Free events in Cheektowaga, NY

This full-day celebration of Asian heritage features food, music, and culture. Now in its seventh year and organized entirely by volunteers, the festival offers cuisine from local restaurants, live performances, and exhibits that highlight traditional arts, crafts, and customs. Interactive activities encourage learning and connection, with a focus on community and cultural exchange. Admission is free and open to all.

The Paws & Pints 2026 fundraiser returns as a free event at Resurgence Brewing Company, presented once again in partnership with Resurgence. Guests can browse vendors, meet adoptable dogs, connect with local rescues, and take part in a large basket raffle and a 50/50.

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.

RationAles hosts a brunch celebrating the music of Billy Joel, with Captain Jack performing live on the patio. This tribute features Buffalo musicians Gary Styn on keyboards and vocals and Brad Moser on vocals. The RationAles Live Music Series is sponsored by Eric Houlahan State Farm Agency and presented in partnership with EWM Promotions. Admission is free, and the venue offers fresh food and local drinks.

Buffalo blues legend Jony James performs live at Sully’s Harbor Bar as part of the Music Matters Summer Concerts and the Sunday free concert series. This free show takes place on the outdoor patio with views of Lake Erie and Buffalo Harbor, offering an easygoing waterfront setting for an afternoon of blues.

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.

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.

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.

Tabletop gamers come together at Madhouse for open play at no cost. Table setups and armies are available to help newcomers get started, and participants may also bring their own supplies. Battles can feature Warhammer Kill Team, Warhammer 40,000, or Age of Sigmar in a friendly, casual setting.

Music and More Mondays returns to Buffalo River Grove with a summer-long lineup of free live performances. Enjoy picnic-style eats, try your hand at lawn games, and visit the full cash bar for an easygoing Monday evening atmosphere. Outside food, beverages, and pets are not permitted.

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.

At The Bank Shot, the pool table is open for free play all night with no table fees. Sign up when you arrive, then enter the rotation and keep playing as your turn comes around. It is first come, first served, so arriving early helps secure a spot. Whether aiming to win or just spending time with friends, this setup works for everyone. If billiards is not your game, darts are always free too.

Hosted by The Rural Outreach Center and Western New York Independent Living Peer Recovery, this free support group offers a welcoming space for anyone affected by substance use disorder. It is open to the public, and all are welcome. Individuals who currently use or have used substances, along with their family members, friends, and other community members, can connect, share experiences, and receive support.

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.

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.

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.

Designed for both newcomers and seasoned performers, this event centers on playful improv games that strengthen communication, spark creativity, and boost confidence while easing anxiety. The environment is open, welcoming, and inclusive of all experience levels.

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.

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.

Explore the West Seneca Farmers' Market and keep an eye on social media for a rotating weekly code word that unlocks additional discounts.

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.

A free community open studio, presented by MUSEjar and Flock Fiber Arts, offers a relaxed space to work on whatever you are making and to connect with other creatives. Bring your in-progress project and your own supplies, whether you knit, crochet, embroider, draw, paint, hand stitch, or pursue another craft, and settle in to make alongside fellow artists and makers. The gathering is informal and self-directed, focused on building community, sparking inspiration, and setting aside dedicated time for creativity. Meet new people, trade ideas, admire works in progress around the room, or simply enjoy creating in good company. Everyone is welcome, from beginners to experienced makers.

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

SMELLS LIKE DAVE GROHL, an acoustic duo honoring the music of Dave Grohl, brings a live set to the taproom at RationAles. The performance includes songs from Nirvana and Foo Fighters along with other familiar hits. Presented in partnership with EWM Promotions, this event is free. RationAles features fresh food and local beverages.

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.

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.

Lancaster PorchFest 2026 is a no-cost, stroll-friendly music festival that transforms porches, patios, and front lawns across the Village of Lancaster into neighborhood stages. Enjoy live performances as you wander from spot to spot, discover new artists, and soak up a community-centered afternoon of music. The 2026 artist lineup is finalized, with a full schedule and interactive map available to guide your route.

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.

Enjoy a live performance by the Ladies First Jazz Quartet, a lively ensemble from the Ladies First Jazz Big Band, known for earning awards. Admission is free, with food available for purchase. Attendees may bring a chair, settle in, and take in jazz along with other musical selections.

UltraViolet takes the stage on the patio at RationAles with a set packed with hip hop, R&B, pop, and rock favorites from the 1990s through today. The Buffalo cover band appears as part of the RationAles Live Music Series, supported by the Eric Houlahan State Farm Agency and presented with EWM Promotions. Admission is free.