July Fourth festivities in Western New York: Fireworks, music and food (2024)

Fourth of July is often a time when people seek ways to get together with their friends and family. Luckily, there are a number of local celebrations including parades, festivals and music performances that can add to spending the holiday together. Here’s a look at some of the events.

July 3

Buffalo River Fest Park’s Independence Day Concert: 6:30 to 10 p.m. July 3 at Buffalo River Fest Park, 249 Ohio St. buffaloriverfestpark.com. The free event includes music by Flipside and fireworks. Food and beverages will be sold.

Buffalo Bisons-Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra/KeyBank Independence Eve Celebration: 6:05 p.m. July 3 at Sahlen Field (1 James D. Griffin Plaza). This annual holiday doubleheader is always popular. First up is the Buffalo Bisons vs. Rochester Red Wings game at 6:05 p.m. Afterward, at about 9 p.m., the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra will perform a program of patriotic tributes, including “God Bless America,” “Stars and Stripes” mixed with pop-culture favorites like “Thriller” and “The Natural.” A colorful fireworks display closes the evening. Tickets are $27 advance, $31 at the gate, $136 for family package. milb.com/ buffalo/events/independence-eve

Town of Aurora Celebration: 1:30 to 10 p.m. July 3 at Hamlin Park (166 South Grove St.). The Town of Aurora Parks and Recreation Department’s daylong festivities include a parade, variety theater, live music and food. Board a trackless train, laugh with comedian Nels Ross Cremean, and enjoy hot dogs and pizza. Fireworks are at 10 p.m. aurorany.myrec.com

Cheektowaga Freedom Festival: 5:30 p.m. July 3 at Cheektowaga Town Park (2600 Harlem Road) plus parade on July 4. This annual event starts at 5:30 p.m. with a beer tent and food trucks. Local band Impact will perform from 6 to 10 p.m. Fireworks are at dusk. There will also be a food drive for the Resurrection Life Food Pantry. A parade on July 4 starts at noon at Walden Avenue and travels to Cheektowaga Town Park. tocny.org

Lockport Parade and Fireworks: July 3. Cheer on the floats at Lockport’s parade, which starts at 6 p.m. at Lockport High School and ends at the intersection of Locust and Walnut streets. The fireworks begin at 9 p.m. at Gooding Street and can be viewed across Lockport.

Town of Tonawanda Celebration: 6 to 10:15 p.m. July 3 at Kenney Park (2000 Colvin Blvd., Tonawanda). Listen to live music, watch fireworks and stop by various food trucks at the park. tonawanda.ny.us

July 4

Genesee Country Village & Museum: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 4 at the museum, (1410 Flint Hill Road, Mumford). The historic village has several activities planned from live music to a 19th-century-themed parade to a pie-eating contest. Also see a recording of “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” and vote on a number of museum initiatives. Free for museum members and children 12 and under, $20 for students 13-18 and seniors, and $23 for adults. gcv.org

Multiple days

Dunkirk Fourth of July celebration: July 3-6 at Memorial Park (59 Lake Shore Drive West, Dunkirk). Enjoy four days of activities including entertainment, vendors and fireworks. On July 4, vendors opens at 11 a.m. Music starts at 2 p.m. with a “Back to the Eighties” theme featuring Party McFly, Furious George and Nerds Gone Wild, followed by fireworks and the national anthem. (In case of inclement weather, fireworks will be on July 5.) The 10th annual Marauder Trotter 5k Run/Walk hosted by the DHS Class of 1989 starts at 9 a.m. July 6 at Wright Park. cityofdunkirk.com

Great Pumpkin Farm 4th of July Carnival. Noon to 9 p.m. July 4-6 (11199 Main St., Clarence). Amusem*nt rides, family games, live music, food and drink. Fireworks are at dusk on July 6. Admission is free; rides are $1.50 individual, $30 for a wristband.

Old Falls Street Festival: July 4-7 along Old Falls Street, Niagara Falls. Hours are noon to 10 p.m. July 4-6 and noon to 6 p.m. July 7. Old Falls Street on Fourth of July weekend will be filled with performances by artists like Grace Lougen, Prestige Worldwide Band WNY, and Skyline Duo, as well as food trucks and costumed figures like Lady Liberty. niagarafallsusa.com

Village of Lancaster 175th anniversary: July 3-5, various times. The Village of Lancaster’s 175th anniversary celebration partly coincides with its Fourth of July festivities. On July 3, families can enjoy the Lancaster Public Library’s pinwheel craft hour, and cyclists can participate in a 10-mile bike ride hosted by WNY Bikes, starting at West Main Street. The three-day Independence Day Celebration, July 3-5 at West Main Street and the Save-A-Lot parking lot, will have carnival games, food trucks and live entertainment by such acts as Nerds Gone Wild and Terry Buchwald. The parade starts at noon on July 4. lancastervillageny.gov/175th- anniversary

More fireworks

Akron: July 3 at Veterans Park, 5929 Buell St. Fireworks start at dusk.

Batavia: July 3 following the Batavia Muckdogs game at Dwyer Stadium, 299 Bank St.

Lewiston: July 4 at Academy Park, 851 Center St. Starts at dusk.

Niagara Falls State Park: 10 p.m. July 4 at Terrapin Point and Prospect Point. niagarafallsstatepark.com

Niagara Falls: July 5 at Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino in Niagara Falls. Fireworks start at 9:40 p.m. No on-site vantage points, watch from nearby. senecacasinos.com

Olcott: July 3 at Krull Park at 6108 East Lake Road. Fireworks run from 10 to 11 p.m.

Orchard Park: July 4 at Orchard Park Middle School, 60 S. Lincoln Ave. Fireworks start at dusk.

Salamanca: July 4 at Seneca Allegany Resort & Casino. Fireworks at 9:40 p.m. No on-site vantage points, watch from nearby. senecacasinos.com

Tonawanda: July 5 off Tonawanda Island along the Niagara River. Fireworks start at 10 p.m.