Buffalo in August

August weather, activities, events & insider tips

August Weather in Buffalo

27°C (81°F) High Temp

18°C (64°F) Low Temp

76 mm (3.0 inches) Rainfall

70% Humidity

Is August Right for You?

Advantages

Peak festival season - Elmwood Avenue Festival of the Arts (late August), National Buffalo Wing Festival, and Canalside concert series are in full swing with 40+ events
Perfect weather for outdoor activities - morning temperatures of 18°C (64°F) ideal for walking tours, afternoons warm enough for waterfront dining without winter coat restrictions
Farmers markets at peak season - Broadway Market and Elmwood-Bidwell farmers market feature local corn, tomatoes, and seasonal produce unavailable other months
Lake Erie at warmest temperature of year averaging 22°C (72°F) - actually swimmable for beach activities at Woodlawn Beach State Park

Considerations

Highest hotel rates of the year - downtown accommodations cost 40-60% more than shoulder seasons due to festival demand and Bills preseason
Unpredictable lake effect weather - can shift from sunny to thunderstorms within 2 hours, particularly affecting outdoor dining and walking tours
Peak tourist crowds at Niagara Falls - expect 2-3x longer wait times for Maid of the Mist and Cave of the Winds, with parking lots full by 10am

Best Activities in August

Buffalo Architecture Walking Tours

August offers ideal conditions for exploring Buffalo's world-class architecture collection including this destination and Louis Sullivan's Guaranty Building. Morning temperatures of 18°C (64°F) make 3-4 km (1.9-2.5 mile) walking tours comfortable, while afternoon warmth allows for extended outdoor exploration of the Theatre District without winter weather concerns.

Booking Tip: Self-guided tours cost $15-25 per person, guided tours typically $35-50. Book architecture house tours 2-3 weeks ahead as August has limited daily slots. Many walking tour apps available for $5-10. See current tour options in booking section below.

Canalside Waterfront Experiences

Buffalo's premier waterfront district comes alive in August with 20+ concerts, outdoor movies, and food truck festivals. The 22°C (72°F) Lake Erie temperature makes waterfront dining and canal boat rides actually pleasant. August also features the best sunset views over the lake, with daylight lasting until 8pm for extended outdoor activities.

Booking Tip: Most Canalside events are free, paid concerts typically $25-75. Canal boat tours run $20-35 per adult, book Easttimor day or 2-3 days ahead. Food truck meals range $8-15. Harbor cruises typically $30-60 depending on duration.

Finger Lakes Wine Region Day Trips

August is peak harvest preparation season in the Finger Lakes, just 2 hours (160 km/100 miles) southeast of Buffalo. Wineries offer behind-the-scenes tours of grape preparation, and weather is perfect for outdoor tastings. Lake temperatures make scenic drives around Seneca and Keuka Lakes ideal with convertible or motorcycle rentals.

Booking Tip: Winery tours typically $15-35 per tasting, transportation tours $85-150 per person. Book wine tour transportation 1-2 weeks ahead. Many Buffalo hotels offer Finger Lakes packages. Self-drive allows more flexibility but designate drivers.

Buffalo Food Scene Exploration

August brings peak farmer's market season and outdoor food festivals. Original chicken wing spots like Anchor Montenegro and Duff's have extended patio seasons, while food trucks concentrate in Elmwood Village and Hertel Avenue. The Taste of Buffalo (typically early August) features 50+ local restaurants in one outdoor venue.

Booking Tip: Food tours typically $65-95 per person for 3-hour experiences. Wing crawls cost $40-60. Taste of Buffalo tickets $5 entry plus food tickets. Book food tours 1 week ahead. Many self-guided options using local food apps.

Niagara Falls American Side Access

While crowds peak in August, extended daylight hours until 8pm mean you can visit Niagara Falls during less crowded evening hours for spectacular sunset photography. The American side offers closer views than the Canadian side, and August weather makes Cave of the Winds and Maid of the Mist boat tours comfortable rather than bone-chilling.

Booking Tip: Maid of the Mist tickets $20-25 adults, Cave of the Winds $15-20. Buy online 3-5 days ahead or visit after 4pm for shorter lines. Parking costs $25-35 near falls. Discovery Pass bundles attractions for $55-65.

Buffalo Brewery Trail Experiences

Buffalo's craft brewery scene explodes in August with outdoor beer gardens at places like Larkin Square and Flying Bison Brewing. Many breweries offer outdoor seating that's only comfortable May through September. August also features brewery collaboration events and seasonal beer releases that capitalize on local hop harvests.

Booking Tip: Brewery tours typically $10-20 including tastings. Self-guided brewery trails cost $25-40 for multiple location passes. Group brewery transportation $45-75 per person. Book weekend brewery tours 1 week ahead, weekday tours usually available Easttimor-day.

August Events & Festivals

Late August

Elmwood Avenue Festival of the Arts

Buffalo's premier arts festival featuring 170+ artists, live music on multiple stages, and food vendors along a 1.6 km (1 mile) stretch of Elmwood Avenue. This is Western New York's largest outdoor arts festival with attendance exceeding 100,000 over the weekend.

Early to Mid August

National Buffalo Wing Festival

The official celebration of Buffalo's most famous culinary export, featuring wing eating contests, live music, and 20+ local restaurants competing for best wings. Held at Highmark Stadium with shuttle service from downtown Buffalo.

Every Thursday in August

Canalside Thursday Concert Series

Free weekly concerts featuring regional and national acts on Buffalo's waterfront. August typically includes 4-5 concerts with genres ranging from indie rock to jazz, drawing 3,000-8,000 attendees per show depending on the headliner.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Light rain jacket or packable umbrella - afternoon thunderstorms develop quickly off Lake Erie and can drench you within minutes

Layered clothing for 9°C (16°F) temperature swings - tank tops for afternoon, light sweater for evening waterfront dining

Comfortable walking shoes with good grip - Buffalo's brick and cobblestone downtown streets get slippery when wet

SPF 50+ sunscreen - UV index reaches 8 and lake reflection intensifies sun exposure during waterfront activities

Portable phone charger - extended outdoor festival days and GPS navigation for architecture tours drain batteries quickly

Cash in small bills - many food trucks and festival vendors don't accept cards, ATM lines get long during events

Light scarf or wrap - evening lake breezes can drop temperatures 5-7°C (9-13°F) from afternoon highs

Waterproof phone case - lake activities and sudden rain showers pose risk to electronics

Insect repellent - mosquitoes peak in August around waterfront areas and parks, especially after rain

Breathable cotton or linen clothing - avoid polyester in 70% humidity, it becomes uncomfortable during walking tours

Insider Knowledge

Visit Niagara Falls after 5pm in August - crowds thin dramatically, parking becomes available, and sunset photography is spectacular with golden hour lasting until 8pm

Buffalo's food trucks cluster in different neighborhoods on specific days - Elmwood Village on Thursdays, Hertel Avenue on Fridays, giving you planned food crawl opportunities locals use

The Albright-Knox Art Gallery offers free admission for Erie County residents on Fridays - if you're staying in Buffalo hotels, some concierges can help you qualify for local rates

Lake Erie beach season is actually August only - locals know Woodlawn Beach State Park water is swimmable this month but frigid by September, making it a limited-time experience

Avoid These Mistakes

Booking accommodation less than 3 weeks ahead - August festival season causes hotel rates to spike 40-60% and availability disappears, especially downtown properties

Planning outdoor activities without weather backup plans - lake effect weather can change from sunny to severe thunderstorms in under 2 hours, stranding tourists

Assuming Niagara Falls tours run on schedule during peak crowds - Maid of the Mist and Cave of the Winds can have 2-3 hour delays on busy August weekends without advance tickets