Old Falls Street USA announces exciting summer season of events & entertainment in downtown Niagara Falls

Destination Niagara press release & photo

Old Falls Street USA is gearing up for an exciting summer season packed with live entertainment, family-friendly activities, festivals, and new events designed to bring residents and visitors together in the heart of Downtown Niagara Falls.

Located on a three-block cobblestone street connecting Niagara Falls State Park and the Niagara Falls Convention Center, Old Falls Street USA serves as a year-round entertainment district featuring concerts, festivals, food vendors, and community events.

Summer is the premier season to experience Niagara Falls, and Old Falls Street USA is launching a full lineup of programming for all ages and interests. Many events and activities this season are generously sponsored by Niagara Falls State Park.

The season kicks off Memorial Day Weekend with four days of festivities:

•Friday, May 22 | 5-10 p.m.

•Saturday, May 23, and Sunday, May 24 | noon-10 p.m.

•Monday, May 25 | noon-6 p.m.

The kickoff celebration will feature food trucks, live music, stilt walkers, aerial performers and local vendors.

New this year, Old Falls Street USA will host a summer carnival from Friday, June 19, through Sunday, June 21, featuring rides, games, food trucks, and more.

Old Falls Street USA will also host several signature events and celebrations throughout the season, including:

•Fourth of July celebration – Friday, July 3, through Sunday, July 5

•Rainbow City Pride – Saturday, June 27

•FIFA World Cup watch party – Sunday, July 19

•Empire State Ride welcome celebration – benefiting Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center – Saturday, Aug. 1

•Labor Day celebration – Friday, Sept. 4, through Monday, Sept. 7

•17th annual Blues Festival – Saturday, Sept. 19, featuring a new bourbon-tasting component

•Oktoberfest celebration – Saturday, Sept. 26.

In addition to special events, Old Falls Street USA will present weekly entertainment throughout the summer, including:

•Friday night concert series — June 19 through Aug. 28, from 5-10 p.m., with headlining acts beginning at 7 p.m.

•Saturday night movie series — July 11 through Aug. 9. This year, the Friday night concert series is sponsored by the Sheraton Niagara Falls and relocated to the Third Street block of Old Falls Street near the newly opened Steelbound Brewery & Distillery.

“Creating engaging programming and events on Old Falls Street USA is an important part of making downtown Niagara Falls a vibrant destination for both local residents and visitors,” said John Percy, president and CEO of Destination Niagara USA. “These events help bring energy and activity to the downtown area while showcasing everything that makes Niagara Falls USA such a special place to visit. Activities on Old Falls Street USA enhance both the local community and the tourism economy of Niagara County.”

Programming on Old Falls Street USA is made possible through the continued support of Niagara Falls State Park, Empire State Development via its subsidiary USA Niagara Development Corp. (USAN), and the City of Niagara Falls.

Angela Berti, director of public affairs for the Niagara Region of the New York State Office Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, said “Niagara Falls State Park is proud to support programming on Old Falls Street. We love showing off all the great entertainment, tasty food and fun our community has to offer to the millions of visitors that come to town each summer! Kudos to the team for putting together another incredible summer of festivities!”

USA Niagara Development Corp. President Anthony Vilardo said, “Old Falls Street is the heartbeat of downtown Niagara Falls, serving as a vital link between our world-class state park and our local business community. By offering a diverse summer lineup of free, family-friendly events and new attractions, we are creating a more walkable, vibrant and welcoming atmosphere for residents and visitors alike. Gov. Hochul and USA Niagara are proud to support Old Falls Street and its programming, which continues to drive foot traffic to our downtown corridors and support our regional economy.”

Niagara Falls Mayor Robert Restaino said, “The annual summer entertainment and festivities offered on Old Falls Street provides a central gathering place for area residents and visitors and, for many, a great way to cap off their day of visiting our various attractions and venues. Showcasing the liveliness of downtown through these celebrations drives more people to our small businesses, especially restaurants and bars, generating significant revenues that are critical to their long-term viability.”

All events on Old Falls Street USA are free and open to guests of all ages, though fees apply for rides, games, food and beverages purchased onsite.

For more information or to view the complete schedule of events, visit https://www.niagarafallsusa.com/old-falls-street/.

The mission of Destination Niagara USA is to expand the economic prosperity of the Niagara Falls USA communities by generating individual and group visitation. For more information, visit www.niagarafallsusa.com.