This winter, why not bundle up the family and make a run for the border, eh? The northern border, that is—to the Winter Festival of Lights in Niagara Falls, Canada. My family and I visited the festival for the first time just after Christmas last year. The annual event, which begins in early November and runs into early January, is Canada's largest holiday lights festival.

A three-mile stretch of the Niagara Parkway is transformed into a twinkling wonderland each winter between Dufferin Islands and the Whirlpool Bridge (although there are few displays north of Rainbow Bridge). The colorfully lit falls themselves provides a dramatic backdrop to more than 3 million tree and ground lights and 125 animated light displays along the route.

The driving route for the festival begins along the the wooded loop that runs around Dufferin Islands, just a short distance south of the Canadian Horseshoe Falls. A wide variety of displays here are themed on Canadian wildlife. A display of Noah’s Ark—which depicts animals exiting the ark—was my favorite. The entire display reflects on the lagoon that follows alongside the roadway, offering a stunning visual perspective. A $10 per vehicle donation is requested as you leave the area, but be forewarned that they won't make change for larger bills. We had just exchanged our money and had only $20 bills on us (“…but you have a big box filled with $10 bills sitting right there! Eh?”). Oh well.

The Niagara Parks Commission features various displays within Queen Victoria Park, including one of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, a nativity scene, a huge American-Canadian flag, and an array of others. Nearby, at the bottom of Murray Hill (below the Skylon Tower) stands the impressive Enchantment of Disney display. The semi-circular set-up boasts 20 larger-than-life animated light displays from numerous Disney movies including Aladdin, Beauty & The Beast, The Lion King, Pocahontas, and other family favorites. A smattering of holiday lighting displays also can be found throughout the city at locations including Lundy's Lane, Fallsview Boulevard, Murray Street, Queen Street, and at other locales.

One of the new additions this year to the festival is the Rink at the Brink, a large temporary ice skating rink situated just above the Horseshoe Falls near the Table Rock complex. Ice skates, helmets and locker rentals are available at the attraction. Be advised that parking at Table Rock is pricey—I think it was around $20 when we visited last year. Parking is a bit less at the Skylon Tower and at numerous privately owned lots.

The falls are lighted nightly during the event, and visitors can catch fireworks displays on most weekends (schedule varies). Live entertainment is also provided at a large stage set up in Queen Victoria Park. For event information, visit online at www.wfol.com.

Be advised that all U.S. citizens 16 years of age and over are now required to present a valid passport, passport card, or other approved form of identification when entering or leaving Canada. Children under the age of 16 can cross the border with an original birth certificate or a certified copy.