Western NY 2026 Event Calendar
2026 is bringing plenty of events to Western New York to keep you having fun. We've put them all together so you know the best places to enjoy the 716!
There are always things to do here in Buffalo: festivals, parties music, drinks, food, and good times. Check out all the great things going on this year!
Sleigh Ride
Sleigh and Wagon Rides at Chautauqua
- Saturdays and Sundays from January 3 – February 22, 1–3 PM
- Chautauqua Institution, 10 Roberts St, Chautauqua, NY 14722
- This winter, join Chautauqua Institution for a festive, family-friendly adventure as our seasonal sleigh and wagon rides return!
- Tickets are available day-of only at the Chautauqua Bookstore. No presale tickets or reservations are available.
- $5 for adults and youth ages 13 and older
$3 for children ages 2–12 - https://www.tourchautauqua.com/events/sleigh-and-wagon-rides-at-chautauqua
Ice skating
- January 15 – 18, 2026
- Tonawanda, NY 14150
- Winterfest is back in Tonawanda with plenty of events to keep the fun going all weekend. Fireworks, ice skating, mini golf, contests, music, dancing, food, drinks and more family fun. Full schedule with details available at:
- https://www.tonawanda.ny.us/youth-parks-recreation/winterfest/177-winterfest.html
- January 16 – 18, 2026
- Ellicottville, NY 14731
- A weekend full of the best blues bands in the region! Come down and shake off those winter blues as the village is filled with music.
- https://www.ellicottvilleny.com/events/winter-blues-weekend
- January 16, 2026, 5 PM – 9 PM
- Fredonia, NY 14063
- Festivals Fredonia, Inc. is proud to announce an introduction to ice wine from the Lake Erie region, with an evening at The White Inn, and Coughlan’s Pub, featuring 21 Brix Winery, Mazza Vineyards and Johnson Estate Winery, chefs, Devin Jones (The White Inn), Matt Pantano (Coughlan’s Pub), Andrew Smith (Angry Squirrel) Phil McMullen (Edwards Waterhouse Inn) including desserts from Chai’s Chocolates & Gifts, Butterlow Cafe & Patisserie & Om Nohm Gluten Free Bakery.
- https://www.facebook.com/events/828766033255067
Holiday market
- January 24, 2026, 2 PM – 5 PM
- 25 Pine St, East Aurora, NY 14052
- WNY's premier celebration of winter and barrel aged beers returns to 42 North Brewery's East Aurora campus. This unique indoor/outdoor event will also feature live music, vendors, and a chance to meet some of the industry's best brewers, including 42 North, Jack's Abby, Eli Fish, Wild East, Brewery Ommegang, 1911, Meier's Creek, Drowned Lands, Brewery Ardennes, Prison City, and more!
- Price $43.80 - $54.75
- https://www.universe.com/events/barrel-jam-vi-tickets-Q12NC7
- January 24, 2026, 10 AM – 4 PM
- Jamestown, NY 14701
- Doors Open Jamestown is a FREE admission day at local museums and attractions. It's designed to let area residents see our community as visitors often see us. It's purposely held at what would otherwise be a slow time of year for museums and attractions.
- https://chautauquanycoc.weblinkconnect.com/events/Doors-Open-Jamestown-5072/details
Ice skating
- January 31, 2026
- Canalside, Tonawanda, NY 14150
- This all-day event in Canalside features a variety of cold-weather activities for the whole family, including ice skating, ice carving demonstrations, and snow sculptures.
- https://buffalowaterfront.com/events/special-event-saturdays
13th Annual Buffalo Groundhog Day
- January 31, 2026, 12 PM – 5 PM
- Banshee Irish Pub, 257 Franklin St, Buffalo, NY 14202
- Your ticket includes entry to two floors of partying, one drink token, live music from Ed Wyner (of Nerds Gone Wild), an upstairs DJ set featuring John Buns, prizes, raffles, and of course, our annual weather prognostication from the only 100% accurate weather predicting groundhog, Buffalo Bert, and more! *FIRST 100 PEOPLE RECEIVE AN ENGRAVED LIMITED EDITION PINT GLASS*
- Price $23.18
- https://www.facebook.com/events/1926972104832186
Lake Erie Wine Country - Wine & Chocolate Weekends
- February 6 – 8, 13 – 15 & 20 – 22, 2026
- Fridays 12 PM – 5 PM
Saturdays 10 AM – 5 PM
Sundays 10 AM – 4 PM - Lake Erie Wine Country
- Come join us in Lake Erie Wine Country for wine pairings and tastings that will bring some warmth to your Winter. Your ticket entitles you to one tasting at each winery. You are welcome to visit on any or all three of the featured weekends, so you can relax and allow yourself time to enjoy each winery you visit. You will also receive a voucher for $10 on a purchase of wine or merchandise.
- Our Wine Tasting tickets sell for $45.
- https://www.lakeeriewinecountry.org/events
- February 7, 2026
- VIP 12 – 4 PM
GA 1: 1 – 4 PM
GA 2: 5:30 – 8:30 PM - Buffalo Convention Center, 153 Franklin Street, Buffalo, NY 14202
- New York’s largest craft beer festival with 75+ breweries, live bands, food & all the good vibes you expect from a Buffalo celebration, this is the can’t-miss event of the season.
- 150+ Craft beers, ciders, seltzers, meads, mocktails, & MORE
- A FREE souvenir tasting glass
- Live music by BOOMERANG and HAIR NATION
- Snag your tickets at BuffaloOnTap.com or Consumer’s Beverages and get ready for an unforgettable day in the Nickel City!
- BuffaloOnTap.com
- February 12 – 14, 2026, 5 – 9 PM
- Chautauqua Harbor Hotel, 10 Dunham Avenue, Celoron, NY 14720
- Bundle up and step into the winter wonderland. Over 40,000 pounds of ice carved into breathtaking ice sculptures, martini luges and even bars! Warm up indoors with light hors d'oeuvres, chili and chowder. There will be great music and lots of fun! The evening ends with a blaze of color as fireworks streak across the sky. It all makes for an amazing and unforgettable night! No one under 21 admitted. Room and ticket packages available.
- https://www.thechautauquaharborhotel.com/experiences/fire-ice
- February 13 – 15, 2026
- Lakeside Park, 50 W. Lake Rd., Mayville, NY 14757
- Join us for our annual Mayville Winter Festival held on the shores of Chautauqua Lake. We are currently planning for a fun winter weekend, so make sure and follow us!
- Live Music, Food trucks, Horse-drawn Wagon Rides, Fireworks, Off-site craft show at Chautauqua Suites and Much more!
- https://www.facebook.com/events/807494542319608
- February 21, 2026, 12 PM – 3:30 PM
- 171 Knox Rd, East Aurora, NY 14052
- Bring your skis, your snowshoes, your hiking boots and your friends to traverse a scenic 2.5 course and, along the way, sample some of 42 North's craft creations.
- Afterwards, swing by the 42 North taproom for the after party, featuring live music and grab a complimentary coffee stout. A portion of ticket proceeds benefit The Friends of Knox Farm State Park for their continued maintenance and improvements to the park.
- https://www.universe.com/events/42-north-presents-brewski-2026-tickets-KN1GLR
- February 21, 2026, 4 – 7 PM (Early Entry Admission Hour: 3 – 4 PM)
- THE POWERHOUSE, 140 Lee St, Buffalo, NY 14210
- Samples of 150+ types of whiskey, An official branded tasting glass to take home, Whiskey cocktails from great brands and more!
- https://whiskeyriot.com/buffalo-ny
- February 21, 2026
- The Buffalo Irish Center, 245 Abbott Road, Buffalo, NY 14220
- Hey snow and music lovers! Gear up for the coolest in-person event of the winter –the 6th Annual SNOW JAM 2026! Join us for epic vibes, awesome music, and snowy fun you won't forget. With performances by Johnny Hart and the Mess, Grosh, Letter to Elise, Pocketship and Tsavo Highway this is the spot to be this winter! Don't miss out on the chillest jam around – bring your crew and let's make some frosty memories together!
- https://www.eventbrite.com/e/snow-jam-2026-tickets-1978356398243
hot rod
- Fri, Feb 27, 4:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Sat, Feb 28, 10:00 am - 9:00 pm
Sun, Mar 1, 10:00 am - 5:00 pm - The Event Center at The Fairgrounds, 5820 South Park Avenue, Hamburg, NY 14075
- Dive into the roots of hot rod culture with traditional customs and classic cars. Non-stop live music rocking the halls all weekend long. Catch the stylish and fierce annual Pin-Up Contest! A portion of the proceeds from the show supports The Buffalo Autism Project. You get to see amazing cars and help a great local cause. Adults: $18 / Kids 12 & Under: FREE!
- https://cavalcadeofcars.com/index.html#top
2026 Brewer’s Invitational: a VIP Beer Festival
- February 28, 2026, 2 PM – 5 PM
- 245 Windward Rd, Orchard Park, NY 14127
- Celebrate the creativity happening in Western New York's thriving craft beer scene while enjoying unique beers brewed especially for the Craft lover! Guests will receive a commemorative 2026 Brewer's Invitational glass, a gift card for NYBP's gastropub menu, and access to creative Craft beers and one offs not available anywhere else! Mingle with brewers, Brewery owners, and fellow beer lovers at this small intimate celebration of the creativity in Craft in WNY.
- https://www.facebook.com/events/794473340311964/
- April 28, 2026, 5 PM
- Center for the Arts, University at Buffalo, 100 Coventry Road, Buffalo 14228
- FREE and OPEN to the public.
- Spring into Art brings together and showcases the diverse talents of the artists and creators across the arts at UB. Enjoy dance, music and musical theatre performances. Visit art exhibitions and installations, and wall murals. View films and media installations. Student Art Sale. Printmaking station. Enjoy FREE Refreshments as you mingle with fellow art enthusiasts, creators, and performers (while supplies last).
- https://www.ubcfa.org/events-exhibitions/special-events/spring-into-art-2026.html
Artist
2025 YMCA Turkey Trot
Photos from 2025 YMCA Turkey Trot
Gallery Credit: Weston Young
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