Top 16 Festivals In Buffalo, New York

1. Buffalo Italian Festival [Last event in 2019]

Buffalo Italian Festival is held annually every month of July. During the festivities, you can sit in the piazza and drown yourself on the mouthwatering aroma of pizza and other Italian dishes being prepared, enjoy the food, and sway to the music. The 12-day festival showcases the culture of the Italians living in Buffalo for years. The first festival was held in 1921 in Niagara Square. Aside from Italian crafts displays, musical performances, and cooking demonstrations, the festival also features bocce - a ball game - puppet shows, fun activities for kids, and grape stomping, where barefoot participants step on a vat full of grapes and step on them to extract the juice. Attending this festival will help you understand and experience Italian heritage.

Buffalo Italian Festival

Address: Buffalo City, New York

Website: Buffalo Italian Festival

Takes place: July

2. Buffalo Burmese Water Festival [Last event in 2019]

You do not have to go to Myanmar to watch the Burmese Water Festival because it is also now held in Buffalo. Every month of June, the Burmese community celebrates the Buffalo Burmese Water Festival. It used to be a small celebration but now, the members of the community in Western New York and nearby come to Buffalo to enjoy the traditional dances and music, and get wet as the unique feature of this festival is water throwing. Based on a Burmese belief, water gets rid of all the sins that the person has committed in the previous year so that he will be pure and ready to face the new year.

Buffalo Burmese Water Festival

Address: Grant and Breckenridge, Buffalo, NY

Website: Buffalo Burmese Water Festival

Takes place: June

3. Buffalo Cherry Blossom Festival

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Welcome the advent of spring at the Buffalo Cherry Blossom Festival, which is held in the month of May every year. Feast your eyes on the lovely blossoms of more than 80 cherry trees of several species. The festival showcases Japanese tradition that includes puppet shows, rides on little pink boats, origami, painting, and music by Japanese musicians. To make sure that the revelers will not go hungry, food trucks will come to Delaware Park every day offering mouth-watering delicacies and treats. The highlight of the festival is the Cherry Blossom Challenge where participants will traverse the 2.8 kilometers (1.76 miles) of scenic paths through the park.

Buffalo Cherry Blossom Festival

Address: 84 Parkside Ave, Buffalo, NY 14214, United States

Website: Buffalo Cherry Blossom Festival

Takes place: April to May

4. Allentown Art Festival

The month of June marks the Allentown Art Festival, an event that draws thousands of artists and art patrons to the historic Allentown. People from Buffalo and the surrounding areas raid the streets of Allentown to enjoy the great weather and see remarkable works of art on display. There are paintings, ceramics, jewelry, sculptures, furniture, glassware, unique items made from wood, photographs, and art prints that can be bought from different stalls. You can watch artists at work and even have your portrait done on the spot. Different kinds of foods enhance the festive air. Try the fried dough, the festival’s food emblem - a delicacy that participants and visitors consider a must to taste.

Allentown Art Festival

Address: 435 Delaware Ave, Buffalo, NY 14202, United States

Website: Allentown Art Festival

Takes place: June

5. Wine and Chocolate Festival

Come and sample the best wines and luscious nibbles such as chocolates, cheeses, and other kinds of sweets in and around Buffalo, New York during the Wine and Chocolate Festival. Held every January of the year, the festival attracts wineries and several vendors that want to showcase their products. Find your favorite wines and buy them at discounted prices. You can shop for purses, jewelry, clothes, shoes and bags, glassware, home decors, ad handcrafted items in the participating mini boutiques. The highlight of the festivities is the free tasting of wines, chocolates, and other treats. Since there are no activities specifically targetting kids, couples can leave the kids behind and enjoy the day together.

Wine and Chocolate Festival

Address: Buffalo Grand Hotel & Event Center (formerly Adams Mark Buffalo) 120 Church Street, Buffalo, NY 14202

Website: Wine and Cholate Festival

Takes place: Usually held in January

6. Buffalo International Film Festival

Every October each year, producers, directors, actors, and actresses, as well as businessmen hoping to invest in the film industry come to witness this festival. Everyone in the filmmaking industry that aspires to be noticed and recognized chooses the BIFF as one of their platforms. One can find potential financers for their projects, critics to help improve their works, and other patrons. The festival also showcases narrative, documentary, and experimental films. There are seminars, workshops, and professional development. This event provides people from Buffalo and the neighboring places to see high-quality films from all over the world.

Buffalo International Film Festival

Address: 1428 Hertel Ave, Buffalo, New York 14216

Website: Buffalo International Film Festival

Takes place: October

7. Buffalo Maritime Heritage Festival [Last event in 2019]

Learn about the heritage of the maritime industry of Buffalo by being part of the Buffalo Maritime Heritage Festival that is held in the month of September. This festival was born in 2018 and because of the amazing response of the residents of Buffalo and the neighboring areas, the second festival was held in 2019 and the organizers are positive that this will be an annual event. During the festivities, events are held at Colonel Ward Pumping Station, an Italian Rennaisance structure that was built from 1907 to 1926. Outside, spectators can watch the pouring of aluminum in the foundry, buy food and beer, and take a look at antique boats. Inside, one can see industrial steam pumps and steam pump engines that are as high as a five-story tower. Antiques and arts are sold in the balcony. Activities for kids draw families to the festival.

Buffalo Maritime Heritage Festival

Address: Buffalo, New York

Website: Buffalo Maritime Heritage Festival

Takes place: September

8. Buffalo German Fest [Last event in 2019]

Buffalo German Fest which is celebrated in August or September showcases German culture. There are plenty of German dishes, lots of beer, and items to other lovely items to buy. Children can have fun at the Kinder Park Family Fun area while parents can shop at Vendor Marketplatz. Live music and other performances add glitter to this two-day celebration. Considered as the biggest gathering of the German residents of Buffalo, this event is the best way to learn German culture.

Buffalo German Fest

Address: 2600 Harlem Rd, Cheektowaga, New York

Takes place: August or September

Price: 5 USD

9. Buffalo Humanities Festival

September is the month that the Buffalo Humanities Festival is celebrated. This festival aims to promote understanding and sharing of ideas about humanities, which is a part of people’s daily life. Topics of discussions include arts, culture, literature, media, history, and tradition. The first festival was held in 2014 and has been held every September.

Buffalo Humanities Festival

Address: Asbury Hall in Babeville/ 341 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, New York

Website: Buffalo Humanities Festival

Takes place: September

10. National Buffalo Wing Festival

If you are a great fan of Buffalo Wings and you could never get enough of it, be at the National Buffalo Wing Festival celebrated every August or September and savor buffalo wings cooked in many ways. It is believed that this dish was first prepared in a restaurant in Buffalo and became popular all over the world. Enjoy the two-day festivity that is highlighted by eating roasted or fried buffalo wings with several kinds of sauce. A buffalo wings eating contest is held during the day for several age categories. There are cooking contests, sauce preparation, a search for Miss Buffalo, and live performances.

National Buffalo Wing Festival

Address: Sahlen Field, Buffalo, New York

Website: National Buffalo Wing Festival

Takes place: September

11. Water Lantern Festival Buffalo

Watch hundreds of floating lighted lanterns in the Buffalo waters during the Water Lantern Festival Buffalo, which is celebrated every July. This festival is recognized as the best not only in Buffalo but also in the whole USA. The awesome sight touches one’s emotions and brings joy, hope, and beautiful memories. Launching the lighted lanterns together creates a connection among all those who join the event. Bring your family especially the children to share with them this lovely and memorable experience.

Water Lantern Festival Buffalo

Address: Buffalo, New York

Website: Water Lantern Festival Buffalo

Takes place: Usually held in July

12. Buffalo Irish Festival

Be a part of the Buffalo Irish Festival, which showcases Irish tradition and culture. Celebrated every September since 1982, this event is attended by members of Irish communities and by residents in and around Buffalo. The festival lasts for two days and features performances by Irish singers, dancers, and bands. There are booths selling Irish goods and crafts as well delicacies and drinks. It opens with a parade followed by entertainment. A raffle draw with a trip for two to Ireland as the grand prize highlights the festivities.

Buffalo Irish Festival

Address: 901 Fuhrmann Blvd. Buffalo, New York

Website: Buffalo Irish Festival

Takes place: Usually held in September

Price: From 10 USD

13. Juneteenth Festival of Buffalo

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A post shared by Preservation Buffalo Niagara (@pbnsaves) on Jun 14, 2019 at 5:41am PDT

The Juneteenth Festival of Buffalo is an annual festival that commemorates the end of slavery in the United States on June 19, 1856. It started as a small celebration by the American-African communities in Buffalo and grew into the third-best and largest festival in the USA. Booths displaying authentic American-African delicacies, art, crafts, jewelry, and other items are featured. There are performances, lectures, and exhibits showcasing the American-African culture and tradition and celebrates the achievements of the American-African people.

Juneteenth Festival of Buffalo

Address: Martin Luther, Jr. Park, Buffalo, New York

Website: Juneteenth Festival of Buffalo

Takes place: June

14. Buffalo Wine Festival

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A post shared by Schulze Vineyards & Winery (@schulzewines)

Take a trip to Buffalo in April and be a part of the Buffalo Wine Festival. Expect to have your fill of the best wines in Western New York as well as sumptuous delicacies and great shopping. Many wineries showcase their products during the festival with wine tasting sessions. With several participating wineries, the event will give you the chance to savor the best wines in the area. Aside from wine and food, there will be stalls selling different items at great prices.

Buffalo Wine Festival

Address: Buffalo Niagara Convention Center, 153 Franklin Street, Buffalo, New York 14202

Takes place: April

15. Buffalo Cigar and Music Festival

Have fun at the Buffalo Cigar and Music Festival, a fun-filled day that cigar and music enthusiasts should never miss. The day will feature different genres of music performed by popular bands and singers in the area and will be participated by the cigar vendors from Buffalo and the neighboring areas. Food, drinks, and different cigar brands will be displayed in the booths. Several prizes are at stake in the raffle draw that will highlight the festival. Among the major sponsors are the Buffalo Cigars and the Buffalo Cigar Club.

Buffalo Cigar and Music Festival

Address: The Wings Meeting Place Pavilion, 3964 California Rd, Orchard Park, New York

Website: Buffalo Cigar and Music Festival

Takes place: September

16. Taste of Buffalo

July marks one of the biggest food festivals in Buffalo and in the United States, the Taste of Buffalo. The event aims to provide residents of Buffalo and the neighboring areas the chance to enjoy a fun and enjoyable weekend with excellent food at the most affordable prices. During the festivities, restaurants and food trucks line the streets of the city center. Nonstop music is played in several food stages. Among the featured dishes are the Buffalo wings, prime ribs, Jamaican patties, bisque, and chicken waffles to name a few. Everyone that comes leaves with a full stomach and happy thoughts.

Taste of Buffalo

Address: Niagara Square, Buffalo, New York

Website: Taste of Buffalo

Takes place: July

Make memories at the festivals in Buffalo, New York

Buffalo is a city of festivals. All year round, exciting and fun-filled events are held. Visitors and residents have something to anticipate every month. Arts enthusiasts, music and food lovers, advocates of humanities, and nature lovers can find something relevant to their interests. Being part of any or all of the festivals will enable you to have unforgettable memories and experiences in Buffalo.