Plan your holiday adventure in Welland with our ultimate event guide. For Welland residents and newcomers, this guide is your ticket to a joyful holiday season.
Popular events this season include the Merry and Bright: Welland Santa Parade & Tree Lighting, where community spirit shines as families gather to enjoy a festive parade followed by the lighting of the Christmas tree. The Winter Festival of Lights in Niagara Falls offers a stunning display of illuminated attractions throughout the park, making it a enchanting experience for all ages. And don't forget the Niagara Falls Boat Tour & Journey Behind the Falls, providing a unique opportunity to witness the breathtaking power of the falls, especially magical during the winter months. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
Please contact us if you have suggestions or corrections!
Join the Welland Discussion!
See the Latest Holiday News for Welland!
Top Holiday Events In and Around Welland
- Niagara Falls Boat Tour & Journey Behind the Falls (Niagara Falls)
- Christmas On Ice (Niagara Falls)
- From Toronto: Winter Wonder of Niagara Falls Tour (Niagara Falls)
- Niagara Falls Winter Wonder Tour (Niagara Falls)
- From Toronto: Winter Festival of Lights Niagara Falls Tour (Niagara Falls)
- Merry and Bright: Welland Santa Parade & Tree Lighting
- Falls Fireworks Cruise (Niagara Falls)
- Gananoque/Ivy Lea: 1000 Islands Highlights Scenic Cruise (Gananoque)
- Niagara-on-the-Lake Christmas Parade (Niagara-on-the-Lake)
- Merry Chili Christmas
See these and even more events listed below!
Welland Holiday Light Displays
Welland Winter Lights
What to Expect:
Self-guided residential light tour showcasing local residents' holiday decorations.
Description:
Explore Welland's residential neighborhoods during the 2023 Welland Winter Lights self-guided tour, featuring breathtaking holiday light displays.
Where: Welland | More Info: Welland Winter Lights
Lincoln Tree Lighting Ceremony
What to Expect:
Interactive lights and festive holiday tree lighting.
Description:
The Lincoln Tree Lighting Ceremony is a family-friendly event held at the Fleming Centre, featuring a visit with Santa, interactive lights and displays, hot chocolate, and refreshments from Tim Hortons, along with skating and crafts to celebrate the start of the holiday season.
Where: Lincoln | More Info: Lincoln Tree Lighting Ceremony
Port Colborne Tree Lighting Ceremony
What to Expect:
Family-friendly holiday event with Santa photos and tree lighting.
Description:
Port Colborne's Tree Lighting Ceremony features a brief ceremony, photos with Santa, and a tree lighting countdown, creating a joyful holiday atmosphere.
Where: Port Colborne | More Info: Port Colborne Tree Lighting Ceremony
From Toronto: Winter Festival of Lights Niagara Falls Tour
What to Expect:
Spectacular outdoor light displays with a self-guided hot chocolate trail.
Description:
The Winter Festival of Lights in Niagara Falls features 3 million lights and 75+ displays along the Niagara Parkway and tourist districts. Explore the self-guided Hot Chocolate Trail, visit illuminated installations, and enjoy nightly Falls Illumination.
Where: Niagara Falls | More Info: From Toronto: Winter Festival of Lights Niagara Falls Tour
Niagara Falls Winter Wonder Tour
What to Expect:
Extensive light displays and diverse hot chocolate flavors.
Description:
The Niagara Falls Winter Festival of Lights is Canada's largest free outdoor light festival, featuring over 3 million lights and spectacular displays across tourism districts. The event includes a nightly Falls Illumination and the Hot Chocolate Trail, offering a variety of hot chocolate concoctions at multiple stops.
Where: Niagara Falls | More Info: Niagara Falls Winter Wonder Tour
From Toronto: Winter Wonder of Niagara Falls Tour
What to Expect:
51 nights of twinkling lights and 75+ spectacular displays.
Description:
Explore the spectacular displays of millions of lights and larger-than-life illuminations along the Niagara Parkway and across tourism districts. Discover the Hot Chocolate Trail, featuring over 30 unique flavors, and enjoy the nightly Falls Illumination.
Where: Niagara Falls | More Info: From Toronto: Winter Wonder of Niagara Falls Tour
Welland Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Christmas On Ice
What to Expect:
High-paced ice skating performance with national championship skaters.
Description:
Fallsview Casino's Christmas On Ice is a high-paced spectacle featuring world-class ice skating, dancers, and singers. The event transforms the Avalon Theatre into a winter wonderland with national championship ice skaters and mesmerizing aerial acts.
Where: Niagara Falls | More Info: Christmas On Ice
Handel’s Messiah
What to Expect:
Iconic choral work with stunning solo arias and orchestral sounds.
Description:
Handel's Messiah is a timeless choral masterpiece featuring grand orchestral sounds and powerful choruses, showcasing the beauty and emotion of classical music.
Where: Niagara Falls | More Info: Handel’s Messiah
Welland Other Holiday Activities
Merry and Bright: Welland Santa Parade & Tree Lighting
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with tree lighting and chili cook-off.
Description:
Join Welland in downtown for the 2024 Santa Claus Parade, Civic Square Tree Lighting Ceremony, and Merry Chili Christmas. The parade starts at 5 p.m. sharp, featuring festive characters and a chili cook-off. After the parade, Santa and Mayor Campion will light Welland’s Christmas tree, and attendees can mail letters to Santa, make holiday crafts, and enjoy free chili samples.
Where: Welland | More Info: Merry and Bright: Welland Santa Parade & Tree Lighting
Niagara-on-the-Lake Christmas Parade
What to Expect:
Community-driven holiday celebration with diverse floats and performances.
Description:
The Niagara-on-the-Lake Christmas Parade is a vibrant holiday event featuring beautifully decorated floats, marching bands, and festive community participation. It takes place in Old Town, with the parade route including King and Centre Streets, Castlereagh, Wellington, Byron/Prideaux, Simcoe, and Queen Streets.
Where: Niagara-on-the-Lake | More Info: Niagara-on-the-Lake Christmas Parade
Pelham Santa Claus Parade
What to Expect:
Community-led holiday parade with live entertainment.
Description:
The Pelham Santa Claus Parade is a festive event hosted by the Fabulous Fenwick Lions, featuring a parade route starting at Bethany Christian Reformed Church and ending at Centennial Park. The event includes live entertainment, festive activities, and community participation.
Where: Fenwick | More Info: Pelham Santa Claus Parade
Grimsby Museum Holiday Event
What to Expect:
Celebrating local history with family-friendly activities.
Description:
The Grimsby Museum Holiday Event features local history exhibitions, children's programs, and workshops, with a gift shop and picnic park.
Where: Grimsby | More Info: Grimsby Museum Holiday Event
Niagara Falls Boat Tour & Journey Behind the Falls
What to Expect:
Unique underground tunnel experience with stunning waterfall views.
Description:
Descend 125 feet into 130-year-old tunnels to explore the raw power of Horseshoe Falls. Witness the thunderous vibrations and breathtaking views from the observation decks, feeling the force of one-fifth of the world's freshwater crashing down.
Where: Niagara Falls | More Info: Niagara Falls Boat Tour & Journey Behind the Falls
Gananoque/Ivy Lea: 1000 Islands Highlights Scenic Cruise
What to Expect:
Scenic cruise with expert commentary and iconic landmarks.
Description:
Embark on a 1-hour scenic cruise from Ivy Lea, exploring the 1000 Islands and witnessing iconic landmarks like Boldt Castle, the Statue of St. Lawrence, and the 1000 Islands International Bridge. Enjoy expert commentary and stunning views of the St. Lawrence River.
Where: Gananoque | More Info: Gananoque/Ivy Lea: 1000 Islands Highlights Scenic Cruise
Village of Glen Elgin at Ball’s Falls Conservation Area
What to Expect:
Historic village with preserved 19th-century industrial buildings.
Description:
The Village of Glen Elgin at Ball’s Falls Conservation Area is a meticulously preserved 19th-century industrial hamlet featuring the original Ball family home, an operating flour mill, a lime kiln, a church, and a blacksmith shop. Visitors can explore these historic buildings and enjoy breathtaking views of Twenty Mile Creek as it plunges over both the upper and lower falls.
Where: Lincoln | More Info: Village of Glen Elgin at Ball’s Falls Conservation Area
Merry Chili Christmas
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with Santa, tree lighting, and chili cookoff.
Description:
Join Welland for a festive holiday celebration featuring a Santa Claus Parade, Civic Square Tree Lighting Ceremony, and a chili cookoff. Enjoy activities like taking photos with Santa, mailing letters to Santa, making holiday crafts, and meeting festive characters. Bring donations to decorate the Mitten Tree and support Community Christmas Toys.
Where: Welland | More Info: Merry Chili Christmas
Falls Fireworks Cruise
What to Expect:
Fireworks display against the backdrop of illuminated Niagara Falls.
Description:
Witness the breathtaking spectacle of Niagara Falls illuminated at night, accompanied by a stunning fireworks display, offering panoramic views and a memorable experience.
Where: Niagara Falls | More Info: Falls Fireworks Cruise
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Niagara Falls (12 miles)
- Niagara Falls (12 miles)
- St. Catharines (13 miles)
- Grand Island (15 miles)
- Fort Erie (17 miles)
- North Tonawanda (20 miles)
- Buffalo (20 miles)
- Grimsby (22 miles)
- Amherst (23 miles)
- West Seneca (25 miles)
- East Amherst (28 miles)
- Lockport (31 miles)
- Hamilton (35 miles)
- Oakville (39 miles)
- Ancaster (41 miles)
- Burlington (41 miles)