Free Festivals and Activities in WNY This Weekend

With so many free festivals and events happening this weekend, there's no excuse to say you're bored! Enjoy the summer weather with one (or more) of the free activities listed below.

1. Garden Walk Buffalo

Time: Saturday and Sunday: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Cost: Free
More Information: Website

Garden Walk Buffalo, the largest garden tour in the United States, is a free self-guided tour of 341 urban gardens in many of Buffalo's historic neighborhoods. Even if you don't garden, you'll be amazed at what Buffalonians can do with their landscapes.

This event is sponsored by Catholic Health.

2. East Aurora Street Festival and Sidewalk Sale

Time: Saturday: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Cost: Free
More Information: Website

Spend a day in East Aurora, as food, craft and store vendors display and sell products on a closed portion of Historic Main Street.

3. Glen Park Art Festival

Time: Saturday and Sunday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Cost: Free
More Information: Website

Head to the Northtowns to check out handcrafted gifts and artwork made by local artists. The festival also includes entertainment and refreshments.

4. Pirate Festival at Evangola State Park

Time: Friday: 6 p.m. to 12 a.m., Saturday: 12 p.m. to 12 a.m., Sunday: 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Cost: Free
More Information: Website

Embark on a treasure hunts, eat chicken BBQ, visit the pirate zoo and have your photo taken with a parrot. Back by popular demand, a car show will be held on Saturday.

5. Queen City Jazz Festival

Time: Saturday: 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Cost: Free
More Information: Website

Gather in front of the Colored Musicians Club, where Billie Holliday and Ella Fitzgerald played, and join jazz fans from all over the country to hear the music of Buffalo's past.

6. Shakespeare in the Park

Time: Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 7:30 p.m.
Cost: Free (Donation Requested at Intermission)
More Information: Website

Don't miss Shakespeare's comedy, A Midsummer's Nights Dream, which begins on July 26th and concludes the season on August 19th.

7. Buffalo BookFest

Time: Saturday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Cost: Free
More Information: Website

If you've always wanted to try bookbinding or letterpress printing, now's your chance! The Buffalo BookFest will feature an artist’s market and a complete schedule of hands-on demonstrations of the book arts, including steamroller printmaking.

8. Great Lakes Experience Festival

Time: Saturday: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Cost: Free
More Information: Website

This festival with interactive displays focuses on the environment and ecology of the Great Lakes and the heritage of our region. Music, family entertainment and food vendors are featured.

9. Breweriana Summer Show and Sale

Time: Saturday: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Cost: Free
More Information: Website

Decorating your home bar? Breweriana in Depew offers vintage and newer beer collectibles: beer trays, cans, bottles, advertising signs, coasters, openers, clocks, and more.

10. Ellicottville's 2012 Unique Jazz and Blues Weekend

Time: Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Cost: Free
More Information: Website

This weekend, jazz invades Ellicottville's restaurants, bars, nightclubs and streets. The festival headliner is the Jim Tudini Band with the Orchestral Strings.