Is a boat running on this date?
The 2026 season at a glance
| Maid of the Mist (US) | Niagara City Cruises (Canada) | |
|---|---|---|
| Opened | Friday, April 24, 2026, 9 am | Friday, May 1, 2026 (delayed by Lake Erie ice) |
| Closed | Sunday, November 8, 2026 | No closing date published; December sailings depend on weather |
| Hours | 9 am to 5 pm in spring and autumn; to 8 pm from June 22 to August 9; 9 am to 4 pm Nov 1 to 8 | Every 30 minutes, 9:30 am to 6:30 pm from May 1; extended hours from May 15 not published |
| Evening | No evening sailings in the published hours | Evening and Falls Fireworks Cruise on select dates |
| 2027 | Not announced | Not published |
Maid of the Mist 2026 hours by period
| Dates (2026) | Weekday | Weekend | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 24 to May 18 | 9 am to 5:00 pm | 9 am to 5:00 pm | |
| May 19 to May 22 | 9 am to 6:00 pm | 9 am to 6:00 pm | |
| May 23 to May 24 | 9 am to 8:00 pm | 9 am to 8:00 pm | Memorial Day weekend (Sat/Sun) |
| May 25 to Jun 21 | 9 am to 6:00 pm | 9 am to 8:00 pm | |
| Jun 22 to Aug 9 | 9 am to 8:00 pm | 9 am to 8:00 pm | |
| Aug 10 to Aug 30 | 9 am to 7:30 pm | 9 am to 7:30 pm | |
| Aug 31 to Sep 3 | 9 am to 5:00 pm | 9 am to 5:00 pm | operator page shows '500', read as 5:00 pm |
| Sep 4 to Sep 7 | 9 am to 7:15 pm | 9 am to 7:15 pm | Labor Day weekend: Fri-Sun to 7:15 pm, Mon to 6:00 pm |
| Sep 8 to Sep 27 | 9 am to 5:00 pm | 9 am to 6:00 pm | |
| Sep 28 to Oct 31 | 9 am to 5:00 pm | 9 am to 5:00 pm | |
| Nov 1 to Nov 8 | 9 am to 4:00 pm | 9 am to 4:00 pm |
The operator's page says rates and schedules are subject to change without notice. The ticket office opens 30 minutes before the first departure and closes 15 minutes before the last. The Labor Day Monday closing (6:00 pm) is handled in the tool.
Falls lights-on times
Niagara Parks publishes the nightly illumination by date range; the lights stay on until about 1 am in January and February and 2 am the rest of the year. The tool interpolates sunrise and sunset from computed mid-month times (accurate to about 3 minutes).
| Dates | Lights on |
|---|---|
| Jan 1-31 | 5:00 pm |
| Feb 1 - Mar 11 | 5:30 pm |
| Mar 12-31 | 7:30 pm |
| Apr 1 - May 14 | 8:00 pm |
| May 15 - Jul 31 | 8:30 pm |
| Aug 1-15 | 8:00 pm |
| Aug 16-31 | 7:30 pm |
| Sep 1-19 | 7:00 pm |
| Sep 20-30 | 6:30 pm |
| Oct 1-15 | 6:15 pm |
| Oct 16-31 | 6:00 pm |
| Nov 1 - Dec 31 | 4:30 pm |
Limits
This is a planning aid built from published schedules, not a live status feed. Boats can be delayed or cancelled for weather and river conditions, and Niagara City Cruises' calendar is only visible in its booking system. Always confirm on the operator's page on the day of travel. Data last verified October 17, 2026; see the downloadable datasets.
Frequently asked questions
When does Maid of the Mist close for the season?
The 2026 season closes on Sunday, November 8, 2026, and the boat then stays closed until Opening Day 2027. The operator had not announced 2027 dates when we last verified on October 17, 2026.
Are Niagara City Cruises boats running in winter?
Niagara City Cruises publishes no closing date, and its ticket page says December sailings depend on weather. Confirm on the operator's site for your date.
Do the boats run after dark?
Maid of the Mist's published 2026 hours ended by 8 pm at the latest. Niagara City Cruises runs evening and Falls Fireworks Cruises on select dates, and after sunset its boats go only to the outer edge of the Horseshoe Falls.
Sources and further reading
- Maid of the Mist: schedule and pricing
- Maid of the Mist: 2026 season press release
- Niagara City Cruises: Voyage to the Falls
- Niagara Parks: Falls illumination
- Niagara Parks: Falls fireworks
Facts were last checked against these sources on October 17, 2026. Operator schedules, prices and conditions change; confirm with the operator before you travel.