Niagara Falls illumination

Niagara Falls Illumination

Hundreds of LED lights are housed in three locations across the Niagara Gorge in Niagara Falls, Ontario. Together, these lights work to create a breathtaking view not to be missed, and are illuminated every night of the year beginning at dusk.

Throughout the year, Niagara Falls is illuminated for holidays and significant occasions, as determined by the Niagara Falls Illumination Board (NFIB). The falls are also lit in custom colors for short durations to mark significant dates in support of charitable causes. A schedule of upcoming special illuminations is shown below.

Inspired by Nature

As of November 14, 2020, the "Inspired by Nature" display will become part of the regular nightly illumination of the Falls, with the five-minute lighting display playing through three times on the half hour, beginning at 7:30 each evening, with additional shows at 8:30, 9:30, 10:30, and 11:30 pm.

The new illumination display will feature color palettes and movements inspired by nature, including the sunrise, aurora borealis, rainbow and sunset. The mighty American and Canadian Horseshoe Falls will come alive every evening with this tribute to the natural beauty all around us.

The New Falls Illumination

In 2016, almost 20 years since the last major investment in falls lighting, the existing Xenon lights were replaced with new, energy-efficient LED lighting technology. These new lights provide more than twice the previous lighting levels, programmable lighting, and a wider spectrum of color. The new lights also fill gaps to provide a more consistent lighting effect.

2023 Falls Illumination Schedule

Dates On Off
April 11 - July 31 8:30 PM 2:00 AM
August 1 - 15 8:00 PM 2:00 AM
August 16 - 31 7:30 PM 2:00 AM
September 1 - 19 7:00 PM 2:00 AM
September 20 - 30 6:30 PM 2:00 AM
October 1 - 15 6:15 PM 2:00 AM
October 16 - 31 6:00 PM 2:00 AM
November 5: Fall Back 1 Hour
November 1 - December 31 4:30 PM 2:00 AM

 

2023 Special Illumination Dates

Date Time Event Color
June 5 Top of every hour for 15 minutes
World Environmental Day Green
June 19 Top of every hour for 15 minutes
Juneteenth Freedom Day Red, Green, Black
June 30 Top of every hour for 15 minutes
Pride Rainbow
July 1 Top of every hour for 15 minutes
Canada Day Red, White
July 4 Top of every hour for 15 minutes
Independence Day Red, White, Blue
August 10 10:00 - 10:15 Ecuador Independence Day Yellow, Blue, Red
September 30 Top of every hour for 15 minutes
National Day of Truth and Reconciliation Orange
October 9 Top of every hour for 15 minutes Canadian Thanksgiving Red, White
November 8 Top of every hour for 15 minutes
National Indigenous Veterans Day Orange
November 11 Hourly 6:00 - 11:00
Remembrance Day Red
November 11 Hourly 6:15 - 11:15
Veterans Day Red, White, Blue
November 23 Top of every hour for 15 minutes
American Thanksgiving Red, White, Blue

 

How to Submit Special Niagara Falls Lighting Requests

Please visit our Illumination Requests page for more information on how to submit a special Niagara Falls lighting request.

Illumination Requests