The Castle by Candlelight (tickets on sale Nov 4)

Old Fort Niagara assumes a particularly festive air during the holiday season. Special activities kick off on Saturday evenings, December 7 and 14 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., as the Fort presents The Castle by Candlelight, a tour of the Great Lakes’ oldest building illuminated entirely by candles. Throughout the Castle, visitors will encounter members of the Fort’s 18th century garrison demonstrating everything from quill pens to fur trading to traditional games of skill. Twice each evening the garrison turns out to perform a grand feu de joie (firing of joy), a rolling fire of muskets and cannons. Cooks demonstrate 18th century holiday recipes, musicians play popular songs of the era and a Recollet priest reads the Christmas story in Latin in the Fort’s 298-year-old chapel. Visitors to the event can make a holiday ornament and a bird feeder and enjoy Native American songs and stories. In the fort’s log cabin visitors can warm up and enjoy hot refreshments which will be available for purchase. Menu items include bread pudding, soup, hot chocolate, coffee and tea.