Fair Housing Notice 
While the cold may keep you from wanting to leave your house, the promise of a fun winter festival may be enough to get you out and about.
We’ve covered the Christmas festivals in Buffalo & Niagara Falls, but there are plenty of other festivals to enjoy all winter long.
We’ve put together a list of the best festivals around Western New York from December to February so you can start planning now — and have something to look forward to this winter. Many of them will sell out, so be sure to order your tickets ASAP.
December 2017 Festivals
Date & Time: Sat, December 2 & 3, 2017, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Location: East Aurora Middle School, 430 Main Street, East Aurora, 14052
Admission: $1
The 40th Annual Roycroft Winter Festival will feature 35 Roycroft Artisans from across the country displaying their unique homemade art pieces. Designs made of metal, wood, clay, prints, tile, and copper, as well as pieces of handcrafted jewelry make great gifts for the people on your holiday gift list. The event will also feature holiday music and food available for purchase.
The Totally Buffalo ‘716Mas’ Festival
Date & Time: Sat, December 2 & 3, 2017, 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
Location: Buffalo Riverworks, 359 Ganson St., Buffalo, NY 14203
Admission: $5 at the door (Includes a 20% off coupon for items from participating festival vendors); Free for kids ages 5 and under.
Get all of your holiday shopping done while supporting local artisans and businesses at The Totally Buffalo ‘716Mas’ Festival. The festival will feature over 100 local vendors offering unique Buffalo-themed signs, shirts, towels, jewelry, photographs, paintings and more. You can even bring the family — Santa will be on hand all day on both days, along with appearances by Disney princesses, Star Wars characters and live music. KenDev is a sponsor of this awesome event, and portions of the proceeds will go to local charities, so get out and show your support!
SantaCon Buffalo
Date & Time: Sat, December 9, 2017, 1:30 pm – 6:30 pm
Location: Chippewa District, W. Chippewa & Franklin St., Buffalo, NY, 14202, Downtown
Admission: $10 + Toy Donation
If you’re looking for a party, don’t miss SantaCon Buffalo. SantaCon is a mass gathering of people dressed in Santa Claus costumes in streets and bars in cities around the world. Participants are expected to dress up in a Santa costume (the theme is up to you), or something equally Christmas-themed. And it’s for a good cause — all participants must bring a toy donation that will given to a child in need.
January 2018 Festivals
Sausage Fest
Date & Time: Sat, January 20, 2018, 4:00 pm – 1:00 am
Location: Rusty Nickel Brewing Co., 4350 Seneca Street, West Seneca, NY 14224
Admission: Free
Hosted by the Rusty Nickel Brewing Co., the Sausage Fest features a competition to determine which chef serves up the best sausage, with winners in several different categories. The event also features food for purchase, including sausages, as well as plenty of drinks, a campfire, music and games.
4th Annual Larkinville Ice Festival
Date & Time: Sat, January 27, 2018, 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
Location: Larkin Square, 745 Seneca St, Buffalo, NY 14210
Admission: Free
The annual winter festival at the happening Larkin Square features fun for visitors of all ages. Come see the alpacas from Thistle Creek Alpacas, shop in the vendor market, view ice sculptures and take advantage of drink and food specials. Once the festival is over, keep the fun going at neighboring businesses like Flying Bison Brewing Company, Buffalo Distilling Company, Hydraulic Hearth and Swan Street Diner.
Date & Time: Sat, January 27, 2018, 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
Location: Chestnut Ridge Park, 6121 Chestnut Ridge Rd, Orchard Park, NY 14127
Admission: Free
According to the festival’s website, Winterfest 2018 will be held with or without snow and will feature free family activities including sledding, snowshoe hikes, marshmallow roasting, arts & crafts, snow sculpturing, hayrides, wood branding and more. Bring the family, friends or a date and take advantage of everything winter has to offer in the beautiful setting of Chestnut Ridge Park.
February 2018 Festivals
Buffalo Winter Brewfest
Date & Time: Fri, February 2, 2018, 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Location: The Tonawanda Castle; 69 Delaware Street, Tonawanda, NY 14150
Admission: $45
Sample craft beer, eat gourmet food prepared the the culinary staff at Tonawanda Castle, listen to music and relax in a low-key setting at the Buffalo Winter Brewfest. Ticket sales are limited to just 700 people to ensure quick service and minimize crowding, so be sure to order your tickets early if you plan on attending.
Buffalo Wine About Winter Festival
Date & Time: Sat, February 3, 2018, 1:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Location: The Tonawanda Castle; 69 Delaware Street, Tonawanda, NY 14150
Admission: $27 – $37
The Wine About Winter Festival to a great place to get together with friends during the winter to sample delicious wine and escape the cold. You can even get your creative juices flowing while you sip your wine–painting is included at no extra cost.
WEDI Winterfest
Date & Time: Fri, February 9, 2018, 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Location: The Atrium @ Rich’s, 1 Robert Rich Way, Buffalo, NY 14213
Admission: Free
For a multicultural experience, come to Westminster Economic Development Initiative (WEDI)’s annual Winterfest event. The event will feature authentic ethnic cuisine directly from the West Side Bazaar, a cash bar, live auctions, silent auctions and live music.
