To many, January can feel like the come-down after the holidays. It is the post-New Year’s recovery period, when bright mornings and dark (and early) evenings really begin to set in. However, it doesn’t have to be so bleak.
The Niagara Grape & Wine Festival is bringing several signature offerings to the region throughout January 2026 as part of the Niagara Icewine Festival, giving families across the region and beyond plenty of reasons to get out and enjoy the winter months.
Highlights include the Icewine Discovery Pass, the Niagara on the Lake Icewine Village, and the Cool As Ice Gala.
January 16-18 & 23-25 & 30-February 1, 2026 | 11 am – 5 pm
Have you ever wanted to explore Niagara’s wine country? Now is the perfect time. With the Icewine Discovery Pass, winter becomes an invitation to slow down, bundle up, and savour one of Canada’s most celebrated wine traditions. The Discovery Pass allows holders to embark on a self-directed tasting journey, indulging in exclusive food-and-wine pairings at up to six participating wineries of their choice across the region.
What makes the Discovery Pass especially appealing is its flexibility. With 28 participating wineries to choose from, guests can plan their route based on personal interests, preferred wineries, or travel schedules, moving at their own pace while still enjoying curated, festival-only experiences. Whether you visit iconic estates or intimate vineyards, each stop presents a thoughtfully designed pairing that highlights the unique character of Niagara Icewine.
As snow settles over the vineyards and tasting rooms provide a warm pause between stops, the Discovery Pass encourages exploration during one of Niagara’s most beautiful seasons. Without the peak-season crowds, visits feel more personal, with more time to chat with winemakers, connect with hospitality teams, and truly enjoy each stop. It is this quieter, more intimate side of wine country that makes winter special, showing why Niagara shines just as brightly when the temperatures drop.
For first-time visitors and seasoned wine lovers alike, the Discovery Pass offers a relaxed, immersive way to experience the Niagara Icewine Festival while celebrating the region’s flavours, creativity, and charm.
January 17-18 & 24-25, 2026 | 12 – 6 pm
The hospitable village that makes NOTL’s heritage shine. For two weekends in a row, Queen St. will transform into a scenic winter escape that includes local vendors, festive fire pits, live ice carving, curated food options, and of course, quality icewine. Whether you attend for the vibes or the tastings, the Niagara-on-the-Lake Icewine Village provides an experience for all to remember with a free entry fee, and cocktails and VIP packages available for purchase. It is during this mid-month excursion that wine connoisseurs enjoy a winery-style experience in the iconic town where history meets charm, or in this case, winter magic.
Paired with NOTL’s main strip’s evergreen beauty, the curated village transforms what was already a tourist hot spot into a winter destination that invites guests to linger, explore, and return.
January 31, 2026 | 7 pm
The grand finale. The big event that concludes the first month of 2026 with a bang. Formerly known as the Niagara Icewine Gala, the all-inclusive Cool As Ice Gala highlights Niagara wine, icewine, cocktails, and mocktails, as well as food, performances, and a theatrical experience to remember. With VQA wines at the forefront and a room filled with tuxedos, gowns, and good company, the Niagara Parks Power Station ensures a night full of appreciation for Niagara wine and the individuals worldwide who continue to support the region’s cultural growth.
Picture this. You check in at the place where boutique luxury meets spectacular views (The Tower Hotel) and then step into a winter evening that unfolds just minutes away at the iconic Niagara Parks Power Station, located under ten minutes from many of Niagara Falls’ most celebrated hotels. As winter settles in, the Falls glow with light, the historic power station comes alive with atmosphere, and the air carries the anticipation of something distinctly Niagara. Inside, guests move through curated tastings, unforgettable spectacles, and shared moments that invite conversation and connection. The setting blends industrial heritage with modern elegance, creating a backdrop that feels both unexpected and unforgettable. The pace slows just enough to savour each pour, each exchange, and each view. It is not simply an event, but a seamless extension of a winter stay that brings together place, people, and celebration.
Whether attending with friends, family, or as a spontaneous stop along a winter getaway, the Niagara Icewine Festival’s offerings create a sense of connection that extends beyond the events themselves. Through these immersive experiences, Niagara brings people together. While the village is created in a physical sense through its amenities and setting, it is the people who choose to attend unique events like this who bring Niagara’s authentic culture into focus, reflected in the wine glasses raised, conversations shared, and moments created throughout the village. Paired with elevated stays at hotels across Niagara Falls, the festival becomes part of a larger winter escape. The wine may come from the region, but the culture comes from the people who gather to celebrate it.