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 March 2026, the Niagara Falls illumination schedule shifts to accommodate the changing sunset times. From March 1 through March 11, the falls are lit from 5:30 PM to 1:00 AM. Starting March 12 through the end of the month, the show begins later at 7:30 PM and runs until 2:00 AM. This nightly tradition uses high-power LED lights to paint the American and Canadian Horseshoe Falls in a spectrum of colors. In addition to the standard rainbow sequence, 2026 features several "Special Illuminations" for awareness causes; for example, on March 5 (today), the Falls will glow Blue from 10:00 PM to 10:15 PM for International Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome Awareness Day. Visitors should note that the best viewing spots are along the Niagara Parkway in Canada or Prospect Point in New York. The display is entirely free to the public and operates every single night of the year, regardless of weather conditions, though the exact start time is adjusted monthly to ensure the colors are vibrant against the night sky.