It’s the most wonderful time of the year – to be in Buffalo! Here in the 716, we don’t just get through our winters. We embrace them! Come December, the city comes alive with a full schedule of festive events to enjoy. While they’re all equally entertaining, it’s not Christmas in Buffalo until you do these 9 enchanting things.

1. Go curling at Canalside.
44 Prime St, Buffalo, NY 14202, USA
Canalside Buffalo - Facebook
Buffalo is NOT Canada, but we're close enough to appreciate some of their favorite activities! Try your hand at curling at Canalside to ring in the Christmas season.
2. Ride ice bikes.
44 Prime St, Buffalo, NY 14202, USA
2017 Canalside Holiday Celebration & Tree Lighting - Facebook
Speaking of Canalside... ice bikes are all the rage in Buffalo during the winter. Even good ol' St. Nick likes taking a spin every once in awhile!
3. Ice skate at Rotary Rink.
20 Fountain Plz, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
Rotary Rink at Fountain Plaza - Facebook
We've mentioned our love for this skating rink before, and we're here to say it again. Rotary Rink is one of the most festive places to enjoy downtown. Lace up the skates and enjoy a day of family fun!
4. Watch a free Christmas movie at the Aurora Theatre.
673 Main St, East Aurora, NY 14052, USA
The Aurora Theatre and Popcorn Shop - Facebook
The kids will love this one for the entertainment, and you'll love it because it's free! Take a trip out to East Aurora to watch a Christmas flick inside this historic theatre. Get your showtimes here!
5. Fill up on Polish Christmas Cookies at The Broadway Market.
The Broadway Market - Facebook
More on this local gem to come, but in the meantime... mark your calendars to check out The Broadway Market during Christmastime. This place is famous for their Easter celebrations, but we promise the winter holiday season is just as special!
6. Take a toboggan ride at Chestnut Ridge.
6121 Chestnut Ridge Rd, Orchard Park, NY 14127, USA
Erie County Parks, Recreation & Forestry - Facebook
Chestnut Ridge is a must-do during any Buffalo winter. But there's something especially magical about shooting down the toboggan hills during the Christmas season!
7. Stock up on sponge candy!
3208 Main St, Buffalo, NY 14214, USA
ejpjr photography/Google Maps
Buffalonians and native Western New Yorkers cross their fingers each Christmas that Santa will fill their stockings with sponge candy! If you can't wait for the big day, you can take matters into your own hands with a visit to Parkside Candy Co.
8. Shop on Elmwood.
Elmwood Village, Buffalo, NY, USA
Elmwood Village - Facebook
There's always something to do in the Elmwood Village, and Christmastime is no exception! Stroll along Elmwood to shop for great gifts. It's always better to check names off your lists with Buffalo-centric items!
9. Attend a tree lighting celebration.
Buffalo, NY, USA
Rotary Rink at Fountain Plaza - Facebook
Several towns and villages around Buffalo celebrate the start of the Christmas season with tree lighting celebrations. Mark your calendars to attend your local tree lighting to spark your holiday spirit!

What are your favorite things to do in Buffalo to prepare for Christmas? Have you been to the one place in Buffalo where it’s Christmas year-round? Share the best ways to spread Queen City Christmas cheer in the comments below!

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Christmas Is A Blast In And Around Buffalo

William Suphan | October 27, 2022

What are the best Christmas light displays in Buffalo?

Buffalo is replete with lovely light displays the whole family will marvel at. Powers Lights in the Lancaster neighborhood is a house where the lights are set to music and they put on shows every night during the holiday season. The Fairgrounds Festival of Lights is an awesome light display that you can either drive or walk through and it is absolutely a must-see. The Christmas Spirit is alive at StonyBrook Shines for Others which is a magical light display that raises money for various children's charities all over the state.

What are the best holiday festivals near Buffalo?

The Larkinville Ice Festival at Larkin Square will fill you with joy and Christmas cheer as you sled down their huge sledding hill and then enjoy a hot chocolate with a toppings bar. The Seneca Street area has a Bavarian Winterfest with traditional German fare and Hydraulic Hearth has live music. The North Pole Experience at the Fairgrounds Festival of Lights is like a Christmas movie coming to life with Santa's Elves busy making toys, a whole array of lovely decorations, and the Kandy Kane Holiday Magic Show that the kids will simply adore.

What are the fun and festive ways people in Buffalo celebrate the holidays?

Buffalo has its own creative and intriguing ways to celebrate the holiday season. Locals dress up as Santa and gather together for SantaCon where they do a downtown bar crawl and fill the streets with festive cheer. The Polish community holds the Forgotten Buffalo Tours where you can visit Polish taverns around town and try traditional food and drink. Then, if you're really brave, join in on the Polar Plunge where locals jump into the icy waters of Lake Erie.

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