Frequently Asked Questions

DISCOVERY PASS

NIAGARA ICEWINE FESTIVAL GENERAL FAQs

COOL AS ICE GALA FAQS

VOLUNTEERING

PARTNERSHIPS AND SPONSORS

  • We have a few different options available for enjoying the Discovery Pass program this year.

    Weekend Discovery Pass

    • Entitles you to six food and wine pairing experiences at any six wineries of your choice during any day of the Discovery Pass.

    Mini Pass

    • Entitles you to three food and wine pairing experiences at any six wineries of your choice during any day of the Discovery Pass

    Flex Friday Pass

    • Entitles you to six food and wine pairing experiences at any six wineries of your choice during any Friday of the Discovery Pass.

    Driver’s Pass

    • Created for designated drivers, this pass includes six culinary and non-alcoholic beverage pairings at six participating wineries.

    Please note that as of this year, Discovery Passes and Driver’s Passes can only be scanned ONCE per winery, up to a total of 6 times overall.

    If you have any additional questions, please feel free to reach out to our Guest Services team at gabby@niagarawinefestival.com.

  • We’ve decided not to run the shuttles this year, as most of the feedback we received from last year’s program showed guests preferred having the flexibility to choose their own routes.

  • Participating wineries are welcome guests without reservtions. However, groups of 8 or more must contact the winery in advance to book their group.

    *Please note that wineries that require reservations withhold the right to refuse service to walk-in guests.

  • Our Flex Friday Passes are for guests who are looking for a little less hustle and bustle. For a special price, you can use your Discovery Pass any Friday during the program

  • While our Discovery Passes are for guests 19+, children are welcome to accompany family members to participating wineries. If children (ages 3+) wish to enjoy their own food and beverage pairings, they will require a Driver’s Pass, which includes food and a non-alcoholic drink pairing at six wineries.

  • We do offer a Driver’s Pass that includes six culinary and non-alcoholic beverage pairings at the participating wineries.

  • If you’ve purchased tickets but have yet to receive your confirmation email, don’t fret! First, ensure that you’ve checked your spam or junk folder, and make sure you’re on the lookout for emails from The Niagara Grape & Wine Festival.

    If you still can’t find your confirmation email, please reach out to our Guest Services team at gabby@niagarawinefestival.com with your name and email address and we’ll be happy to help!

  • Many of our participating wineries require reservations from groups of 8 or more. Please contact the winery directly to book.

  • Many of our wineries offer pairings for those with dietary restrictions, and those with vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and dairy-free options will be noted above and on the Discovery Pass map. We always recommend reaching out to wineries directly for more information if you have specific dietary concerns.

  • The tasting location differs depending on the winery. Please refer to the Discovery Pass listings for more information!

  • Our events are rain and snow or shine, so in case of inclement weather, make sure to dress appropriately! Participating wineries may opt to change their tasting locations depending on the weather, but this is not guaranteed.

  • Pet policies differ between our participating wineries, so we recommend reaching out to the wineries before your visit.

  • Tickets can be purchased at the door, subject to availability. We expect events to sell out, so we do recommend booking online in advance.

  • Yes. Niagara Icewine Festival events are all cashless. We accept credit card, debit and tap payment methods at all event locations.

  • Event start times will be indicated on your ticket, but arriving early is recommended to give yourself time to find parking.

  • Many of our events feature live entertainment. Check specific event descriptions for details about the music and performances planned.

  • Children are welcome at the Niagara-on-the-Lake Icewine Village, which features family-friendly activities. However, evening events are generally designed for an adult audience.

    Driver’s Discovery Passes and Icewine Village VIP Lounge Passes can be purchased for guests under the age of 19. If children (ages 3+) intend to enjoy the food and beverage offerings, they will require a ticket.

    The Cool As Ice Gala is a 19+ event.

  • Guests can find accommodation recommendations on the Visit Niagara website or the Tourism Niagara-on-the-Lake website.

  • Transportation options between venues are still being finalized. More information will be available shortly.

  • Yes, guests are welcome to take home unopened bottles of wine. Please note that any alcohol purchased on-site is for off-site consumption only and cannot be opened or consumed during the event.

  • Yes, our Festival venues are accessible to wheelchairs and strollers.

  • Merchandise details are being finalized and will be announced closer to the event date.

  • Yes. The Niagara-on-the-Lake Icewine Village is free to enter, and re-entry is permitted throughout the day.

  • Our events are rain or shine, so be prepared for all weather conditions.

  • For most events, outside food and beverages are not permitted. The festival offers a variety of food options on-site. Exceptions are made for dietary needs and guests with young children.

  • All ticket sales are final for Niagara Icewine Festival events. Any fees associated with your ticket purchase are completely non-refundable.

    Ticket insurance can be purchased at checkout.

  • This year, we’re asking guests to dress in their best Wine Country Cocktail Formal. But this is no stuffy ballroom affair! The Power Station’s stony walls keep the space quite cool (likely in the 70° F / 21° C range), so the Cool As Ice Gala is your chance to show off your favourite wraps, scarves, and suit jackets.

     

    Guests who wish to participate in The Tunnel experience should be prepared with shoes that are suitable for walking, as it’s just under a 1 km walk each way. There will be a boot check on site, so you can make sure you have your most comfortable shoes and your dancing shoes ready to go all night long!

  • Your ticket price entitles you to an all-inclusive evening of fine wine, decadent culinary offerings, live performances, and so much more! Forget about arriving fashionably late, with interactive experiences like a dramatic 180-foot drop in a glass-lined elevator, a 2,200-foot-long tunnel to a one-of-a-kind Niagara Falls view, an interactive sound and light show, and stunning photo backdrops, you’ll want to take full advantage of every second between 7 and 11 pm.

    Don’t forget that your Cool As Ice Gala ticket includes event parking, a $30 value, as well as with access to the Power Station, you’re looking at over $75 in free perks!

  • Event parking is included in your ticket and can be found right next to the Niagara Parks Power Station, at the Falls Parking Lot. Additionally, there will be a free shuttle service running from the Fallsview Casino parking lot to the event venue where free parking is also available.

  • The Niagara Parks Power Station is a fully accessible venue. There will be a wheelchair available for use inside on a first-come-first-serve basis. Seating is very limited inside the venue, but we are happy to make accommodations for anyone who requires them.

    Please exercise caution when attending if you have light sensitivities, as there will be light shows throughout the evening.

    Please contact gabby@niagarawinefestival.com for more details

  • While Niagara’s liquid gold will be the star of the show, our participating wineries will also be serving a variety of premium VQA wines throughout the evening. Wineries have been encouraged to bring an Icewine, a sparkling wine, and one of their best table wines for tastings.

    Additionally, guests can enjoy creative drinks from our Icewine cocktail bar for a unique twist on this iconic beverage!

  • This event does not include a sit-down dinner, but culinary offerings will be served throughout the night. The menu offerings will be available on our website closer to the event.

  • While we can’t guarantee that we will be able to meet every guest’s dietary restrictions, there will be several vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options available. Please check the menus above and feel free to contact our team for more information prior to the event.

  • Guests can use local taxis or services such as Uber to and from the event location. There will also be a free shuttle service running from the Casino Niagara parking lot to the event venue for added convenience.

  • We’re accepting volunteer applications year-round! Sign up online or reach out to our team directly at volunteer@niagarawinefestival.com for more information.

  • Yes of course! We offer pre-event training and on-site support, plus perks like free lunches/dinners, discounted tickets, volunteer appreciation events, and more.

  • No, Smart Serve certification is not required to volunteer.

  • Yes, children under the age of 17 are welcome to volunteer but must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

  • Reach out to our Business Development Manager, Tina Myers at tinam@niagarawinefestival.com to learn more about our sponsorship opportunities.