When the snow is finally finished flying and the temperatures warm up, residents of Buffalo, NY can’t wait to get outside and take part in the many activities going on downtown and in the suburbs. The best part of these activities – many of them are free!
One of the most anticipated freebies every year in Buffalo is Shakespeare in the Park, which takes place in Delaware Park on Shakespeare Hill. Since 1976, this summer tradition has grown to become the second-most successful outdoor Shakespeare festival in the country, drawing over 50,000 people each year. Two plays each year are performed mid-June through mid-August, Tuesdays through Sundays at 7:30 p.m.
Each summer finds a number of fairs and festivals throughout Buffalo and its suburbs, many of which offer free events. The Old Home Days celebration in early July in Williamsville (Town of Amherst) features a parade on the first night of the festival (usually a Tuesday) along Main St. in the Village, as well as performances from local bands throughout the week at Island Park. The Town of Amherst also features concerts from a wide range of local musicians at venues throughout the Town each summer.
Another great place to find free entertainment each summer is Canal Fest of the Tonawandas, which takes place on both sides of the Erie Canal in Tonawanda and North Tonawanda. Free events include the annual parade, car cruise, “Diaper Derby,” the grand finale fireworks, and a number of concerts each day during the eight-day festival.
Our local professional sports teams offer some free events each year for fans. The NFL’s Buffalo Bills open up their training camp each July to fans free of charge; these practices are held at St. John Fisher College, a short drive from Buffalo just outside Rochester, NY. The NHL’s Buffalo Sabres host a number of free events for fans each season, including their annual Draft Party and a season-opening party as well; most of their practices are open to the public, during training camp and during the regular season.
One of the best “free” things to do every summer in Buffalo is taking in one of the “free” concerts in any of the great outdoor venues we have (I would like to clarify that, in this case, “free” refers to admission to the concert; parking is often in a paid ramp or lot, but at roughly $3 to $10 per car, still a bargain for a nationally-known act). The top venues for outdoor concerts in the area are Artpark in nearby Lewiston, NY (near Niagara Falls) on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, Lafayette Square in downtown Buffalo for Thursday at the Square, the Ulrich City Centre in nearby Lockport, NY for the Molson Canal Concerts on Fridays, and Gateway Park in North Tonawanda on Saturdays.
Sources: shakespeareindelawarepark.org
oldhomedays.org
canalfest.org
training camp index, buffalobills.com
sabres.nhl.com
outdoor concert calender, artpark.net
Thursday at the Square, buffaloplace.com
Molson Canal Cocnert Series, canalconcerts.com
northtonawanda.org
