Nice Guide To The Weekend In Buffalo

As the dog days of summer come and go, the calendar is getting ever closer to September. This weekend marks the 33rd weekend of 2026 and, as we've learned so far this year, there is always something fun and exciting to do in Buffalo and Western New York.

From concerts and shows to fairs and community events, there's no reason why your weekend should be anything but filled with fun and warm weather, even if a few raindrops happen to fall in the region.

This past weekend saw the people of Western New York get thier first peek at the new Highmark Stadium thanks to the Buffalo Bills hosting their annual Return of the Blue and Red Scrimmage. Nearly 50,000 people piled into the new $2 billion stadium on Abbott Road, but that wasn't the only thing happening. From concerts at Darien Lake Amphitheater to amazing music festivals in Buffalo's MLK Park, the region is giving you more great things to do this weekend.

What's Happening This Weekend?

From Friday, August 14, 2026, through Sunday, August 16, 2026, there are tons of things you can get into all over Western New York.

Maybe one of the biggest things people can look forward to is the first actual NFL game being played at the new Highmark Stadium. The Buffalo Bills are hosting the Carolina Panthers at 1 pm on Saturday, August 15th. But that's not the only thing happening this weekend.

The 186th Erie County Fair continues this weekend. The 10-day event kicked off on Wednesday, August 12, and will continue until the 23rd.
One of Buffalo's best restaurateurs is hosting his 40th birthday party at Cobblestone in downtown Buffalo. From 4 pm to 10 pm on Saturday, August 15th, Louie V is bringing you the Biggest Leo Season Bash featuring The Rod Bonner Trio, DJ Unk, and DJ Goose.
The 24th Annual Puerto Rican and Hispanic Day Parade is happening in Buffalo's west side neighborhood on Saturday, Aug 15th. The parade route runs down Niagara Street from Niagara Sq. to Porter Avenue and starts at noon.
With more than 80 performers scheduled, the Lancaster Porchfest is set to happen on Saturday, August 15th at various locations around the town and village.
Picklefest returns to Buffalo's Riverworks with all sorts of things to do, like Pickleball, local shops and vendors, plus tons of pickle-related activities.
Buffalo Bills Safety Damar Hamlin is having his annual back-to-school event and back-to-school giveaway at Johnnie B Wiley Sports Pavilion on Buffalo's east side. Hundreds of kids have the chance to hang with Hamlin while getting the supplies they need for school

This is just a sampling of great things happening in Western New York this weekend. If you have an event that people need to know about, let us know, and we'll highlight it if we can.

Buffalo Bills' annual Return of the Blue & Red

A visit to the Buffalo Bills' Return of the Blue & Red practice became much more than a day at the stadium.

Thousands Descend On Buffalo’s MLK Park For The 37th Annual Pine Grill Reunion

Buffalo’s connection with music goes back for generations, and that history was on full display over two weekends in MLK Park as the Pine Grill Jazz Reunion returns for its 37th year. Since the early 1990s, the African American Cultural Center has presented Western New York with the opportunity to experience food, fun, culture coupled together with great Jazz, Blues, Soul, and R&B music while paying homage to Buffalo’s original Pine Grill. This year’s festival, which took place on Sunday August 2, 2026, and Sunday, August 9, 2026, featured David P. Stevens, Adrian Benton Band, Kenyada Nikile,Ah-Blivian, Fabulous Old School B-Boys, Smooth Groove,Will Holton Band, Adam W. Hawley and Pamela “The Saxtress”buff Williams, Charise, Reminiscent, David Jonathan & The Inner City Bedlam, Fragrance of Yah and Alexandra McArthur.

Gallery Credit: Ed Nice