Niagara Falls Christmas Market 2026: Deck the Halls

One Sunday in November is all you get at the Niagara Falls Christmas Market, so it’s worth building a weekend around. It lands on the opening weekend of the Winter Festival of Lights, when three million lights come on around the falls. Spend the afternoon with local makers and campfire s’mores, then head down to the river once it’s dark.

Niagara Falls Christmas Market 2026

Dates

Status: Confirmed
Niagara Falls dates: 15th November 2026
Last checked: October 2026

Update: Dates were announced in August. Sign up for our newsletter to be notified of changes.

Source: Verified by Ultimate Christmas Markets via Niagara Falls Tourism.

Plan Your Visit

Location and Times

Location: Niagara Falls Exchange and Niagara Falls History Museum on Ferry Street
Opening times: 11am to 5pm

Travel and Accommodation

Recommended tour: Take this popular tour of Niagara Falls that includes a boat cruise under the falls and several other stops.
Parking: Please take public transport or walk to help limit congestion.
Where to stay: Oasis Suite is perfectly located around the corner from the main street.

Amenities and Attractions

Admission: Free entry
Santa: Yes
Ice skating: No
Reason to visit: Great atmosphere in one of Canada’s most beautiful locations.

Dietary Options

Vegetarian: Yes, plenty of options.
Vegan: Yes, but limited.
Gluten free: Yes, but limited.
Specialties: S’mores, hot apple cider and butter tarts.

Accessibility

Accessible: Yes
Pet-friendly: Not stated

Convenient Hotels

Although it’s been a while since my last visit, I can still recommend Oasis Suite if proximity to the event is important to you.

But if you’re in Niagara Falls to visit the falls, you’ll most likely want to stay more central, close to the actual falls. In that case, I recommend DoubleTree by Hilton.

Plan your holiday with my guide to the best Canadian Christmas Markets. Discover where to go, things to do, and ways to experience local food, history and culture.

Location

What to Expect

Many years ago, I was lucky enough to visit Niagara Falls in winter, and it blew my mind. I’d never seen anything like the boulders of ice at the base of the falls. It was completely unexpected!

I guess it’s standard for locals, but it’s incredible for us visitors. I highly recommend visiting at this time of year, if possible.

The market itself is a small, city-run affair that’s grown each year, and it now spreads across two buildings. Local makers fill both with handmade décor and holiday gifts. Santa holds court in the museum’s Sherman Zavitz Theatre while the kids get busy at the craft tables.

While you’re in the area, the Winter Festival of Lights opens the day before the market, with 8 kilometres of light trails through the Fallsview District, Lundy’s Lane and the Niagara Parkway. You can find all the trails here.

• The illuminated falls: Coloured lights play across both the Horseshoe and American Falls every night, and the mist catches the colour beautifully on a cold evening.
• Fireworks over the falls: They go off on Friday and Saturday nights through the festival, which makes the night before the market a good one to stay over.
• Ice wine tastings: The Niagara region is internationally renowned for its ice wine, made from grapes that naturally freeze on the vine.
• Local makers: Vendors are chosen for Christmas décor and holiday gifts, so it’s a good place to pick up an ornament or something for the table.
• Entertainment: Local musicians and performers add to the afternoon.
• Nearby attractions: The falls, Clifton Hill and the Butterfly Conservatory are all a short drive away.
• Campfires: The campfire on the Market Hall patio is where everyone gathers to warm up between the two buildings.

At the Food Stalls

• S’mores: Buy a kit and toast your own marshmallows over the campfire on the patio, which is about as Canadian as a winter treat gets.
• Hot apple cider: The go-to warm drink here, sweet and spiced.
• Butter tarts: Ontario’s own pastry, a flaky shell around a runny filling of brown sugar and butter.
• Food trucks: Local trucks park up outside, and the café inside the Exchange serves hot drinks and snacks.