The Lake Report: Check out our weekly print edition for Niagara-on-the-Lake here.

What war leaves behind: Ceremonies in Niagara-on-the-Lake honour those who fought

Julia Sacco -
Residents and visitors gathered for Remembrance Day ceremonies in Queenston and Old Town, bringing their own connections to military service and a shared concern for keeping those memories alive.

Landscape of Nations in Niagara-on-the-Lake honours Indigenous veterans

This year's Valour and Victory ceremony honoured three veterans who were among the more than 12,000 Indigenous people who served in Canada’s major 20th-century conflicts.
Andrew Hawlitzky -

How NOTL’s newcomers turned door knocks and voter frustration into election wins

Lord mayor-elect Vaughn Goettler and newly elected councillors Weston Miller and Steve McGuinness took different routes to the same destination: a seat at Niagara-on-the-Lake’s council table.
Paige Seburn -

What does fewer women on council mean for diversity and representation in NOTL?

The last term of council was the first time this century there was gender parity at the council table. NOTL's incoming council will have only one woman among its six council seats.
Julia Sacco -

Still in the family, still in Virgil: Niagara Motors marks 80 years

Paige Seburn -
The car dealership has witnessed plenty of change the last eight decades, but it's still doing business in the community where it all began.

Moment of silence: First World War claimed more than 30 NOTLers

"War is not romantic nor nostalgic. It’s blood, guts, disease, starvation and cold," writes Chrystal Haverstock. "Those fortunate enough to return home came with baggage. A lot of it."
Submitted Column -

Fallen in Normandy: The story of Gunner Russell Cooper

"When his country called, Gunner Russell Cooper fulfilled his duty with pride and dignity. Now it is our responsibility to honour his memory and preserve his legacy, ensuring his sacrifice is never forgotten," writes John Dekhane.
Submitted Column -

Chef, entrepreneur honoured at Women In Business Awards

Two women connected to Niagara-on-the-Lake are being recognized as leaders in the world of business, specifically in entrepreneurship and the trades, with big wins at this year's Women in Business Awards.
Julia Sacco -

From Niagara to Toronto in a heartbeat: Passenger flights from NOTL airport take off

Zahraa Hmood - 0
The head of the Niagara District Airport says if all goes well, the airport plans to add more scheduled flights this spring, with flights coming and going five times a week.

Have your say on the future of Queen St. at upcoming info session

A public information session for the Queen Street secondary plan project is set for Nov. 17 at 5 p.m. This long-term plan will guide how the town protects and enhances the Queen-Picton heritage district.
Read more ...

News

St. Davids Lionesses lean on family ties to keep 40-year Christmas market alive

Andrew Hawlitzky - 0
Penny Trapnell has belonged to the St. Davids Lioness Club for at least a decade and calls joining "the best thing I ever did." She helped organize this year's market, expected to raise $2,500.
Read more ...

News

Decking the halls: Holiday House Tour returns to NOTL next month

Niagara Now - 0
Tickets are selling out fast for this December’s Niagara-on-the-Lake Holiday House Tour, which returns Friday, Dec. 4 and Saturday, Dec. 5.
Read more ...

Local

Comment: ‘A debt of gratitude we can never fully repay’

Kevin MacLean shares his observations of and reflections on this year's Remembrance Day ceremony in Old Town, Niagara-on-the-Lake: "This is a town that never forgets."

Former Welland mayor Frank Campion appointed Niagara Region’s new chair

Frank Campion was appointed by the province Tuesday, several months after reversing his support for a plan to replace Niagara's 12 municipalities with four larger cities. NOTL's new mayor says he's concerned what this could mean for the town.

Niagara-on-the-Lake’s new mayor Goettler pledges more open town hall, action on flooding

Goettler says residents should see a change in how town hall communicates, with recorded council votes and fewer roadblocks to getting information.

The election is over. What’s next for Niagara-on-the-Lake’s six councillors?

Two fewer councillors. A new lord mayor. And a $13-million infrastructure funding gap that isn't going away. With inauguration set for Nov. 24, NOTL's new council already has lots on its plate.

Entertainment

Shaw review: ‘Ghost Radio Theatre’ a welcome return to the heyday of radio dramas

In her review of the Shaw Festival's two Ghost Radio Theatre events this October, Penny-Lynn Cookson writes, "What became apparent was what we have lost through our current obsessions with online tech and social media."  

Where to enjoy a spook-tacular Halloween in NOTL

Whether you're chasing ghosts, dressing to impress or just in it for the candy, Halloween weekend is here — and Niagara-on-the-Lake has plenty of ways to get into the spirit.

Opinion

The Turner Report: Will thumping Trump raise NOTL’s spirits?

"With the massive defeat of the Republican Party on Nov. 3 ... will people living on this side of the river feel more positive, confident and willing to, say, buy a house?" writes Garth Turner.

Arch-i-text: What does it mean to fit a building’s design into its location?

Since 2009, there hasn't been a single neighbourhood in NOTL that has, as Brian Marshall writes, "escaped the incursion of one or more monster buildings disrupting the character of existing streetscapes."

Opinion: Don’t you wish you could let it all out?

"Somewhere along the way, a part of that man had been broken. He may have reached a point where screaming was the only port available in the storm of today’s chaos," writes Keith McNenly.

Entertainment

Shaw review: The art of classical music in a century of transformation

"In the 18th century, instability, wars and social change were the norm," writes Penny-Lynn Cookson.

Events

Today

  • Monday Night Jazz & Blooz

    Spirit in Niagara 458 Lakeshore Rd., Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada

    The Wilber James Blues Band performs at Spirit in Niagara. Admission is free; reserve a table with the venue.

    Free

  • Live Piano with Eddie Pizzo

    Spirit in Niagara 458 Lakeshore Rd., Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada

    Eddie Pizzo plays jazz and blues at Spirit in Niagara. The venue recommends reservations.

    Free

  • Vintage Hotels Christmas Market

    The Gardens at Pillar and Post 48 John St. W., Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada

    Browse local makers and holiday gifts in the Gardens at Pillar and Post. Market admission is free; some additional activities require tickets.

    Free market admission

  • Vintage Hotels Christmas Market

    The Gardens at Pillar and Post 48 John St. W., Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada

    Browse local makers and holiday gifts in the Gardens at Pillar and Post. Market admission is free; some additional activities require tickets.

    Free market admission

  • Broadsway: The Most Wonderful Time … Maybe

    Spirit in Niagara 458 Lakeshore Rd., Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada

    Broadsway brings a holiday concert combining jazz, Broadway and Christmas music to Music Niagara’s Winter Wine & Music Festival. Dinner reservations are separate from concert tickets.

    $44,

  • Candlelight Stroll

    Historic downtown Niagara-on-the-Lake 26 Queen St., Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada

    The Niagara-on-the-Lake Chamber of Commerce hosts its annual holiday gathering downtown. Entertainment begins at 6 p.m., followed by opening remarks at 6:30 p.m. and the candlelight procession at 7 p.m. Candle sales support a local…

    Free to attend

  • Heather Bambrick Quartet: Twilight Jazz & Blues

    The Hare Wine Co. 769 Niagara Stone Rd., Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada

    Heather Bambrick and her quartet perform a holiday program at The Hare Wine Co. The concert starts at 7 p.m.; dining is available earlier through the organizer.

    $29 – $39

  • Niagara-on-the-Lake Christmas Parade

    Old Town parade route King and Centre streets, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada

    The town’s Christmas parade starts at King and Centre streets and follows its Old Town route. Plan ahead for road closures and limited parking; see the town’s page for the route and updates.

    Check with organizer

News

More tourists, more problems? Business owners have message for new council

As a newly elected council prepares to take office, Queen Street business owners have some requests for managing tourism, like better crowd control and restrictions on temporary vendors.

Local

Amid flood recovery, NOTL Legion prepares for Remembrance Day

The Legion's Remembrance Day ceremonies in Niagara-on-the-Lake are Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. at the cenotaph on Queen Street and 1 p.m. at the Niagara Township Cenotaph in Queenston.

NOTLers among finalists in Women In Business Awards

Five women connected to Niagara-on-the-Lake are finalists for a set of annual awards that celebrate women in the world of business, entrepreneurship and non-profits.

Virgil’s scariest lawn spookier than ever this Halloween night

The Pumariega Sabaters' home in Virgil is an annual showstopper during spooky season, and this year, the volume was turned up even louder.

News

Halloween ghost walks sell out every October night in Old Town

Andrew Hawlitzky - 0
Visitors from far and wide followed a lantern-carrying guide through Old Town on Halloween night this year to hear ghost stories about what some believe to be Canada's most haunted town.
Read more ...

Arts: Finding common ground in Niagara’s creative community

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The artists of Niagara-on-the-Lake may have different muses and mediums, but as part of the NOTL Arts Collective, they come together as passionate creatives.

See the human side of the paranormal at Fort George

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During spooky season, the Friends of Fort George explore the town’s relationship with fear and death through ghost tours at the historic fort.

Post-election, Niagara-on-the-Lake residents and councillors brace for change

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As the clock struck 8 p.m. and polling stations across Niagara-on-the-Lake began to close, dozens made their way inside the main auditorium of the NOTL Community Centre, to watch their political future take shape.

Gary Burroughs very confident in new team set to lead NOTL

Niagara-on-the-Lake’s new deputy lord mayor says residents have voted to be heard — and the incoming council needs to listen and explain its decisions clearly.

NOTL Votes 2026: Voter turnout 52% in this year’s race, up from last election

The 2026 election saw an uptick in voter turnout compared to the election four years ago. Internet voting, which debuted this year, was a big hit.

Andrea Kaiser proud of her grassroots campaign

From start to finish, Andrea Kaiser remained true to herself throughout her campaign for lord mayor, she says: "I wanted to give voters a different choice and that’s what I did."

Mixed fortunes for NOTL tourism amid U.S. tariffs, economic woes

With the ongoing U.S.-Canada trade war and worldwide economic pressures, tourism reports were promising in some areas, less so in others.

A smaller police bill for NOTL? Other towns may pay more, Kaiser says

A push to ease the town's policing bill is gaining ground, with police agreeing to help Niagara Region explore alternative ways to divide costs.

PHOTOS: Poppy Project returns to NOTL ahead of Remembrance Day

Volunteers draped a poppy installation at four locations this week, continuing a tradition that started in 2021 with museum members knitting thousands of poppies.