DOWNTOWN COUNTRY MARKET
The 44th Anniversary season of the Downtown Country Market will take place at Fountain Plaza in Downtown Buffalo in 2026. The Downtown Country Market is Presented by M&T Bank, & Media Partner, The Buffalo News. Fountain Plaza is located on Main Street, between Chippewa and Huron Streets.
The season will take place weekly on Thursdays from June 4th through October 15, 2026 between the hours of 10am and 2pm.
Click here to download our 2026 vendor application and learn more!
Stay tuned to our Facebook and Instagram for more information on our upcoming season.
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: jjonmaire@buffaloplace.com. Click here to view our Grow Guide for information on peak timing for fresh fruits and vegetables.
+ LOCAL FARMERS & VENDORS
Anzalone's Olive Oil
Clarence Center | Branch to bottle olive oils
Bittersweet Buffalo Jam Company
Williamsville | Homemade jam and honey
Charlie's Greenhouses
Clarence | Fruits and vegetables
Clear Creek Dahlias
Arcade | Seasonal cut flowers and vegetables
Dirty Pop Soda Cart
Clarence | All natural homemade soda
Environmental Design Landscape Farm + Greenhouse
Cowlesville | Flowers and plants
Hanzlian’s Sausage
Sausage & Meat Products | Cheektowaga
Ko’s Kettle Corn
Buffalo | Freshly made kettle corn and caramel corn
Najah Corporation
Buffalo | Somali sauce, spices, chai tea and sweet treats
Nikki's Chocolates WNY
Buffalo | Chocolate and 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 | Fresh and local roasted nuts
THURSDAY & MAIN
Thursdays at Fountain Plaza
Buffalo Place will produce the 10th Anniversary season of the free outdoor summer series, Thursday & Main, weekly from June 4th through July 30, 2026 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, Iroquois Construction Services, Katz Americas, Lawley, National Grid, Premium Parking, Try-It Distributing, and VanDette Law PLLC.
“At M&T Bank, we are proud to support initiatives that foster connection and contribute to the vitality and spirit of Downtown Buffalo,” said Tracy Woodrow, M&T Bank Chief Administrative Officer and Western New York Regional President. “For a decade, Thursday & Main has filled Fountain Plaza with live music and memorable summer moments, celebrating talented artists and capturing the energy that truly makes Downtown such a special place to g
2026 Thursday & Main Series Schedule
June 4, 2026: Handsome Jack and The Burkharts
June 11, 2026: The Strictly Hip with Erin Hoyle
June 18, 2026: The Big Easy in Buffalo presents: The Soul Rebels with Honey Island Swamp Band
June 25, 2026: The Black Rock Beatles with The Shakermakers
July 9, 2026: Lazlo Hollyfeld with One Foot Up
July 16, 2026: Hollerado with Amateur Hockey Club
July 23, 2026: An evening with The Dave Matthews Tribute Band
July 30, 2026: Robert Randolph with Damone Jackson Outcome
Visit our Facebook and Instagram pages for updates!
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.
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.
Now, in its 10th anniversary season, Thursday & Main continues to build on that legacy with an exciting lineup that blends regional talent, nationally recognized performers, and unforgettable live music experiences in the heart of Downtown Buffalo.
This free, open-to-the-public happy hour concert series, held Thursday evenings at Fountain Plaza on Main Street (south of Chippewa Street), carries forward the mission of Thursday at the Square: to create vibrancy in Downtown Buffalo while supporting local restaurants, bars, and businesses through increased foot traffic and community engagement.
PICKLEBALL AT THE PLAZA
Pickleball has arrived in Downtown Buffalo! Pickleball at the Plaza presented by Ciminelli brings free, open play to Fountain Plaza throughout the summer and fall.
Two courts are available for casual games, lunch-break matches, and friendly competition in the heart of Downtown. Players of all experience levels are welcome, and paddles and balls are available to borrow at no cost.
Hours of Operation: Monday–Saturday 11:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m.; Sundays: Closed
Pickleball at the Plaza is free and open to the public. Equipment is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Court Etiquette & Play Rotation: To ensure everyone gets a fair chance to play, please follow our open-play rotation rules:
Game Format: Games are played to 11 points, win by 2.
Court Rotation: When others are waiting, please limit yourselves to one game to allow everyone an opportunity to play. If waiting, please check in with Buffalo Place staff to determine next available court.
General Rules & Safety: Play at your own risk. Participants assume all responsibility for any injuries or accidents.
Respect the Community: Please be respectful of fellow players, spectators, and others. No roughhousing, horseplay, or disruptive behavior.
Proper Gear: Proper athletic footwear (sneakers/court shoes) is highly recommended for your safety. Do not play on wet courts.
Supervision: Children must be supervised by an adult at all times.
Saturday, December 5, 2026, Community Bank presents the Annual Downtown Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration at Rotary Rink at Fountain Plaza. 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.
“Free ice-skating at Rotary Rink is a cherished Downtown Buffalo tradition, and we’re grateful to Community Bank, N.A. for helping us continue to offer this experience to our community,” said Peter Burakowski, Executive Director of Buffalo Place Inc. “Together with the City of Buffalo, we look forward to welcoming families, friends, and visitors to Fountain Plaza for a season of skating and celebration, beginning with our annual Downtown Christmas Tree Lighting.”
Immediately following the fireworks and tree lighting, the fun will continue with visits with Santa, holiday gifts, face-painting, and ice-skating. 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.
“Buffalo is an important part of our continued growth, and we’re proud to invest in the people and communities that make this region so special,” said Marya Wlos, CFO of Community Financial System, Inc., the parent company of Community Bank, N.A. “From expanding our local branch network to establishing our regional headquarters, our investment in Buffalo reflects our long-term commitment to the region. Just as important are the more than 200 employees who live and work here and give back to the community every day. We’re pleased to once again support this holiday tradition and help bring people together to celebrate the season.”
Buffalo Place thanks Community Bank for their Presenting Sponsorship of the Downtown Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration. Buffalo Place also thanks our official Media Sponsor and Partner, The Buffalo News, for their support of the event.
RSVP on our Facebook Event Page
Download our Downtown Christmas Tree Lighting Brochure
Rotary Rink at Fountain Plaza is a free, open-to-the-public ice-skating rink in Downtown Buffalo. The 2026-27 Ice-Skating Season is Presented by Community Bank. Special thanks to our media sponsor and partner, The Buffalo News.
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
2026-2027 Special Holiday Hours
December 21-23: 11a-9p
December 24: 11a-2p
December 25: Closed
December 28-30: 11a-9p
December 31: 11a-1a
January 1: 11a-6p
January 18: 11am-9p
February 15-19: 11a-9p
Birthday Parties, Celebrations, School Groups
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, Community Bank.
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.
