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Susan Swiatkowski, tourism development manager at Destination Niagara USA, addresses the media at a press conference Wednesday at The Conference & Event Center Niagara Falls.
Susan Swiatkowski, tourism development manager at Destination Niagara USA, addresses the media at a press conference Wednesday at The Conference & Event Center Niagara Falls.

New & returning favorites highlight 'Jingle Falls USA'

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Wed, Nov 6th 2019 01:35 pm

Collaborative 3-day festival celebrates third year in downtown Niagara Falls USA

New activities, outdoor décor, returning favorites and special events highlight “Jingle Falls USA,” a collaborative three-day holiday festival celebrating its third year in downtown Niagara Falls, Nov. 30, Dec. 7 and 14.

Major highlights of “Jingle Falls USA” include “Gingerbread Wonderland” at the Niagara Falls Culinary Institute; outdoor games, activities and illuminated displays along Old Falls Street; “Winter Wonderland” activities at Niagara Falls State Park’s Cave of the Winds pavilion; the LiveNF Makers Market; a roving “Santa Con” holiday party for adults; and the second annual “Festival of Slice” pizza celebration.

“After months of communitywide preparation, ‘Jingle Falls USA’ is a mix of new and existing daylong holiday activities that appeal to a wide audience,” said Susan Swiatkowski, tourism development manager at Destination Niagara USA. “Although some programming is the same each week, different activities and events help attract guests back each of the three Saturdays, with morning, afternoon and evening activities planned throughout each day.”

Some of the new photo-worthy attractions include an 11-foot inflatable snow globe, which allows guests to step inside and snap a photo as well as a unique, 9-foot-tall Santa hat, both of which will be featured on Old Falls Street.

Featured Each Saturday

•Free parking in City of Niagara Falls surface parking lots and ramp, as well as Niagara Falls State Park lots No. 1 and No. 2.

•“Gingerbread Wonderland,” the Niagara Falls Culinary Institute’s life-sized gingerbread house, visits with Santa Claus, cookie decorating, live musical performances and more.

•Holiday activities at Niagara Falls State Park’s Cave of the Winds pavilion on Goat Island, including visits with Santa, and free arts and crafts. Guests will also have the opportunity to take a trip down the Cave of the Winds elevator to view the frozen Niagara River (ticket required; weather-permitting).

New this year is a complimentary State Parks trolley that will run continuously from Old Falls Street to the Cave of the Winds pavilion.

•Complimentary horse and carriage rides along Old Falls Street.

•Santa appearances, St. Nick’s sleigh and a giant Kris Kringle hat on Old Falls Street.

•Giant snow globe, holiday spirits, fire pits, s’mores kits, games and more along Old Falls Street.

•Wine tasting at Marjim at the Falls, inside the Niagara Falls Culinary Institute.

•New this year: Curling with the Buffalo Curling Club, sponsored by the Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino.

Each week will also feature different programming, including:

•Saturday, Nov. 30 (Small Business Saturday)

√ LiveNF Makers Market. This annual event is moving inside The Conference & Event Center Niagara Falls, and will feature more than 100 local artisans and crafters, live music and more.

√ Community candlelight stroll from City Hall to Old Falls Street. Featuring the Niagara Falls High School marching band (shuttles from Old Falls Street to City Hall are donated by Discover Niagara Shuttle).

√ Tree-lighting ceremony on Old Falls Street.

√ Fireworks display sponsored by Niagara Falls State Park.

√ Evening street party following the tree lighting, and including food and beverage vending, music and live performances.

•Saturday, Dec. 7

√ “Deck the Falls” annual holiday vendor event at Power City Eatery.

√ Ice-carving demonstration outside the Niagara Falls Culinary Institute.

√ Meet “Frozen” stars Elsa, Anna and Kristoff on Old Falls Street.

√ Second annual “Festival of Slice.” The “Niagara Falls USA Pizza Celebration” moves into the

Conference & Event Center with more space for the 19 (at press time) Niagara County pizzeria vendors for what promises to be a “Bigger, Better and Cheesier” event than last year.

•Saturday, Dec. 14

√ Niagara PAL “Santa Dash” 5K and basket auction.

√ Breakfast with Santa and Cha-Cha the Tree Frog inside the Rainforest Café.

√ Take photos with Santa’s sleigh and live reindeer on Old Falls Street.

√ Animal encounters including visits with the Siberian Husky Club and a petting zoo on Old Falls Street.

√ Toy train show at the Niagara Falls Culinary Institute.

√ “Stuff-a-Bus” food and toiletry drive benefitting Community Missions of the Niagara Frontier.

√ Second annual “Santa Con,” visiting five downtown Niagara Falls bars and restaurants. The Downtown Niagara Falls Business Association sponsors this 21-and-over event.

Also new this year, area hotels, including Comfort Inn – The Pointe, Courtyard by Marriott, Holiday Inn, Hyatt Place, Sheraton Niagara Falls and Wyndham Garden Hotel – are offering special “Jingle Falls” overnight rates on the three Saturdays to encourage guests to stay the night and enjoy dinner and nightlife in the downtown Niagara Falls area.

All programming and offers will be featured on a newly designed “Jingle Falls USA” pocket schedule, which includes a map of activity venues, free parking areas and more details.

“We are pleased to be able to grow’ Jingle Falls USA’ into a new annual tradition for Niagara Falls, New York,” said Jason Murgia, general manager of Old Falls Street, USA. “We are encouraged by the commitment of our community partners, sponsors and area stakeholders who have come together in order to bring festive holiday programming to our downtown again this year.”

“Jingle Falls USA” is made possible by the City of Niagara Falls, Destination Niagara USA, Old Falls Street USA, The Conference & Event Center Niagara Falls, Niagara Falls State Park, the Niagara Falls Culinary Institute, the Downtown Niagara Falls Business Association, Discover Niagara Shuttle, Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino, Niagara Falls Bridge Commission, National Grid, Metro by T-Mobile, Niagara Gazette and Niagara Frontier Publications.

For more information, or to view the complete “Jingle Falls USA” schedule, visit www.JingleFallsUSA.com, or follow Jingle Falls USA on Facebook.

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