Illuminated trails, live entertainment, holiday crafts, s'mores, and more!
The Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (NPCA) is excited to welcome the community to the 3rd Annual Ball's Falls Holiday Trail (Holiday Trail) this winter season. This family holiday tradition returns brighter than ever, with thousands of sparkling lights along the trails, live musical entertainment, and immersive activities at Ball's Falls Conservation Area.
The Holiday Trail is an evening trail walk experience featuring a 1.5 km (round trip) illuminated path through natural areas along the Niagara Escarpment and Twenty Mile Creek, and the 1800s heritage village of Glen Elgin. Along the way, visitors will enjoy the stunning winter vistas, including the 27-metre lower waterfall, illuminated like never before, and experience history in the village with each building lit up with thousands of lights.
"The Holiday Trail offers evening fun outdoors, with stunning lights and activities. Set within the breathtaking Twenty Valley, visitors will experience the magic of the holiday season inside the heritage buildings and Centre for Conservation with sparkling decorations and festive music," says Alicia Powell, Manager of Conservation Area Services at NPCA. "Funds raised through this event support the operation of these significant natural areas, ensuring nature for all for years to come!"
Guests of all ages will play winter scavenger hunt games, visit the holiday craft station, capture the perfect selfies, warm up by the campfire, enjoy heritage tours and demonstrations, and so much more. In addition, Fridays and Saturdays feature live musical performances by local artists and performers.
To attend the Holiday Trail, guests must reserve a two-hour time slot on the evening of their choice. Reservations must be made online in advance. The Conservation Area's accessible trails are stroller friendly. Furry friends must always remain on a leash and are not permitted inside buildings except for valid service dogs.
The Ball's Falls Holiday Trail will run December 2-8, 12-23, and 27-30, and in the new year from January 2-8, with time slots from 5-7 p.m. and 7:30-9:30 p.m. It will be closed on December 24, 25, 26, and 31. Sensory-friendly nights will occur on November 30, December 14 and 28, and January 4.
Admission is $12 for general admission and $10 for seniors and children ages 3 to 11. Children under two years of age are free. Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable. The event is rain or shine.
The weekend of December 9 will welcome Niagara Benchland's Winter Winefest, a separately ticketed event with unique programming. Winefest features all our favourite seasonal activities, including the illuminated Holiday Trail at night, and heritage demonstrations and family activities including hiking during the day, in addition to fabulous entertainment lineups, local food, wine vendors, and so much more. Learn more and purchase tickets here.
To learn more about the Ball's Falls Holiday Trail, programming schedule, and live entertainment lineup, and to make a reservation, please visit npca.ca/events/detail/holidaytrail. For questions, reservation assistance, or to reserve over the phone, please call 905-788-3135 ext. 330.
The Ball's Falls Holiday Trail is delivered with funding provided by the Government of Ontario, Ontario Power Generation, and Tourism Niagara.
For more information about the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority and Ball's Falls Conservation Area, visit www.npca.ca. Follow on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for more updates.
About NPCA:
The Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (NPCA) is a community-based natural resource management agency that works to protect, enhance, and sustain healthy watersheds. With more than 63 years of experience, the NPCA offers watershed programs and services that focus on flood and hazard management, source water protection, species protection, ecosystem restoration, community stewardship, and land management.
The NPCA is one of 36 Conservation Authorities in the Province of Ontario and manages 41 Conservation Areas within the Niagara Peninsula watershed held in public trust for recreation, heritage preservation, conservation, and education. These natural and shared greenspaces marry nature, culture, and adventure to create limitless opportunities for discovery.
Questions related to the above release should be directed to:
Rebecca Hull, Manager of Business Planning and Public Relations
905-788-3135 | extension 291
Cell: 905-933-3078
rhull@npca.ca