Tips for Celebrating New Years in Niagara Falls

You may have been to the Falls 100 times, but have you ever arrived at the same time as thousands of other people?  New Years in Niagara Falls has insane traffic! Please, I can’t stress it enough, expect to arrive and be parked at your destination by 8:30 pm at the latest. Choose a spot close enough to the New Year’s festivities, that is also walking distance from wherever you plan on having dinner, etc. If you plan on seeing the New Year’s Eve concert down at Queen Victoria Park,  hopefully you picked a hotel within walking distance to the show. If not, click here and let us help you with a list of nearby hotels complete with a map that pinpoints their location in conjuction to the park, Niagara Falls, and the attractions that you wish to visit. Book a hotel fast!

A parking lot that is close to the concert in the park, both casinos (Casino Niagara and Fallsview Casino), and all the main Clifton Hill attractions, is just off Victoria Avenue. If you enter the parking lot from here, you will fare much better in getting in quickly — whereas entering at the front (off Clifton Hill) will be difficult depending on your time of arrival. It is large and extends from the rear of the Niagara SkyWheel all the way to the Skylon Tower. You should have no problem finding a parking spot here, and the wait to leave the property afterwards will be far less than if you were able to find a parking spot along the Niagara Parkway. There are two entrances and three exits.

Click here for directions

WEGO buses will run from 10:00 am to 3:30 am.

For more information on the WEGO system, plus numbers for Niagara Falls taxi services, click here.

Niagara Falls weather is unpredictable. It will seem even colder next to the Falls, so not only should you remember to dress warmly, but think about what attractions you plan on visiting while you are down here, and try to avoid standing out in the cold for a long period of time.

Click here for an update on Niagara Falls weather conditions.

Avoid long lines and waiting in the cold by getting here early! 

The free concert festivities will begin at 8:00 pm, with Simple Plan, Marianas Trench, Jess Moskaluke and James Barker Band set to hit the stage!

If you plan to park, eat, play & take in the concert, be sure to arrive around 5pm to enjoy a full night of fun activities and minimal annoyances!  

Click here for all the New Years Eve details 

Popular attractions such as the Niagara SkyWheel start getting really busy by 8:30 pm. The first set of fireworks will go off at 9:00 pm (and last set at Midnight), so people will begin to think the same thing and want to be on the SkyWheel to watch the fireworks show. Try to do the top attractions first to avoid heavy lineups. For the Niagara SkyWheel, arrive before 8:00 pm, or right after the first fireworks show at approximately 9:00 pm. Attractions that take time (such as Wizards Golf) would also be wise to start early. Keep in mind, once the firework shows are over and the New Years Eve concert is over, there will be thousands of visitors headed up Clifton Hill at the same time. So its best to start those type of activities earlier in the night.

Our Clifton Hill attractions will close no earlier than 2:00 am. Click here to find the Hours of Operation for the attractions that you wish to visit.

If you can purchase tickets ahead of time, please do so. This is the beauty of the Clifton Hill Fun Pass. You can purchase it online for the exact same price as buying it at the attractions themselves ($29.95+tax for Adults and $19.95+tax for Children), but you have the added benefit of skipping the cashier lineups, so that you can just go right ahead and lineup at the turnstiles. Also, as an added incentive, you will receive another additional ride on the Niagara SkyWheel for free just for going online to do so. Keep in mind that if you choose to go this route, you will need to print off your confirmation slip and bring a piece of photo ID of the person who bought the passes. You will need this to show only once when you redeem your receipt for the fun pass cards on your first attractions visit. Take the slip to any of the attractions listed in the Clifton Hill Fun Pass to receive your cards.

Upon arrival, choose a unique spot to go in case you get separated by family or friends that you can meet at. For example: In front of the Pharoah at Movieland Wax Museum on Clifton Hill, or in front of the doors leading into Tim Hortons.

Keep your eye on your kids. I’ve seen it all before. Children get so excited by all the lights and action that they can not stand still. All it takes is to simply dig into your wallet to pay for something and they can run off.  Always hold their hand or supply them with a cellphone or a walky-talky in case they get lost. If they do get lost, please keep in mind that the Niagara Parkway and the Clifton Hill area in particular are heavily guarded with police officers and the Clifton Hill security patrol at all times. They can easily be found, and if for some reason you can not find an officer, one of the cashiers at any of the attractions have been trained on how to contact them. Let your children know to ask one of them for assistance this New Years in Niagara Falls.

If you are headed down to watch the concert at Queen Victoria Park, remember how big the crowds will be down there. There will literally be thousands and thousands of people watching this spectacular show, so if you can avoid carrying a purse or a wallet with every piece of ID you own in it — DON’T! Leave it somewhere safe. Carry the bare minimum such as the money you need, ONE credit card and your Drivers License. This will avoid it getting lost or stolen.

You will have tall people blocking your view. You will have someone step on your feet. You will have someone walk into you. Be patient. Relax, take a deep breath and don’t let little things irritate you. Not many people will get the privilege to be standing next to one of the most beautiful natural wonders of the world, so take it all in and enjoy it! New Years in Niagara Falls is an exciting time to be with your family and friends.

No matter where you are, I wish you a Happy New Years Eve and a fantastic beginning to 2017! Stay safe and have FUN!!