Experience the magic of the holiday season in Buffalo, NY, where festive events and activities abound for both locals and visitors. Start with a visit to the Buffalo Holiday Market, where you'll find unique wares from local artisans and indulge in freshly baked goods.
Marvel at the dazzling displays at the Fairgrounds Festival of Lights, a drive-through extravaganza set to synchronized music. For a musical treat, don't miss the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra Holiday Pops Concert, featuring a blend of classical masterpieces and seasonal tunes. Happy holidays from Buffalo!
Please contact us if you have suggestions or corrections!
Got questions? Like to help? Check out our Buffalo Holiday discussion here!
The Top Christmas Events in Buffalo
- Buffalo Holiday Market
- Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra Holiday Pops Concert
- Jingle Bell Run
- First Night Buffalo
Buffalo Holiday Markets and Shopping
Buffalo Holiday Market
What to Expect:
Showcases local artisans and makers
Description:
The Buffalo Holiday Market transforms downtown into a bustling hub of creativity. Local artisans and makers showcase their unique wares, from hand-crafted jewelry to artisanal foods. The market's roots trace back to Buffalo's rich history of craftsmanship and entrepreneurship. Visitors can participate in interactive workshops to learn traditional craft techniques. The aroma of freshly baked goods wafts through the air, enticing shoppers to explore further. This event celebrates the city's vibrant maker community and offers a platform for small businesses to thrive during the holiday season.
Website:
Buffalo Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra Holiday Pops Concert
What to Expect:
Combines classical and popular holiday music
Description:
The Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra's Holiday Pops Concert blends classical masterpieces with beloved seasonal tunes. This musical extravaganza showcases the orchestra's versatility, as they effortlessly transition from Tchaikovsky to modern holiday hits. The concert features guest vocalists and a surprise appearance by a local children's choir. You'll be transported by the rich, resonant tones of the full orchestra filling Kleinhans Music Hall, an architectural gem known for its superior acoustics. This annual tradition has been a cornerstone of Buffalo's cultural calendar for decades, bringing together music lovers of all ages.
Website:
Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra Holiday Pops Concert
Buffalo Other Holiday Activities
Jingle Bell Run
What to Expect:
Combines fitness with holiday-themed costumes
Description:
The Jingle Bell Run invigorates the holiday season with a dash of fitness and fun. Participants don festive attire and jingle bells as they sprint through Buffalo's scenic streets. This event uniquely blends physical activity with holiday spirit, encouraging runners to dress as their favorite seasonal characters. Along the route, local musicians perform upbeat holiday tunes, creating a lively atmosphere. You can participate in the "Best Dressed Runner" contest, showcasing your creative costume. The run's course highlights Buffalo's architectural gems, passing by historic landmarks and offering runners a tour of the city's rich heritage.
Website:
First Night Buffalo
What to Expect:
Alcohol-free New Year's Eve celebration with diverse performances
Description:
First Night Buffalo ushers in the New Year with a vibrant, alcohol-free celebration showcasing the city's diverse cultural landscape. This event stands out for its eclectic mix of performances, from classical music to avant-garde theater. Visitors can participate in interactive art installations scattered throughout downtown venues. The celebration draws inspiration from Buffalo's history as a melting pot of cultures, featuring performances that reflect this rich heritage. You'll be captivated by the variety of entertainment options, including fire dancers, ice sculptors, and street performers. The event culminates in a unique "Buffalo Ball Drop," a local twist on the Times Square tradition.
Website:
Nearby Events
Fairgrounds Festival of Lights (Hamburg)
What to Expect:
Drive-through light display with synchronized music
Description:
The Fairgrounds Festival of Lights illuminates the night with a dazzling drive-through experience. As you cruise through the fairgrounds, synchronized music accompanies the twinkling displays, creating a symphony of light and sound. This event pays homage to the area's agricultural heritage, with many displays featuring farm-themed elements. Visitors can tune their car radios to a special station for the full immersive experience. The festival has evolved from a small community event to a beloved regional tradition, drawing families from across Western New York to marvel at the intricate light sculptures and animated scenes.
Website:
Fairgrounds Festival of Lights
Rochester Holiday Market (Rochester)
What to Expect:
Focuses on sustainable and eco-friendly gifts
Description:
Rochester's Holiday Market stands out for its commitment to sustainability. Vendors offer an array of eco-friendly and ethically sourced gifts, from upcycled fashion to zero-waste home goods. The market's layout is inspired by traditional European Christmas markets, creating a charming atmosphere. Visitors can engage in a "green gift-wrapping" workshop, learning techniques to reduce holiday waste. The event takes place in the historic Public Market district, blending modern environmental consciousness with the area's long-standing tradition of community commerce. Local food trucks serve up seasonal specialties, emphasizing locally sourced ingredients.
Website:
Niagara Falls Winter Festival of Lights (Niagara Falls)
What to Expect:
Illuminates natural wonders and historic sites
Description:
The Niagara Falls Winter Festival of Lights transforms the world-famous natural wonder into a breathtaking nocturnal spectacle. This event uniquely combines the illumination of the falls with light displays throughout the surrounding parklands and historic sites. Visitors can embark on a guided "Lights and Legends" tour, exploring the illuminated landscapes while learning about the region's rich history. The festival draws inspiration from the area's Indigenous heritage, incorporating traditional symbols and stories into its displays. As you stroll along the Niagara Parkway, the mist from the falls creates an ethereal atmosphere, adding to the visual splendor.
Website:
Niagara Falls Winter Festival of Lights
Hamburg Christmas Parade (Hamburg)
What to Expect:
Incorporates local history and folklore
Description:
Hamburg's Christmas Parade marches through time, blending holiday cheer with local history and folklore. Floats and performers bring to life scenes from the town's past, including nods to its industrial heritage and agricultural roots. The parade route winds through the historic village center, passing by buildings that have stood for over a century. Spectators can join in the "Hamburg Trivia Challenge," answering questions about local history as the parade passes by. The event culminates with a unique tradition: the lighting of the Hamburg Water Tower, a beloved local landmark that serves as the town's unofficial Christmas tree.
Website:
Lewiston Christmas Walk (Lewiston)
What to Expect:
Recreates a 19th-century Christmas experience
Description:
Lewiston's Christmas Walk transports visitors to a 19th-century yuletide celebration. The historic village comes alive with period-costumed interpreters, horse-drawn carriage rides, and traditional crafts demonstrations. This event uniquely focuses on authenticity, meticulously recreating the sights and sounds of a bygone era. Visitors can try their hand at candle-dipping, a common 19th-century holiday activity. The air is filled with the aroma of roasting chestnuts and mulled cider, evoking the sensory experiences of the past. Lewiston's role in the Underground Railroad is subtly woven into the event, with historical vignettes highlighting this important aspect of local history.
Website:
Deck the Halls at East Aurora (East Aurora)
What to Expect:
Celebrates the town's Arts and Crafts movement heritage
Description:
East Aurora's Deck the Halls event pays homage to the town's rich Arts and Crafts movement heritage. The celebration centers around the Roycroft Campus, a National Historic Landmark, where artisans showcase traditional craftsmanship techniques. Visitors can observe demonstrations of woodworking, printmaking, and metalwork, all inspired by the Roycroft style. The event features a unique "Handmade Ornament Exchange," where participants can trade their own creations. East Aurora's Main Street, lined with historic buildings, is adorned with period-appropriate decorations, creating an immersive experience that transports you back to the early 20th century.
Website:
Christmas in the Country (Hamburg)
What to Expect:
Showcases rural holiday traditions and crafts
Description:
Christmas in the Country celebrates the rustic charm and traditions of rural Western New York. This event uniquely focuses on agricultural heritage, featuring demonstrations of traditional farm crafts and skills. Visitors can participate in a hands-on workshop to create their own evergreen wreath using locally sourced materials. The event takes place on a historic farmstead, allowing guests to explore restored 19th-century buildings decorated for the holidays. Local storytellers share tales of rural Christmases past, preserving the oral history of the region. The air is filled with the scent of fresh-baked pies made from heirloom apple varieties grown on nearby orchards.
Website:
Dickens Christmas in Skaneateles (Skaneateles)
What to Expect:
Interactive street theater based on Charles Dickens' works
Description:
Dickens Christmas in Skaneateles brings 19th-century London to life on the shores of Skaneateles Lake. This immersive event features costumed actors portraying characters from Charles Dickens' novels, interacting with visitors throughout the village. Guests can join in a lively game of "Chase the Pudding," a Victorian-era holiday tradition. The event pays homage to the village's own Victorian heritage, with many activities taking place in and around historic buildings. Street performers recreate the sights and sounds of a Dickensian Christmas, from carolers to chestnut vendors. The lakeside setting adds a unique backdrop to this literary-inspired celebration.
Website:
Dickens Christmas in Skaneateles
Kenan Center Holiday House Tour (Lockport)
What to Expect:
Showcases historic homes with period-specific decorations
Description:
The Kenan Center Holiday House Tour offers a glimpse into the past through meticulously decorated historic homes. This event uniquely focuses on authenticity, with each house adorned in decorations specific to its architectural period. Visitors can explore the evolution of holiday traditions through the centuries as they move from home to home. The tour includes the Kenan House, a stunning example of Victorian architecture, where you can learn about 19th-century holiday customs. Local historians provide insights into the families who once lived in these homes, connecting holiday traditions to the area's social history. The tour culminates with a display of vintage Christmas cards, showcasing the changing aesthetics of holiday greetings over time.
Website:
Kenan Center Holiday House Tour