Niagara-on-the-Lake Rotary Holiday House Tour
Visitors embark on a self-guided tour exploring six historic and contemporary private residences decorated for Christmas by local designers and florists. The experience includes access to annual cultural and heritage sites, complimentary tastings from featured wineries and a distillery, and specially priced luncheons. All proceeds from the tour support local and international charitable projects.
See more Christmas events near Niagara-on-the-Lake
Plan Your Visit
Website / Tickets
When
Tickets
Adults: $49 early bird; $54 as of October 18. Children 0–12: free, but please register. A combined General and Merry & Bright Tour ticket is $104. Eventbrite fees apply.
Hours
9:30 am - 4:30 pm.
Ages
All ages (Children 0-12 yrs free for Merry & Bright Tour)
Neighborhood
Niagara-on-the-Lake
Food & Drink
Guests can enjoy complimentary tastings from featured wineries and a distillery, plus specially priced lunches at partner wineries and an annual church.
Parking
Parking is free for all of December in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Accessibility
The private residences on the tour are not wheelchair accessible, but walkers can be accommodated.
Pets
Pets are not allowed in the homes.
Going?
Location
Tips & Advice
- Buy your tickets online early, since they're sold online only and often sell out before the early bird cut-off date.
- Get to your last house at least an hour before the houses close for the day, because line-ups can be long.
- Wear slip-on shoes and bring a shoe bag, since every home has a shoes-off policy and you'll spend time standing outside in winter weather.
- Plan a driving route between the farther homes, because some distances need a vehicle and street parking at each house is limited.
- Sign up for the hourly line-up emails and shuffle the order of your houses to spend less time waiting outside.
Special Events & Promotions
- A Merry & Bright Christmas evening tour at the McArthur Estate runs in one-hour sessions on Dec 4 or 5. It needs a separate ticket for a set date and time.
- A combined ticket covers both the General Tour and the Merry & Bright evening tour.
- This year the tour honours two Silver Medallion Homes that were first on the tour in 2001.
- Show your tour ticket for special discounts at Niagara-on-the-Lake shops from Dec 4 to 6. Merchants stay open later that weekend.
- 124 on Queen Hotel & Spa gives tour attendees 15% off accommodations.
Links & Contact
Run by Rotary Club of Niagara-on-the-Lake
Christmas Events Near Me is an independent guide, not the organizer of this event. For tickets, entries, vendor spots or questions, contact the organizer directly through their contact page.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the self-guided tour work?
Start at any of the six main houses. There you get your stamp and a printed booklet with a map of the sites. After that, visit the sites in any order. Many homes are close enough to walk if you're fully mobile, but some are far enough apart that you'll need a car.
What shoes should I wear?
Every house has a shoes-off policy, so wear shoes that slip on and off easily. You'll also stand for long stretches in winter weather, so pick something comfortable and warm. Bring your own shoe bag. A reusable souvenir bag is available for a small donation.
Are there line-ups at the houses?
Sometimes, mostly at the homes closest to the edges of town. Allow 30 to 45 minutes at some houses. Visiting the homes in a different order than the booklet lists can help. Hourly email updates on line-ups can point you to shorter waits.
Is there food and drink along the way?
Yes. Three featured wineries and a winery/distillery offer free tastings. Partner wineries and the annual church serve specially priced lunches for tour guests, and there's a specially priced dinner for attendees too.
Can I volunteer at the tour?
Yes. Volunteers help a good cause, get to see the decorated homes, and receive one free General Tour pass each. You can sign up through the tour website.
Browse Christmas in St. Catharines
Always check the official website for the most current information.
We've done our best to keep details up-to-date, but event schedules, prices, and policies can change. For the latest updates, please visit the official website or contact the organizers directly. Christmas Events Near Me is an independent guide and isn't affiliated with the events we list.