As December creeps in closer, the City of Niagara Falls is starting to buzz with hints of Christmas spirit. Colorful lights are appearing in windows and kids are starting to get their wish lists ready for Santa. One of the most popular memories shared among the residents today is the “Festival of Lights.” Once known as the “International Festival of Lights” dating back many decades in our city’s history, this Christmastime tradition was an annual favorite always guaranteed to draw large crowds in the downtown area each year. This festival has seen many different revivals in its existence, but for those who knew it back in the early 1980s to early 1990s, the nostalgia still exists heavy today. “Ya know what they should do? Bring back the Festival of Lights!” – that phrase is heard repeatedly every year. Well Dear Readers, you may not have that wish granted this year, but let me serve as your personal Ghost of Christmas Past and take you for a brief memory jog around the Rainbow Centre, the Wintergarden and the Niagara Falls Convention Center for a nostalgic trip back 30 years…
Photos from the Niagara Falls Public Library Local History Department – be sure to visit the Library on December 7th for the 2nd Annual Holiday Wonderfest: Click here for all info!
[Feel free to comment below with your favorite memories, stories or thoughts. If you know someone in the photos, please share it with them! Have some photos you want to add to this post? Send ‘em along to: theniagarahub@gmail.com]
I’m in a few
Chis I remember there was a guy,a handsome guy who sold “chestnuts roasting on an open fire” – It was so cool no pictures of that guy I know he was there for years.. Someone must have a picture he was so unique and did I say Handsome.
we need to bring it back i loved it as a kid
This was a destination our family looked forward to every year. We were very sad when it ended.
These pictures are beautiful..I see a few of my family members in some of them. Miss this event. My Parents always brought us every year! It was a great event…and we had many people come from all over the world….that’s when tourism was the best here!
I so enjoyed seeing all these photos. My children and I are actually in one, as well as my niece and her mother. I know I have photos from the WIntergarden and the school concerts that were held there during the holidays, but can’t seem to find them right now or I would share them as well. Thanks for the memories!
I would love to see this back. Had great times with my family going every year.
I remember that like it was yesterday, and i tell people about it when we have our feeble (in comparison) festival where i live now. It was very sad when it ended. Thanks for the memories!
I wish they would bring this back, My kids loved this more than ever as we went all the time on a weekly basis, And I would love for my grandchildren to see it. It would help our city as well, and bring kids off the streets and into a better activity and enjoyment.
That was christmas lights the ones today suck…
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The only thing good NF had going for it.
What was the reason it actually ceased ? Decline of the mall ? Lack of city funds? Lack of interest? Political crap?
It was a great joy in my chidhood. The parade, the music, lights, fireworks, gingerbread cookies, the Winter Garden- and then, one day, it was gone….
our politicians have decided we can’t afford to have all these people downtown.
Wonderful memories Chris…thank you thank you for sharing them…my whole family – from husband to mother to son, nephews, brother -in -law, sister, father and friends – all a part of that special time in our lives!!
Wonderful pictures, It would be nice if they could be labeled with who and what was going on? Great job. Thanks.