The changing leaves, crisp and cool weather and autumn harvests make fall a great time to book a Niagara Falls trip. There are festivals, artisan events, spooky scares and more in 
Niagara Falls.
Use Niagara Falls Hotels’ site to find the top places to stay for a trip to Niagara Falls. We feature the best Niagara Falls hotels that are close to all the action, so it’s easy to get to where you want to go.
1. Grape and Wine Festival
Kick off fall with the Niagara Grape & Wine Festival from September 14-29. Usher in the new bounty of grapes from the vineyards with wine-themed events all over Niagara Falls during this time.
You can check out:
- Wine tastings with a Discovery Pass, where you can get 8 wine and culinary experiences at your choice out of the 27 participating wineries
- The Montebello Park Experience, Canada’s largest wine festival on September 20-22 and September 27-29
There’s also the 68th Annual Meridian Grande Parade September 28 at 11 a.m. in Downtown St. Catharines to check out. This time of year is a great time to sample the fine Niagara wines and connect with the local community.
2. Niagara on the Lake’s Haunted Fort George Halloween
Fort George may be one of the most haunted places in all of the Niagara Falls area. It’s 
where many battles during the War of 1812 took place, and it’s still home to a historic military structure.
Get in the Halloween spirit with a candlelight ghost tour at Fort George. They’re held every Sunday in September at 7:30 p.m. and take place at various times Friday’s, Saturday’s and Sunday’s (plus October 30 and 31) in October. Tours last around a couple hours long and take visitors into Fort George after dark to hear about hauntings and history.
Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children 13 and younger in September, and are $25 for everyone in October. There are also private ghost tour options.
3. Niagara Culinary Tours
If you love Italian food, you have to check out the 6th Annual Niagara Culinary Tours, a taste of Italy at Massimo’s Italian Fallsview Restaurant. Celebrity chef Massimo Capra leads guests through an intimate dining experience featuring cuisines from different parts of Italy. Each dinner includes a meet-and-greet opportunity with chef Massimo, a standing cocktail reception with canapes and prosecco and a five-course dinner and wine pairings.
The first date for the event starts toward the end of fall. Here are all the dates:
- December 6: Natale a Tavola
- January 31: An Ice Wine Dinner
- March 27: A Culinary Tour of Abruzzo
- April 24: A Culinary Tour of Emilia Romagana
Dates sell out quickly. The event is $129 per person, and you can add on a hotel room stay in a Fallsview room for just $70 more per person. Get info here.
4. 9th Annual HandMade Market
Get a head start on holiday shopping at the 9th Annual Fall HandMade Market, which features handmade goods from more than 140 curated artisans from around Canada. Head to the 13th Street Winery September 13 from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. and September 14 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. to check out the event, which will include goods like jewellery, bags, fashion accessories, home décor, bath and body products, ceramics, wood and leather to purchase.
There will also be food, art and so much more. Entry is $6 for adults, and it’s free for kids ages 16 and younger.
5. Niagara Falls International Marathon
The Niagara Falls International Marathon brings people from around the globe to Niagara Falls to complete a marathon and other races. Runners can choose from a full marathon, marathon relay, half-marathon, 10K or 5K races. This year’s race takes place October 20.
The race provides a unique view of Niagara Falls landscape, taking runners to the brink of the Niagara Falls waterfalls. Registration prices increase on October 1. You can register here.
6. Frightmare in the Falls
Frightmare in the Falls is a spooktacular horror event taking place at Scotiabank Convention Centre October 26 from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. and October 27 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Attendees can check out:
- Attractions like “The Evil Dead” cabin, “Stranger Things” living room, the Ecto-1 car and the Thor “Supernatural” Impala
- Guest and panels, including Kane Hodder from “Friday the 13th,” Bill Moseley from “The Devil’s Rejects,” and Tony Moran from “Halloween”
- Vendors and exhibitons, including comics, fashion, toys and collectibles, posters and more
Tickets include VIP options and after party tickets. Purchase here.
7. Taste the Season
Craving more wine? Get tickets to Taste the Season, with dates on Friday’s through Sunday’s through November 24. Dozens of Niagara-on-the-Lake wineries participate in this annual event, which gives attendees the opportunity to sample food and wine pairings at each participating winery. That’s a lot of food and drink!
Tickets cost $55 each. Every day, the wineries are available to visit using the pass from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Get tickets here.
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