Niagara Falls, NY- The Niagara Holiday Market kicks off 37 days of holiday-themed fun on Friday.

Downtown Niagara Falls is buzzing. Little red huts are being built, holiday lights have been strung across Old Falls Street (map), a 5,000 square-foot outdoor ice skating rink is just about completed. All of these are part of the winter spectacle known as the Niagara Holiday Market.

As organizers of the Niagara Holiday Market kick-off the 37-day event on Friday, there are dozens of reasons for excitement in Niagara Falls' downtown tourism district. Here are six great reasons to bring your family to the largest European-style holiday market and festival in the United States. 

1. Best in Holiday Shopping

Local, regional and national retailers such as Melissa & Doug, Tony Walker & Co. and Biscoff Gourmet have joined Merchant Row on Old Falls Street, while over 20 independent artisans will showcase and sell their wares through the traditionally online community marketplace, Etsy Studio, as it comes to life in a workshop-style space. Everything from men's and women's apparel and jewelry to art and holiday decor, the Niagara Holiday Market has more than 50 unique vendors to aid in completing your holiday shopping. For more information on vendors, click here.

2. Acclaimed Musical Acts

World-renowned musical talent will headline the Holiday Concert Series with the Canadian Tenors kicking off their Holiday Concert Tour on November 26 at the Conference Center Niagara Falls, followed by Aaron Neville on December 1, Elisabeth Von Trapp on December 6-7 and the Buffalo Philharmonic’s “A Visit With St. Nick” on December 17. All concerts will be held at the Conference Center Niagara Falls on Old Falls Street, with tickets available at www.niagaramarket.com.

3. Ice Skating

The BlueCross BlueShield Ice Rink, Western New York’s largest holiday rink will be home base to the event and adjacent to the Christmas Tree and broadcast Tree-Lighting Ceremony at the corner of Old Falls Street and Rainbow Blvd.
At nearly 5000-square feet and with its own rental equipment for the public, it is expected to accommodate over 30,000 skaters during the festival. The facility is designed and produced by Ice Rink Events, who provides a similar facility to the famed holiday market at Bryant Park in Manhattan.

1 hour pass: $6 for Adults and $4 for children under 12 (includes rentals) Group Rate, 1 hour pass: $4 per person for groups of 10 and more.

4. Unique Food And Beverage Experience

From Wegman's Taste of the Season event, which will bring in celebrity chefs, including the winner of Top Chef season 7 winner Kevin Sbraga to display the memorable tastes of the holidays, to an array of regional food vendors, outdoor craft beer garden, the Niagara Holiday Market features some incredible culinary options in a unique outdoor space. Food vendors include Delish!, The Bavarian Nut Company, Niagara Popcorn and Chrusciki Bakery to name a few. The taste of the season event is being held from December 16 to December 18 at Conference Center Niagara Falls.

5. Western New York's Largest Christmas Tree

Western New York’s most festive tree and the Tree Lighting Spectacular are destined to become regional landmarks of the season. The Tree and daily lighting ceremonies are certain to attract daily visitation and the occasional marriage request, from the tree’s installation to the myriad of events that surround it.

Each night, for the 37 nights of the Niagara Holiday Market, a local celebrity, personality, or good neighbor will light the tree at 5:30 p.m.

Thousands upon thousands of lights will be powered by solar panels, the only of its kind in the Western New York and will also feature energy-efficient LED lighting. The Tree’s inaugural lighting will be at the broadcast spectacular. The tree was made possible by Menne Nursery.

6. Family Fun

If the Christmas season inspires the child in all of us, then the Niagara Holiday Market is for every child, everywhere. We’ve planned a host of events for kids, young and old, that celebrate timeless traditions.

A breath-taking Santa’s Workshop will be created to offer a special visit to the North Pole and a meeting with the Jolly Old Guy, complete with photos, treats and other holiday inspired cheer!

Additionally, throughout the 37-day festival there will be an ice sculpting competition (December 10 1- 3:30 p.m.), tournament of song (November 28 to December 2, 5 - 6:30 p.m.), autograph session with former Buffalo Sabre Gilbert Perreault at the BlueCross BlueShield Ice Rink on Wednesday (December 21, 6 – 7 p.m.) and much more. Click here for more events and details.

Hours: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday to Thursday and open until 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday evenings. Closed on Christmas.

Book a Holiday Market package.

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