Ready for holiday magic, Cheektowaga? Our guide is packed with must-see events and activities. Whether you're a familiar face or a fresh visitor, our guide unlocks the holiday treasures of Cheektowaga.
Experience the twinkling lights and festive displays at The Fairgrounds Festival of Lights, a perennial favorite. Celebrate the city’s unique charm during First Night Buffalo, which features family-friendly entertainment and a dazzling fireworks display. And the Christmas in the Park event is something you definitely don't want to miss, with its enchanting winter wonderland setting. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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The Top Christmas Events in Cheektowaga
See these and even more events listed below!Nearby Events
Christmas in the Park (Lancaster)
What to Expect:
Interactive light displays in a historic village setting
Description:
Lancaster's Como Lake Park transforms into a twinkling winter spectacle. Visitors stroll through a recreated 19th-century village, where interactive light displays bring history to life. The air fills with the aroma of roasted chestnuts as you explore period-accurate buildings. This event uniquely blends education and holiday cheer, showcasing Lancaster's rich heritage. Participate in a candle-dipping workshop to create your own festive souvenir. The park, established in 1923, has been a community gathering place for generations.
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First Night Buffalo (Buffalo)
What to Expect:
Alcohol-free New Year's Eve celebration for families
Description:
Buffalo rings in the New Year with a family-friendly twist. This alcohol-free celebration bursts with energy as live performances, interactive art installations, and cultural exhibits take over the city. Children's laughter echoes through the halls as they engage in hands-on science experiments. You'll discover Buffalo's diverse community reflected in the event's multicultural offerings. First Night Buffalo, initiated in 1989, pioneered the concept of inclusive New Year's festivities in Western New York.
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The Fairgrounds Festival of Lights (Hamburg)
What to Expect:
Drive-through light display with themed sections
Description:
Hamburg's fairgrounds ignite with a dazzling drive-through experience. Themed sections transport visitors from underwater realms to outer space, all adorned with twinkling lights. The gentle hum of car engines mingles with holiday tunes as families cruise through the displays. Stop at Santa's workshop to drop off your wish list. This event, held at the historic Erie County Fairgrounds, continues a tradition that began in 1868 with the first county fair.
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The Fairgrounds Festival of Lights
Buffalo Zoo Holiday Lights (Buffalo)
What to Expect:
Animal-themed light displays and nocturnal animal viewing
Description:
Buffalo Zoo illuminates winter nights with a wild twist. Animal-shaped light sculptures guide visitors through the park, offering a unique after-dark zoo experience. Nocturnal creatures stir in their habitats, providing rare glimpses of nighttime animal behavior. Learn about wildlife conservation efforts while admiring the glowing displays. The zoo, founded in 1875, is the third oldest in the United States and continues to innovate with this nighttime event.
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Shea's Performing Arts Christmas Shows (Buffalo)
What to Expect:
Performances in a restored 1920s movie palace
Description:
Shea's Theatre dazzles audiences with holiday performances in a meticulously restored 1920s movie palace. The ornate interior transports you to the golden age of cinema as world-class acts take the stage. The acoustics amplify every note of seasonal melodies. Arrive early to admire the theater's Tiffany-designed interior and learn about its place in Buffalo's architectural history. Shea's, opened in 1926, stands as a testament to the city's rich cultural heritage.
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Shea's Performing Arts Christmas Shows
Hamburg Holiday Parade (Hamburg)
What to Expect:
Parade featuring local marching bands and community floats
Description:
Hamburg's streets come alive with the rhythmic beats of local marching bands during this spirited holiday parade. Community-designed floats showcase the town's creativity and holiday spirit. The aroma of hot cocoa wafts through the air as spectators line the route. Join in the fun by decorating a gingerbread cookie at one of the street-side stations. This parade, a Hamburg tradition since the 1950s, reflects the strong community bonds that have shaped the town's identity.
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East Aurora Carolcade (East Aurora)
What to Expect:
Community-wide caroling event in a historic village setting
Description:
East Aurora's Vidler's 5 & 10 serves as the backdrop for a harmonious community gathering. Hundreds of voices unite in song, filling the air with classic carols. Candlelight flickers as participants move through the historic village streets. You can pick up a songbook and join the chorus, becoming part of this living tradition. The Carolcade, initiated in 1972, has become a cherished event that embodies East Aurora's small-town charm and community spirit.
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Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra Holiday Pops (Buffalo)
What to Expect:
Classical orchestra performing holiday favorites with guest artists
Description:
Kleinhans Music Hall resonates with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra's rendition of holiday classics. World-renowned guest artists join the ensemble, elevating familiar tunes to new heights. The conductor's baton weaves a tapestry of sound that envelops the audience. Marvel at the hall's perfect acoustics, designed by the same architects who created the United Nations headquarters. The BPO, founded in 1935, continues to be a cornerstone of Buffalo's cultural scene with this annual tradition.
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Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra Holiday Pops
Christmas Tree Lighting at Canalside (Buffalo)
What to Expect:
Tree lighting ceremony combined with ice skating and waterfront activities
Description:
Buffalo's waterfront ignites as Canalside's towering Christmas tree blazes to life. The ceremony kicks off a night of winter revelry, with ice skating on the adjacent rink and holiday vendors lining the boardwalk. Glide across the ice while admiring the illuminated cityscape reflected in the water. This event takes place at the terminus of the historic Erie Canal, once a bustling commercial hub and now a revitalized urban playground.
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Christmas Tree Lighting at Canalside
Kenmore Christmas Tree Lighting (Kenmore)
What to Expect:
Small-town tree lighting with a focus on community involvement
Description:
Kenmore's village green transforms into a hub of holiday cheer during this intimate tree lighting ceremony. Local school choirs serenade the crowd as anticipation builds for the big moment. The scent of freshly baked cookies from nearby shops wafts through the air. Contribute to the community food drive, a longstanding tradition at this event. Kenmore, incorporated in 1899, maintains its close-knit community spirit through gatherings like this annual celebration.
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Kenmore Christmas Tree Lighting
Holiday Market at Larkin Square (Buffalo)
What to Expect:
Artisanal market in a repurposed industrial space
Description:
Larkin Square buzzes with activity as local artisans and makers showcase their wares in this unique holiday market. The repurposed industrial space provides a distinctive backdrop for browsing handcrafted gifts. Live music from local bands fills the air, creating a lively atmosphere. Sample regional specialties from food trucks parked throughout the square. This event takes place in the heart of Buffalo's Larkin District, once home to the Larkin Soap Company and now a symbol of the city's urban renewal.
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Holiday Market at Larkin Square