Tourists flock to Niagara Falls to enjoy packed New Year’s celebrations

The new year is just hours away, and one of Canada’s biggest celebrations is already taking shape in Niagara Falls.

The falls were packed with people as the main fireworks display was being prepared.

As Niagara Falls Mayor Jim Diodati put it, Niagara Falls is Canada’s answer to Times Square.

New Year’s Eve in Niagara Falls is one of the city’s busiest days and by the afternoon, the streets were buzzing.

The city hasn’t hosted a New Year’s concert since before the pandemic, but there’s still a full slate of events planned, including an evening fireworks display for families at 8 p.m., followed by a larger midnight display, set off from both sides of the Falls.

Restaurants along Fallsview Boulevard and Clifton Hill are preparing for sold-out dinner services, and Niagara Falls Tourism says hotel bookings are up over last year.

“We have an extensive fireworks celebration over the Falls — it’s amazing, so you can go right down to the Falls and experience it up close and personal first hand,” said Diodati. “A lot of people like to get a nice Fallsview hotel room or Fallsview restaurant reservation, and you can watch it from one of the great restaurants.”

READ MORE: Metrolinx releases GO Transit holiday schedule, free New Year’s Eve rides

The cold, icy weather isn’t deterring anyone from visiting.

Tourists from just across the border in New York, and all the way from Denmark, have flocked to the Falls to ring in the new year.

Some people mentioned excitement in seeing the fireworks over the waterfalls, with others returning to Niagara Falls as part of an annual tradition.

City officials say safety is a top priority, with traffic control enforcing road closures, and encouraging people to take public transit.

“We do plan to close down Cliffton Hill and Queen Victoria Park at a certain point during the night — based on traffic volume, based on the Niagara Parks Police input and our traffic engineers, and we do it for everyone’s safety,” said Diodati.

As the sun sets and the lights come on, the area will transform into one massive New Year’s Eve party.

There’s more than just fireworks to be seen — there will also be a laser light show, and if you’re going down to the falls,  wear as many layers as possible.

WATCH MORE: ‘Water for water’: Oakville’s polar bear dip fundraises for global clean water