4 to 8 p.m.
Ring in the new year at Fort William Historical Park. Enjoy a candlelit evening of family-friendly activities, winter games and contests, live artisan demonstrations, live music, and fireworks!
5:15 p.m.
Learn about traditional methods of fire lighting by watching our historic interpreters compete against each another.
6:30 p.m.
Compete to hit a target with precision in this traditional Indigenous lacrosse game for a chance to win items handcrafted by our artisans.
4:30 p.m., 5 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 6 p.m., 6:30 p.m.
Gather around to hear the French-Canadian folktale of la chasse-galerie (the flying canoe).
Create a written time capsule of your 2025 New Year’s resolutions and seal it with a wax stamp.
Hop on a snow tube and slide down our mini snow hill located in the Main Square. (Weather dependent).
Try this traditional Indigenous winter activity and launch a wooden ‘snake’ down an ice track. (Weather dependent).
Explore the historic site and visit the Anishinaabe Encampment, Apothecary, Great Hall, Wintering House, Kitchen, and Trades Square, and visit with the farm animals.
Explore the historic site and learn some Anishinaabemowin words.
Craft your own New Year’s Eve party hat and friendship-bracelets.
Hosted by City Wide Sound
Sing along or take center stage for an epic Glow Karaoke Jam Session, where your talent will shine bright.
Light up the night as we transform one of our historic buildings into a radiant world of glow-in-the-dark fun! Featuring hands-on activities, glow mural coloring, inflatable games, and an indoor sports court.
Head outdoors to The Glow Yard, where a world of glowing accuracy games awaits! Try your hand at glow-in-the-dark versions of classic favorites like Glow Goalie, Glow Ring Toss, and Hoop and Spear.
4:15 p.m.
Patrick Brandon Gidley and Clay Breiland will delight visitors with traditional Irish and old Canadian folk songs.
5:30 p.m.
After celebrating his 70th birthday, Rodney Brown returns to the stage to sing in the new year. Join Rodney for a family-friendly voyageur sing-along.
6:45 p.m., 7:35 p.m.
Forged from the icy shores of Gitche Gumee, a group of musicians born of the land of lakes and forests playing Celtic music from the British Isles.
7:15 p.m.
Celebrate the beginning of the New Year with a musket salute and rousing historical drama featuring Fort William’s inhabitants.
7:30 p.m.
Celebrate the New Year with a firework display that will light up the night sky! Enjoy a stunning array of colors and sparkling explosions as we welcome the year ahead in a truly spectacular style.
Wood carving
Thunder Bay Carvers members enjoy carving a wide variety of subjects such as comfort birds, caricatures, animals, gnomes, and recently restored hundreds of historically accurate carved elements on the 115-year-old carousel in Chippewa Park.
Pyrography
Kayeleigh Larocque is a pyrographer and painter reflecting her unique northern attitudes with her art.
Live painting
Chris Rantala is a multidiscipline artist, as he paints in oils and acrylics, and uses recycled materials to create sculptures. His themes focus on history, mechanics, and addressing current environmental issues affecting the earth.
Watch our tinsmith craft tin star ornaments and unique tin-cicles (icicle ornaments made from tin) and watch our blacksmith working the historic forge.
Learn the art of weaving traditional snowshoes.
Watch our artisan use historic knot tying techniques to create festive wreaths.
Visit the artisan market of a unique selection of locally crafted items and handcrafted items created by our artisans, including tin star ornaments and tin-cicles, while supplies last.
Visit the Trading Post Gift Shop, located in the Visitor Centre, for a variety of unique items, including heritage items handcrafted by our artisans, artwork by regional artists, children’s books and toys, and a range of local food products.
(13 to 59 years old, HST included)
(60+ years old, HST included)
(13+ years old with student ID, HST included)
(6 to 12 years old, HST included)
(0 to 5 years old)
Admission to New Year’s Eve Family Frolic is included for Season Pass holders.
Weather appropriate clothing: This is an all weather program and takes place indoors and outdoors.
Cash: There are no ATMs available on site.
Car: Fort William Historical Park is located at 1350 King Road, Thunder Bay. Parking is free.
Thunder Bay Transit: Fort William Historical Park is accessible by the 4 Neebing bus route. Please visit the City of Thunder Bay Transit website for specific bus route information.
Snow Machines & River Access: Snow machines cannot park at events. There is no admissions entrance via the Kaministiquia River.
RVs: The campground is currently closed for the season. RVs are not permitted in the parking lot for overnight stays.