Niagara-on-the-Lake in Winter: 7 Fun Things to Do

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If you think nothing is happening in Niagara-on-the-Lake in winter, I’m here to change your mind!

Sure, it’s cold and you might have to deal with snowy weather, but there are fewer crowds, better deals, and lots of awesome things to do.

You can go skating at an outdoor rink surrounded by twinkling lights, sip wine in a lounge made of ice, or relax at the spa. 

Plus, Niagara-on-the-Lake is basically a winter wonderland. I know that sounds super cliche, but this town looks like the set of a Hallmark movie—especially when it’s covered in a blanket of snow and decked out for the holidays.

Whether you’re considering coming here during the festive season or in the middle of February, I’ll help you plan the perfect winter getaway in NOTL.

1. Get into the holiday spirit

If you’re visiting Niagara-on-the-Lake at Christmas, there are so many ways to soak up that special holiday magic.

Have a festive meal

The Vintage Hotels properties (Prince of Wales, Pillar and Post, and Queen’s Landing) always have gorgeous Christmas decorations throughout November and December.

Even if you’re not a hotel guest, you can still enjoy the enchanting ambiance at one of their on-site restaurants.

To get your festive fix, I’d recommend traditional English tea at the Prince of Wales or dinner at the Cannery Restaurant (in the Pillar and Post).

Spend time in a Christmas wonderland

From December 1 – January 4, The Gardens at Pillar and Post transform into the ultimate holiday playground, with twinkling lights, fire pits, and an outdoor ice skating rink. 

On Fridays and Saturdays, they also have screenings of classic Christmas movies under the stars.

(Seating is limited and offered on a first come, first served basis as an FYI.)

This area is free to enter, so you can also grab a hot drink from The OutPost and admire the lights as you stroll through the six-acre garden space. 

Discover the most dazzling decorations

This is something I like to do as a local every year. Hop in the car and drive along the Niagara Parkway (a stretch of road that runs along the Niagara River).

Along the way, you’ll pass by massive houses with spectacular Christmas lights and displays.

Prepare to be wowed—these houses go all out with elaborate decorations.

See a classic holiday play

For theatre fans, The Shaw Festival’s A Christmas Carol is a must-do activity around the holidays. 

This show runs from November 8 – December 22 at either 1:00PM or 7:00PM at the Royal George Theatre.

2. Try all the winter activities

After the holidays, there are plenty of ways to embrace the winter weather with fun outdoor activities around Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Outdoor skating

Wayne Gretzky Estates is the perfect place to spend a wintry day. Grab your skates and hit their outdoor rink, or hang out on the heated patio with a boozy hot drink.

Depending on the weather, the rink is open from early December to mid-March. Admission is $5 and skates are available to rent for $10 (but availability is limited).

Another spot to skate is the ice rink at Pillar and Post. Across the street from the hotel, there’s a six-acre green space called The Gardens. 

This is where the ice rink is located, along with seating areas, fire pits, and a kiosk that serves hot drinks and snacks. 

This ice rink is free for guests of the hotel and the general public. Skate rentals are available for $5, but it’s recommended to bring your own if you have them.

Winter walks

For an easy walk in NOTL, I’d head to Queen’s Royal Park (situated on the shores of Lake Ontario) or the Niagara River Recreational Trail (running parallel to the Niagara River).

Both locations have a flat paved path that’s ideal for a scenic and leisurely stroll.

If you feel like walking through Old Town and learning about NOTL’s history at the same, join a free walking tour.

There are also several walking and hiking trails at Queenston Heights Park, including the southern terminus of the Bruce Trail (a 900 km trail that spans from Niagara to Tobermory).

One of the most popular routes here is the Queenston Heights Walking Trail—a 20-minute loop with a low to moderate difficulty level.

3. Explore the wineries

Wine touring is usually synonymous with summer, but winter offers a whole new way to experience NOTL’s wineries.

The wineries are a little more laid-back and far less crowded, but there’s another reason this is a great time to visit: icewine season.

Icewine Festival

Throughout January, several different events take place across NOTL for the Icewine Festival. 

On weekends, you can sample icewine and culinary pairings at multiple wineries with an Icewine Discovery Pass. 

Or, spend some time at the Icewine Village in Old Town. Queen Street turns into a wintry outdoor party with food, wine, fire pits, ice sculptures, and music. 

(This usually happens the last two weekends of the Icewine Festival.)

Try icewine in an ice lounge

Peller’s Greatest Winery Tour includes something you won’t experience anywhere else in NOTL: an igloo-like lounge made entirely of ice.

Yes, it’s chilly inside (they keep this room at -10°C), but it’s a unique experience and a super fun way to sample icewine.

Book a fireside wine tasting

If sipping wine in a room made of ice doesn’t sound appealing, you can always cozy up by a crackling fire instead.

De Simone Vineyards offers 45-minute fireside tastings with 3 different wines ($50 for two people).

At Konzelmann, you can book a 45-minute Fireside Flight Tasting Experience, which includes three tastings, a sweet and savoury s’mores board, and a private fire table. 

Sip wine in a dome

Another fun way to taste wine in the winter? Konzelmann’s Vineyard Dome Experience. 

Even if the weather is terrible, you’ll be cozy and safe from the elements in their luxury heated dome. The best part? The dome has a “window” that looks out onto the vineyards.

This 60-minute private tasting includes a traditional wine flight and a small charcuterie board.

4. Book a spa day

A winter weekend in Niagara-on-the-Lake is the absolute best time to try one of the town’s spas. 

Here are a few popular options for the ultimate self-care day:

Spa at Q – 124 on Queen Hotel

Aside from their traditional spa services, just about everything offered at Spa at Q is unique. 

There’s a halotherapy salt lounge and a hydrotherapy wellness circuit with warm and cool pools, a cedar sauna, eucalyptus steam room, and the only snow room in Canada.

100 Fountain Spa – Pillar & Post

I’ve been to 100 Fountain Spa several times and always enjoy it. My favourite features are the heated saltwater pool and the outdoor hot spring pool.

(FYI: they typically require you to book a short time slot to use the hot spring pool which is a bit annoying.)

The Spa at White Oaks

The Spa at White Oaks is one of the larger spas in the area, with 19 treatment rooms and a couples suite. 

When it comes to treatments, take your pick from massages, facials, manicures, pedicures, body treatments, and more.

The fitness club is popular with locals and this part of the hotel gets extremely busy, especially on weekends. The spa treatment rooms are in a separate, quiet area, however.

5. Check out the shops & cafes

No visit to Niagara-on-the-Lake is complete without a stroll through Old Town.

This is a great area to escape the cold, do some shopping, and treat yourself to a sweet treat.

I have a separate article on Niagara-on-the-Lake’s best cafes, but a few of my favourites are Parisian-inspired Balzac’s and Soko Bakery Cafe for excellent matcha lattes.

For sweet treats, I’d recommend Budapest Bakeshop, Fritters on the Lake, and Il Gelato di Carlotta.

Outside of Old Town, The Pie Plate has amazing homemade croissants, pastries, pies, and savoury lunch items.

Junction Coffee Bar (located in St. Davids) is worth a visit for their coffee flights. The coffee flavours change seasonally and include fun options like s’mores, gingerbread, and chocolate orange mocha.

FYI: coffee flights must be booked in advance! You can book on their website or find the link from their Instagram.

When it comes to shops, here are a few can’t-miss spots:

• Just Christmas: Ornaments, decor, and all things Christmas.

• Cheese Secrets: Boutique cheese shop with charcuterie platters, specialty cheeses, and pantry items.

• The Maple Syrup Store: Maple syrup, sweets, and pantry items from White Meadows Farms—a local fourth-generation farm.

• Greaves: Locally made jams, jellies, and marmalades.

• Victoria’s Teas & Coffee: Huge selection of specialty teas and coffees.

6. Load up on comfort food

Is there anything better than a heaping portion of comfort food on a chilly winter night? 

These NOTL restaurants offer exactly that—plus a cozy setting that’ll make you forget about the cold for a while. 

In Old Town, you can grab classic pub staples like shepherd’s pie, French onion soup, and mac and cheese at the Olde Angel Inn or the Irish Harp Pub.

The Grist has all kinds of inventive and hearty dishes, like tachos (loaded nachos and tater tots) and burgers loaded with toppings like onion rings and fried pickles.

For something more upscale, Treadwell and Ravine are two of NOTL’s top farm-to-table restaurants.

Both places do an amazing job crafting seasonal menus with local ingredients.

Ginger is a bit of a hidden gem in Niagara-on-the-Lake, with excellent Asian-fusion food and the loveliest owners.

Tips for visiting NOTL in winter

Accommodations

Winter is the best time to snag a deal on accommodations in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Boutique hotels like 124 on Queen and Pillar & Post tend to have lower rates and special deals throughout the winter months. 

Parking

Parking is free in Old Town for the month of December. Outside of December, parking rates range between $5 and $5.50 per hour. 

You can find free parking along certain areas of Front Street, Byron Street, and a few other smaller side streets in Old Town. 

Click on this link and scroll to the bottom of the page for a map with parking info.

This map is a few years old and not fully up-to-date, but it will give you a better idea of what to expect. 

Always double-check the signs before you park so you don’t get a ticket! I’ve seen a lot of visitors get parking tickets over the years.

Weather

Make sure you’re prepared for all types of winter weather—anything from 5°C to -15°C or colder with snow, rain, sleet, or sun.  

The past few winters have been milder than normal in Niagara, but you never really know what it’ll be like.