For more than five decades, Thanksgiving weekend has brought generations of families and friends together at Ball’s Falls Conservation Area. This fall, the tradition continues as the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (NPCA) welcomes visitors back for the 52nd Annual Ball’s Falls Thanksgiving Festival, taking place October 9 to 12, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
Set against the spectacular fall colours of the Niagara Escarpment, the four-day festival will once again bring together more than 150 artisans and craft vendors, local farmers, food and beverage vendors, live entertainment, heritage experiences and family-friendly activities.
First held in 1974 as a one-day craft show, the Ball’s Falls Thanksgiving Festival has grown into one of the NPCA’s signature community events and a longstanding Niagara tradition.
"The festival continues to celebrate the connection between nature, culture, heritage and community while supporting conservation and environmental programming across the Niagara Peninsula watershed,” said Rob Foster, NPCA Board Chair. “For so many families, a visit to Ball’s Falls has become part of their Thanksgiving tradition, and we’re looking forward to welcoming both familiar faces and first-time visitors again this October.”
Guests can spend the day discovering handmade goods from artisans and makers, visiting the farmers’ market, enjoying local food, wine and craft beverages, and taking in live music and family entertainment throughout the Conservation Area.
The historic village of Glen Elgin will also come alive with heritage demonstrations and tours, while guided nature hikes and the surrounding trail network offer visitors another way to experience the changing colours and natural beauty of the Twenty Mile Creek valley and Niagara Escarpment.
The Ball’s Falls Thanksgiving Festival will take place from Friday, Oct. 9 to Monday, Oct. 12, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
Admission is $12.00 for adults and $9.00 for seniors and children ages 6 to 11. Children five and under are free.
NPCA is proud to donate $1 from every General Admission ticket sold to the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Foundation (NPCF). By attending the festival, guests are contributing to vital conservation efforts across the Niagara Peninsula watershed.
Guests are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance to avoid lineups on site. Tickets will also be available at the gate throughout the weekend.
More details, including this year’s participating vendors, entertainment schedule and family programming, will be announced closer to the festival.
The Ball’s Falls Thanksgiving Festival is supported with funding provided by the Government of Ontario.
For festival information and tickets, visit thanksgivingfestival.ca.
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About Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority:
As a community-based natural resource management agency, the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority envisions a healthy and vibrant natural environment with shared greenspace and clean water for all. NPCA’s work supports the conservation, enhancement, and sustainability of healthy watersheds with programs and services that focus on drinking water source protection, flood and hazard management, ecosystem restoration, community stewardship, education, and land management.
NPCA is the caretaker of 43 conservation areas within the Niagara Peninsula watershed held in public trust for recreation, heritage preservation, conservation, and education. These natural and shared greenspaces marry nature, culture, and adventure to create limitless opportunities for discovery.
Media inquiries to be directed to:
Jennifer McQuillan
Communications and Marketing Specialist
Mobile: 905-933-0532
jmcquillan@npca.ca