Next story: 2015 Summer Tour Guide
Summer Guide
Festivals
June
Fairy House Festival
June 7, noon-5pm. Artpark. $6/$5. This whimsical outdoor festival is held annually in the Lower Park of Artpark. Enjoy hands on art activities, live music and dance performances, discover hundreds of tiny fairy house creations and more.
The 24th Buffalo Pride Festival
June 7, 1pm-7pm. Canalside. An afternoon of live entertainment, family activities, food and gift vendors, a bar, a Retro Dance tent, VIP tent, and information tables from local organizations and businesses.
7th Annual Cheektowaga Crabapple Festival
June 12-14 Cheektowaga Town Park. Friday: Classic car cruise & music. Saturday: Little Miss Crabapple Pageant, & the Taste of Cheektowaga,. Sunday: War of 1812 Ceremony, Flag Day concert, & fireworks.
40th Juneteenth of Buffalo
June 13-14. Martin Luther King Jr. Park (Best St. & Fillmore Ave.) The third largest Juneteenth celebration in the wold. Praise & worship, Parade, entertainment, vendors, book fair, tours, kids activities, African drum & dance lessons, & more. juneteenthofbuffalo.com
Strawberry Festival
June 17, 5-8pm. The Pavilion at Island Park (behind Amherst Town Hall.) Clowns, face painting., fresh strawberry sundaes & more. willvill.com
Shakespeare in Delaware Park
June 18-August 16, Tuesdays through Sundays, 7:30pm. June 18-July 12, Romeo & Juliet July 23-August 16. Twelfth Night. shakespeareindelawarepark.org
15th Annual Buffalo River Fest
June 19-21. Buffalo River Fest Park (249 Ohio St.) Events include a waterfront photo & memorabilia display, food & refreshments, a beer garden, kids area, arts & crafts show, historic tours along the Buffalo River, live entertainment, bingo, & more. Live music from The Strangers, Flipside, and Gettin’ Better.
The 19th Annual Discover Amherst Street Festival
June 20, 9am-6pm. Amherst Street. A celebration of the area’s revitalization & growth. Family activities, food, entertainment, artwork, best pie in Black Rock Contest & more.
Buffalo Museum of Science Solstice Soiree
June 20., 7:30pm-10:30pm. Buffalo Museum of Science (1020 Humboldt Pkwy.) Celebrate the upcoming restoration of the Museum’s rooftop observatory with an exclusive event offering enhanced wine tastings, complimentary hors d’oeuvres by The Buffalo Catering Co., unique auctions, star gazing from the Museum roof with the Buffalo Astronomical Association (weather permitting), and a special glimpse into the future of the Museum’s observatory and fourth floor space exhibit. Channel 2’s Spiel The Wine host Kevin LoVullo will be offering advice by the glass full. Only 400 tickets sold. $65 /$60 BMS members.
Northtown Subaru Dog Days of Kenmore
June 21. 12pm-4pm. Mang Park (Kenmore, NY). Bring your dog along for a day of canine-related activities & contests. Food, local vendors, & live music. Free.
July
Old Home Days Celebration
July 7-12, Island Park (Williamsville, NY, Behind Village Hall). Parade, live music, reunions, rides, fishing derby, refreshments, and more. A popular celebration to honor a century old community tradition. oldhomedays.org
Canal Fest of the Tonawandas
July 19-26. (15 Webster St., Tonawanda, NY). Celebrate the Erie Canal & it’s history feat. crafts, parades, chalk it up street art contest, , vintage fire trucks, the Duck Race, rides, fireworks & more. The largest event held along the banks of the Ol’Erie in NYS.
Buffalo Infringement Festival
July 23-August 2. 11 Days of Art feat. various under the radar arts performances, exhibits, and events throughout the city. infringebuffalo.org
Lucille Ball Comedy Festival
July 30-August 2nd. Jamestown, NY.
Late Night Comedy Events with Food and Drinks, Dinner Show, Member’s Only Archive Event, Desi Arnaz Congo Workshop, Tropicana Room Dinner Specials, Stand-Up classes and Showcases, ‘Friend of Fest: Route 66’ Comedy Show, ‘Summer Wind Cruise’ Tour of Lucille Ball’s hometown & cemetery tour and trivia contest. Feat. Stand Up by Nick Offerman, Jerry Seinfeld, Melissa Rivers and Kelly Carlin. lucycomedyfest.com
Niagara Tattoo Expo
July 31-August 2nd. Niagara Falls Conference Center (101 Old Falls St.) Live tattooing & piercing, world renowned artists, contests, awards, sideshow acts, special guests, seminars, & more.
August
The 4th annual Chalk Fest Buffalo
August 1-2, noon-6pm. Fountain Plaza (Main St. between Chippewa & Huron St.). A children’s storybook is illustrated along the sidewalk and once completed gets narrated to the surrounding children. A free, family-friendly event feat. live music, dancers, face painters, balloons, street performers, 3-D chalk artists, and more.
The 52nd Eden Corn Festival
August 6-9. Legion Dr. & Main St, Eden. Rides, games, refreshments, parade, contests, music, and various entertainment. Free.
America’s Grape Country Wine Festival
August 7-9. Chatauqua County Fairgrounds (Dunkirk, NY). Wineries, craft, and food vendors, free chef seminars , music, & more.
The Erie County Fair
August 12-23. Fairgrounds Gaming and Raceway Clubhouse (5600 McKinley Pkwy. Hamburg, NY). Live music, community stage acts, concerts, fair camp, contests, talent contest, rides, refreshments, animals, and more.
Carnivals/Fêtes
June
Féte de la Musique
June 21, 3pm-6pm. Colored Musicians Club. (145 Broadway). Fete de la Musique, the brain-child of Maurice Fleuret, began in Paris in 1982. 32 years later the spirit getting out on the street and creating a democracy of music has spread to more than 460 cities and 110 countries including every continent except Antarctica. This years event feat. Buffalo Belles Jazz Quartet & Gruvology, free.
Kenmore Days
June 24-27. Mang Park in Kenmore. A community celebration hosted by the village of Kenmore feat. rides, games, live music, great food, free entertainment, fireworks, and more.
West Seneca Community Days
June 26-27, Veteran’s Park (1250 Union Rd, West Seneca). Friday 6pm-midnight, Saturday 1pm to midnight. A Community celebration hosted by West Seneca feat. rides, games, great food, beer tent, parade, live entertainment, fireworks, and more.
July
Clarence Hollow Fest
July 2-4. Clarence Town Park. 5pm-11pm Thursday, 11am-11pm Friday & Saturday. A Fourth of July festival sponsored by the Clarence Hollow Association feat. rides, food, games, bands, beer tent, and fireworks on the 4th.
Queen of Heaven Carnival
July 17-19. Friday, 6pm-midnight, Saturday noon-midnight, Sunday noon-10pm. Queen of Heaven Church (4220 Seneca St.) The premier Carnival event feat. live music, beer tents, Super Cruz Night, games, & more.
August
Fourteen Holy Helpers Summer Fest
August 7-9, Fourteen Holy Helpers Parish ( 1345 Indian Church Rd. West Seneca) Friday 4pm-midnight, Saturday 5pm-midnight Sunday 1pm-9pm. A weekend of rides, live music, food, craft fair, games, theme basket raffles, and more held by Fourteen Holy Helpers Parish.
September
Clarence Labor Day Fair
September 5-7, 11am-11pm Saturday & Sunday, Monday, 11am-8pm. Clarence NY (9415 Clarence Center Rd.) An annual Labor Day fair sponsored by the Clarence Center Volunteer Fire Company Benevolent Association feat. rides, games, food, demolition derby, fireworks, parade, beer tent, live music, & more.
Food Festivals
June
Taste of Tonawandas
June 7, noon-7pm. North Tonawanda Gateway Harbor (corner of Sweeney & Webster). Food from local restaurants, beverage tent, live music, & family activities.
Taste of Diversity
June 27, 11-am-7pm. Grant St, between Lafayette & Auburn. Authentic food, art, & music from one of Buffalo’s most ethnically diverse neighborhoods. Free admission. tasteofdiversity.org
The Kinfolks Soul Food Festival
June 27, 2pm. 95 4th St. (behind Waterfront Elementary School). Soul food, games, live concert w/ Bobby Brown, Monica, Midnight Star, Eric Benet and Al B Sure.
July
Independence Day Celebration at Canalside
July 4th. 2-11pm. Experience Buffalo’s official 4th of July celebration at Canalside. The fun begins early in the day w/ kids events, boat rides, tours, & more. Fireworks begin at 10:15pm.
Taste of Buffalo
July 11-12. 11am. Delaware Ave. Downtown Buffalo From Chippewa Street to Niagara Square More than 200 culinary specialties served by WNY’s best restaurants & three stages with a variety of live music. The largest two-day festival in the country. tasteofbuffalo.com
Hamburg Burgerfest
July 18,. noon-11:45pm. 18 North Buffalo St. Hamburg, and in Village of Hamburg Municipal Parking Lot. Celebrate the 129th anniversary of the creation of the hamburger. Classic car show, burger-eating contest, parade & music.
The Niagara Wine Trail
July 25-26. Academy Park (Lewiston, NY). The 7th Annual Niagara USA Wine Festival, Sponsored by Yancey’s Fancy New York’s Artisan Cheese. $35/$30.
August
Taste of Williamsville
August 2, 12-8pm. Island Park (Williamsville, NY, Behind Village Hall). Local restaurants offer their best culinary delights .Food tickets are purchased the day of. Free children’s activities & entertainment. village.williamsville.ny.us/events.html
Buffalo Brewfest
August 7, 5:30pm. Historic Cobblestone District (Illinois St.). A festival of beers feat. 20 tasting coupons and a souvenir glass for $30, a benefit for the Buffalo Hearing & Speech Center Foundation.
Taste of Ellicottville
August 15-16. 12-4pm. Village of Ellicottville. Samples from 22 fine restaurants. $1. You can purchase tickets at the main ticket booth centrally located in the village.
ellicottvilleny.com/taste-of-ellicottville
September
Buffalo Chicken Wing Festival
September 5&6 , 12pm. Coca-Cola
Field (257 Washington St.) Kids zone, cook-offs, contests, Buffalo wings, refreshments, and more. $5/free for kids under 8. buffalowing.com
Cultural Festivals
June
The 37th Annual Greek Festival
June 5-7. Friday & Saturday 11am-Midnight, Sunday Noon-9pm. Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church (West Utica). A festival of Greek cuisine, live Greek music, Greek folk dancing, foods, tours, & more, $2.
July
Galbani Italian Heritage Festival
July 16-19, 11am-10pm. Hertel Ave. Local entertainment, bocce, Italian Idol contest, demonstrations, crafts, kid’s activities, the second largest Italian street festival in the country. Take in the sights, sounds, food, & culture that make the Italian- American experience so very special.
17th Annual Lebanese Festival
July 24-26. St. John Maron Catholic Church (2040 Wehrle Dr.) Homemade Lebanese cuisine, traditional dance performances, church tours, rides, and live music. stjohnmaron.org/festival-2011/
August
The 31st Scottish Festival & Highland Games
August 15, 11am-6pm. Buffalo-Niagara Heritage Village (3755 Tonawanda Creek Road). feat. Scottish fare and beer, bag piping, clan row, dancing, celtic vendors and the ever-popular Highland Games presented by the Buffalo Heavies. $10/free for kids 12 & under.
Ukrainian American Day Festival
August 23, 1:30-8pm. Ukrainian Cultural Center, Dnipro (562 Genesee St.). A day of live music, dance performances, delicious Ukrainian foods, Bounce house,, games of chance, basket raffles, arts & craft vendors, historic building tours and lots of family fun, rain or shine. 674-4916
34th Buffalo Irish Festival
August 28-30. Buffalo RiverWorks (359 Ganson St.) Friday 5pm-midnight, Saturday noon-midnight,Sunday noon-10pm. A celebration of Irish food, music, drink, & fun. www.buffaloirish.com
Art Festivals
June
Art Alive 2015
June 6, noon-2pm. Albright Knox Gallery, (1285 Elmwood Ave). Bring the family for an afternoon of your favorite art brought to life. Contest participants will create living representations of famous works of art using people, props, & music. See displays and vote for your favorite tableaux in the People’s Choice Awards Also feat. live music & art activities for the whole family.
The 58th Annual Allentown Art Festival
June 13-14, Saturday 10am-7pm & Sunday 10am-6pm (Historic Allentown District). Outdoor festival featuring over 400 local artists and crafters, sponsored by the Allentown Village Society.
Niagara Falls Music & Art Festival
June 19-21. Old Falls St. District (Between Seneca Niagara Casino & the Niagara Culinary Institute.) Dozens of artists from WNY, Southern Ontario, & North Eastern Ohio.
Lockport Outdoors Arts & Crafts Festival
June 27-June 28., 11;oo am-5pm. (Main st. in downtown lockport off Rt. 78) Over 200 Craft & food vendors from all over the United States. Fun for the whole family w/ free parking & admission.
July
The 4th Annual City of Night
July 18, 4pm. The Old First Ward. A multi-disciplinary art event feat. amazing installations, exhibits, live performances, projections w/ the themes of Art History, Culture & Sustainability, presented by Emerging Leaders in the Arts Buffalo
August
49th Annual Lewiston Art Festival
August 8-9, 10am . Center St., Lewiston, NY. Lewiston’s signature event feat. work by more than 175 exceptional artists and fine crafters. Meet the artists one-on-one and enjoy more than 20,000 original works of art including paintings, sculpture, ceramics, jewelry, fiber, glass, wood, mixed media, and photography.
artcouncil.org/events/artfestival.php
Elmwood Avenue Festival of the Arts
August 29-30, 10am. Over 170 artists and crafters, over 50 performances, dance tent, Kidsfest, solar powered stages, refreshments, vendors, & more. eafa.techriver.net
Tours
(Various times and locations, view websites for full schedules.)
Buffalo Bites Elmwood Village Food Tasting & Cultural Walking Tour
On this three-hour guided walking tour of Buffalo’s Elmwood Village you’ll experience all the flavors of the city. Samples from 7 local eateries, explore the neighborhood and enjoy entertaining history.
The 4th Annual Buffalo Living Tour
June 20, 10am-4pm. The 4th annual Buffalo Living Tour feat. condos, lofts, & suites, with happy hour starting at 4pm at the Handle Bar at The Hub. tour 10great living spaces in the Buffalo core, .all cool, upscale, and recently finished. This year there will also be a bicycle route. Entire event is free except happy hour food and beverage.
Buffalo River History Tours
Central Wharf. A 90-minute narrated Buffalo River History Tour. Hear the story of the Erie Canal, Buffalo’s history as the largest grain port in the world and experience the nation’s largest collection of standing grain elevators from just a few feet away. buffaloriverhistorytours.com
Buffalo Touring Company
The Buffalo History Museum (one Museum Court). Hop on a Segway & take a guided tour through historic North Buffalo.
Downtown Buffalo Pub Walks
Pearl Street Grill & Brewery. (76 Pearl Street.) A tour that combines Buffalo’s history & beer. $25 includes tour, two pints of beer & some bad harmonica playing. joel@buffalohistorytours.com.
Explore Buffalo Tours
Explore Buffalo is a non-profit organization providing tours and other opportunities to discover Buffalo’s great architecture, history, and neighborhoods.
Forest Law Cemetery Tours
1411 Delaware Ave. Walking and trolley tours June through October. 885-1600,
Forgotten Buffalo Tours
Buffalo’s authority on unique landmarks, classic taverns, old world neighborhoods, and Nickel City oddities. Led by Maxwell Truth, the host of Off Beat Cinema. 883-5211, forgottenbuffalo.com
Mason Winfield’s Haunted History Ghost Walks, Inc.
Author and researcher Mason Winfield’s haunted history tours explore history, architecture, mystery, parapsychology, and ghosts.
Queen City Bike Ferry
Canalside. Now through Labor Day. Hours: Monday- Friday 12 pm to 8 pm, Saturday and Sunday 8 am - 8 pm. $1 each way. Cash collected at boarding. Exact change required. Includes bike.
Spirit of Buffalo Pirate Cruises
Saturdays at Canalside. All cruises include a crew of professional pirates. You will be entertained with pirate stories, face painting, a treasure hunt, music.$25/$20 kids. www.spiritofbuffalo.com/Pirate.aspx
Sunday Morning Vineyard Walks
June 14, July 26, August 2, & August 16., 9-11am. Johnson Estate Winery (West Main Rd., Westfield) 326-2191. Led by owner Fred Johnson.
Vip Behind the Scenes Brewery Tour & Tasting at the Hotel Lafayette
391 Washington St. Thursdays at 7:30pm or by reservation for groups of 8 or more. Enjoy tasting Buffalo’s best craft beer while touring its trendiest landmark. Start off with a half pint of beer served at the bar at the Pan-American Grill. From there, tour this beautiful 1904 grand hotel.
buffalobrewerydistrict.com/lafayette/brewtours
Wellness Walk at Tifft
Tifft Nature Preserve (1200 Fuhrmann Blvd.) Every Thursday at 10am. Drop by Tifft Nature preserve and enjoy guided outdoor walks at a casual pace, $2 donations appreciated. 825-6397
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