Niagara Falls at night illuminated in red with the city skyline in the background.

Niagara Falls Illuminations

Every night shines

You know what’s pretty brilliant? 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. They 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 is 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.

The 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 LED lights also fill gaps to provide a more consistent lighting effect.

Niagara Falls illuminated at night with vibrant blue lights and city lights in the background.

2025 Falls Illumination Schedule

January 1 – January 31:

5pm – 1am

A group of people looking at the illuminated Niagara Falls at sunset

How to Submit Special Niagara Falls Lighting Requests

A tradition that has now lasted for nearly a century, the Niagara Falls light show provides visitors a chance to see the Falls in a whole new way.

Since 1925, the Niagara Falls Illumination Board (NFIB) has provided nightly illumination of Niagara Falls for all to enjoy. This illumination includes a range of colors that alternate throughout the evening and shine over all of Niagara Falls.

Special Niagara Falls Lighting Requests

The NFIB has also helped to raise awareness for hundreds of charities and special causes through special Niagara Falls light show requests.

Special illuminations are limited to one 15-minute block per night at 10pm, unless otherwise specified by the Niagara Falls Illumination Board.

Governance

Niagara Falls illuminations are governed by the bi-national Niagara Falls Illumination Board. The Niagara Parks Commission (NPC) administers all special color illumination requests within the NFIB policy and current guidelines approved by the NFIB Board.

Eligibility

In addition to illuminations for annual holidays, internationally recognized signature dates and other significant occasions as determined by the NFIB Board, the NFIB accepts requests from non-denominational, non-political registered or nonprofit charities. The request must be significant to the cause and recognized bi-nationally or internationally.

Please note that special color illumination requests cannot be considered for:

Commercial requests (e.g., product launches)
Personal occasions (e.g., birthdays, marriage proposals, etc.)
Religious or political events or observations
Institutions or professions (e.g., hospitals, schools, etc.)

How to Apply

To be considered, all requests must be:

Received in writing by full completion of the Niagara Falls Illumination Board’s Special Illumination Request form available online
Completed and signed by a management representative of the official organization making the request
Received by NPC at least 30 days in advance of the illumination date requested