Whether you’re new to Niagara or a lifelong local, the Civic Holiday weekend offers an exciting mix of heritage, concerts, family fun, and meaningful community events. Dive into what’s happening across our region.

Canal Days Marine Heritage Festival – Port Colborne

August 1–4, 2025 | Port Colborne Waterfront & H.H. Knoll Lakeview Park

This iconic celebration features tall ship tours, heritage displays, a kid zone, rides, food trucks, fireworks, and big-name concerts each night.

Main Stage Concerts (H.H. Knoll Lakeview Park):

• Fri, Aug 1: Small Town Strip Club (6:00 PM), Feral Minks (6:35 PM), Sloan (7:45 PM), Big Sugar (9:45 PM)

• Sat, Aug 2: Boston Levi (6:30 PM), Finger Eleven (7:45 PM), The Trews (9:45 PM)

• Sun, Aug 3: Desire (5:00 PM), followed by Main Event Music (8:30 PM) during the Boat Parade of Lights (~9:15 PM) and fireworks (~10:00 PM)

Plus, enjoy roaming live music on West Street all weekend—featuring local acts like South River Slim, Jonesy, The Mandevilles, and Electric Hounds.

St. Catharines Rotary Ribfest – Montebello Park

August 1–4, 2025 | 64 Ontario St., St. Catharines

Join over 30,000 visitors for award-winning BBQ, kid zones, artisan vendors, and 35+ hours of live music, all for free admission (donations appreciated).

Main Stage Music Schedule – Montebello Park: 

• Fri, Aug 1: 5:00–7:30 PM – Broken Cadence; 8:00–11:00 PM – Jonesy

• Sat, Aug 2: 2:00–4:30 PM – Brant Parker Blues Band; 5:00–7:30 PM – Back In The Daze; 8:00–11:00 PM – Vinyl Flux

• Sun, Aug 3: 1:00–3:30 PM – Soul Jam; 4:00–6:30 PM – The Caverners; 7:00–10:00 PM – Lost Boys

• Mon, Aug 4 (Family Day): 1:00–3:00 PM – Marty Allen Band; 3:30–6:00 PM – LMT Connection

Great for all ages—bring your appetite and lawn chair! 

Royal Canadian Henley Regatta – Port Dalhousie

August 3–11, 2025 | Martindale Pond

This prestigious international rowing competition kicks off this weekend. Even if you're not a rower, the festive waterfront scene is worth the visit—grab lunch, stroll the park, and soak up the excitement.

Asian Water Lantern Festival – Welland (Chippawa Park Pond)

Saturday, August 2, 2025 | 7:00–9:00 PM (Dusk)
Rain date: August 3, 2025
Location: Chippawa Park Pond, 90 First Ave, Welland

Join this serene, reflective evening event blending cultural art, community, and compassion:

• Enjoy live traditional and modern Chinese music, vocalists, dancers, and interactive workshops

• Decorate biodegradable lanterns with local artists and release them on the water at dusk

• Family- and accessibility-friendly with free admission; enhanced Water Lantern Kits available for purchase on site (cash only) 

Why This Weekend Shines in Niagara

• Big concerts at both Canal Days and Ribfest bring headline talent and local favourites to our long weekend.

• Family-friendly experiences like the lantern festival, regatta, and multiple venue concerts cater to every age.

• Reflective and festive moments—from heritage celebrations to community lantern releases—show off Niagara’s spirited, inclusive culture.

Whether you’re considering a move or looking to explore neighbourhoods in your backyard, this weekend’s events showcase Niagara’s unique warmth and vibrancy. I’d be happy to help tailor this content into email newsletters or social media posts for your real estate branding—just say the word!

Whether you're new to the area or have called Niagara home for years, summer weekends are a great time to get out and enjoy the community. From farmers’ markets and foam parties to food festivals and live music, there are plenty of events happening this weekend across the region.

Here’s a roundup of local happenings for Friday through Sunday—perfect for families, couples, and anyone looking to explore what makes Niagara such a great place to live.

Events for Families

Niagara Falls Farmers’ Market
Saturday, July 26 | 7:00 AM – 1:00 PM
MacBain Community Centre, Niagara Falls
Spend the morning browsing fresh produce, local honey, baked goods, flowers, and handmade   items. This well-loved Saturday market also features live music and community vendors.
Visit the Market

Foam Party – Welland
Friday, July 25 | 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM
Diamond Trail Branch, Welland Public Library
A fun and free outdoor event for kids, hosted by the Welland Fire Department. Expect bubbles, water-friendly play, and lots of laughs. Don’t forget towels and a change of clothes.
Event Details

Wilderness Weekends at Niagara Parks
All Weekend | Niagara Glen & Gorge Trails
Guided hikes and educational walks designed for all ages. A great way to connect with nature while learning more about the region’s ecology.
Learn More

Events for Couples

LUNA Concert Series at Chateau des Charmes
Friday, July 25 | Evening
Chateau des Charmes, Niagara-on-the-Lake
Enjoy a summer evening in wine country with live music and local wine surrounded by vineyard views. These concerts offer a relaxed, scenic night out.
More Info

Shaw Festival – Ongoing Season
Daily Performances | Niagara-on-the-Lake
Take in a world-class production at one of Canada’s most celebrated theatre companies. Performances run all weekend and are a great excuse to stroll through historic Niagara-on-the-Lake before or after the show.
See What’s Playing

Events for Friends or Adults

Flow Fest Beer Festival
Saturday, July 26 | 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM
The Exchange, Niagara Falls
Sample craft beer from 22 Ontario breweries, enjoy food trucks, live music, and lawn games. A new addition to the Niagara event calendar and already a local favourite. Must be 19+ to attend.
Flow Fest Details

Concerts on the Canal
Friday, July 25 | 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Merritt Park Amphitheatre, Welland
A unique and memorable experience this summer, with a variety of talented musicians performing at the Merritt Park Amphitheatre, these concerts offer beautiful views of the canal and a fun atmosphere for all ages.
Concerts on the Canal Details

Get Out and Explore

One of the best things about living in Niagara is the range of local events that bring people together. Whether you're heading to the market with the kids, exploring new hiking trails, or enjoying a night out in wine country, there’s no shortage of reasons to step out and enjoy the weekend.

If you’re curious about what life looks like in different corners of the region—or thinking about making a move—I’m always happy to share more about the communities I serve.

If you’ve been waiting for the right time to make a move, this might be the market you’ve been hoping for.

Right now, the Niagara Region is firmly in buyer territory. Inventory is up. Days on market are longer. Price reductions are becoming more common. For buyers — especially those who were priced out over the past few years — this shift presents real opportunity.

But make no mistake: opportunity doesn’t mean you should sit back and coast. It means it’s time to be strategic.

What is a buyer’s market, exactly?

In basic terms, a buyer’s market happens when there are more homes for sale than there are active buyers. This gives you, the buyer, more leverage — more negotiating power, more choices, and less pressure to make snap decisions.

In Niagara, this looks like:

• Homes sitting on the market longer than 30 days

• A rise in conditional offers being accepted again

• Sellers being more open to price negotiations, flexible closing dates, or upgrades and repairs

• A slower pace — which means fewer bidding wars

What this means for you:

1. You can take your time — but not too much.
   It’s tempting to move slowly in a buyer’s market, but don’t confuse opportunity with complacency. The best homes (yes, even now) still sell quickly. Have your financing in place and your strategy aligned so you’re ready to act when you find the right home.
   

2. You have room to negotiate.
   Price isn’t the only lever. Maybe it’s about getting closing costs covered, appliances included, or a more flexible possession date. In this market, you can ask for things that were off the table a year ago — and often get them.
   

3. You don’t need to chase perfection.
   With more listings, you’ll see a wider range of properties — and you might not need to stretch your budget to get a great fit. If you’re planning for the long term, small compromises on things like paint colours or cosmetic updates can pay off in equity down the road.
   

4. This window won’t last forever.
   Real estate is cyclical. What’s a buyer’s market now may not be in six months. Timing the market perfectly is nearly impossible, but recognizing value when you see it — and having an experienced agent to guide you — is the next best thing.

If you’re ready (or even just curious), let’s talk. Whether it’s time to buy, or time to make a plan, this market has something to offer — especially if you move smart.

There’s no way to sugarcoat it — today’s real estate market in Niagara is competitive, and not in the way most sellers would hope. We’re in a buyer’s market. Inventory is up, and motivated buyers have choices. That’s why pricing your home too high — even a little too high — can cost you in the long run.

Here’s what sellers need to understand: Overpricing doesn’t just mean your home might sit longer. It signals to buyers (and their agents) that you may not be serious. And in a market where they already hold the upper hand, most buyers won’t waste time on listings that feel overpriced or out of step with current market value.

So, what actually happens when you overprice?

1. Your listing becomes stale.
   The first two weeks on the market are your most critical. That’s when your home gets the most attention — from buyer alerts, searches, and showing requests. Overpricing during this window means you’re likely to miss out on serious buyers who could’ve acted quickly. Once that window closes, interest drops off sharply.
   

2. You attract the wrong audience.
   If your home is worth $649,000 but you list it at $749,000 “just to test the waters,” you’re advertising to a buyer group that expects more — more square footage, a newer kitchen, a bigger lot. When your home doesn’t deliver what buyers in that price range are looking for, they move on.
   

3. Price reductions send a signal.
   Reducing your price after weeks on the market doesn’t always work the way sellers hope. Buyers may assume something is wrong with the home or think you’re becoming desperate. That can lead to lowball offers or drawn-out negotiations. In short: the longer you’re listed, the harder it can be to recover momentum.
   

4. You could walk away with less.
   Ironically, overpricing often leads to a lower final sale price. Homes priced correctly from the start tend to sell faster, closer to asking and sometimes even over asking. A well-priced home can even attract multiple offers, giving you leverage in a buyer’s market — but only if buyers see it as a strong value right out of the gate.

Here’s what to do instead:

• Rely on recent data, not emotion.
  The market doesn’t care what your neighbour sold for last year or what you “need” to get out of your home. I know that’s tough to hear — but considering today’s actual comparables, trends, and buyer behaviours will put you in the best position.
  

• Listen to agent feedback.
  If your home has showings but no offers, or visits but no second looks, it’s likely a pricing or presentation issue. In this market, we can’t afford to ignore those signs.
  

• Price to entice, not to test.
  A strategic price doesn’t mean underselling — it means getting in front of the right buyers with the right expectations. That’s how you create urgency, not hesitation.

Bottom line: Smart pricing isn’t about leaving money on the table — it’s about securing the best offer in the current market. And in a buyer’s market, the best offer isn’t always the first one... unless you position your home properly from day one.