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 New York until you do these nine enchanting things.

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What are your favorite Christmas events in Buffalo, New York? 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!

Still need to wrap up your gift list? If you’ve got some intrepid explorers on that list, you can check out our new gift guide for travelers, there are all kinds of exciting items to be found.

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Christmas Is A Blast In And Around Buffalo

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?

Some of the best holiday events near Buffalo include:

  • The Larkinville Ice Festival at Larkin Square, which 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, which 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.