Born Buffalo

Gardens After Dark
2024-11-29 17:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | Botanical Gardens, 2655 South Park Avenue, Buffalo, NY, 14218-1526, United States
Gardens After Dark

November 29, 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Cost: $17.50/ticket | $15.50/member

Experience the magic of the holidays this month during Gardens After Dark! Thousands of twinkling lights will guide you through our magically illuminated greenhouses. See textures, shapes, and shadows that you’ve never noticed before as different colors bathe our plant collections in a whole new light. Escape Buffalo’s cold winter nights and enjoy a charming and calming evening at the Botanical Gardens.
During Gardens After Dark, experience our annual Poinsettia Exhibit! Step into the warm embrace of our tropical conservatory, filled to the brim with brilliant poinsettias of all sizes and colors. Allow the vibrant reds, magentas, pinks, yellows, and oranges to fill your heart with joy. This Western New York holiday tradition is sure to brighten your mood, and keep you warm, as you explore our carefully curated collection of pretty poinsettias.
Add to your romantic Gardens After Dark experience with drinks, wine, and cheese at Thurs-Date Nights. Tickets include a glass of beer or wine from The Bubble Bar, light-fare from The Grazeful Gatherer, and a sweet treat to end the evening!

Holiday Pops
2024-12-19 10:30 | Kleinhans Music Hall, 3 Symphony Circle, Buffalo, NY, 14201, United States
Holiday Pops
Bradley Thachuk, conductor
Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus
The annual Holiday Pops concert, a beloved tradition under the baton of Bradley Thachuk, returns to fill Kleinhans Music Hall with the joy and wonder of the season. Featuring the Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus, this festive gathering is a tapestry of holiday favorites that sparkle with the magic of winter. From the serene beauty of “Silent Night” to the jubilant “Jingle Bells,” each piece is performed with the warmth and splendor that only your BPO can deliver. Perfect for families and friends of all ages, this concert invites you to revel in the music that makes the holiday season a time of communal joy and celebration, creating memories that last a lifetime.

Miracle on South Division Street
2024-12-19 19:30 - 2024-12-22 21:00 | O’Connell and Company, 4110 Bailey Avenue, Buffalo, NY, 14226, United States
Meet the Nowaks of Buffalo, NY. Clara and her three grown kids have always known they were special, ever since the miraculous Christmas Eve in 1942 when the Blessed Mother appeared to Grandpa in his barbershop! Daughter Ruth unveils her plan to write and star in a one-woman Christmas show about the family miracle so the “whole world will know!” However, as her plans for theatrical immortality unfold, the entire family’s faith is shaken to the very core when a deathbed confession causes the family legend to unravel. The results are heartfelt and hilarious.

Directed by Mary Kate O’Connell

The Lion King
2024-12-18 19:30 - 23:00 | Shea’s Buffalo Theatre, 646 Main Street, Buffalo, NY, 14202, United States
“The Lion King” at Shea’s Performing Arts Center is a stunning Broadway production that brings Disney’s beloved animated film to life with breathtaking puppetry, elaborate costumes, and unforgettable music. The show tells the coming-of-age story of Simba, a young lion who must embrace his destiny as king of the Pride Lands after the tragic death of his father, Mufasa. With iconic songs by Elton John and Tim Rice, such as “Circle of Life,” “Can You Feel the Love Tonight,” and “Hakuna Matata,” the performance captivates audiences with its vibrant visuals and emotional depth. The production’s remarkable set design, combined with the talented cast and choreography, creates an immersive theatrical experience that has made *The Lion King* a global phenomenon, making its stop at Shea’s a must-see event for theatergoers.

Thurs-Date Nights
2024-12-12 18:00 - 21:00 | Botanical Gardens, 2655 South Park Avenue, Buffalo, NY, 14218-1526, United States
Thurs-Date Nights
Grab your special someone and enjoy a romantic evening of food, flowers, and fun at the Botanical Gardens for Thurs-Date Nights! Our conservatory is the perfect hideaway for a cold winter evening. Stroll among the lit-up spaces and enjoy the magic of our Poinsettia Exhibit. Tickets include a glass of beer or wine from The Bubble Bar, light-fare from The Grazeful Gatherer, and a sweet treat to end the evening!

Upcoming Events

December 12, 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
December 19, 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Winter Floral Arrangement
2024-12-19 18:00 - 19:00 | Botanical Gardens, 2655 South Park Avenue, Buffalo, NY, 14218-1526, United States
Winter Floral Arrangement

December 19, 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Cost: $65/ticket | $58.50/member

Bring the scents and colors of the winter season home with this floral design workshop. Discover how to prep fresh materials for your arrangement, basic design elements, as well as how to keep your arrangement looking fresh. All floral materials and supplies will be provided. You may wish to bring a box for transporting your arrangement. Flowers will be based on seasonal availability. Registration closes on December 17.
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Meet your instructor, Andrea!

Andrea is a Horticulturist and Collections Manager here at the Botanical Gardens. After growing up locally in East Aurora, NY, Andrea went on to continue her education at Finger Lakes Community College and graduated with an Associates in Applied Science in Fish and Wildlife Technology. After that, Andrea transferred to the University at Buffalo, SUNY and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies. Prior to her position here, she worked as a landscaper and groundskeeper for a private venue for 5 years. Andrea has a strong passion for gardening, specifically with perennial and cut flower gardens, and likes to spend her free time with her husband, two dogs and two donkeys.

Unwind Wednesdays
2024-09-18 16:00 - 20:00 | Botanical Gardens, 2655 South Park Avenue, Buffalo, NY, 14218-1526, United States
Unwind Wednesdays

Unwind in our Botanical Gardens after work on the third Wednesday of each month.
We all know that the hustle and bustle of our day-to-day lives can be stressful and tiring, which is exactly why we’re inviting you to join us for Unwind Wednesdays! Join us during the third week of each month as we open the conservatory from 4pm until 8pm to give you the opportunity to unplug in a quiet oasis. Read a book, write a journal entry, listen to music, sketch, meditate, or just rest in the peaceful embrace of our conservatory. Chairs and seating will be available for you to plant yourself wherever you’d like inside the greenhouses. This “middle of the week” break is a perfect way to unwind and retreat from reality. These evenings are intended to provide a quiet and non-disruptive environment recommended for ages 16 and up.

Upcoming Events

September 18, 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm
October 16, 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm
December 18, 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Photography Night
2024-09-24 16:00 - 19:00 | Botanical Gardens, 2655 South Park Avenue, Buffalo, NY, 14218-1526, United States
Photography Night
4-7pm
FREE for Members and children under 2
Guest Passes not valid for Photography Nights

Make your reservation today! Bring along your favorite photographer and join us for Photography Nights to get the most out of your photo experience at the Botanical Gardens! We are opening up the Botanical Gardens for the public to take family photos, engagement shoots, senior portraits, maternity photos, baby photos or photos of any special occasion at a reduced rate.

Our Photography Policy (below) will apply during your reservation. Please keep in mind that Photography Nights provide a shared space and you must be respectful of other guests.

KEEP IN MIND! As the sun begins to set in the fall and winter, the Botanical Gardens conservatory will also lose daylight as we are an open glass greenhouse. We will be providing our house lights to create a lovely experience during sunset, but please keep this in mind as both a photographer or model.
If you would like to take posed photography outside of these days and times, a Photography rental reservation is required. To inquire, please contact events@buffalogardens.com.

Photography Policy:

Pets are not permitted.
Furniture and large props are not permitted.
We do not allow drone photography inside.
The Botanical Gardens’ plants, arrangements, exhibits, benches, chairs, tables, signage etc. are not to be moved, walked on, or disturbed in any way. Any destruction will be at the cost of the guest.
If your party is late for your reservation, you will be held to the remaining time of your reservation or you can reschedule for a full session.
No alcoholic beverages are allowed in the facility. We reserve the right to ask anyone who appears to be intoxicated to leave without a refund.
Some exhibits or special events may be taking place on the day of your reservation; therefore, some rooms may be unavailable or altered.

Upcoming Events

September 24, 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
October 15, 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
November 21, 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
November 26, 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
December 5, 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
December 10, 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
December 17, 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm

The Night Before Christmas
2024-12-13 19:30 | Lancaster Opera House, 21 Central Avenue, Lancaster, NY, 14086, United States
The Night Before Christmas

By
J. Michael Landis and Jay Wollin

Set in Christmastown on a very special Christmas Eve, our locally commissioned and well-received family musical tells the story of a brother and sister who get caught up in a fun-filled adventure with a colorful cast of Christmas characters.

Jingle Bell Jam
2024-12-15 12:00 | Kleinhans Music Hall, 3 Symphony Circle, Buffalo, NY, 14201, United States
Jingle Bell Jam
Fernanda Lastra, conductor
The BPO’s Jingle Bell Jam is the perfect way to dive into the holiday spirit with the whole family. Conducted by Fernanda Lastra, this festive concert features beloved seasonal tunes and holiday sing-alongs that invite audience participation. Children will be thrilled with a special seasonal souvenir, and Santa himself will take a break from his busy schedule to conduct and lead a sing-along. It’s an afternoon of musical joy, designed to delight families and create lasting holiday memories. Gather your loved ones for a celebration that captures the wonder and excitement of the season, all set to the enchanting backdrop of live orchestral music.

The Rock Orchestra
2024-12-14 20:00 - 23:30 | Shea’s Buffalo Theatre, 646 Main Street, Buffalo, NY, 14202, United States
The **Rock Orchestra at Shea’s** is a high-energy, live concert experience that combines classic rock music with the powerful sound of a full orchestra. This show brings together talented rock musicians and a symphonic ensemble to perform iconic rock anthems from legendary artists such as Queen, Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, Pink Floyd, and more, but with a dramatic orchestral twist.
Held at the Shea’s Performing Arts Center in Buffalo, the performance showcases the fusion of rock and classical genres, with the orchestra adding rich, lush layers to the familiar rock hits. The show typically features stunning arrangements that elevate the songs, blending electric guitars, drums, and keyboards with the grandeur of strings, brass, and percussion.
The **Rock Orchestra at Shea’s** offers a thrilling, immersive experience for music fans, where the raw energy of rock music is amplified by the sophisticated sound of orchestral instrumentation. Whether you’re a fan of classic rock or orchestral music, this performance is a spectacular fusion that captures the best of both worlds.

The Sadies w/ Special Guests
2024-12-14 20:00 | Buffalo Iron Works, 49 Illinois St, Buffalo, NY, 14203, United States
The Sadies w/ Special Guests
The Sadies
The Sadies have played all over the world where, for the last 30 years, they have astonished audiences with their earthy arsenal of roots music, country, spaghetti western, surf, garage rock, psychedelia, and the slippery beast known as alt rock, all with uncanny precision and passion.

Christmas with C.S. Lewis
2024-12-14 14:00 | Shea’s 710 Theater, 710 Main Street, Buffalo, NY, 14202, United States
Christmas with C.S. Lewis
In the early years of his young adult life C S Lewis believed the story of Christ’s birth was nothing more than feel-good myth. That all changed after a particular encounter with his great friend and fellow author, J R R Tolkien. Although both men loved mythology in general, Tolkien was convinced that the Jesus myth was the one true myth. That was the start of Lewis’ journey from Atheism to Christianity. From that point on Christmas, for Lewis, took on an entirely different meaning.
Here we find him at his home near Oxford on Christmas Eve hosting a group of Americans who are Christmassing in England. They are about to experience an unforgettable assortment of Yuletide recollections which stimulates a whole range of emotions – curiosity, laughter, gladness and even some tears. Above all, they will discover how that encounter with Tolkien forever changed his Christmas celebrations.

JoAnn’s Classical Christmas
2024-12-13 10:30 | Kleinhans Music Hall, 3 Symphony Circle, Buffalo, NY, 14201, United States
JoAnn’s Classical Christmas
JoAnn Falletta, conductor
Nikki Chooi, violin
Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus
VIVALDI Winter (L’inverno) from The Four Seasons
PIAZZOLLA Winter from The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires
This festive season, join JoAnn Falletta, Nikki Chooi, and the BPO for a celebration of winter through the evocative music of Vivaldi and Piazzolla. Chooi, with his exceptional artistry, bridges 250 years and two continents, interpreting the crisp, frosty air of Vivaldi’s Winter and the sultry, tango-infused chill of Piazzolla’s Buenos Aires. This unique juxtaposition highlights the universal beauty and diversity of the season, offering a perfect accompaniment to the holiday spirit. This concert promises to be a warm, illuminating musical feast, perfect for the whole family.

BLISSMAS 2024 w/ Better Lovers + friends
2024-12-14 13:00 - 23:00 | Bufffalo Riverworks, 359 Ganson St., Buffalo, 14203, United States
BLISSMAS 2024 w/ Better Lovers + friends
Get Tickets!

December 14 @ 1:00 pm – 11:00 pm
$45.00

After Dark Presents
BLISSMAS 2024 feat. Better Lovers
with special guests:
Converge
Fleshwater
Twitching Tongues
Dying Wish
Teenage Wrist
Anxious
Atomic Rule

December 14th, 2024
Buffalo RiverWorks
Doors: 1:00pm
Show: 2:00pm
Age Restriction: 16+ Admitted with ID / Under 16 Admitted with Guardian / No One Under 12 Admitted
Price: $45 Early Bird / $50 Price Tier 1 / $55 Price Tier 2 / $60 Day of Show

BLISSMAS 2024 W/ BETTER LOVERS + FRIENDS
2024-12-14 13:00 - 23:00 | Bufffalo Riverworks, 359 Ganson St., Buffalo, 14203, United States
After Dark Presents
BLISSMAS 2024 w/ Better Lovers + friends
December 14th, 2024
Buffalo RiverWorks
Doors: 1:00pm
Show: 2:00pm
Age Restriction: 16+ Admitted with ID / Under 16 Admitted with Guardian / No One Under 12 Admitted
Price: $45 Early Bird / $50 Price Tier 1 / $55 Price Tier 2 / $60 Day of Show

Feed the Fish
2024-09-06 09:30 - 2024-09-07 10:00 | Botanical Gardens, 2655 South Park Avenue, Buffalo, NY, 14218-1526, United States
Feed the Fish
Get up close and personal with our family of koi fish with this unique Gardens Exclusive! Enjoy early access to the Botanical Gardens before we open to the public with a special learning experience that’s fun for all ages. Each participant receives a cup of koi fish food and time to help feed our fishy friends!

9:30 am – 10:00 am
Cost: $22/ticket | $16/child 3-12

Adults & Students ages 13 and up – $22.00 Admission is included!
Kids ages 3-12 – $16.00 Admission is included!
Kids 2 and under free but must have a ticket
Member discount does not apply for this special event
Regular admission for the day is included, so you can explore the conservatory after the feeding! This special encounter is limited to 15 people per experience. All tickets must be purchased ahead of time online. Every person must have a ticket!
Our family of koi fish and the Feed the Fish program are proudly cared for in partnership with Masterson’s Garden Center.

A Kidman Carol: A Gay Dementia on Australian Dames
2024-12-13 19:30 - 2024-12-21 19:30 | Alleyway Theatre, 1 Curtain up Alley, Buffalo, NY, 14202, United States
Get into the spirit of the season … Awards Season, that is, with this inappropriate, irreverent and truly bananas take on Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.
What started off as a joke is now an irreverent comedy loosely based on Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. Brilliant actress and Hollywood Scrooge Cate Blanchett (“Tár Humbug!”) is visited by three different spirits of fellow Aussie Nicole Kidman in order to learn the true meaning of Awards Season. A Kidman Carol is a vicious, chaotic farce that sends up Tár, The Hours, Carol, The Lord of The Rings, The Undoing, The Others, Notes on a Scandal, Blue Jasmine, Big Little Lies, and so much more from the Kidman/Blanchett canon. Ohr nohr!
‍Part of the Alleyworks Development Series‍

Girls Night! Christmas
2024-12-13 19:30 - 23:00 | Shea’s 710 Theater, 710 Main Street, Buffalo, NY, 14202, United States
A Girls Night Christmas at Shea’s Performing Arts Center is a fun and festive holiday show designed to celebrate the spirit of Christmas with a lively, female-centric twist. This musical revue brings together talented female performers who sing, dance, and entertain with an exciting mix of classic holiday tunes, modern Christmas hits, and plenty of humor. The show is filled with high-energy performances, dazzling costumes, and a festive atmosphere, creating the perfect setting for a girls’ night out during the holiday season.
Throughout the performance, the cast delivers playful renditions of beloved Christmas songs, often with humorous and heartwarming takes, ensuring plenty of laughs and holiday cheer. The show encourages audience participation and is all about embracing the joy of the season with your closest friends. A Girls Night Christmas at Shea’s is a vibrant and memorable way to get into the holiday spirit, offering a mix of music, comedy, and holiday magic that will leave you smiling and in the holiday mood. It’s a perfect outing for anyone looking to add some extra sparkle to their Christmas celebrations.

The Polar Experience
2024-12-13 19:00 - 22:00 | Shea’s Buffalo Theatre, 646 Main Street, Buffalo, NY, 14202, United States
The **Polar Express Experience** at Shea’s Performing Arts Center is an immersive, family-friendly event inspired by the beloved holiday classic *The Polar Express*. Typically held during the holiday season, the event combines a live performance with elements from the iconic story by Chris Van Allsburg and the animated film adaptation.
At Shea’s, the experience usually features a special screening of *The Polar Express* movie, often accompanied by live music, such as a live orchestra playing the film’s score or interactive activities. The performance aims to bring the magic of the story to life, inviting families to experience the wonder of the holiday season in a festive and engaging way.
The event is designed to create a warm, immersive atmosphere where audiences feel as if they are part of the adventure, including elements like snow, Christmas lights, and perhaps even a visit from Santa Claus. The **Polar Express Experience** at Shea’s is a perfect holiday outing for families, offering an enchanting blend of music, film, and the spirit of Christmas.
