure to check out Clifton Hill, the Street of Fun. They are offering 50% off their “Big Fun Value Pass - 3 Pack.” Choose 3 attractions for $17.95 (Adults) and $15.95 (Kids).

And don’t forget about one of the most centralized hotels near Clifton Hill, the Courtyard by Marriott. Speaking of deals, don’t forget to sign up for our monthly newsletter, which is filled with the some of the best hotel deals in Niagara Falls. If you’d prefer to get the deals sent directly to your phone, simply text CYBM to 58585 for your chance to win a free stay and stay on top of the best Niagara Falls Hotel Deals.