Buffalo Place promotes Downtown through the management and production of special events and initiatives.

These events work to create a positive Downtown narrative for visitors, employees, and residents. The events roster serves as an opportunity to familiarize the community with Downtown, create memories, and encourage initial and return visitation.

DOWNTOWN COUNTRY MARKET

The 42nd Anniversary season of the Downtown Country Market will take place at Fountain Plaza in Downtown Buffalo in 2024. The Downtown Country Market is Presented by M&T Bank, & Media Partner, The Buffalo News.

The season will begin on Thursday, June 6th and continue weekly on Thursdays through October 24, 2024 between 10am and 2pm.

Held on Thursdays on at Fountain Plaza (Main Street Chippewa and Huron Streets) the Market provides a delightful shopping experience for residents, workers, and visitors, and features an eclectic mix of fresh goods and fine wares. The Downtown Country Market is a proud participant in the Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program, Field & Fork Network Double Up Food Bucks Program, and the Farmers’ Market Federation of New York.

Learn more about the Market and apply to be a vendor today by emailing: info@buffaloplace.com.

 

Construction on Main Street, south of Court Street, has made the previous Downtown Country Market location unavailable this year. Last year, Buffalo Place Inc. was awarded a first of its kind New York State Department of Agriculture & Markets Farmers Market Resiliency Grant. The grant provided Buffalo Place Inc. with the opportunity to undertake a data collection project with Buffalo-based firm, Hallmark Planning and Development, to guide an operational redesign of the Market. The project included a survey of Downtown employees, residents, visitors, and nearby neighbors to determine a new location for the Market within the boundaries of the Central Business District. Fountain Plaza was determined to be an excellent new location for the 42nd anniversary season of the Downtown Country Market.

Click here​ to view our Grow Guide for information on peak timing for fresh fruits and vegetables.

Click here​ to download our 2024 brochure.

Visit our Facebook​ and Instagram​ for updates!

 

+ LOCAL FARMERS & VENDORS

Anzalone's Olive Oil
Clarence Center | Branch to bottle olive oils

Bee's JAMboree
Lockport | Homemade jams and jellies

Charlie's Greenhouses
Clarence | Fruits and vegetables

Dalayla Cricket Farms
Springville ​ | Cricket based protein products

Emily's Corner Diner
Buffalo | Pie's and tasty treats of all kinds

Ko’s Kettle Corn
Buffalo | Freshly made kettle corn and caramel corn

Orso Nero Pizza
Buffalo | Pizza, pasta, and desserts

Najah Corporation
Buffalo | Sauce, chai tea, Somali crepes

Nikki's Chocolates WNY
Buffalo | Chocolate and more sweet treats

Senek Farms
Ransomville | Fruits and vegetables

Simone's Natural Creations
Buffalo | Homemade soaps, body butters, lips balms, and bath scrubs

We R Nuts
Hamburg | Homemade roasted nuts

Rotary Rink at Fountain Plaza is a free, open-to-the-public ice-skating rink in Downtown Buffalo. The 2024-25 Ice-Skating Season is Presented by Evergreen Health Services. Special thanks to our media sponsor and partner, The Buffalo News.

The 2024-2025 season is scheduled to run from November 29, 2024 through March 16, 2025.

Rotary Rink is weather dependent. If the air temperature reaches 45 degrees, please call (716) 854-RINK or (716) 856-3150 to check the rink’s status before you come Downtown to skate. ​ Visit our Facebook page​ for additional information.

Rotary Rink is Downtown Buffalo’s free and open-to-the-public outdoor ice-skating rink, located at the corner of Main and Chippewa Streets at Fountain Plaza. Rotary Rink opened in 1991, the result of ten years of planning and design. The Rotary Club of Buffalo donated $500,000 to the project.

In 1998 Buffalo Place Inc. entered into a partnership with the City of Buffalo to manage the Rink and offer free ice-skating in the heart of Downtown. The program offers families, visitors, residents, and workers the opportunity to ice-skate outdoors in an urban setting, surrounded by many of Buffalo’s architecturally significant buildings.

The official opening of Rotary Rink and the ice-skating season is the Downtown Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration and the season runs through March on an annual basis. Rotary Rink welcomes many school groups throughout the season, who utilize the Downtown amenity for field trips.

Regular Hours of Operation

Monday: Closed

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: 11a-2p, 5p-9p

Saturday: 11a-9p

Sunday: 11a-6p

Last ice-skate rental 30 minutes prior to closing

2024-2025 Special Holiday Hours

December 23: 11a-9p
December 24: 11a-2p
December 25: Closed
December 26 & 27: 11a-9p
December 31: 11a-1a
January 1: 11a-6p
January 20: 11a-9p
February 17-21: 11a-9p

Birthday Parties, Celebrations, School Groups

Coming soon: Download our 2024-25 School Group Form

Coming soon: Download our 2024-25 Birthday Party Form

To host a party or special event at Rotary Rink, call (716) 856-3150 for information on group rates, party packages, and rink reservations. Rotary Rink hosts school groups throughout the season.

Click the link above or call (716) 856-3150 for a school skate form.

Students K-12 receive free skate rentals, compliments of our Rotary Rink Presenting Sponsor, Evergreen Health Services.

Amenities

Ice skate rental is available for $2 for children and $3 for adults. Skate rentals end 30 minutes before closing. Snacks and beverages are available for purchase at the Rotary Rink concession stand. Profits from concession sales support the rink’s operation.

Coming soon: Download our 2024-25 Free Ice-Skating Season Brochure

THURSDAY & MAIN

Thursdays at Fountain Plaza

Buffalo Place will produce the 8th Anniversary season of the free outdoor summer series, Thursday & Main, weekly from June 6th through August 1, 2024​ in Downtown Buffalo at Fountain Plaza. Thursday & Main is presented by M&T Bank. The series continues to pay homage to the venerable Buffalo Place-produced summer tradition, Thursday at the Square.

Thursday & Main is made possible with the generous support of our official sponsor family. The series is presented by M&T Bank. Supporting Act Sponsors include: Crowley Webb, Big Ditch Brewing Company, The Buffalo News, Hyatt Regency Buffalo, Iroquois Construction Services, Katz Americas, Lawley Insurance, National Grid, Premium Parking, Try-It Distributing, and VanDette Law PLLC.

Visit our Facebook and Instagram​ pages for updates on the 2024 schedule!

The free and open-to-the-public happy hour, presented on Thursday evenings in the heart of Downtown Buffalo at Fountain Plaza (Main at Chippewa Streets), continues the mission of Thursday at the Square: creating awareness and spin-off business for Downtown restaurants, bars, and retailers.

In 1987, Fountain Plaza hosted the first Thursday at the Park season, produced and managed by Buffalo Place. One year later, crowds became too large for the space. The series was shifted to Lafayette Square and renamed Thursday at the Square. In 2016, the new Buffalo Place produced series, renamed Thursday & Main, returned to Fountain Plaza.

To kick off the 2024 season presented by M&T Bank on June 6th, Buffalo Place is pleased to welcome Organ Fairchild​ and their groovy tunes to the stage at Fountain Plaza. The evening will serve as an album release celebration for their new record “Songs We Didn’t Write,” featuring their adventurous instrumental take on music by Stevie Wonder, The Grateful Dead, The Beatles, and more. Organ Fairchild was recently featured on Spotify’s “Instrumental Funk” editorial playlist. They performed two sold out shows at Babeville’s Ninth Ward in 2023. Opening the evening of performance is Diyené, a new Buffalo-based soul, funk, and pop fusion band. Concert-goers will recognize lead singer Danielle A. Johnson, a powerful vocal force formerly of Farrow.

Thursday, June 13th will feature masters of the music of The Tragically Hip, The Strictly Hip​ with special guest and incredible vocalist, Erin Hoyle. Since 1995, The Strictly Hip have been evangelists, spreading the good word of The Tragically Hip’s music far and wide. Taking an almost academic and studious approach to performing the music of Canada’s most popular band, the band works to present The Tragically Hip music with reverence, respect, and accuracy. A Western New York summer must-see, Buffalo Place is delighted to welcome these talented musicians to the heart of Downtown Buffalo.

Thursday, June 20th, Handsome Jack​​ and their boogie soul rock n’ roll return to Fountain Plaza. The band recently completed a twelve-stop tour across the pond that included performances in Germany, The Netherlands, France, and Belgium. Handsome Jack leans on rootsy blues, soulful vocals, swampy guitars, and countrified rock. They are celebrated for their groovy exploration of country and rock n’ roll. Their latest album, “A Good Thing” features a stacked list of toe-tapping tracks, sure to move any audience. Fredonia country rockers, Uncle Ben’s Remedy, will open the evening of performance.

On Thursday, June 27th, Buffalo Place will welcome the cleverest of pop punk outifts, Buffalo born and bred band, Super American. The dynamic multi-instrumentalist duo of Pat Feeley and Matt Cox will take the stage in Downtown in celebration of their new album "Gangster of Love.” Their breakneck indie rock sound, combined with pop punk and breezy emo, has landed them as support on shows with Taking Back Sunday, Belmont, and Neck Deep. Special guest for the evening is Letter to Elise, a new iteration of the popular Buffalo-based, Mom Said No band, featuring lead singer Elliott Hunt.

On Thursday, July 11th, following the 4th of July holiday hiatus, Buffalo Place welcomes longtime friends, and Niagara Falls natives, Son of the Sun. The quintet is known for seamlessly blending psychedelic rock and harmonies with raucous guitars and soulful vocals. The band was a major player in the local music scene when they first formed in the late-aughts and performed often at Buffalo Place produced Thursday events. 2024 marks a reunion of sorts as the bandmates have pursued other passions as of late. The band will be re-releasing their catalog on streaming services in celebration of the reunion performance, and offering new original music. Opening the evening of performance is A House Safe for Tigers, featuring drummer for Son of the Sun, Brandon Delmont.

Buffalo’s favorite son Willie Nile​ returns to Downtown on July 18th. Nile has toured the country with The Who, and sung with Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band. Uncut Magazine called him “A one-man Clash” and the New York Times called Nile “one of the most gifted singer-songwriters to emerge from the New York scene in years.” His album, “American Ride,” won Best Rock Album of the Year at the Independent Music Awards. He is currently working on a “Best Of” compilation album. Opening the evening of performance is A Potter’s Field.

Dwayne Gretzky​ will mesmerize fans during the evening of July 25th. Canada’s reigning champs of nostalgia, their show is a can’t miss live music experience, and a curated nostalgia trip that captures the unique joy of turning a radio dial and being surprised by the familiar. This 10+ piece juggernaut features a talented group of Toronto musicians known for igniting audiences with their charm, fidelity, and theatrical flair. Celebrating classic pop and rock, from Fleetwood Mac to Fatboy Slim, Dwayne Gretzky has delivered electrifying renditions of over 700 songs. Since the band’s inception in 2011, Dwayne Gretzky has developed a fervent fan base across Canada on the strength of their live show. The band recently sold out Toronto’s most iconic venue, Massey Hall, as well as marquee debut shows from Vancouver to Las Vegas to Montreal and Buffalo’s own Town Ballroom.

Lowest of the Low​ will close the season at Fountain Plaza on August 1st. One of the most lauded independent Canadian bands of all time, the alt-rock superstar band holds a special place in Thursday at the Square history, performing in 1993 and 2005. In 2011, lead singer Ron Hawkins and crew inaugurated the official move of Thursday at the Square from Lafayette Square to the Buffalo waterfront. The quartet has built a faithful following and a very full dance card on the strength of their joyous live shows, featuring their signature mix of clever wordplay, razor-sharp hooks, and airtight harmonies. Special guest for the evening is garage rockers, Thee Isolators.

Guests will enjoy a rotating roster of local restaurants on site weekly. Bijou Grille, Fat Bob’s Smokehouse, and Jack Rabbit​ will be set up Fountain Plaza weekly with wonderful food items available for attendees to purchase and enjoy. Visit our Facebook and Instagram for complete details.

Saturday, December 7, 2024, Rotary Rink at Fountain Plaza will host the ​ annual Downtown Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration. This annual event marks the official opening of the free ice-skating season in the heart of Downtown Buffalo. The event begins at 5pm with free ice-skating. At 6pm, we will countdown the lighting of the official tree and fireworks display over Fountain Plaza. Buffalo Place thanks our official Media Sponsor and Partner, The Buffalo News.

“We look forward to carrying on the tradition of free ice-skating in the heart of Downtown Buffalo and to working with BankOnBuffalo, Presenting Sponsor of the Tree Lighting” said Michael T. Schmand, Executive Director of Buffalo Place, Inc. “In partnership with the City of Buffalo and Rotary Club of Buffalo, Buffalo Place has managed the operation of this outdoor ice-skating rink for 25 years. Renovations to Fountain Plaza provide residents and visitors with a charming outdoor winter activity to enjoy all season long.”

Coming soon: Facebook event page

Immediately following the fireworks and tree lighting, the fun will continue with visits with Santa, holiday gifts, and ice-skating. The Buffalo AKG Art Truck will be on-site. The new truck is a mobile center for hands-on artmaking that brings art activities and workshops for individuals of all ages, backgrounds, and levels of ability. Fat Bob’s Smokehouse food trucks will offer delectable bites for purchase.

Ice-skating is free and ice-skate rental is available; $2 for children and $3 for adults. Guests are encouraged to bring their own ice-skates and avoid waiting in the ice-skate rental line. Santa will visit with children from 6:30pm to 8pm.

Coming soon: 2024 Downtown Christmas Tree Lighting Brochure