Old Falls Street Festival

Old Falls Street transforms into the region’s premier summer gathering place from June 1 through September 1, 2026, with a season-long festival celebrating the thundering majesty of Niagara Falls just steps away in downtown Niagara Falls, New York. This pedestrian-friendly corridor pulses with energy throughout the summer months, hosting live music performances, aerial dance spectacles by Buffalo Aerial Dance, artisan vendors, and food trucks serving regional specialties against one of nature’s most dramatic backdrops. Families, couples, and groups of friends will find the festival atmosphere infectious, with programming designed to complement the natural wonder that draws millions of visitors each year.

The festival schedule builds to crescendos during holiday weekends, with Fourth of July and Labor Day celebrations featuring expanded entertainment lineups, extended hours, and evening light projections that illuminate the misty atmosphere rising from the Falls. Buffalo Aerial Dance performers take to the skies above the street during weekend showcases, their acrobatic routines adding an unexpected dimension to the already spectacular setting. Food vendors rotate throughout the season, ensuring repeat visitors discover new culinary offerings alongside returning favorites. While specific performers and vendors for 2026 will be announced as the season approaches, past summers have featured regional musicians, local craft breweries, and artisan producers showcasing Western New York’s thriving creative community.

What sets Old Falls Street apart from typical summer festivals is its proximity to world-class natural attractions that transform a simple outing into a full day of adventure. Walk directly from the festival grounds to Niagara Falls State Park, America’s oldest state park, where the Cave of the Winds experience descends 175 feet into the gorge and positions visitors just 20 feet from the thundering Bridal Veil Falls on the Hurricane Deck. Board the legendary Maid of the Mist at the base of the 230-foot Observation Tower for a boat journey into the churning basin where the American and Horseshoe Falls converge, emerging drenched and exhilarated. The Aquarium of Niagara offers a gentler alternative for families with young children, housing more than 1,500 aquatic animals representing ecosystems from the Great Lakes to tropical coral reefs.

The Third Street Business District adjacent to Old Falls Street has blossomed into a dining destination worth exploring. Wine on Third has anchored the neighborhood since 2007, offering an intimate setting for local and international wine varietals paired with small plates and charcuterie. Power City Eatery brings creative global flavors to breakfast, lunch, and dinner using locally sourced ingredients. For a more substantial meal, Fortuna’s Restaurant and Banquets has served homemade Italian cuisine in Niagara Falls’ Little Italy neighborhood since 1945, with third and fourth generation family members preparing traditional recipes daily. The Rainforest Cafe inside Sheraton Niagara Falls delivers entertainment dining with animatronic animals and indoor thunderstorms that delight younger visitors, while Top of the Falls Restaurant on Goat Island serves farm-to-table New York fare with unobstructed views of the Horseshoe Falls.

The Niagara region rewards those who linger beyond a single afternoon. The charming Village of Lewiston offers additional festivals throughout the summer, including the renowned Lewiston Art Festival featuring more than 175 artists and the Lewiston Jazz Festival with world-class musicians performing across five stages. Old Fort Niagara hosts living history encampments that bring the War of 1812 to life with tactical demonstrations and period camps. Book a vacation rental on Lake.com to anchor your explorations of this remarkable corner of Western New York, where the power of falling water has captivated travelers for centuries and summer festivals extend the magic well into twilight hours.