February is a great time to warm up your winter with this unbelievably perfect match! Get your touring pass for all 28 wineries and explore pairings of two favourite indulgences – wine and chocolate, as you tour Niagara-on-the-Lake. Each stop features a premium VQA wine matched to a delectable chocolate selection, from classic flavours to unexpected surprises. A super idea for a romantic celebration for two or a great reason for a girls’ getaway weekend!

Committed to working with local suppliers  to create the finest chocolate pairings, the Wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake are working with Niagara-on-the-Lake pastry Chef Catherine O’Donnell of Willow Cakes & Pastries.  O’Donnell is making over 50,000 chocolates for the event.

Event: Touring pass / wine food pairings
Where: The 28 wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake
When: Weekends in February
Time: 11 AM to 5 PM

Available for purchase now, a pair of touring passes may just be the perfect present for the wine enthusiast on your gift list.  Touring passes are $30 per person (plus applicable taxes) and can be purchased now either online at www.wineriesofniagaraonthelake.com.

Why not stay the weekend in luxurious Niagara on the Lake accommodations?

This weekend is a special event in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Downtown Queen Street will be blocked off to traffic and ice wine will be flowing from the bottles of many local wineries. Sip liquid gold and sample gourmet food selections all the while listening to music of the jazz greats!

Watch artisans carve blocks of ice into unique sparkling creations.

Experience Wine Country’s hottest Icewine Mixology contest. A competition to see who will become Niagara-on-the Lake’s foremost Icewine Cocktail Creator. Sample Icewine Cocktails and try food pairings served-up by the chefs of several local restaurants. Pick your favourite cocktail from the entries. Be there when the celebrity guest host awards the winner with top honours.

There is plenty of accommodation available in nearby luxury hotels, inns and of course the area is well known for top quality B&Bs in Niagara-on-the-Lake. The festivities will last all weekend so there is still time to get in on the action!

Certainly the most romantic event in our town is the Victorian Candlelight Stroll. Townsfolk and all their visitors join the choir at 26 Queen Street just outside the courthouse at 6:30. One by one the candles are lit from stranger to stranger, from loved one to loved one. And the chorus of Alleluia sends a tingle up your spine. Then the stroll around Old Town viewing the beautifully decorated historic homes while passing a variety musical choirs, bell ringers, and the fife and drum band. It is sure to kindle your Christmas spirit.

All are welcome and admission is free. Candles will be $3 each or two for $5.  All money raised will be donated and non-perishable food donations are welcome.

Why not stay overnight at a beautiful Niagara-on-the-Lake bed and breakfast and take the Rotary annual Holiday House Tour 2011.

The Niagara-on-the-Lake Santa Claus parade arrives this year on December 10, 2011.

Begining at the corner of King and Centre Streets the parade will turn right on Castlereagh, left on Wellington, left on Byron, left on Simcoe, and left again to make its grand passage down Queen St.

You are welcome to come and watch as the parade makes its way through beautiful downtown Niagara on The Lake.
The Niagara -on-the Lake Parade is well known for the number of floats from a variety of locations. It is sure to be a spectacle worth the visit for young and old.

Where: Niagara on The Lake
When:  December 10, 2011
Time:  11:00 am
Event: Niagara-on-the-Lake Santa Claus Parade

Why not do some shopping and stay overnight at a Niagara bed and breakfast .

The 13th annual Niagara-on-the Lake Holiday House Tour happens this year on December 2nd and 3rd 2011.

Six wonderful houses to tour plus additional bonus venues at the Niagara Historical Museum, The Pumphouse Visual Art Centre, Riverbrink Art Gallery and McFarlane House, .

Lunch will be prepared at the Niagara on the Lake Golf Club, St Mark’s Church, Peller Estates Winery.

Tickets are $25 Canadian or US Funds. Tickets are valid for both days.

Click for “Holiday House Tour Ticket Sales” you will be directed to the site, which will enable you to secure tickets

Phone 905-351- 3807.

Download the Niagara-on-the-Lake Rotary House Tour 2011 Niagara-on-the-Lake Holiday House Tour 2011 brochure and map.

Why not come Friday night and see the Niagara-on-the-Lake Candle Light Stroll? Looking for accomodations? See this Niagara on the Lake B&B .

Visit the Niagara-on-the-Lake Icewine Village when Old Towne’s historic Queen Street transforms into a winter wonderland for wine country’s annual Icewine extravaganza.  Listen to Canadian Jazz greats as Icewine flows from the bottles of 28 Wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake.  The area’s signature chefs will entice you with simply awesome icewine-inspired culinary creations.  Watch gifted artisans turn solid blocks of ice into sparkling sculptures and when it is time to warm up, pop into one of Queen Street’s cozy shops for some inspired shopping, or just warm up in one of the many pubs and restaurants like the Olde Angel Inn.

Why not make it a weekend and stay in one of the area’s cherished Niagara-on-the-Lake B&Bs like Maria’s Bed and Breakfast.

Downtown Niagara-on-the-Lake
January 21 from 11 am to 5 pm
January 22 from 12 pm to 5 pm

The Rotary House Tour of Niagara-on-the-Lake will be held this year on December 3rd and 4th 2010. 

Magnolia - 428 Queen Street

The Rotary Club welcomes you to their 12th annual Holiday House Tour. Here you will enjoy the variety of historic and contemporary properties, all decorated for the Holiday Season by local designers, all volunteers. In the spirit of the season, you can participate in the Holiday House Tour knowing that your support benefits many charities both local and around the world. Download the brochure (It’s a big file so be patient).

Tickets are $25 each. Click here for tickets 

Why not stay for the weekend at your favourite B&B? Enjoy the Friday night “Candlelight Stroll,” enchanting Christmas season atmosphere and holiday shopping all weekend long!

The Spirit of Christmas

One of the biggest events of the winter season will be held on December 3 2010. This heart warming experience is certain to kindle the spirit of hundreds of visitors again this year.

Queen Street is blocked off to automobile traffic. Everyone dresses up in their woollies and gathers in front of the Court House at 6:30 PM. The Town Crier opens the proceedings then the Lord Mayor offers a warm welcome to the crowds.  The first candle is lit then that one is used to light more and soon the street is glowing in candlelight. Then there is a guided stroll through historical Old Town, accompanied by a wonderful selection of local choirs and seasonal entertainment. There is no admittance fee but attendees are requested to bring a nonperishable food item for our local food bank.

Candles with a special wind blocker are available from volunteers scattered throughout the downtown area. $3 per candle or 2 for $5. All funds raised go to a deserving local child with special needs.

Magnolis - 428 Queen Street

That same weekend is the 12th annual Niagara on the Lake Rotary House Tour on December 3rd & 4th. A variety of architecturally interesting homes and buildings are open to see for all ticket holders. Each location has been specially decorated for the holiday season. Tickets are $25 each and are available at Avondale stores throughout Niagara, Crabtree and Evelyn (NOTL & Burlington stores), NOTL Chamber of Commerce, Mori Gardens, Regal Florists, Phil’s Valu-Mart, Peller Wines.

These events create a festive spirit in the town and the shops, pubs and restaurants are bustling with people enjoying the warmth of the holiday season.  Why not make this a seasonal getaway and stay the weekend. Perhaps in one many charming B&Bs like this one www.appletreebb.ca

A self-directed tour of Niagara-on-the-Lake’s wine region, where guests can taste great VQA wines paired with delectable food items highlighting various herbs at each of the 22 participating wineries.

The pass holder is entitled to visit each of the 22 participating wineries, on any and all of the five weekends in May (Saturday/Sunday). The pass entitles the holder to one wine and food pairing at each of the participating wineries.

Wine & Herb will take place each weekend in May 2010 (1&2, 8&9, 15&16, 22&23, 29&30) and runs between the hours of 11:00 am to 5:00 pm. 

Want a vehicle and driver?

Grape Escape Wine tours  1-866-935-4445 www.tourniagarawineries.com

or

Niagara Classic Cabs 905-262-0005 and quote “Wine & Herb” to receive your special rate.

or

Niagara Vintage Wine Tours offers packages and discounted rates for Wine and Herb pass holders. Call 905-933-7433 and mention Wine and Herb for more information, or visit www.niagaravintagewinetours.com

Check out this great B&B:  www.appletreebb.ca