- Wednesdays and Sundays at 10 PM, May 18 to October 9, 2026
- Daily fireworks during Festival of Lights, Nov 14 to Jan 8
- Best free spot: Queen Victoria Park, Canadian side
- Premium: fireworks boat cruise from $247
- Show lasts 5 to 7 minutes, plan 30 minutes to find a spot
2026 fireworks schedule
Niagara Parks lights up the falls every night from sunset to midnight, year round. Fireworks add to this on a separate schedule:
- Summer fireworks, every Wednesday and Sunday at 10 PM, May 18 to October 9, 2026
- Festival of Lights fireworks, daily at 9 PM, November 14, 2026 to January 8, 2027
- Special holiday fireworks, longer shows on Canada Day (July 1), New Year's Eve and Victoria Day
Best free viewing spots
1. Queen Victoria Park
The classic, free, lawn seating with direct view of both falls. Arrive 9:30 PM for a good spot near the river. Bring a blanket. Free parking nearby fills early in summer, walk from your hotel or take the WeGo bus.
2. Table Rock viewing platform
Closer to the brink of the Horseshoe Falls. The fireworks launch from a barge below, you see them with the falls as backdrop. Standing room only.
3. Niagara Parkway promenade
The paved walkway between Table Rock and the Skylon Tower. Less crowded than Queen Victoria Park. Several benches and rocks to sit on.
4. From your fallsview hotel room
The most relaxed option. Open a bottle of wine, watch from the window. Not free, but you already paid for the room.
Premium viewing options
1. Skylon Tower Revolving Dining Room
The 7 PM dinner sitting catches the start of the illumination plus the 10 PM fireworks. Three course prix fixe CAD 79 plus elevator. Reservations 30 to 60 days ahead.
2. Watermark Restaurant (Hilton Fallsview, 33rd floor)
Full glass wall facing the falls. Mains CAD 38 to 65. Book the 7:30 PM sitting for the dinner plus illumination plus fireworks combination.
3. Fireworks boat cruise
Watch the fireworks from the water with dinner included.
Check availability →4. Niagara SkyWheel
175 foot Ferris wheel runs late, you can ride it during the fireworks for a unique aerial view. CAD 18 per person, takes 8 to 12 minutes.
What to bring
- Blanket or folding chair for Queen Victoria Park
- Light jacket, the river is windy at night even in July
- Camera with manual mode, ISO 400, f/8, 4 to 8 second exposure
- Insect repellent for July and August
Photography tips
Set the camera to manual mode. Mount on a tripod (allowed everywhere on Niagara Parks). ISO 100 to 400, aperture f/8 to f/11, shutter 4 to 8 seconds depending on how much trail you want. Focus on the falls before the fireworks start, then switch to manual focus to lock it.
Internal links
For all photography see 10 best photo spots. For night planning see Niagara New Year 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Every Wednesday and Sunday at 10 PM from May 18 to October 9, 2026. Plus daily fireworks at 9 PM during the Festival of Lights from November 14, 2026 to January 8, 2027.
For free, Queen Victoria Park on the Canadian side gives lawn seating with direct view of both falls. Arrive by 9:30 PM. For premium, the Skylon Tower revolving dining room or a fireworks boat cruise.
Yes. The fireworks shows are free to watch from any public area on either the Canadian or US side. You only pay if you choose a restaurant view, a boat cruise or a tower deck ticket.
Standard summer fireworks shows are 5 to 7 minutes long. Special occasion shows (Canada Day, New Year's Eve, Victoria Day) extend to 10 to 15 minutes.
