The weather is finally beautiful, and it’s time to get excited for all of the upcoming concerts this summer.

Whether you’re a fan of rock, country, rap or anything in between, you’ll find a show that suits your interests over the next few months. With several outdoor venues around Buffalo and Niagara Falls, there are plenty of chances to enjoy the weather and great music with a cold drink in your hand.

Here are some of the top shows to check out this summer.

Buffalo Concert Venues & Schedule

AKG Art Museum

May 28: Rockin’ at the Buffalo AKG

The summer concert season kicks off May 28 with the return of Rockin’ at the Buffalo AKG, formerly “Rockin’ at the Knox.” The concert will take place on the Great Lawn on the Buffalo AKG Art Museum’s beautiful recently expanded grounds. The event is headlined by psychedelic musical trio Khruangbin, featuring special guest John Carroll Kirby, a pianist and composer.

As one of the city’s most iconic landmarks, the AKG Museum is known for its renowned collections of modern and contemporary artwork, making it an ideal setting for a celebratory night of music and art. Doors open at 6pm, so don’t miss this once-a-year event.

Artpark

Located in Lewiston, NY, Artpark is known for its lively outdoor summer concerts. Featuring a 10,000 person-capacity Outdoor Amphitheater atop the Niagara River Gorge, along with a main stage theater that seats 2,400 and has space for 2,000 patrons on the lawn, the park attracts a wide variety of popular artists to Western New York each summer.  Door openings and start times vary by act, so be sure to check the Artpark website for the most up-to-date details and to buy tickets. Prices increase the week of the show, so get yours ASAP for the best price and selection.

Here’s the exciting lineup for May through September.

Amphitheater Concerts:

• May 31: Los Lonely Boys
• June 22: Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue
• June 28: Dispatch
• July 1: Orville Peck
• July 19: Train
• July 22: The Flaming Lips
• July 24: Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo
• July 29: Two Door Cinema Club
• July 30: Slash – S.E.R.P.E.N.T. Festival
• August 10: Backroads Blues Festival
• August 11: Gin Blossoms + Toad The Wet Sprocket
• August 13: Stray Cats
• August 16: Blues Traveler + Big Head Todd And The Monsters
• August 17: Bush
• August 27: O.A.R.
• August 29: Cole Swindell

Main Stage Theater Shows:

• May 25: Gary Clark Jr.
• June 18: Sarah McLachlan
• June 21: Bonnie Raitt
• July 6: Norah Jones
• July 14: Puccini’s Greatest: A Gala Opera Concert
• July 16: Jamey Johnson
• August 3: The Machine With The Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra
• August 20: Tedeschi Trucks Band
• August 28: TESLA
• September 7: Cage The Elephant

Darien Lake Performing Arts Center

Darien Lake is known for hosting some of the country’s biggest musical artists, making it Western New York’s must-visit concert venue each summer. Located about 40 minutes from Buffalo, the amphitheater has a capacity of 21,600, with 6,410 seats under the pavilion and plenty of space on the grass behind. The lawn is general admission and first come, first served, so get there early for the best views.

Here are the top acts headlining Darien Lake this summer. You can check start times and get tickets to all of the Darien Lake concerts on Live Nation’s website.

• Jun 8: HARDY
• Jun 22: Niall Horan
• Jun 25: James Taylor & His All-Star Band
• Jun 27: Kenny Chesney
• Jul 3: Third Eye Blind with special guest Yellowcard
• Jul 5: Janet Jackson
• Jul 7: Kidz Bop Live 2024
• Jul 11: Chris Stapleton
• Jul 12: Red Hot Chili Peppers
• Aug 1: Jason Aldean
• Aug 6: The Queens Of R&B: Xscape & SWV
• Aug 20: Avril Lavigne
• Aug 22: New Kids On The Block With Paula Abdul & DJ Jazzy Jeff
• Sep 6: Pitbull
• Sep 10: Falling In Reverse
• Sep 12: ZZ Top & Lynyrd Skynyrd
• Sep 17: Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, John Mellencamp: Outlaw Music Festival
• Sep 27: Creed

Buffalo Outer Harbor

The Outer Harbor is one of Buffalo’s most picturesque concert venues. Nothing says summer like grabbing a drink and listening to fantastic music along the waterfront. And this year will be better than ever with the recent opening of the Terminal B Event Center, where all of the concerts will be held. As part of this project, an existing 100,000-square-foot enclosed structure was converted into an open-air structure with a canopied stage overlooking Lake Erie.

Come check out one of these popular national acts while enjoying the breeze along the waterfront. Tickets are available on the Outer Harbor’s website.

• May 24: Chappell Roan
• June 14: Brothers Osborne
• June 15: Lil Yachty
• June 16: A Day to Remember
• July 9: Counting Crows
• July 11: The Tea Party & Headstones
• July 17: moe.
• July 18: Brett Young
• August 6: Sad Summer Festival (with Mayday Parade, The Wonder Years, WeTheKings, and more)
• August 7: Ice Nine Kills & In This Moment
• August 9: Primus & Coheed and Cambria
• September 17: Lake Street Dive

Additional Downtown Concerts

Keybank Center

• June 15: Lionel Richie with Earth, Wind & Fire
• August 11: Heart with special guest Cheap Trick
• October 6: Jelly Roll
• October 21: Justin Timberlake

Sahlen Field

• Jun 21: Toyota Taste of Country – Old Dominion with Jon Pardi, Chris Janson, Chayce Beckham and Shaboozey