Niagara Icewine Festival — a 3-day weekend in Niagara

The weekend, day by day

1. Day 1

   Arrive in Niagara-on-the-Lake

   Land at Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ), settle in and walk the old town in the afternoon. Light dinner near your accommodation — save your appetite for the festival day.

2. Day 2

   Niagara Icewine Festival

   Festival day — arrive early to avoid the lunchtime crowd. Insider tip: Book the Icewine Gala's seated dinner (sell-out months in advance) to taste Inniskillin and Peller's museum-quality reserves paired with temperature-controlled tastings—the outdoor vineyard tastings pale in comparison and the $20 passes lead to 2+ hour queues. January's sub-zero conditions create the authentic terroir experience icewine demands.

3. Day 3

   Wine country day in Niagara

   Use the third day for a single winery visit (booked ahead) and a long lunch at one of the regional addresses below before heading home.

Where to stay

Three angles for the festival window. Festival hotels book out 6+ months in advance — apartments are the contingency when the main shortlist is sold out.

• Hotels in Niagara-on-the-Lake

  Live inventory around the festival window — 2 adults, all star ratings.

• 4–5 star options near Niagara-on-the-Lake

  Higher-end shortlist when you want the milestone weekend treatment.

• Apartments in Niagara-on-the-Lake

  Self-catering option — useful when festival hotels sell out 6+ months ahead.

Booking.com links — we may earn a commission. We never recommend hotels we wouldn't use ourselves.

Practical

Nearest airport

Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ)

Festival site

Visit official site