After seven years with out its signature outside New 12 months’s Eve live performance, Niagara Falls is bringing again dwell music to the brink of the Falls. Nation music star Riley Inexperienced will headline a free live performance at Queen Victoria Park on December 31, 2026, joined by Canadian favourites The Reklaws, Tenille Townes and Sacha.
The announcement marks the return of a beloved Niagara Falls custom, one which has drawn tens of 1000’s of holiday makers to the waterfront for dwell music, fireworks and a midnight countdown.
This 12 months’s celebration will even convey Niagara Falls again to nationwide tv for the primary time since 2014, with a dwell nation music particular airing on CP24 and streaming on Crave.
Produced by the Canadian Nation Music Affiliation (CCMA), in partnership with Niagara Parks and the Metropolis of Niagara Falls, the occasion provides guests another excuse to have fun the arrival of 2027 in one in every of Canada’s most recognizable locations.
Niagara Falls New 12 months’s Eve Live performance 2026: What We Know
| Occasion Particulars | Info |
|---|---|
| Date | Thursday, December 31, 2026 |
| Location | Queen Victoria Park, Niagara Falls, Ontario |
| Admission | Free |
| Headliner | Riley Inexperienced |
| Featured performers | The Reklaws, Tenille Townes and Sacha |
| Stay leisure | Anticipated to start between 8 and eight:30 p.m. |
| Tv broadcast | Begins at 10:30 p.m. ET |
| The place to look at | CP24 and Crave |
| Organizers | CCMA, Niagara Parks and Metropolis of Niagara Falls |
The live performance is anticipated to proceed by way of the midnight countdown, with further performers to be introduced within the coming weeks.
Riley Inexperienced Returns to Niagara Falls for New 12 months’s Eve
For nation followers who attended the inaugural Misty Metropolis Music Competition in 2025, Riley Inexperienced will likely be a well-recognized face.
The Alabama-born singer was among the many competition’s co-headliners, making his upcoming New 12 months’s Eve efficiency a high-profile return to Niagara Falls.
Inexperienced has turn into one in every of modern nation music’s most recognizable voices, combining conventional storytelling with the vitality of recent Nashville.
Followers know him for songs together with There Was This Woman, I Want Grandpas By no means Died, Completely different ‘Spherical Right here and you seem like you’re keen on me, his widespread collaboration with Ella Langley.
His fourth studio album, That’s Simply Me, arrived September 18, 2026, including new materials to a listing that features seven No. 1 songs. Inexperienced has additionally collected 5 Academy of Nation Music Awards and 4 Nation Music Affiliation Awards.
His Niagara Falls look comes throughout a busy interval that additionally features a scheduled efficiency on the 2026 Gray Cup halftime present in Calgary on November 15.
In contrast to an enviornment live performance, this celebration will unfold outside, with the illuminated waterfalls and winter surroundings offering a memorable backdrop.
Meet the Canadian Artists Becoming a member of Riley Inexperienced
The supporting lineup brings collectively three Canadian nation acts with totally different musical kinds and rising worldwide recognition.
The Reklaws
Ontario siblings Jenna and Stuart Walker are identified for his or her vigorous performances and crowd-friendly songs. Hits equivalent to Lengthy Stay the Night time and What the Truck have helped make The Reklaws widespread fixtures in Canadian nation music.
Their collaboration with Sacha on What the Truck grew to become the quickest Canadian nation tune to achieve platinum certification within the streaming period. With each acts showing on New 12 months’s Eve, followers can have the chance to see two artists related by one in every of Canadian nation’s largest crossover hits.
Tenille Townes
Alberta-born singer-songwriter Tenille Townes brings a extra reflective facet of nation music to the lineup.
Identified for songs equivalent to Someone’s Daughter and Jersey on the Wall (I’m Simply Asking), Townes has earned two JUNO Awards and 19 Canadian Nation Music Affiliation Awards.
Her newest venture, The Acrobat, marks a brand new impartial chapter in her profession, with an expanded version, The Acrobat: A Place to Land, scheduled for November 6, 2026.
Sacha
Canadian artist Sacha provides one other distinctive voice to the live performance. Alongside her profitable collaboration with The Reklaws, she has constructed a rising popularity by way of songs together with Hey Mother I Made It and appearances at main nation music festivals.
Her 2025 Grand Ole Opry debut marked an vital profession milestone, whereas her current EP, The Wild Hearts Collection, continues to introduce her music to new audiences.
A Beloved Niagara Falls New 12 months’s Eve Custom Returns
For many years, Niagara Falls was house to one in every of Canada’s most recognizable New 12 months’s Eve celebrations.
Previous concert events featured main performers together with Blue Rodeo, Barenaked Girls, Demi Lovato, Keith City and Bryan Adams, with 1000’s gathering at Queen Victoria Park to have fun beneath the illuminated Falls.
The final nationally televised live performance passed off in 2014, headlined by Keith City, though the outside celebration continued for a number of extra years.
In 2019, Bryan Adams carried out earlier than an estimated 50,000 individuals, marking the final main New 12 months’s Eve live performance on the Falls.
The custom was interrupted by the pandemic, with celebrations cancelled in 2020 and 2021, and the large-scale live performance didn’t return in subsequent years.
Mayor Jim Diodati welcomed the live performance’s return, emphasizing the significance of bringing the free New 12 months’s Eve celebration again to the Falls after a seven-year absence. In his announcement, he additionally confirmed that extra performers will likely be revealed within the weeks main as much as December 31, including to an already spectacular nation music lineup.
Traditionally, the outside concert events sometimes attracted between 20,000 and 30,000 spectators, making them an vital a part of Niagara Falls’ winter tourism calendar.
There’s already a visual reminder of what’s forward: the big countdown clock overlooking the Falls at Desk Rock, initially put in forward of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, is now counting right down to December 31.
For individuals who keep in mind gathering alongside the Niagara Parkway with family and friends, the acquainted mixture of outside music, winter lights and a midnight countdown will likely be significantly welcome.
What Else Can You Do in Niagara Falls on New 12 months’s Eve?
The live performance could also be the primary attraction, however December 31 affords loads of causes to reach in Niagara Falls earlier within the day.
Discover Clifton Hill Earlier than the Countdown
Only a quick stroll from Queen Victoria Park, Clifton Hill affords eating places, sights and indoor leisure that may make a winter go to extra snug.
The Niagara SkyWheel offers sweeping views of the encircling tourism district and Niagara Falls from enclosed, climate-controlled gondolas. It’s an particularly memorable expertise after sundown, when the town lights start to glow.
Households and teams can even spend time on the Nice Canadian Halfway, discover Movieland Wax Museum, problem each other at Wizards Golf or take pleasure in interactive sights equivalent to Ghost Blasters and Creepy Fort.
For dinner, Boston Pizza and Kelsey’s supply handy choices within the coronary heart of the leisure district.
With dwell music anticipated to start round 8 p.m., guests might wish to take pleasure in Clifton Hill’s sights and eating places earlier within the night earlier than strolling towards Queen Victoria Park.
Expertise the Winter Competition of Lights
The Niagara Falls Winter Competition of Lights provides one other dimension to New 12 months’s Eve.
Working from November 14, 2026, by way of January 10, 2027, the competition options illuminated shows all through the tourism district, together with Queen Victoria Park and surrounding areas.
Guests can benefit from the lights earlier than heading towards the live performance or make them a part of an extended night stroll.
The illuminated Falls themselves stay a spotlight, significantly throughout the winter months when mist and altering climate can create dramatic nighttime surroundings.
Watch the New 12 months’s Eve Fireworks
Niagara Falls can also be planning particular fireworks shows on December 31, with exhibits scheduled for 8 p.m. and midnight, in line with the printed Winter Competition of Lights schedule.
The sooner show affords an possibility for households and guests who might not keep till midnight, whereas the later fireworks welcome 2027 over the Falls.
Guests ought to test official updates for any changes to the fireworks schedule or designated viewing areas.
Is the Niagara Falls New 12 months’s Eve Live performance Free?
Sure. The December 31, 2026 live performance at Queen Victoria Park has been introduced as a free public occasion.
Guests can take pleasure in dwell nation music within the coronary heart of the Niagara Falls tourism district with out buying a live performance ticket.
Out of doors leisure is anticipated to start between 8 and eight:30 p.m., adopted by the nationally televised portion at 10:30 p.m.
With earlier celebrations drawing crowds numbering within the tens of 1000’s, guests ought to count on a busy waterfront and permit loads of time to achieve the park.
Particular details about crowd administration, pedestrian routes and any designated viewing areas is anticipated nearer to the occasion.
Official occasion info: https://ccma.org/nye-special/
The right way to Watch the Niagara Falls New 12 months’s Eve Live performance at Dwelling
These unable to attend can nonetheless expertise the celebration by way of a dwell nationwide broadcast.
The 90-minute CCMA New 12 months’s Eve Particular is scheduled to start at 10:30 p.m. ET on December 31, airing on CP24 and streaming on Crave.
The CCMA has introduced viewing by way of eligible Crave subscription plans and a free Bell Media account, with further protection by way of iHeartRadio Canada and PURE Nation.
The particular will even be accessible on demand by way of Crave after the dwell broadcast.
Planning Your New 12 months’s Eve Go to to Niagara Falls
For those who’re contemplating spending December 31 in Niagara Falls, a bit advance planning will make the night simpler.
Arrive early. With a free outside live performance, vacation fireworks and winter tourism actions going down, the world round Queen Victoria Park is anticipated to be busy. Enable additional time for journey, parking and strolling between sights.
Put together for winter climate. December evenings close to the Niagara River can really feel significantly chilly due to wind and moisture. Heat layers, insulated footwear, gloves and a hat are smart decisions for anybody spending prolonged time outside.
Verify street closures and transportation info. Particular occasions close to the Niagara Parkway can have an effect on visitors patterns and pedestrian entry. Affirm up to date preparations by way of Niagara Parks and the Metropolis of Niagara Falls earlier than travelling.
Plan indoor breaks. Eating places and sights round Clifton Hill present alternatives to heat up earlier than returning outside for the night’s celebrations.
Select your viewing location early. Queen Victoria Park affords views towards the Falls, however count on the busiest areas to fill because the televised live performance and midnight countdown strategy.
A Large Night time Forward for Niagara Falls
The return of the outside New 12 months’s Eve live performance provides Niagara Falls one thing it has been lacking since 2019: a serious dwell musical celebration with the Falls as its stage.
With Riley Inexperienced main a lineup of Canadian nation performers, free admission to Queen Victoria Park, a nationally televised particular, winter illuminations and fireworks, December 31 is shaping as much as be one of many metropolis’s largest celebrations of the 12 months.
Whether or not you’re travelling to Niagara Falls for the music, spending the night exploring Clifton Hill or watching the countdown from house, the arrival of 2027 guarantees to place Niagara Falls again within the nationwide highlight.
For confirmed bulletins and occasion updates, go to the official CCMA New 12 months’s Eve web site.
Steadily Requested Questions
Who’s acting at Niagara Falls on New 12 months’s Eve 2026?
Riley Inexperienced, The Reklaws, Tenille Townes and Sacha.
When does the live performance begin?
December 31, round 8–8:30 p.m. The TV broadcast begins at 10:30 p.m.
The place is the live performance going down?
Queen Victoria Park in Niagara Falls, Ontario.
Is the New 12 months’s Eve live performance free?
Sure, admission is free.
When was the final New 12 months’s Eve live performance in Niagara Falls?
Bryan Adams headlined the final outside live performance in 2019.
Will there be fireworks on New 12 months’s Eve?
Sure, fireworks are scheduled for 8 p.m. and midnight, climate allowing.
The place can I watch the live performance on TV?
Stay on CP24 and Crave beginning at 10:30 p.m. ET.