The timing for illuminating Niagara Falls can vary based on the season and local sunset times. Generally, the falls are illuminated from dusk, which is around sunset, until around midnight.

In 2026, the nightly illumination of Niagara Falls follows a specific seasonal schedule that adjusts based on the time of sunset. For the month of March 2026, the falls are lit up starting at 5:30 PM from March 1st through March 11th, and then shifting to 7:30 PM starting on March 12th through the end of the month. The lights typically stay on until 1:00 AM or 2:00 AM. This nightly display uses hundreds of high-powered LED lights housed on the Canadian side of the gorge to paint the American, Bridal Veil, and Horseshoe Falls in a rotating spectrum of colors. In addition to the standard rainbow colors, the falls are often illuminated in specific hues for "Special Illumination" events, such as green for St. Patrick's Day or specific colors for rare disease awareness or national holidays. These displays are visible from both the New York and Ontario sides of the border, providing one of the world's most famous and sustainable light shows, as the modern LED technology used since 2016 has significantly reduced the energy consumption of the display.