Best Night-Lit and Illuminated Waterfalls
Some of the world's most famous waterfalls run lighting programmes after dark — coloured spotlights, projection mapping, or simply spotlight floods on the white water. Other falls host monthly full-moon tours that produce 'moonbows' in the spray. All ten on the map.
1. Niagara Falls (illumination)
Coloured spotlights illuminate both Horseshoe and American Falls each evening from 21 LED towers on the Canadian side. Program runs sunset to midnight year-round.
2. Iguazú Full Moon Tour, Argentina/Brazil
Five nights a month — two before and two after full moon — both Argentine and Brazilian parks run guided walks under moonlight. Moonbows possible in the spray.
3. Victoria Falls Moonbow, Zambia/Zimbabwe
Two-night lunar rainbow tours run in the three days around full moon. The largest single-curtain spray on Earth produces vivid white-and-pastel moonbows.
4. Cumberland Falls Moonbow, Kentucky
The only other regular nighttime moonbow in the western hemisphere besides Victoria. Visible nightly within two days of full moon if conditions allow.
5. Niagara Fireworks, Canada side
Three-times-weekly fireworks above the Falls Niagara (Friday, Sunday, holiday Mondays) in summer, paired with the illumination. Best viewing from Queen Victoria Park.
6. Jiuzhaigou night lighting, China
Pearl Shoal Falls and several travertine terraces are lit at night during festival periods. Vehicles run from the park entrance after dark.
7. Huangguoshu Light Show, China
Asia's largest waterfall hosts a multi-coloured light projection nightly in summer, plus the Crystal Cave behind the falls is lit year-round.
8. Snoqualmie Holiday Lights, Washington
From late November to early January, Snoqualmie Falls runs holiday-themed lighting around the upper park and observation deck.
9. Yamadera 'thousand candles' falls, Japan
Several Japanese temple-precinct falls host autumn candlelight festivals. Tied to maple leaf season; small lanterns line the falls' edges.
10. Plitvice winter illumination, Croatia
In late December, several Plitvice cascades are lit for a holiday photography session. Limited entry; reservation required.
Where will you go first?
All of these are pinned on our interactive map.