Live music, great food and drinks and more — summer is arguably the best time to visit Niagara Falls USA. Get your fill of fun and warm weather this festival season.
The Niagara Falls festival season makes the most of the warm months and natural beauty of the region. Whether your tastes run toward live music, arts and crafts, food and drink, or history, there’s an event sure to hit the mark. Check out the variety of festivals there are to choose from in the region.
Olcott Mermaid Festival
June 17, 2023
Come flip and frolic in your most magical mermaid finery along Lake Ontario in Olcott! Whether you have kids in tow or are a kid-at-heart, the Olcott Mermaid Festival is the perfect way to spend an afternoon like Ariel. Enjoy a parade, costume contest, and music, as well as activities like a seashell treasure hunt, face painting, hair braiding and more!
Lewiston GardenFest
June 17–18, 2023
Presented by the Lewiston Garden Club in celebration of its 96th anniversary, the Lewiston GardenFest is the perfect place to foster your green thumb. Peruse open gardens, as well as vendor booths from area nurseries, landscapers and garden suppliers on historic Center Street. Take part in demonstrations and listen to noted speakers to learn everything there is to know about gardens. Vote in the Container Garden Contest, which features gardens creatively curated in a variety of funky containers.
Lockport Outdoor Arts & Crafts Festival
June 24–25, 2023
Situated along Main Street in Lockport, the 47th annual Lockport Outdoors Arts & Crafts Festival features over 100 artists, crafts, and food vendors. On Saturday only, visit the nearby Lockport Community Market, open 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and shop a variety of vendors including fresh fruits and veggies, honey and bees wax products, savory relishes, and much more!
Niagara Wine Trail Wine Festival
July 1, 2023
Home to a burgeoning wine region, Niagara Falls is the perfect destination for wine connoisseurs to explore, especially during the Niagara Wine Trail Wine Festival! Sample a variety of local wines from nearly a dozen local wineries at the Niagara Falls Convention Center in downtown Niagara Falls. Tickets include access to shopping from the vendors, tastings from each of the participating wineries, and a keepsake wine glass.
Olcott Pirate Festival
July 7–9, 2023
Yo ho ho! Enjoy a pirate’s life for the weekend at the annual Pirate Festival at Krull Park in Olcott. This weekend is jam-packed with activities and entertainment for all ages, including a parade, car show, live music, vendors, rides, games, and delicious food and drinks.
Artpark Fairy House Festival
July 15, 2023
Now in its 13th year, Artpark’s Fairy House Festival welcomes visitors of all ages to marvel at fairy house creations by professional and community artists. Interact with the whimsical and enchanting Artpark Fairies outfitted in extravagant costume creations. Witness live puppetry, orchestra and music performances, too!
Lewiston Art Festival
August 12–13, 2023
A signature regional event is the Lewiston Art Festival, which is now running for over 50 years. More than 175 artists and fine crafters set up booths where you can shop as well as meet the artists themselves. The annual Chalk Walk Competition is a highlight, while young artists will want to stop by the ArtZone for a Make and Take Activity (they may even see their own work showcased at the College Alley exhibition for high school and college students). Enjoy music and food as a break from taking in all the art!
Lockport Food Fest
August 13, 2023
Attention foodies! Get a taste of Lockport during the most delicious Sunday of the year at the Lockport Food Fest. Featuring diverse local restaurants, food producers from the Lockport Community Farmers Market, live music and a family fun area with games and activities, you are guaranteed to satisfy the entire family (and your appetite).
Northwest Jazz Festival
August 25-26, 2023
The largest free outdoor jazz festival in Western New York, the Northwest Jazz Festival in Lewiston is always a blast. Since 2001, nearly 130 local, regional and national jazz artists come together to perform across five different stages. While you enjoy the live music, taste delicious food from the area’s finest chefs and sip on drinks from local wineries, distilleries and breweries.
War of 1812 Grand Encampment
September 2–3, 2023
History buffs won’t want to miss the War of 1812 Grand Encampment. Immerse yourself into the lives of Fort Niagara’s American garrisons during 1812 and 1813, with musket and cannon firings, living history camps and tactical demonstrations. The encampment is the largest binational 1812 event of the year and one of the largest reenactment weekends at Old Fort Niagara.
Niagara County Peach Festival
September 7-10, 2023
Think parades, pageants, and peaches galore! For the 65th year in a row, the Niagara County Peach Festival will be jam packed with entertainment. This old-fashioned, four-day festival has live music, carnival rides, vendors and of course, food. (Don’t leave without trying the peach shortcake!) Other highlights include the parade, the peach taste-off, and the Peach Fuzz, Peach Blossom, and Peach Queen pageants.
Niagara Falls Blues Festival
September 15-16, 2023
The highly anticipated Niagara Falls Blues Festival has brought fantastic tunes to Old Falls Street in downtown Niagara Falls for the past 14 years. With legendary lineups, tons of food and drink vendors, and a vibrant setting just footsteps from the Falls, this festival will have you singing, dancing and smiling all weekend long.
Niagara Celtic Heritage Festival
September 16-17, 2023
Come celebrate the end of summer – and the Celtic heritage – at the Niagara Celtic Heritage Festival & Highland Games. Wander about the Niagara County Fairgrounds and experience the traditions of Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Delight in live Celtic music, dancers, clans, living historians and vendors. Sports and contests include the stone throw, sheaf toss and caber pole toss, where over 60 athletes from across the United States and Canada compete to win!
View a full list of special events and activities here.
