When shining sun and warm days draw neighbors out of hibernation, fleeting summers in Buffalo feel priceless. But as rising costs of everyday essentials from groceries to gas pinch pockets, it is fortunate that summer fun in the Queen City is often free.
It’s a perk of living in a city known for its below-average cost of living and City of Good Neighbors reputation, where individuals and organizations rally to create ways to help and support one another. So, while many people are cutting back on luxuries or extras, they don’t have to eliminate arts, events or adventure.
Many free events in Buffalo have been summer staples for decades—like Shakespeare in Delaware Park. Now in its 51st season, two professional productions showcase imaginative adaptions of Shakespeare plays on an outdoor stage for six weeks every summer.
While there has never been an admission fee for the plays, free access is important now more than ever.
“Being able to come to the park, bring a blanket and experience professional theater together without worrying about ticket prices provides entertainment and a sense of community in challenging economic times,” says Executive Director Lisa Ludwig.
For decades, community-minded companies have also footed the bill for free fun around the city—despite the rising costs corporate sponsors encounter, too.
Since 2011, M&T Bank has covered admission costs and bonus programming at the Buffalo AKG Art Museum on the first Friday of every month. The bank has since expanded its Free Fridays series to include five arts and cultural organizations and paid for more than 47,000 admission tickets in 2025 alone.
“We believe that the bank is only as strong as its community, and a community is strong when it has a robust and accessible arts and cultural landscape,” says Donald Elick, senior vice president and regional manager for the M&T Charitable Foundation. “Shared experiences with neighbors through these events help communities thrive.”
Mark your calendars for these no-cost events and activities in Buffalo this summer.
MUSIC & THEATER
Bidwell Parkway
Concert Series
Tuesdays through Aug. 11, 7 p.m.
Family-friendly live music, perfect for picnics.
KeyBank Live at Larkin
Larkin Square, Wednesdays through Aug. 26, 5-8 p.m.
A variety of local bands; food and drinks for sale.
Parkside Porchfest
July 18, 1-6 p.m.
Musicians, poets, comedians and dancers perform from historic neighborhood porches.
Shakespeare in
Delaware Park
“The Taming of the Shrew:” Tuesdays-Sundays, July 23-Aug. 16, 7 p.m.
Fools and Foes (1-hour touring production at various locations): through Aug. 24, 7 p.m.
Sounds of Buffalo
concert series
July 18, July 31, Aug. 21, 7-9 p.m.
Buffalo Music Club brings local acts to the Outer Harbor Wilkeson Pointe’s beer garden. Food and drinks for sale.
Thursdays & Main
Fountain Plaza, Thursdays
through July 30, 5-8 p.m.
M&T Bank’s10th season of free concerts. Food and drinks for sale.
ART & HISTORY
Arts Access Pass
Free admission to more than 70 arts organizations and events for individuals and families who receive income-based public assistance in WNY.
Locust Street Art
Community-supported free studio and digital art classes for children and adults.
M&T Free Fridays
Year-round, times vary. Free admission and special programming for all ages.
First Fridays at Buffalo AKG Art Museum: buffaloakg.org
Second Fridays at Burchfield Penney Art Center: burchfieldpenney.org
Third Fridays at Buffalo History Museum: buffalohistory.org
Fourth Fridays at Buffalo Arts Studio: buffaloartsstudio.org
GARDENS & TOURS
Buffalo City Hall
Weekdays at noon
See the elaborate art deco interior and take the elevator all the way to the observation deck for 360-degree views of the city.
East Side Garden Walk
July 18 & 19, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
More than 100 gardens include
private homes, community gardens
and urban farms.
Forest Lawn
Dawn-dusk, year-round
Download the app for a self-guided tour featuring the cemetery’s historic memorials and notable residents.
Garden Walk Buffalo
July 25 & 26, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
America’s largest garden tour is a self-guided wander through more than 300 stunning private gardens.
FAMILY & KIDS
Canalside
Free Play Fridays through Aug. 28, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.; an afternoon of play with Explore & More.
Every Person Influences Children (EPIC) Storytime, Wednesdays through Aug. 26,10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Buffalo & Erie County
Public Library
Central Library, times and dates vary
Classes, lectures and tours for kids through seniors include genealogy,
virtual reality experiences, the rare book collection, art classes, journaling, gaming and more.
Buffalo Science Museum
M&T Check it Out Passes
Buffalo & Erie County Public Library card holders can “check out” a pass good for up to four free museum admissions at any of the nine city branches.
Explore & More
Children’s Museum
M&T Fifth Fridays, free admission
on July 31.
ACTIVE & OUTDOOR
Fitness at Canalside
and Wilkeson Pointe
Daily through Aug. 29; times vary
Instructor-led Zumba, Pilates, yoga,
boot camp and more.
Campus Cycling
Collective Road Rides
Every other Wednesday through Aug. 26, 6 p.m.
Group bike rides at a variety of
paces and distances. Rides start at Campus Wheelworks and end at Sports City Pizza Pub.
East Side Bike Club
Saturdays, 10 a.m.
Group bike rides start and end at
MLK Park. Earn-a-bike program for
East Side residents.
Slow Roll Buffalo
Mondays through Oct. 12, 6 p.m.
A mass, no-drop group bike ride at an easy pace; routes and locations vary.
Lakeside Bike Park
Daily, dawn to dusk
Mountain bike tracks for riders of all skill levels and ages.
Tifft Nature Preserve
Daily, dawn til dusk
Just five minutes from downtown is 264 acres of woods, ponds, meadows and wetlands interlaced with five miles of hiking trails.
By Devon Dams-O’ConnorWhen shining sun and warm days draw neighbors out of hibernation, fleeting summers in Buffalo feel priceless. But as rising costs of everyday essentials from groceries to gas pinch pockets, it is fortunate that summer fun in the Queen City is often free.It’s a perk of living in a city known for its below-average cost of living and City of Good Neighbors reputation, where individuals and organizations rally to create ways to help and support one another. So, while many people are cutting back on luxuries or extras, they don’t have to eliminate arts, events or adventure.Many free events in Buffalo have been summer staples for decades—like Shakespeare in Delaware Park. Now in its 51st season, two professional productions showcase imaginative adaptions of Shakespeare plays on an outdoor stage for six weeks every summer. While there has never been an admission fee for the plays, free access is important now more than ever. “Being able to come to the park, bring a blanket and experience professional theater together without worrying about ticket prices provides entertainment and a sense of community in challenging economic times,” says Executive Director Lisa Ludwig.For decades, community-minded companies have also footed the bill for free fun around the city—despite the rising costs corporate sponsors encounter, too. Since 2011, M&T Bank has covered admission costs and bonus programming at the Buffalo AKG Art Museum on the first Friday of every month. The bank has since expanded its Free Fridays series to include five arts and cultural organizations and paid for more than 47,000 admission tickets in 2025 alone. “We believe that the bank is only as strong as its community, and a community is strong when it has a robust and accessible arts and cultural landscape,” says Donald Elick, senior vice president and regional manager for the M&T Charitable Foundation. “Shared experiences with neighbors through these events help communities thrive.”Mark your calendars for these no-cost events and activities in Buffalo this summer.
