The Greater Niagara region attracts visitors from around the world. There is, of course, the world-famous wonder that is Niagara Falls, an attraction that everyone should have on their itinerary. Arts and culture are another regional draw. Music and art festivals are wildly popular, independent movie theaters are plentiful, and there is no lack of places to view stunning art and cutting-edge theater. Plus, discover world-class arts and culture in every region of New York State with I LOVE NY’s newly-launched regional map and guides, upcoming calendar of events, and more.
JUMP TO: Visual Arts | Theaters and Performing Arts | Historic Sites and Landmarks | Music and Film | Events and Festivals
Visual Arts
A recent addition to Buffalo’s modern and contemporary art museum added a stunning three-story glass and marble building to the footprint. But even before the existence of the new Gundlach Building, which is connected to the main part of the museum via a glass enclosed walkway, this was a local treasure. Works by Frida Kahlo, Pablo Picasso, Edgar Degas, and Vincent van Gogh are part of the extraordinary collection, one of the most impressive of its kind in North America. Museum renovations also resulted in an indoor town square, free and open year-round, to serve as a community gathering space.
Burchfield Penney Art Center
Works here highlight the distinct style of watercolorist Charles E. Burchfield. The paintings, which often pay homage to Burchfield’s passion for nature, along with an extensive archive of his journals and drawings, and a recreation of his studio, make up the largest public collection of his art. Galleries display his prolific works in frequently rotating exhibits. Also on view are the works of more than 800 artists who are connected to the region. The museum is located on the campus of Buffalo State University.
Buffalo Institute for Contemporary Art
Relatively new on the Buffalo scene is a museum that strives to engage audiences that are often overlooked in more traditional art venues. Since their founding in 2018, the museum has given voice to local and emerging artists who produce innovative, thought-provoking work. Rotating exhibitions are made up of sculpture, clay, drawings, digital art, and more. Admission is free; donations are accepted. The Buffalo Institute for Contemporary Art also publishes Cornelia, a magazine dedicated to visual arts in Greater Niagara and surrounding regions.
Carnegie Art Center
Art here appears in all genres and subject matter. Everything from realism and abstraction to sculptures and mixed media have been part of recent exhibitions, which rotate regularly. Many exhibits feature local artists; there are even occasional shows that highlight work by selected North Tonawanda students. Carnegie Art Center is housed in a historic Neoclassical building that served as a public library for 70 years.
Theaters and Performing Arts
African American Cultural Center
Various components make up a venue in Buffalo dedicated to African American culture and heritage. The Dance & Drum Performance Company offers traditional African drumming lessons to kids and adults; they also perform at community venues. The Paul Robeson Theatre highlights the works of African American playwrights, directors, and actors from Buffalo and surrounding cities. An annual daylong event in August—the Pine Grill Jazz Reunion and Music Festival—celebrates jazz, culture, and community.
Shea’s Buffalo Theatre
Rich colors, lavish chandeliers, and intricate ornaments are all signatures of a Louis C. Tiffany theater. Built in 1926, Shea’s Buffalo is one of the last surviving Tiffany-designed venues. Part of Buffalo’s thriving theater district, the venue brings touring Broadway productions, comedy shows, concerts, Cabaret, dance performances, and much more to its stage. Keep an eye on the calendar for seasonal productions like The Nutcracker.
Artpark
World-class acts deliver entertainment while the Niagara River Gorge provides stunning scenery at this performing arts venue in Lewiston. The outdoor amphitheater recently welcomed such stars as Norah Jones, Bonnie Raitt, and Los Lonely Boys to its stage. Artpark also features several outdoor art installations, and the Artpark Percussion Garden, an interactive display that invites visitors to make their own music.
Riviera Theatre
Since the first film premiered in 1926, the North Tonawanda venue affectionately known as the Riv has undergone millions of dollars’ worth of updates and renovations. A significant beneficiary of these efforts is the Wurlitzer Organ, an instrument original to the theater and intended to create a musical score for silent films. It took decades for the Mighty Wurlitzer to be restored to its original luster and today, once again, it accompanies special silent film screenings. The Riv is also the place to catch concerts, plays, comedic performances, tribute bands, and movies, lending it the nickname “Showplace of the Tonawandas.”
Alleyway Theatre
If you’re in search of fresh new voices, check the seasonal offerings at the Alleyway Theatre. Six productions are featured each season. Most are new and come from both emerging and established playwrights. Their signature Alleyworks series plays a role in finding new talent. Up to seven local writers are invited to showcase their work, which may be at various stages of development. Most resulting sessions, whether a reading, a workshop, or a full production are open to the public. Alleyway Theatre is located in Buffalo’s historic Theater District.
Lancaster Opera House
Love bands that pay homage to the gods of music? Then a night at the Lancaster Opera House is in order! Performers here have replicated music from legends like the Beatles, Chicago, Elton John, and Neil Diamond. And even when tribute bands are not in the spotlight, there’s plenty of entertainment to be had. Plays, musicals, and interactive theater are on the regular schedule of events.
Historic Sites and Landmarks
As industrialization swept across the nation, handcrafted arts were valued less and less. The Arts and Craft Movement of the late 19th century evolved out of a desire to uphold the tradition of handmade fine and decorative arts. Roycroft Campus in East Aurora was founded in this context. Populated by artists and craft workers, or “Roycrofters,” the complex consisted of 14 buildings, including a print shop, inn, and furniture shop. Nine of the original structures remain and the public is welcome to come and learn more about this unique artisan community. Artwork, furniture, stained glass, metalworks, and more from this artistic era in history are on display. For an even more immersive experience, stay at The Roycroft Inn, which opened in 1905 and provided artists and visitors a place to rest.
Kenan Center
A Victorian mansion built in 1850 serves as Lockport’s hub for arts, culture, and recreation. The fine art exhibits at The Kenan House Gallery typically feature works by local and regional artists. Concerts and live theater are frequently performed in the complex’s 153-seat Taylor Theater, and lots of opportunities exist for outdoor recreation.
Music and Film
The Colored Musicians Club & Jazz Museum
Credit: @explorebflo on Instagram
Preserving African American music history is a primary goal at this music and cultural hub. They also infuse the community with jazz. Their Sunday Night Jazz Series invites special musical guests for legendary jam sessions. The club, founded in 1918 as a social club for Buffalo’s African American music community, also hosts additional special events that bring live music to the community. They also play at local and regional jazz festivals and events. In 2023, a major expansion and renovation of their historic East Buffalo building created even more space for performances, programs, and all things jazz.
Watch classic films, new releases, and cult favorites in Art Deco style at one of Buffalo’s grandest movie palaces. Established in 1920, the theater underwent extensive renovations in 2024 to bring it back to its original magnificence. You can’t miss the restored iconic marquee outside while inside, six original murals, inspired by classic mythology, now show off their original vibrance. Residents of Buffalo and beyond can once again lose themselves in the magic of movies at this local treasure. Keep an eye on the calendar for uniquely special events like themed film fests and panel discussions with filmmakers.
Kleinhans Music Hall
Credit: @arch.type on Instagram
Designed by architects Eliel & Eero Saarinen, Kleinhans Music Hall has been praised for its elegance along with its superb acoustics. The venue is home to the renowned Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra. Talented musicians from around the world also perform here, bringing jazz, classical, blues, bluegrass, and more to the Buffalo stage. Lectures, talks, and author events are also on the packed schedule. Make a full evening out of your event by dining at Marcato at Kleinhans. Reservations are available prior to select events.
Grab a comfy spot and settle in for a unique film experience at one of the coolest venues in Amherst! Couches, small tables, bar stools, and theater seats are all up for grabs in a laid-back café setting. Snacks are available for purchase, as are beverages including beer and wine. Catch new releases and iconic classics or come for a poetry reading, live music, or other special event.
Frank Sinatra once crooned on stage and Al Capone played cards in the basement. It was the mid-19th century and the venue was The Town Casino, a restaurant and nightlife hotspot. Renovated and renamed in 2005, The Town Ballroom is still the place to go for a great night out. It is on the touring circuit of lots of popular bands, so music fans can count on frequent concerts. The Town Ballroom is a standing venue; call to request a seat add-on (limited seats available) or to request ADA accommodations.
Events and Festivals
Borderland Music + Arts Festival
Credit: @borderlandfestival on Instagram
An epic weekend (September 13-15, 2024) awaits at this grassroots festival of music, art, and culture! Acclaimed regional and international acts take over the bucolic grounds of Knox Farm State Park in East Aurora. Spend three music-filled days watching more than 25 bands on two stages playing rock, reggae, indie-folk, big band music, and much more. Be sure to check out Artisan Alley and Art Garage, where creative makers set up shop, and give live art demonstrations in painting, wood carving, metal works, and more. Local craft beer and farm-to-table cuisine is sold throughout the festival. Single-day and weekend tickets are available.
The streets of Buffalo’s hip and historic neighborhood of Allentown come alive with art during the second weekend of June. The first Allentown Art Festival happened in 1958 and since then, has grown to welcome hundreds of artists and thousands of art lovers to its annual two-day event. Artists display works in all media, from painting to photography to ceramics to sculpture. The public is welcome to peruse the wonderful works and to mingle with the artists. Art demonstrations, music, and food make this a can’t-miss weekend event!
A professional theater company brings performances to New York’s rural communities every summer. Shake on the Lake spends July and August performing plays by Shakespeare in five New York counties. Performances are fun and fast-paced, and typically include live music. Founded in 2011, Shake on the Lake has grown from performing plays on their home turf of Silver Lake to taking the show on the road for a wider audience to enjoy.
Each summer, SDP presents two works of William Shakespeare, typically one tragedy or history and one comedy, each running 6 nights per week for 3.5 weeks, for a total of 44 performances. For 49 years, SDP has provided Western New York with free outdoor professional theatre and has grown into an anticipated and beloved summer tradition
Beau Fleuve Music & Arts Celebration Weekend
Music and art collide for one glorious day at the historic Buffalo Central Terminal, a gorgeous Art Deco former railroad station. Beau Fleuve is proud of being a cultural touchstone—the emerging musicians that play here are often launched into the public eye soon after. Bands perform on multiple stages throughout the day. The jam-packed day of fun usually happens in late August and includes art installations, a silent disco, street art, films, and so much more. Local food trucks and a beer and wine garden keep you fueled!
Western New York Fiber Arts Festival
Want to learn how to make handspun yarn, weave your very own basket, or work with indigo dyes? Mark your calendar for September 14, 2024, when the WNY Fiber Arts Festival comes to town. If you’d rather watch than take a workshop, you can attend demonstrations in quilting, lace making, knitting, and more. Lots of vendors are on-site to display and sell their handmade fiber arts. The annual WNY Fiber Arts Festival takes place at EA Classic Rink in East Aurora.
Buffalo International Film Festival
Each October (October 10-17, 2024), more than 150 films from over 30 countries are brought to the people of Greater Niagara. The movies range from narrative to documentary to experimental—the thing that ties them together is that they all push the envelope of innovation. Films are shown at Hallwalls Contemporary Art Center, North Park Theatre, and other Buffalo venues. Workshops, seminars, and industry panel discussions are also part of the lineup. BIFF Offscreen is a series of music and art infused events. Tickets for individual films are available. The All-Access Bison Pass will get you into everything.
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