May 2026

Hit the Lights & Major League

AVATAR: DON'T GO IN THE FOREST

Cabaret Nights Buffalo | A Luxury Masquerade & Burlesque Dinner Show

Cabaret Nights Buffalo: a luxury masquerade burlesque dinner show this May featuring live entertainment, dining, and immersive nightlife.

Herb Container Garden Workshop at the Botanical Gardens

Join us in preparing for summer by planting your very own Herb Container Garden. During this hands-on workshop, plant your very own beautiful herb container garden while discussing some of the many uses these plants have. Learn how to properly harvest your herbs and some fun recipes too! All materials… >>

AAPI Trailblazer Exhibit: Celebration of Asian Talents!

AAPI Trailblazer Exhibit: Celebration of Asian Talents!

Orthodox

After Dark Presents Orthodox with special guests Wasted Space, 9MM Mouthwash, Monomaniac Age Restriction: 16+ Admitted with ID / Under 16 Admitted with Parent or Legal Guardian / No One Under 12 Admitted

Celebrate Spring

Celebrate the season with an unforgettable evening of music in The Buffalo History Museum’s State Court, featuring our extraordinary 125-year-old Steinway piano. This special concert, inspired by the theme “Celebrate Spring,” brings together timeless works for solo piano alongside evocative songs from… >>

ISA Niagara Frontier Section TECH EXPO 2026

Sponsored by The Exhibitors and The Niagara Frontier Section of the ISA are proud to announce the 58th annual trade show!

INOHA

Art Meets Jazz: A Night of Beatles and Jazz! Back by Popular Demand!

Join us for a truly unique night as Art Meets Jazz presents a brand new side project by the innovative jazz bassist, Nate Kalnitz.

Trivia Night

Test your knowledge of our city, pop culture, and beyond at the Museum’s Buffalo History trivia night! Bring a friend, or meet new friends for team-based Buffalo history trivia inside the State Court. Beer and wine will be available for purchase, and prizes will be awarded for the winners! Maximum of… >>

Trivia Night

Test your knowledge of our city, pop culture, and beyond at the Museum’s Buffalo History trivia night! Bring a friend, or meet new friends for team-based Buffalo history trivia inside the State Court. Beer and wine will be available for purchase, and prizes will be awarded for the winners! Maximum of… >>

Embroidery 101 Workshop: Textile Art Series at the Botanical Gardens

Begin your embroidery practice with an overview of the materials, setup, and basic stitches that are integral to almost every project you will undertake. Your instructor will guide you step by step through the creation of a colorful sampler—designed with space for you to finish at home while reinforcing… >>

Private Events Open House at the Botanical Gardens

Are you or someone in your life in the early stages of wedding planning? Or looking for the perfect venue for your 2027 event? Visit the Botanical Gardens on May 22 to explore our tropical conservatory and learn more about our exciting new event packages coming next year! Meet the members of our events… >>

Rachel Shelton, "Slow Looking" Opening Reception

Buffalo Arts Studio is thrilled to present “Slow Looking,” a new body of work by Rachel Shelton that challenges the negativity so often associated with decay, uncertainty, and precarity. Featuring a series of monotypes, etchings, collagraphs, and screenprints of rock forms, the exhibition is on view… >>

Warren Quigley, "Erratic" Opening Reception

Buffalo Arts Studio is excited to present “Erratic” by artist Warren Quigley, an installation of 37 wooden spheres of varying scales on view from May 22 through August 1, 2026. An opening reception will be held on Friday, May 22, from 5:00 to 8:00 pm as part of M&T Fourth Friday at Tri-Main. “Erratic”… >>

Timothy James Allen Solo

Timothy James Allen - electric guitar, electronics Guitarist Timothy James Allen is known equally as a supportive side man who's toured with multiple world renowned acts as well as a solo artist; he has released 3 cinematic instrumental albums under Timothy James and scored a feature film (Suono dell… >>

USS

USS - Ubiquitous Synergy Seeker are an alternative rock musical duo from Toronto, Canada. It is composed of vocalist and guitarist Ashley Buchholz (aka Ash Boo-Schultz) and turntablist/hype man Jason "Human Kebab" Parsons.

Kokedama Garden Workshop at the Botanical Gardens

Join us for a hands-on, creative workshop where you’ll craft your very own living garden using kokedama — the enchanting Japanese art of growing plants in moss-covered balls of soil. These lush, green orbs are perfect for hanging in windows or displaying on a decorative surface. In this workshop, you’ll… >>

Dance Gavin Dance with Special Guests

Dance Gavin Dance is scheduled to perform at Buffalo RiverWorks on May 23, 2026, as part of their upcoming tour. Special guests for the 2026 tour include The Fall of Troy, Novelists, and Wolf & Bear.

Kiddieland Opening Day

$1 admission for visitors ages 2 and up! (free admission for members)   Ride tickets for carrousels and Kiddieland are $1 each! Free Ice Cream Coupon for the first 250 kids!   Thank you to the North Tonawanda Neighboorhood Watch for their support of this event

Hairspray

You can’t stop the beat in this big and bold musical about one girl’s inspiring dream to dance. Winner of eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical, is a family-friendly musical, piled bouffant-high with laughter, romance and deliriously tuneful songs. Thu,Fri:7:30pm | Sat: 3:00 & 8:00pm | Sun: 2:00pm… >>

Citizens and Soldiers of the Upper River Valley: The 98th Ohio’s Civil War

Based on a manuscript length study of the 98th Ohio and a scheduled talk in June at the Society of Civil War Historians conference in Richmond, Virginia, the presentation examines how volunteers from the state’s Upper River Valley, an area of eastern Ohio that generally opposed slaveholding expansion,… >>

'68 - Farewell Tour

The noise rock duo '68, led by Josh Scogin, announced their final North American tour for May and June 2026, marking the end of their career following their fifth album. 

Jonathan Ezra Goldman - Talk & Book Signing

Join us at Hallwalls for an evening with J Ezra Goldman to discuss his latest book, Hidden Histories of Jazz Age New York: From the Suppressed to the Strange! This event will begin with a talk, to be followed by book signing. Books will be available for purchase from Talking Leaves Books. Purchase of… >>

Children's Book Club

Join us for Children’s Book Club on Thursday May, 28 at 5:00pm in the Longshed building at Canalside. This month we will be joined by Author H.R. Gordon as they discusses their book The Summer the Canal Came to Town: A Story of Adventure and Change Along the Erie Canal. This program is free for everyone,… >>

Cake

HARDY: THE COUNTRY! COUNTRY! TOUR!

Event is rain or shine. For the safety, comfort and experience of all fans, outside lawn chairs are NOT allowed into the venue. A limited number of lawn chair rentals will be available for advance purchase online or at the venue on the day of the event, while supplies last. Current bag policy is limited… >>

Wave Rave!

Get ready to dive into wave after wave of epic beats and good vibes at Wave Rave!

Boozy Bookfair at the Botanical Gardens

Come enjoy an evening of books, brews, and bubbly at the Botanical Gardens during our fan-favorite Boozy Bookfair! Merit Badge Books, local vendors and Buffalo’s best bars will be on hand to recreate the magic of a school book fair, but for grown ups. Explore our conservatory and sip on something sweet… >>

Fundraiser Plant Sale

Brighten your garden while benefiting wildlife during Hawk Creek Wildlife Center’s annual Fundraiser Plant Sale! Gardeners will be tickled pink to take advantage of the great selection of beautiful perennials & annuals for sale at affordable prices.  Proceeds benefit the nonprofit mission and animals… >>

Bébé, It’s Burlesque! The Rose’s Memoir

Bébé, It’s Burlesque! The Rose’s Memoir is a delightfully extravagant burlesque tribute to Schitt’s Creek, imagining Moira Rose at last putting pen to paper for her long-awaited memoir in 2026. As she revisits the family’s most trying and transformative years, the Roses are swept back into their own… >>

POP! First Annual Event to Support Hunt Residencies

Access. Accelerate. Sustain. Support Arts & Economic Prosperity in Western New York.

"In Between Two Tall Mountains" and "Breathing In and Out"

Buffalo Arts Studio is pleased to present "In Between Two Tall Mountains" by Gabrielle Hall and "Breathing In and Out" by Brianna Bernas, concurrent exhibitions by two senior fiber art majors from Buffalo State University that explore concepts of emotional resilience, adaptability, and making material… >>

Open Stay WNY Premier

Spotlight Performing Artists, Inc. proudly presents the Western New York premiere of Open Stay, a moving new song cycle musical performing May 29 and May 30 at 7:00 PM at the Kenan Center Taylor Theatre. For audiences seeking a fresh, emotionally resonant musical experience, Open, Stay centers on sisters… >>

Spring Bulb Sale at the Botanical Gardens

BULBS GO FAST! Get here early! In the spirit of upcycling plants, the Botanical Gardens is pulling the bulbs from our Spring Flower Exhibit and selling them at bargain prices! Roll the dice with some of our amazing and unique varieties of tulips, hyacinths, daffodils, and more! Get a head start on next… >>

Feed the Fish at the Botanical Gardens

Select Saturdays and Weekdays, check our website for the most accurate list of dates! Get up close and personal with our family of koi fish at this exciting event! Enjoy early access to the Botanical Gardens before we open to the public with a special learning experience that’s fun for all ages. Each… >>

Join us for a Picnic! Benefiting the Alzheimer's Association of WNY

We’re kicking off the season at Buffalo River Grove with a very special event. Join us for a beautiful afternoon picnic in memory of Jeff & Shirley Kramer, benefiting the Alzheimer’s Association of WNY. Enjoy a relaxed outdoor picnic filled with food, drinks, raffles, lawn games, and great company —… >>

Butterfly Release at the Botanical Gardens

Get up close with our butterflies in a truly special way! New this year, join us for a live Butterfly Release on select Saturday mornings during the Butterfly Experience! Enjoy exclusive early access to the Botanical Gardens and our Butterfly Experience before we open to the public. Participants will… >>

Butterfly Experience at the Botanical Gardens

Flutter down to the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens and immerse yourself in the winged world of butterflies right here in Buffalo! Step into our Tropical Orchard, which will be home to hundreds of live butterflies from May 16 to July 19.  Get up close and personal with a kaleidoscope of butterflies… >>

Rachel Shelton, "Slow Looking"

Buffalo Arts Studio is thrilled to present “Slow Looking,” a new body of work by Rachel Shelton that challenges the negativity so often associated with decay, uncertainty, and precarity. Featuring a series of monotypes, etchings, collagraphs, and screenprints of rock forms, the exhibition is on view… >>

Warren Quigley, "Erratic"

Buffalo Arts Studio is excited to present “Erratic” by artist Warren Quigley, an installation of 37 wooden spheres of varying scales on view from May 22 through August 1, 2026. An opening reception will be held on Friday, May 22, from 5:00 to 8:00 pm as part of M&T Fourth Friday at Tri-Main. “Erratic”… >>