Tours/Toronto/Niagara Falls Festival of Lights Tour from Toronto
Niagara Falls Festival of Lights Tour from Toronto
4.5(223)Toronto10 hours
VIATOR4.5(206)TRIPADVISOR4.2(17)
+15 photos
At a glance
Duration
10 hours
Price from
$73 / person
Rating
4.5 / 5 · 223 reviews
Languages
EN
Group
Small group, up to 55
Cancellation
Free cancellation
Meeting point
Boarding for the tour will begin at 11:30 AM at 55 York St, Toronto, ON, directly in front of Tim Hortons.
Please arrive on time and look for a Gray Line representative at the meeting point. Have your e-ticket and photo I.D. ready for check-in.
Embrace the season on a sparkling Niagara Falls winter excursion.
Depart Toronto in a comfortable coach to Niagara Falls.
First stop is a festive tasting at Maple Leaf Place—maple syrup, fresh fudge, and artisan chocolate set the mood.
At Table Rock, stand steps from Horseshoe Falls, then descend 125 feet for the tunnels of Journey Behind the Falls as the roar echoes around you.
Afterward, choose free time by the Falls or upgrade to our Cafe Market Lunch (starter, main, drink) to refuel.
As darkness sets in, your guide leads a grand illumination tour through the Winter Festival of Lights at Dufferin Islands, landmark displays along the Niagara Parkway.
Our last stop will be Clifton Hill for an extended free time, letting you explore the array of light and the neon buzz. Perfect spot for warm-up cocoa and photo moments.
On scheduled nights, cap it all with fireworks over the Falls—an unforgettable winter spectacle.
Tour Options
Freedom Tour (no add ons)
Meal: Not included
Attraction: Not included
All included
Meal: Upgrade to our Cafe Market Lunch (starter, main, drink)
Attraction: Skip the line access to Journey Behind the Falls
Tour + Market Lunch
Lunch: Upgrade to our Cafe Market Lunch (starter, main, drink)
Attraction: Not included
Tour + Journey ticket
Meal: Not included
Attraction: Skip the line access to Journey Behind the Falls
Itinerary
120 min
Boarding for the tour will begin at 11:30 AM from 55 York St, Toronto, ON (right in front of Tim Hortons). Please be on time with your e-ticket and photo I.D ready
30 min
Ease into the season with a sweet flight: pure maple syrup tastings, still-warm fudge samples, and artisan chocolate. Learn how sap becomes syrup, browse Canadian treats, and grab a hot drink to go.
Admission not included45 min
Journey Behind the Falls is a popular attraction located in Niagara Falls, Canada. It offers visitors the opportunity to experience the natural wonder of Niagara Falls in a unique and immersive way. (add-on attraction)
45 min
Choose your pace: roam for cliff-edge photos and shopping, or prebook our Café Market Lunch (starter, hearty main, drink—vegetarian options available). Warm up indoors while the daylight fades toward the evening glow.
Pass by
As darkness settles, roll into the illuminations. Glide past glowing arches and landmark installations, then trace the mirror-still waters of Dufferin Islands where nature-themed displays shimmer.
120 min
Enjoy extended free time and stroll among dozens of whimsical displays. Follow the chocolate/cocoa trail, warm up in cafés, and snap “Canadian winter” icons—light tunnel, giant snowflakes, glowing toque and maple leaf.
10 min
Watch colour bloom through the mist above illuminated Falls—an unforgettable winter crescendo (weather permitting).
120 min
Climb aboard the warm coach and unwind as the city lights approach. Swap favorite photos, upload highlights, and let the glow of the night linger.
Highlights
Professional, English-speaking tour guide
Guided illumination drive and commentary
Climate controlled vehicle
Free time for self-guided exploration
Maple syrup, fudge, chocolate tasting
Round-trip coach from downtown Toronto
What's included
Included
Professional, English-speaking tour guide
Guided illumination drive and commentary
Climate controlled vehicle
Free time for self-guided exploration
Maple syrup, fudge, chocolate tasting
Round-trip coach from downtown Toronto
Not included
Gratuities
Hotel pickup
Traveller Ratings
4.5
223 reviews
5
152
4
41
3
16
2
7
1
7
Important Information
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Itinerary is subject to change without notice
This tour operates in all weather conditions
All infants and toddlers traveling on our vehicles are required to occupy their own seat. For safety purposes, they must be secured in a government-approved car seat or booster seat appropriate for their age, height, and weight.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Niagara Falls Festival of Lights Tour from Toronto take?
Niagara Falls Festival of Lights Tour from Toronto lasts about 10 hours. The itinerary has 8 stops.
How much does Niagara Falls Festival of Lights Tour from Toronto cost?
Prices start at $73 per person for this Toronto experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There are 4 booking options, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
Can I cancel Niagara Falls Festival of Lights Tour from Toronto for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Where does the tour start?
The meeting point is Boarding for the tour will begin at 11:30 AM at 55 York St, Toronto, ON, directly in front of Tim Hortons.
Please arrive on time and look for a Gray Line representative at the meeting point. Have your e-ticket and photo I.D. ready for check-in.. Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
What languages is Niagara Falls Festival of Lights Tour from Toronto offered in?
The experience is available in EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 55 participants.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller All infants and toddlers traveling on our vehicles are required to occupy their own seat. For safety purposes, they must be secured in a government-approved car seat or booster seat appropriate for their age, height, and weight.
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Reviews(223)
A
Aneta
August 18, 2026
I visited Niagara Falls...
I visited Niagara Falls in May, and it was an exciting day from start to finish. The boat ride right up to the falls was thrilling — wet, loud and absolutely worth experiencing.
Unfortunately, the time in Niagara Falls itself was a little too short. The Fallsview Grand Buffet was fairly average, although the table overlooking the falls more than made up for it. The short stop at the Whirlpool Aero Car was fine.
Niagara-on-the-Lake was probably the highlight for me — such a charming, elegant little town with plenty of character. I only wish I’d had more time to wander around and enjoy it at a slower pace.
The wine tasting was another enjoyable stop. I really appreciated the chance to try some local wines, although they weren’t quite to my taste, so I left without taking a bottle home.
Overall, it was a busy day with some fantastic highlights, although I would have loved a little more time to explore the places I enjoyed most.
Operator response
Dear Aneta,
Thank you for sharing such a thoughtful review. We’re so glad your Niagara Falls experience had so many memorable moments, especially the thrilling boat ride into the mist and your time in beautiful Niagara-on-the-Lake.
There really is nothing quite like feeling the power of Horseshoe Falls from the water, and we’re happy that experience lived up to expectations. We also appreciate your honest comments about the pacing, the Fallsview Grand Buffet, and wanting more time in the places you enjoyed most.
Niagara-on-the-Lake is a favourite for many of our guests, with its historic streets, boutiques, cafés, and wine-country charm, so we completely understand wishing you had more time there. We’re also glad you enjoyed the local wine tasting and the scenic Whirlpool stop.
Thank you again for choosing Gray Line Toronto and for taking the time to share both the highlights and the areas where the experience could be improved. Your feedback is valuable as we continue refining the tour experience.
Warm regards,
Alicia
Gray Line Toronto
T
Tiffany_C
December 6, 2025
Do recommend but food...ehh
Tour itself was great... but the texts about canceling it right before was annoying only to realize that it was a full tour bus with 20 people. Waiting to hear back about the refund for lunch that we weren't able to have...had to pay extra in cash to the tour guide to have a dinner at a hotel that wasn't even expecting us. We ended up at an ok dinner place, the view was so nice but the buffet style food was eehhhh.
This takes nothing away from Johnny the tour guide who was knowledgeable & awesome the whole time.
Went during a good time, cold but no lines.
Do recommend the tour!
Operator response
Dear valued guest
Thank you for sharing such a detailed review. I’m very glad to hear that you enjoyed the tour overall, found Johnny knowledgeable and awesome throughout the day, and were able to experience the Falls at a quieter time with no lines.
I’m truly sorry, however, for the stress and frustration caused by the last-minute cancellation texts and the confusion around lunch and dinner. That’s not the smooth, well-coordinated experience we want for our guests.
The situation with the missed lunch, having to pay extra in cash, and being taken to a hotel restaurant that wasn’t prepared to receive you is especially concerning. Even if the view was nice, “just okay” buffet food and unclear arrangements are not up to the standard we aim to provide. We’ll be reviewing this with our team and partners to understand what went wrong and prevent a repeat.
Regarding the lunch refund you mentioned you’re still waiting on, we don’t want that to be left unresolved. At your convenience, please contact our customer care team with your booking reference, date of travel, and the name on the reservation so we can properly review the charges and ensure any owed refund or adjustment is processed.
Thank you again for recommending the tour in spite of these issues and for recognizing Johnny’s efforts—your kind words mean a lot and will be passed along to him. We hope we’ll have the chance to welcome you back for a much smoother experience from start to finish.
Kind regards, Stephanie
O
OnAir48444
November 17, 2025
Niagara Falls for a Buck
For those interested in viewing the Festival of Lights in Niagara Falls, a very economical trip can be undertaken by Megabus from Toronto for only a $1. Frequent service is provided in both directions with hourly departures and running express to the Falls. Niagara Transit now provides a bus connection from the terminal to the top of Clifton Hill, thus eliminating the need for a pricey WeGo ticket. Look for route 104. The festival itself now offers hot chocolate stands at various locations. Check their website for exact locations. Also, be sure to confirm the last bus for Toronto. Most trips end in the evening.
Operator response
Dear valued guest
Thank you for taking the time to share this information. However, it appears that your comments describe an independent trip to Niagara Falls using Megabus and local transit, rather than one of our guided tours.
Because of this, your post isn’t related to our services or guest experience, and may be confusing for travellers who are specifically looking for feedback about our tours. If you did join us on a tour and would like to share your experience, we’d be very happy to hear from you—please feel free to update your review with details about the tour you took with us.
Kind regards, Stephanie
J
justintP4626LQ
June 28, 2025
Beautiful
Beautiful discovery of the falls, excellent tourist guide with beautiful antodes.
Comfortable air-conditioned transport and beautiful tasting of chocolate and maple syrup.
Operator response
Merci beaucoup pour votre retour ! Nous sommes ravis que vous ayez vécu une si belle découverte des chutes et que notre guide touristique ait su rendre l’expérience encore plus agréable avec ses anecdotes. Nous sommes également heureux que le confort du transport, la climatisation et les dégustations de chocolat et de sirop d’érable aient contribué à votre satisfaction.
Cordialement,
Stéphanie
7
789tiphanieg
June 1, 2025
Niagara falls
The views were beautiful. We took a lot of pictures. We chose the meal more it is worth the visit
Operator response
Merci beaucoup pour votre commentaire ! Nous sommes ravis que vous ayez apprécié les magnifiques vues et que vous ayez pu capturer de beaux souvenirs en photo. Nous sommes également heureux d'apprendre que le repas ajouté a été à la hauteur de vos attentes – c’est un excellent choix !
Stephanie
F
F8176AUpamelag
December 13, 2024
Visit to the falls
Definitely a 10! From the pick up to the end. Peter our very friendly driver, give you enough time to tour the falls, eat, etc.
Operator response
Estimado huésped,
¡Muchas gracias por su maravillosa reseña! Nos alegra saber que disfrutó de su experiencia de principio a fin. Es genial escuchar que Peter, nuestro conductor, fue amable y que tuvo tiempo suficiente para explorar las cataratas y disfrutar de la comida.
Esperamos tener el placer de darle la bienvenida nuevamente en el futuro para más aventuras inolvidables.
Saludos cordiales,
Stephanie
N
NuriaCostal
December 7, 2024
Stay away from yours on trip advisor
Don’t book tours thru trip advisor there is no way to contact the operators
They leave you on waiting with “contact” phones lines that are a lie
Nobody writes you
It’s you alone and no one even on site to guide you
You are there with your family under a snow storm and absolutely nobody even texting you to give you any info
It was not a good experience
After an hour from the meetiting time someone wrote back
Cause I kept looking for ways to contact to let me know the driver was late
No compensation of any sort
Not even an apology
Operator response
Dear valued guest,
Thank you for sharing your feedback. We deeply regret the inconvenience and frustration you experienced. Ensuring clear communication and reliable service is extremely important to us, and we are sorry that we fell short in this instance.
When we became aware of the unexpected delay, we reached out through the contact number and messaging portal associated with your booking to provide updates. While we strive to ensure timely communication, the response time through the booking platform can occasionally be delayed, which is unfortunately beyond our direct control. Additionally, our driver personally apologized for the delay upon arrival.
Please rest assured that we take these matters seriously and are reviewing our processes to improve communication and ensure our guests feel supported, even during unforeseen circumstances.
We hope to have the opportunity to provide you with a more positive experience in the future.
Kind regards,
Stephanie
D
D7621XOmelissap
November 17, 2024
Amazing views and hospitality.
Tour guide was excellent. I communicated thru the app with questions and responses were timely. Definitely would do again.
Operator response
Dear valued guest,
Thank you for your kind feedback! We're delighted to hear that your tour guide provided an excellent experience and that our communication through the app was timely and helpful. Your satisfaction means the world to us, and we would be thrilled to welcome you back for another adventure!
Kind regards,
Stephanie
S
Shelley R
November 9, 2024
Great day at Niagara Falls
Great day with knowledgeable and engaging guide and driver. Loved the humour and the trivia game. Timing was as advertised and the winery visit great.
Operator response
Dear valued guest,
Thank you for taking the time to leave such a lovely review! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the day with our knowledgeable and engaging guide and driver. It’s fantastic that the humor, trivia game, and winery visit made your experience even more memorable. We’re glad everything ran smoothly and that the timing met your expectations.
Kind regards,
Stephanie
S
saraaS810OP
October 14, 2024
Fantastic experience
Amazing tour and the best guides ever! Alex and Sam were such a dynamic duo! They were so kind, warm, welcoming and entertaining! We loved our experience with them! We did the boat tour, the lunch, the whirlpool, Niagara on the lake, and the Hare Winery!
Operator response
Dear valued guest,
Thank you so much for your amazing review! We’re thrilled to hear you had such a fantastic experience with Alex and Sam. It sounds like they made your tour truly special with their dynamic energy and welcoming nature. We’re glad you enjoyed all the stops, from the boat tour to Niagara-on-the-Lake and Hare Winery.
We hope to see you on another adventure with us soon!
Best regards,
Stephanie
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Niagara Falls Festival of Lights Tour from Toronto