To Niagara’s One-of-a-Kind Fall Festivals and Wine Adventures
The arrival of sweater weather in Niagara brings a whole host of fall fun for free spirits looking for a fresh take on easygoing autumn adventures. Experience Niagara Benchlands at its fiery fall colour best, enjoying these festivals, unique winery experiences and outdoor pursuits.
ebike The Bench Guided Wine Tours
Saturdays & Sundays
Experience Niagara Benchlands nature, culture, and hospitality by bike with a little electric assist! Guided tours with ebike The Bench include an orientation and setup, stops for sample sips at a selection of local wineries, and a lunch break with a stunning view. Half-day and full-day bike rentals are also available for those who prefer a self-guided cycling adventure.
Learn more.
Oktoberfest On The Rock, Flat Rock Cellars
Weekends in October
Enjoy award-winning wine and a curated selection of craft beer perfectly paired with a warm pretzel and artisan mustard when Flat Rock Cellars rolls out the barrel for its month-long Oktoberfest celebration.
Learn more.
Sip Niagara, Charles Daley Park
October 5 & 6
The food and drink festival boasting stunning Lake Ontario views and the World’s Largest Caesar Bar returns for its fourth year with even more delicious beverages and tasty bites to try. Sip Niagara’s created so much buzz that this year, Prime Video’s The Gastro Guru will be on-site filming an episode about the event. In addition to all the incredible sipping and snacking options, guests can hang out in signature spaces and enjoy a range of activities, including live music, straight-razor shaves from a Master Barber, lawn games, and more.
Learn more, buy tickets and browse participating partners.
The Foreign Affair + Fat Rabbit Winemaker’s Dinner
October 7
The Foreign Affair Winemaker Ed Haddon is taking his wines on the road to St. Catharines for an incredible evening of offal foods expertly paired with The Foreign Affair wines. With the restaurant’s just-announced Michelin Guide recommendation, this is sure to be a hot ticket!
Learn more.
Ball’s Falls Thanksgiving Festival
October 11, 12, 13, 14
Ball’s Falls Conservation Area
Discover why this four-day celebration of community, culture, heritage, art, food and craft beverages has been wowing crowds for 50 years! Set against the colourful backdrop of the Niagara Escarpment, the Ball’s Falls Thanksgiving Festival has become a treasured Thanksgiving weekend tradition for many because it really does offer something for everyone. Those looking to jump-start their holiday shopping will love browsing the stalls of over 150 craft and artisan vendors. Kids and kids at heart can enjoy magic shows, birds of prey demonstrations, train rides and fascinating antique power displays. Foodies and wine lovers can stock up for fall feasts at a huge farmer’s market featuring fresh produce, flowers, local wines, honey, and more. Concession stands and a Niagara Benchlands beverage garden offer a diverse collection of tempting treats to enjoy while you’re there.
Learn more, buy tickets and browse participating vendors.
Stargazing Night, Calamus Estate Winery
October 12
Enjoy an evening of incredible wine, food, views and live music at Calamus Estates’ final stargazing event of the season. These popular events have sold out every single time since the winery launched them in 2018, so book your spaces early.
Learn more.
Haunted Estate Tasting Experience, Honsberger Estate Winery
October 16 – 30
Learn the chilling history and ghostly legends of the storied Honsberger Estate while sipping on delicious wine samples at this spine-tingling tour experience.
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Fall Wine Trail Passport Program
October 19 & 20
Experience autumn hospitality at Cave Spring, Featherstone, Fielding, Malivoire, and Sue-Ann Staff wineries on this choose-your-own itinerary tasting program that includes a fall wine tasting with a tasty two-bite culinary pairing at each stop.
Learn more.
Hallo-WINE Haunt, 180 Estate Winery
October 26
Why should Halloween fun be just for the kids? 180 Estate Winery is decking out the vineyard for the spooky season with four themed tasting stations where guests can enjoy tasty wine and treat pairings. Bring the kids along to enjoy non-alcoholic pairings.
Learn more.
Sue-Ann’s HalloWINE Party, Sue-Ann Staff Estate Winery
October 27
Sip on five wine samples paired with seasonal treats and then dance the afternoon away to the sounds of Broken Cadence, one of Niagara’s most popular classic rock cover bands.
Learn more.
Tricks For Treats at Cave Spring Vineyard
October 27
Bring your pooch in their most outlandish costume for a spooktacular day at the Cave Spring Barns featuring Cave Spring wines, delicious dog and human snacks, amazing raffles, local vendors and more. Don’t forget to stop by the Cave Spring Vineyard Tasting Room patio afterward to treat your pup to a Barkuterie Board!
Learn more.
Niagara Benchlands Wineries Get Wrapped Up Touring Weekends
November 9, 10, 16, 17
Join the fun this November as a network of Niagara Benchlands Wineries join forces to host a two-weekend tasting and touring program. Get Wrapped Up passport holders can visit up to six participating wineries to enjoy holiday entertaining-inspired wine and food pairings.
Learn more.
St. Urban Lounge Roaring 20s Speakeasy Murder Mystery, Vineland Estates
November 15
Dress up in your best roaring 20s garb and join the fun of a murder mystery evening at Vineland Estates with tasty perks like wine and canapes.
Learn more.
Snap Your Best Fall Photos Yet
While out and about on your Niagara Benchlands wander, be sure to take advantage of three new harvest-themed installations to get that perfect fall photo. The Insta-worthy photo backdrops include a cascade of grape vines, corks, and fall flowers tumbling from a waterfall of wicker baskets in Jordan Village, a twinkling arch of pumpkins and gourds in Downtown Bench Beamsville, and a farm’tastic vignette at Cherry Lane Farms in Vineland. Follow @niagarabenchlands on Instagram and Facebook for all the details.
