As the semester winds down and exams continue to creep closer, schoolwork may swallow your every waking moment. However, December in Niagara is packed with events that encourage holiday spirits, help get you out of study mode and remind you that there is more to life than textbooks. Whether you’re craving lights, music, markets or a quick escape with friends, here are some ways that students can unwind this holiday season.
Niagara Falls and Niagara Parks
Niagara Falls — and especially Niagara Parks — never holds back in December. Although the Falls are illuminated every night of the year, the Niagara Parkway becomes almost unrecognizable around the holidays. The Winter Festival of Lights, running from November through early January, is Canada’s largest free light display with more than three million lights spread across the parkway.
From Queen Victoria Place to the Dufferin Islands, the area is filled with themed installations and animated displays to illuminate an evening stroll next to the Falls and Clifton Hill.
The Dufferin Islands offer a quieter, nature-focused atmosphere. A drive-through experience turns the Dufferin Islands’ natural landscapes into an illuminated wonderland.
If you’re looking for indoor events, Niagara Parks also hosts its yearly poinsettia show at the Floral Showhouse. The greenhouse is filled with vibrant poinsettias in many colours, arranged into elaborate displays that offer an escape from winter. Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for children, making it an affordable holiday activity around the Falls.
For students 19 and up, the Old Stone Inn’s cocktail lounge has once again transformed into The Jingle Bar. Inside, the festive pop-up is packed with holiday décor and a menu of seasonal cocktails and bites. It’s a cozy, over-the-top hideaway perfect for a warm drink after an evening by the Falls.
Rounding out the evening, Niagara Parks also hosts a firework show over the Falls at 8 p.m. every Friday and Saturday from Nov. 15 to Jan. 4.
St. Catharines
Closer to campus, Let It Glow: A Celebration of Light, returns to Downtown St. Catharines and Port Dalhousie for its fourth year on Nov. 29. Rennie Park in Port Dalhousie will feature more than 50 installations, including a glowing tunnel and interactive light sculptures that seek to bring the waterfront alive. It’s the perfect winter walk, especially if you pair it with a warm drink from Thistle Bookshop and Cafe or Balzac’s.
St. Catharines City Hall will be transformed into a glowing holiday wonderland, while the James Street Alley offers a light filled passage for photo ops. St. Paul Street will also feature a canopy of twinkling lights stretching above the sidewalks, adding a festive glow to the downtown core.
For students looking for something inexpensive and accessible to fit between study sessions, Let It Glow offers a way to unwind during exam season.
Niagara-on-the-Lake
Though a bit far from campus, Niagara-on-the-Lake resembles a Hallmark movie this time of year. Queen Street transforms into a postcard winter village filled with garland, wreaths and window displays with old-fashioned lamp posts wrapped in ribbon and lights. It’s a destination to commit a full afternoon or evening to, especially if you want a break that feels like a real outing rather than a quick detour.
The Shaw Festival, Niagara-on-the-Lake’s playhouse, is bringing back its popular holiday productions, A Christmas Carol and White Christmas. Both shows offer student pricing, making them an affordable theatre experience in the region.
Niagara-on-the-Lake is also hosting some beloved community events, including the Candlelight Stroll on Dec. 5 starting at 6:30 p.m. and the Christmas Parade on Dec. 13 starting at 11 p.m.
Christmas markets
Christmas markets are an opportunity to get started on gift shopping, grab local treats or soak up the festive atmosphere with friends.
The Niagara Falls Christmas Market runs on weekends from Nov. 12 to Dec. 18. Located on Queen Street and running Friday evenings through Sunday afternoons every weekend, it features rotating vendors, food trucks, handmade goods and plenty of chances to support small businesses.
On Sunday, Dec. 16, The Exchange in Niagara Falls will host the Deck the Halls Holiday Market, featuring festive activities, live music, a s’mores station, seasonal food and drinks, and an extensive lineup of local vendors.
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There’s no shortage of festive ways to escape the exam grind this year. Between the lights, markets, shows, and winter walks, Niagara offers something for every kind of student, whether you want a quick mental reset or a full day away from the books.
So, between the late-night study sessions and seasonal stress, take a moment to get out and enjoy Niagara during the holidays. Sometimes the best study strategy is simply giving your mind a little room to rest.