12 Buffalo Events to Plan Your Trip Around in 2026
From Juneteenth to Dyngus Day, Buffalo celebrates big. Our annual traditions turn streets into stages, parks into parties, and city blocks into festivals. Plan your visit around one of our storied annual events for a true taste of Buffalo’s spirit and join the city at its most unforgettable.
Dyngus Day
April 6, 2026
On the Monday after Easter, Buffalo bursts into Dyngus Day mode. Parades, polka, and pierogi fill the streets of Buffalo’s Broadway-Fillmore neighborhood and other celebrations throughout the county. dyngusday.com
Elmwood Village Porchfest
May 2026
From May through August, several Buffalo neighborhoods and nearby communities host lively music festivals on the front porches of homes and restaurant patios. Kick off the season in May at the Elmwood Village Porchfest that started it all. elmwoodvillage.org/porchfest
Juneteenth
June 13 & 14, 2026
Highlighted by a parade, music, food vendors, and cultural events, Juneteenth of Buffalo is among the nation’s oldest and largest such celebrations, with thousands enjoying this beloved summer tradition. buffalojuneteenth.com
Pride
June 2026
Throughout the month of June and beyond, Buffalo unites in the spirit of Pride. Join in along Elmwood Avenue for the Buffalo Pride Parade and explore events celebrating the region’s LGBTQ+ history and culture. buffalopride.com
Taste of Buffalo
July 11& 12, 2026
A highlight of the summer season, the Taste of Buffalo celebrates the flavors that made our city famous while also showcasing fresh additions to the region’s ever-evolving culinary scene. tasteofbuffalo.com
Garden Walk Buffalo
July 25 & 26, 2026
Each July, Garden Walk Buffalo transforms several of Buffalo’s neighborhoods into a vibrant floral showcase. More than 300 gardens burst with creativity and charm, making it America’s largest free self-guided garden tour. gardensbuffaloniagara.com
Erie County Fair
August 12-23, 2026
Spanning 12 days in August, the Erie County Fair fills 275 acres with exhibits, inventive foods, rides, live entertainment, agricultural showcases, fireworks, and quirky fun, from miniature golf to the Swifty Swine Racing Pigs. ecfair.com
National Buffalo Wing Festival
August 29 & 30, 2026
Held each Labor Day weekend, the two-day National Buffalo Wing Festival serves wings from 25 vendors nationwide alongside live music, contests, wing eating championships, and playful fun like bobbing for wings in blue cheese. buffalowing.com
Music is Art
September 2026
Founded by Buffalo’s own Robby Takac of the Goo Goo Dolls, this free festival hosts 200 acts across more than a dozen stages along the waterfront, featuring genres from country to hip hop. musicisart.org
Borderland Music + Arts Festival
September, 18-20, 2026
The three-day Borderland Festival at Knox Farm State Park showcases nationally touring Americana, rock, country, folk, and bluegrass artists, plus local food, craft beer and artisan vendors. borderlandfestival.com
Turkey Trot
November 26, 2026
Thanksgiving in Buffalo kicks off with the Turkey Trot, a five-mile tradition where costumed runners race past Buffalo landmarks along Delaware Avenue, ending in a jubilant celebration at the Buffalo Convention Center. ymcabn.org
Buffalo Holiday Market
December 2026
The Buffalo Holiday Market brings the joy and magic of a European Christmas to Western New York. This spectacular 4-week shopping series set against the backdrop of the iconic Richardson Olmsted Campus features local artisan makers, vintage sellers, and holiday foods. buffaloholidaymarket.com
