From Canada’s largest wine festival to Canada’s largest celebration of arts, culture and heritage and everything in between, St. Catharines still has a lot going as the season shifts from summer to fall.
Check out our list below of some of the best fall festivals in Niagara this season. There’s something for everyone to enjoy featuring unique experiences and attractions that are totally worth a fall road trip to St. Catharines.
Niagara Grape and Wine Festival
September 6-29, 2024
September in St. Catharines is Grape and Wine time!
The Niagara Grape and Wine Festival, Canada’s largest wine festival, returns with four weekends of wine and food, plus live music, including the return of the Event in the Tent, and more fun at Montebello Park in Downtown St. Catharines.
Enjoy three Grape and Wine Discovery Pass weekends September 6-8, 13-15 and 20-22 and raise a glass to all things Niagara VQA wine. Dozens of wineries will also roll out the red carpet to visitors and share wine and food pairings during the Discovery Pass weekends.
Make sure these St. Catharines stops in the heart of Niagara Wine Country are on your itinerary:
St. Catharines is the hub for Grape and Wine and the Downtown experiences kick off September 20 with Wine and Line Dancing Party with High Valley at the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre and the return of Event in the Tent featuring Nik and the Nice Guys. Don’t miss the festival’s new Rock the Park concert featuring Kim Mitchell with special guests Crash Test Dummies September 26.
Historic Montebello Park, one of the most beautiful parks in Niagara, comes alive September 27-29 in celebration of the region and the bounty of the harvest with wine and culinary experiences that truly showcase everything our home has to offer. The Montebello Park Wine and Culinary Village also features 24 hours of live music, the downtown Grande Parade September 28, yoga in the park and Family Sunday Funday September 29 and more.
Culture Days
September 20 to October 13, 2024
Experience the vibrant culture and art in St. Catharines.
Culture Days from September 20 to October 13 through a diverse range of free live and virtual performances, workshops, and events. Culture Days is a nationwide initiative that brings together creators, artists, community groups, and institutions to offer free arts and cultural experiences to the public.
The Foster Festival
October 4-13
The Foster Festival presents the world premier of Time & Tide by Jody Stevens McCluskey at the Mandeville Theatre October 4-13.
A small Newfoundland fishing village has been home to the Murphys for generations. They have been born and bred, they have loved and lost, and, of course, they have always fished, on the island since the first Murphy arrived. Rose couldn’t wait to leave for the big city, but finds herself drawn back to her home and her family as she struggles to make her mark on the world. Time & Tide explores the push and pull of love and the challenge of finding your place with and without family. All told through the keen lens of the beloved Newfoundland sense of humour.
This is the first Foster Festival production featuring the work of a playwright other than Norm Foster.
10th annual Nurturing Our Roots Traditional Pow Wow
October 5, 2024
Mark your calendars and bring your family and friends to join in the festivities and experience the warmth and spirit of our community at the Niagara Region Native Centre’s 10th annual Traditional Pow Wow.
Attending a Pow Wow offers a unique glimpse into Indigenous culture, filled with vibrant dances, music, and meaningful traditions. A Pow Wow is a vibrant Indigenous gathering centered around dance, music, and family celebration.
Traditionally, it serves as an event where one Indigenous nation welcomes and honors others. This year’s Pow Wow returns to the Meridian Centre in Downtown St. Catharines on October 5th to honor the past and celebrate the future with a vibrant event that promises to be a memorable experience for all.
Immerse yourself in the rich traditions and culture of the Indigenous community through captivating dance performances, soul-stirring music, and exquisite art. Savor the flavors of traditional foods prepared with love and care. Browse through a variety of traditional vendors offering unique crafts and goods, each telling a story of heritage and artistry.
Cicada Music and Arts Festival
October 5-6, 2024
Port Dalhousie’s Henley Island doesn’t just attract world-class rowing crews! This fall’s Cicada Music and Arts Festival brings an incredible lineup of musicians to the shores of the renowned rowing course, including July Talk, The Sheepdogs, Sloan, and many more.
The music is served alongside a selection of Ontario craft beverages, local food vendors, live art installations and a vendor market. Single-day and weekend passes are available, as well as VIP Experience passes, which include exclusive access to the VIP Lounge, Dillon’s Cocktail and Tasting Bar, indoor washroom facilities, Cicada Festival swag and more.
Ball’s Falls Thanksgiving Festival
October 11-14, 2024
In the Niagara Benchlands, only a 20 minute car ride from Downtown St. Catharines, the Ball’s Falls Thanksgiving Festival is a Niagara Tradition celebrating 50 years of community, culture, heritage, and artistic designs.
The 50th annual festival will feature all of the fall favourites, including more than 150 unique craft and artisan vendors; delicious foods; craft beverages and wines; fresh, local farmers’ market vendors; live music on the main stage and children’s entertainment; historical demonstrations; heritage tours and guided nature hikes.
Guests will enjoy elevated musical entertainment and family-friendly activities and shows throughout each day. 50th anniversary celebrations also include a free concert featuring award-winning singer/songwriter! Stay tuned for more information!
Locktoberfest
October 11-13,2024
The Lock Street Brewing Company presents Locktoberfest 2024! Join the festivities in Port Dalhousie for the ode to beer, with all the trappings of the original festival in Munich. Sample European-style small batch craft beers in traditional styles and enjoy festival-favourite foods. Featuring three days of live entertainment and FREE ADMISSION for walk-ins! So dust off the ol’ lederhosen or dirndl because it’s time to party, German-style!
Mighty Niagara Film Fest
November 13-17, 2024
Niagara’s own celebration of the moving image returns to big screens across the peninsula for its fourth year from 13–17 November.
The Mighty Niagara Film Fest is produced and organized by the Niagara Artists Centre and is committed to nurturing the film culture of Niagara. The festival presents films made about or in Niagara, by filmmakers with connections to the region, as well as films that are considered of interest to Niagara audiences.
Films are screened at unique venues in St. Catharines and Niagara. Audiences are treated to a spectrum of local and international films, exclusive filmmaker Q+As, and events curated by NAC’s programming committee.
