The Niagara Falls Fireworks program offers popular five-minute nightly shows through Oct. 14. The fireworks start at 10 p.m. nightly, weather dependent.
The fireworks series, set over the Falls, offers a unique show against the backdrop of both the American Falls and Canadian Horseshoe Falls.
Two special extended fireworks shows are scheduled to celebrate both sides of the Falls on Canada Day (July 1) and the USA’s Independence Day (July 4). Those nights will feature fireworks displays that will run nine minutes in length.
“Niagara Falls is such a special place to make lasting memories and capping off the night with a dazzling display over The Falls makes it that much more magical,” said Janice Thomson, president and CEO of Niagara Falls, Ontario, Tourism. “During your visit, you’ll find amazing opportunities to connect with nature, indulge in the thriving culinary scene, and find moments of playfulness that can keep you and those traveling with you entertained for many days.”
Added Joel Noden, chair of Niagara Falls, Ontario, Tourism, “Fireworks have been thrilling visitors to Niagara Falls for years with breathtaking displays overlooking the world-famous Falls. The nightly shows are yet another reason to spend the night and explore all that Niagara Falls has to offer – day and night.”
The Niagara Falls Fireworks program is Canada’s longest-running fireworks series drawing visitors from around the world. It is presented by Niagara Falls Tourism, in part with our sponsors: Niagara Falls Canada Hotel Association & Niagara Parks Commission.
The Niagara Falls cataracts are also illuminated every night of the year, making the destination a unique spot to see a fireworks display.
Thanks to 1,400 high-tech lights called luminaires, bright vivid rainbows of light are beamed from Canada onto the famous waterfalls every night.
Mixed together, the separate red, green, blue and white LED units can illuminate the waterfalls against the night sky in endless combinations that range from subtle hues to deeply saturated colors.
Perched on the upper level of an 1899 building known as “Illumination Tower,” the high-intensity system highlights the sections of Niagara known as American Falls and Canadian Horseshoe Falls.
Special occasion lighting will continue: The waterfalls have been awash in pink for breast cancer awareness, for example.
The falls were lit for the first time in the summer of 1860 when 200 lights similar to those used for signaling help at sea shone in honor of a visit from the Prince of Wales.
Nightly illumination began in 1925 with the formation of the Niagara Falls Illumination Board, whose members represent the cities of Niagara Falls, Ontario, and Niagara Falls, New York, along with the Niagara Parks Commission, Niagara Falls State Park and Ontario Power Generation. The board, whose organizations split the cost of the upgrade, has kept the lights on most nights since with a few exceptions. They were turned off during World War II, for example, to conserve power.