HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-09-25 - No. 22 4
CITY04 ' ►CANADA
4RA VAa
The City of Niagara Falls, Ontario
Resolution
December 9, 2025
No. 22 — Motion — Citywide Niagara Falls Holiday Indoor and Outdoor Display
Competition and Awards
Moved by: Councillor Mona Patel
Seconded by: Councillor Mike Strange
Motion
THE CITY OF NIAGARA FALLS
WHEREAS cities across Canada and internationally host holiday window and
display programs that attract visitors, support local businesses, and build
community spirit.
WHEREAS Niagara Falls welcomes over one million visitors during the winter
season, driven largely by the Winter Festival of Lights, creating a strong
opportunity to enhance the visitor experience and strengthen economic activity
across the City's commercial districts.
WHEREAS a citywide Holiday Indoor and Outdoor Display Competition and
Awards program has the potential to start small but grow into a significant
seasonal draw similar to major holiday traditions in cities such as New York,
Toronto, Chicago, Montreal, Vancouver, and Quebec City, where people travel
specifically to view the displays, positioning Niagara Falls to build a long term
tourism and economic development attraction.
WHEREAS this initiative can be launched on a modest and scalable basis while
having strong potential to grow over time into a major seasonal attraction similar
to how iconic holiday display traditions in cities such as New York, Toronto,
Chicago, Montreal, Vancouver, and Quebec City began and evolved into
internationally recognized draws.
WHEREAS the City will see additional revenue through the Municipal
Accommodation Tax, and a small portion of these funds together with support
from tourism partners, BIAs, and sponsorships could help offset program costs
and provide prizes or recognition materials without creating new budget
pressure.
WHEREAS Niagara Falls is home to vibrant commercial districts including
Downtown Niagara Falls on Queen Street, Lundy's Lane, Fallsview, Clifton Hill,
Main Street, Ferry st, Chippawa, and numerous hospitality and retail corridors
where businesses, hotels, restaurants, and attractions already invest
significantly in seasonal decor.
WHEREAS a coordinated citywide program would highlight this existing
creativity, boost shopping and dining activity, and provide a free and family
friendly holiday experience for residents and visitors.
WHEREAS such a program can be delivered with minimal cost to the City by
leveraging existing business investments, BIAs, community partners, tourism
sponsorships, and MAT supported tourism funding.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council direct staff to develop and
launch a citywide Niagara Falls Holiday Indoor and Outdoor Display
Competition and Awards program for the 2026 holiday season, open to all
Niagara Falls businesses throughout the entire city including Downtown Niagara
Falls on Queen Street, all BIAs, and businesses 2 located in restaurants and
cafés, hotels and hospitality properties, retail shops, attractions and
entertainment venues, and small businesses in plazas across the City.
AND THAT staff, in developing the program, be encouraged to consider a
public voting system and a judging panel to support a formal display competition
and awards program with categories such as Best Overall, Best Use of Lighting,
Most Creative, Best Restaurant or Café, Best Hotel, Best Attraction, Best Small
Business, and People's Choice, along with district themes, nighttime
illumination, unveiling events, and promotional activities.
AND THAT staff, in developing the program, be encouraged to include a
citywide interactive digital map for public viewing and voting, similar to the
interactive map used for the Sparkle Awards, to guide residents and visitors to
participating displays across the city.
AND THAT staff, in developing the program, be encouraged to consider a
modest optional registration fee for participating businesses, with proceeds
directed to a local charity or community initiative to be determined by Council or
waived where appropriate to encourage participation.
AND FURTHER THAT the program includes a formal awards and recognition
component, including an awards ceremony, trophies or certificates, and
promotional recognition for winning businesses and participants.
AND FURTHER THAT Council recognizes the intent for this competition and
awards program to evolve over time into a long-term seasonal display tradition,
similar to other major cities, with the potential for expanded tourism
programming and long-term participation in future years.
AND FURTHER THAT staff consult with All Business Improvement Areas,
Downtown advisory committee, Niagara Falls Tourism and hotel partners, Local
hospitality associations, and any other relevant stakeholders. and incorporate
their input into the recommended program.
AND FURTHER THAT staff report back to Council with the full program
framework, branding and name options, award structure, sponsorship
approach, and implementation details in advance of the 2026 holiday.
AND The Seal of the Corporation to hereto affixed. Carried (Councillor Lococo op osed)
WILLIAM MATSON JAMES M.DIODATI
CITY CLERK MAYOR