👋 Hey Notlers,
We’re in that in-between stretch of the season: leaves mostly gone, lights mostly up, and town easing into holiday mode.
This week, we’ve got:
A handful of easy local history stops
A couple of December events worth circling
A feel-good business win close to home
A few thoughts on easing into the season
Let’s get into it.
NOTL’s Top 5
Top 5 Little History Stops You Can See in an Afternoon
NOTL’s history is everywhere. Here are five easy places to actually stop and feel it for a minute.
1. Fort George – Reconstructed War of 1812 fort on the edge of town. Cannons, blockhouses, river views, and a good “start here” stop for local history.
2. Laura Secord Homestead (Queenston) – The home tied to Laura Secord’s famous 32 km walk. Small house, big story, and very “this really happened here.
3. Niagara Apothecary – Restored 1860s pharmacy at Queen and King. Original bottles, counters, cabinets — feels like stepping into an old photograph.
4. McFarland House – 1800 Georgian home along the Parkway. One of the oldest buildings in the area and a quiet spot to picture life on the river two centuries ago.
5. Mackenzie Printery & Newspaper Museum (Queenston) – Historic house plus working print shop. Old presses, metal type, and a hands-on look at how news used to be made.
Events
🕯️ Candlelight Stroll
The Candlelight Stroll is one of NOTL’s classic traditions — a slow walk through the Heritage District with candles in hand, live music along the route, and the whole town lit up for the season.
This year’s stroll is in partnership with Niagara Motors as they begin celebrating 80 years in NOTL, alongside Tourism NOTL, the Chamber, the Town, and Sentineal Carriages. A very local night, backed by very local names.
If you’re planning to go:
Time & place: Friday, December 5th at 6:30 p.m. in the Heritage District.
Candle & Ho Ho Passport: $5 donations gets you a candle and a Ho Ho Passport with special offers at local businesses December 5th–7th.
Parking: Free parking in the Heritage District all month, with recommended parking at 51 Queen’s Parade and a shuttle running from Fort George to the Courthouse.
Dress code: Assume you’ll be outside longer than you think — layers are your friend.
Whether it’s your first time or your fifteenth, it’s one of those nights that makes town feel like a proper Christmas village.
🎁 Niagara Pumphouse Arts Centre – Holiday Market (Edited)
Down by the river at 247 Ricardo Street, the Niagara Pumphouse Arts Centre is hosting its Holiday Market from Dec 5–14, 2025.
Dates & times
Fri, Dec 5 & Sat, Dec 6: 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Sun, Dec 7 – Sun, Dec 14: 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Expect:
One-of-a-kind, handmade holiday gifts, ornaments, and décor
Work from 20+ local artisans
Christmas trees decorated with locally made pieces
Holiday helpers on hand to set items aside while you browse
There’s no charge for entry if you bring a food item donation for Newark Neighbours Food Bank, and proceeds from the market support local children’s and seniors’ programmes.
It’s an easy way to shop local without doing the full Queen Street hustle. If you can, build in a short riverside walk while you’re there — it’s one of the nicest corners of town.
Food & Drinks
Avo & Co. + Whisk Head to Thorold
Two familiar NOTL names are spreading their wings.
Avo & Co. and Whisk have opened a new shared shop in Thorold, bringing a little slice of NOTL’s food-and-coffee culture to our neighbours up the road. It’s always encouraging to see businesses that started here find their footing in other communities while still staying rooted in town.
Why we love this:
It shows what can happen when local businesses team up
It gives Thorold a taste of what we get to enjoy in NOTL
It’s a reminder that “local” doesn’t have to mean “only on one street”
Photo Credit to @Niagara.spots
If you’re over in Thorold, you’ve now got a bit of NOTL on your doorstep. And if you’re from NOTL, it’s one more excuse to make the drive, say hi, and support some familiar faces in a new space.
We love stories like this — local businesses growing, experimenting, and taking what they do well into new neighbourhoods.
If you know another NOTL business that’s expanded, opened a second location, or is doing something cool outside town, tell us all about it. It might just end up in a future issue of NOTL News.
NOTL News Partners are local businesses and organizations committed to growing alongside us here in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Together, we’re building connections, celebrating community, and sharing the stories that make this town special.
If you’re interested in what it looks like to be a NOTL News Partner, let’s connect.