Family events in Cheektowaga, NY

This free blues performance is part of the FREE Blues Sundays series and features Nickel City Blues Band. The series highlights a different act each week, including artists such as The FEAST, Rusty Fisher, Jony James, Son Henry, Growlers Blues Band, Speedy Parker, and Cold Shot. Outside food or beverages are not permitted, which helps keep these events free.

At Buffalo RiverWorks, the Queen City Hockey Expo welcomes players, families, coaches, and fans of the sport. Explore a bustling gear exchange with budget-friendly new and pre-owned equipment, check out vendors featuring the latest sticks, skates, and apparel, and connect with coaches, trainers, and local hockey organizations. Interactive games, skills challenges, contests, giveaways, and activities for all ages keep the energy high. Whether refreshing your setup, hunting for deals, or celebrating the game, this expo brings the hockey community together for a lively day of action and connection.

St. Mark is hosting a chicken BBQ fundraiser to support the St. Mark Preschool Scholarship Fund. Each ticket includes a half chicken, potato salad, cole slaw, a roll with butter, and plasticware. Presale tickets are $16 and day-of tickets are $17. Purchasing in advance is appreciated to help meet the required minimum. Tickets can be purchased after weekend services or from the church office, either in person or by calling 716-693-3715. Phone orders can be paid via Venmo or by mailing a check. In-person presale tickets remain available up until the event. Early pickup is available for church members. For additional questions, contact Sharon Heim at 716-870-0862.

A $15 donation includes a meal with a half chicken, salt potatoes, coleslaw, a roll, and dessert. Clam chowder and drinks will be sold separately. Meals can be taken to go or enjoyed at a table on site. A 50/50 raffle will be held, and every ticket also enters a giveaway for a Ninja ice cream maker. The winner does not need to be present. Advance tickets are available from firefighters, or call Nate at (716) 310-8264.

Enjoy a Buffalo Bisons game from the comfort of a private suite at Sahlen Field. Spina Bifida of Western New York is offering a limited number of tickets for $10 each, available to children and adults with Spina Bifida and their families. If additional tickets are released, an announcement will be made.

Explore the Benjamin Long Homestead, a cedar-sided stacked log house set along the Erie Canal, open for docent-led tours. Enter through the ground-level side door and move through ten rooms furnished in period style while guides share insights and answer questions about life when the Canal was a main route to the West. The property also includes a book shop, restrooms, and an herb garden. Interior stairs are steep and can be challenging. Admission is $5, and entry is free for Society members and for children under 14.

A 75-minute, family-friendly celebration of feline antics fills the big screen with a curated mix of fresh submissions, animation, music videos, and beloved internet classics, creating a joyful shared cinema experience. The program collaborates with local cat charities, animal welfare groups, and shelters to raise both funds and awareness for cats in need, and a portion of proceeds supports local efforts including Second Chance to help place area strays in homes. Since 2019, CatVideoFest has generated more than $150,000 for shelters and has also spurred adoptions, fostering, and volunteer involvement at screenings. A pre-show features audience-submitted photos and videos on the big screen, with submission details shared on social media.

A free, weekly Pokémon league centered on open play and trading. All experience levels are welcome. Play casual matches, learn the basics, trade with fellow attendees, or simply hang out in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere.

Get ready for a weekly Gundam CG 2v2 team battle tournament featuring Swiss pairings and single-game rounds. Every participant receives a promo, the tournament winner takes home a Gundam Winner Card, and additional store credit prizes scale with attendance. Entry is $5 per person. The event is open to all ages and skill levels and is LGBTQ+ friendly. Registration is available through the Bandai TCG+ app.

The Bomb Band brings a polished, soulful sound to Cheektowaga Town Park, mixing classic Motown grooves with the punch of modern dance hits that keep the dance floor moving. This free concert takes place at the Cultural Center Stage, also known as the Mega Shelter, within the park. Sponsored by NYS Legislator Tim Meyers.

Young cooks gather in Hamburg for a hands-on culinary camp led by Mr. Seth, discovering the fun of making food while gaining confidence in the kitchen. Each day features two kid-friendly recipes and practice with essentials like measuring, mixing, reading and following instructions, and handling ingredients safely. Creative time extends beyond the stove with art projects tied to food and culture, along with cooperative games that encourage teamwork, movement, and social skills. This experience suits children who enjoy creating, exploring new flavors, and spending time with friends. During the week, campers read Ice Cream Summer, make chocolate ice cream in a bag and banana sushi, sequence the steps for cinnamon toast and explore kitchen math, play the group game Yes, No, Stand Up! and whip up Oreo Asteroids, search for tools in an I Spy challenge, dip banana pops, design a pinwheel, roll tortilla pinwheel lollipops, practice sprinkle math, mix s’mores trail mix, craft pasta necklaces, blend homemade hummus, sort groceries, create frozen yogurt bark, investigate dancing popcorn kernels, and assemble a party animal snack mix.

This cereal-themed science and art camp in Williamsville fills several days with colorful experiments, creative projects, and tasty make-and-take treats. Campers start with rainbow exploration through hands-on science and a themed read-aloud, craft vibrant sand designs with ring-shaped cereal, and assemble edible friendship bracelets. Another session dives into graphing and pattern practice inspired by a marshmallow cereal, squishy keepsake crafts, a cheerful pass-the-leprechaun group game, and a sweet candy bark. An apple-focused day features a story about how apples grow, addition or multiplication using apple cereal, apple-stamp painting, and fun facts about New York State. The momentum continues with investigations into magnetism that test cereal and magnets, painting guided by magnetic forces, a cooperative magnet-fishing challenge, and an edible pudding beach. The finale spotlights color theory with a read-aloud, potion-style color mixing, clay creations shaped like cereal loops, and wacky cereal-themed games.

Slime Time Summer Camp in Williamsville offers a full week of hands-on, gooey science guided by Miss Jessica H. Campers roll up their sleeves for daily experiments that explore a wide range of textures and techniques, from classic and pearl varieties to birthday cake, gold leaf, floam, glossy chocolate milk, a simple two-ingredient mix, chocolate chip cookie dough, pastel fluffy creations, and fairy dough. The schedule blends science with literacy, math, art, social studies, teamwork, and treats. Read-alouds feature The Secret Science Project That Almost Ate School and Fairy Science. Activities include a birthday-themed math trick, a look at how chocolate is made, an oyster and pearl drawing project, cooperative tin foil creature building, quick slime ball challenges, a friendly slime competition, a cotton ball scoop game, and a sweet cookie sandwich activity. Throughout the week, participants build creativity, problem solving, and collaboration while embracing plenty of messy fun.

Animal Exploration Summer Camp in Hamburg offers a weeklong adventure with Mr. Seth guiding campers through habitats, adaptations, and animal superpowers. The journey begins in the desert, where participants learn how camels keep cool and create colorful mosaics inspired by fennec foxes. Next comes a focus on creatures of the night, comparing nocturnal and diurnal animals and trying a playful echolocation challenge. Midweek centers on venomous wildlife, using data to graph dangerous species, running an experiment that models how spider venom breaks things down, and making a blue-ringed octopus craft. The theme then shifts to epic migrations with hands-on map activities, imaginative mental map drawings, and a lively movement game that celebrates long-distance travel. The finale highlights animals that carry their homes, featuring a buoyancy STEM activity inspired by turtle shells, snail crafts made with pipe cleaners, a team challenge built around crab walks, and a sweet treat shaped like a clam shell.

Celebrate summer with weekly special pool events that offer free outdoor fun. For this event, the shallow section will be closed. A valid resident ID is required to participate, and no advance registration is needed.

Take part in a story time that includes a visit from a reptile ambassador. All ages are welcome with a parent or guardian. Advance registration is required. Register online or call 716-683-1120.

Toddlers can enjoy a lively session with Miss Meg featuring stories, bubbles, and songs. It is designed for children ages 2 to 3. Registration is required and space is limited.

Maryvale Pool features a boat race themed activity as part of the weekly special events held at the pools. Enjoy free summer fun by the pool. The main pool will be closed, while the wading pool remains open. Participation requires a valid resident ID card, and advance registration is not necessary.

Every Tuesday features a family-friendly special where kids eat free with the purchase of an adult entree.

The Bidwell Parkway Concert Series presents Nineties by Nature with an upbeat outdoor performance on Bidwell Parkway, bringing live music to the center of the neighborhood. This free, family friendly concert welcomes everyone. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets, relax with friends and family, and enjoy the music. Support from sponsors and partners helps keep these concerts accessible to the community, including West Herr Auto Group and West Herr Lincoln, Canterra, a cannabis store, Chandler Street Breweries, M&T Bank, The Benchmark Group, MJ Peterson Real Estate, Hodge Liquor, the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy, Erie County, and the City of Buffalo. Appreciation is also extended to Council Members Joel P. Feroleto, Leah M. Halton-Pope, and David A. Rivera for their continued support.

A full week of camp at Village Play offers time with favorite friends and shared fun. Expect a lively atmosphere and a few surprises for everyone along the way.

Enjoy a free family screening of E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial as part of a summer movie series. The screening is sponsored by NYS Assemblyman Bill Conrad. Admission is free and no tickets are needed. Doors open thirty minutes before the movie starts, and concessions will be available for purchase in the lobby. The film follows a young boy who bravely helps a gentle alien find a way back home. Rated PG.

Enjoy water basketball at the pool in Cheektowaga Town Park. This activity is part of the weekly pool special events and offers free summer fun. Participation requires a valid resident ID card, and pre-registration is not necessary. The intermediate section is closed for this event.

An annual patient appreciation party features savory bites and sweet treats from The Cheesy Chick and Rosie's. Try to splash Dr. Rob in the dunk tank to help him cool down. Enjoy family friendly games along with a refreshing misting tent. Parking is available across the street at Schall & Young.

Benjamin Jackson brings his comedy hypnosis act to The Erie County Fair for a fifth appearance. Promoted as America’s funniest hypnotist show, this production pairs big laughs with the power of hypnosis on full display. Attendees are invited to take part, adding spontaneous moments throughout the performance. Entry to the show is included with fair admission, with free family shows available at no extra cost. The result is an engaging experience intended to amaze and keep the crowd laughing.

Kids can get creative with summer-themed crafts guided by the Lancaster Youth Bureau. This activity is for ages 5 to 12. Advance registration is required and capacity is limited, so plan to sign up early.

Night Owl Storytime is designed for families with children from birth through age 8, featuring read-alouds, simple activities, and a craft to enjoy together. To register, call 716-892-8089 or sign up in person. If space permits, walk-ins are accepted.

Marshall Charloff & The Purple Xperience bring a lively celebration of Prince’s greatest hits to the Erie County Fair at the Buffalo News Grandstand. Expect nonstop energy and dance-worthy tunes, and enjoy it as part of fair entry. There is also an opportunity to enter for a chance to receive two complimentary gate admissions, along with early notice of discount ticket offers and updates on additional shows.

This storytime features read-alouds, fun activities, and a hands-on craft. It is designed for children from birth through age 8 who attend with their adults. To register, call (716) 892-8089 or sign up in person. Walk-ins are welcome if space permits.

Fresh and sweet corn awaits at the fair, with The Crafted Cob serving a classic taste of summer. Enjoy a simple, flavorful bite while taking in the festivities.

Wow Party brings a playful bubble spectacle featuring tiny and giant bubbles in bright colors, along with magic tricks performed with bubbles. This event is open to all ages. Registration is required and can be completed by phone at 716-683-1120.

Miss Meg hosts a playful storytime with read-aloud tales, bubbles, and songs. It is recommended for children ages 6 and under, and older siblings are welcome. Registration is required, and space is limited.

Enjoy a water polo session at the pool in Cheektowaga Town Park, part of the weekly special events held at the pools. This activity is free. A valid resident ID card is required to participate, and no pre-registration is needed. The intermediate section of the pool will be closed.

Children ages 4 to 12 can get creative building with Lego bricks in a hands-on activity. Space is limited, so please call 716-668-4991 to reserve a spot for your child.

The Marshall Tucker Band brings its Southern rock sound to the Erie County Fair with a live performance filled with fan favorites. The show is part of the fair experience and included with gate admission. A promotion also offers a chance to win two gate admission tickets, along with the option to receive early alerts about discount entry and future shows.

Miss Meg leads a lapsit session with stories, bubbles, and songs designed for ages 3 to 23 months. Advance registration is required due to limited space. To register, call 716-683-1120.

Oh My Bubbles brings refreshing dirty sodas and playful flavors to the Erie County Fair, offering a cool treat to enjoy while you explore everything the fair has to offer.

On Fridays throughout the summer, The ROC hosts an open session for free play. It offers a relaxed time dedicated to play.

Aurora Players' Theatre in Hamlin Park presents The Hobbit, a stage adaptation by Markland Taylor based on the novel by J.R.R. Tolkien and directed by Christopher Fire. Performances are free and take place at the Roycroft Pavilion in Hamlin Park. The story follows Bilbo Baggins, a hesitant hobbit who leaves home to travel with a group of adventurers to face the dragon Smaug and reclaim a vast treasure, discovering a powerful ring along the way. Concessions are available inside the pavilion and restrooms are located within the park. Seating is not provided, so audiences often bring lawn chairs or blankets. If weather becomes a concern, Aurora Players will share cancellation updates on its Facebook and Instagram pages.

Classic hits take center stage when the Happy Together Tour 2026 arrives at the 186th Erie County Fair as part of the News 4 WIVB Buffalo, Channel 4 Concert Series. The show features timeless melodies and rich harmonies that shaped a generation at The Buffalo News Grandstand. Presented by Buffalo's Oldies Station, The BIG WECK.

The Monthly marks a fresh chapter for Western New York’s leading reptile show, shaped around a relaxed, mix and mingle format. The experience blends a classic swap-style atmosphere with reliable access to feeders and the same team supporting each monthly edition. It offers time to meet fellow keepers and connect with the local reptile community. WNY Reptiles focuses on building community through education and shared knowledge about reptiles and their care. The organization presents opportunities such as reptile expos where vendors and hobbyists can connect, and it provides resources like care guides to support both new and experienced owners. These efforts encourage responsible care and a deeper appreciation for reptiles.

This cultural wrist tying ceremony honors heroes and celebrates community traditions. It is open to all, including families and friends. The occasion is marked by a joyful spirit and a warm, inclusive atmosphere.

Every Saturday, storytime takes place in the Kids Department.

Celebrate the Erie Canal Bicentennial with a free community gathering filled with music, history, art, nature, food, and plenty for families to enjoy. Throughout the day, find movement classes, community festival activities, antique fire trucks on display, a chance to meet a police K-9 unit, and an opportunity to watch the Albany Symphony rehearse. The festivities unfold alongside the Webster Arts & Eats and the Carnegie Art Spree, offering even more to discover. As evening arrives, opening performances lead into an Albany Symphony concert featuring a new work by composer Hannah Ishizaki that connects music, movement, visual design, and innovation for a distinctive multidisciplinary experience. The night concludes with a drone show right after the concert. Accessible seating, ADA-accessible restrooms, ASL interpretation, and other accommodations are available. Admission is free and open to all ages.

The 24th Annual Puerto Rican and Hispanic Day Parade of WNY brings a vibrant celebration to Buffalo as participants make their way from Niagara Square to Porter Avenue. Festivities continue back at Niagara Square with food, entertainment, and a concert, creating a family-friendly gathering that honors Puerto Rican and Hispanic culture across Western New York.

Joe Nichols, Phil Vassar, and Mark Wills come together at the Erie County Fair as part of the Channel 4 Concert Series. The Buffalo News Grandstand hosts a showcase of country favorites, featuring hits like "Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off," "19 Somethin'," and "Just Another Day in Paradise" on one stage.