ECHDC & Buffalo Waterfront announce summer 2026 lineup at Canalside

Paddleboats, rowboats & ‘Sunday Social’ make their debuts; ‘Fitness at Canalside,’ Children’s Book Festival, World’s Largest Rubber Duck & more return

Erie Canal Harbor Development Corp./Buffalo Waterfront press release & photos

Erie Canal Harbor Development Corp. and Buffalo Waterfront announced a vibrant 2026 summer lineup at Canalside, promising a season defined by both nostalgia and new discovery. From the whimsical debut of duck-themed paddleboats to the highly anticipated return of the World’s Largest Rubber Duck, the downtown waterfront is set to become a premier destination for family-friendly recreation, art and active wellness beginning Memorial Day weekend.

“Under the leadership of Gov. Hochul, our mission at ECHDC is to ensure that Buffalo’s waterfront remains a welcoming, accessible and world-class space for every resident and visitor,” ECHDC Chairperson Joan Kesner said. “This year, we are especially proud to sponsor a variety of free public offerings – from the convenient Canalside shuttle to the brand-new ‘Smartphone Scavenger Hunt.’ By removing barriers like transportation and cost, we’re making it easier for families to explore our historic harbor and create lasting summer memories.”

Buffalo Waterfront Marketing Manager Michele Cicatello said, “There is always something for everyone at Canalside, and this year we’re adding even more activities and events. Our downtown waterfront will be humming with activity from Memorial Day to Labor Day, from family-friendly and cost-conscious options to special events and opportunities to support small businesses from Buffalo and beyond. It’s a beautiful place to take in a Western New York summer.”

Canalside in the summer. (Photos courtesy of Erie Canal Harbor Development Corp./Buffalo Waterfront)

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New for 2026

Have you seen the quaint wooden row boats and eye-catching flamingo and duck paddle boats at Delaware Park? The Buffalo Maritime Center will be debuting these whimsical vessels at the Canals near Explore & More Children’s Museum on Memorial Day weekend. They will be available to rent for 30 and 60 minutes at a time.

Also new is “The Sunday Social at Canalside,” presented by Citizens, which will feature shopping, live music, food trucks and family-friendly fun from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the first Sunday of each month this summer (June 7, July 5 and Aug. 2). There will be performance artists, vendors of everything from homemade crafts and treats to Buffalo sports memorabilia, and a health and wellness station offering free summer essentials.

On July 11-12, Canalside Mural Fest will transform Buffalo’s waterfront into a “living gallery” as part of events marking America 250. By exploring New York’s pivotal role during the American revolutionary era and beyond, these temporary works will offer a vibrant, evolving tribute to Buffalo’s history and resilience.

Grab your phones and get ready: The Canalside “Smartphone Scavenger Hunt” turns Buffalo’s waterfront into your very own outdoor game board! Kids and grown-ups team up to explore Canalside’s coolest spots, including Explore & More Children’s Museum, the Naval Park and the Heritage Carousel. During the free hunt, search for hidden objects, snap silly photos, and test your Buffalo brainpower with trivia challenges. Go as fast or as slow as you like – it’s all about having healthy outdoor family fun. Every mission you complete earns points, and players unlock special offers from local attractions.

For the first time, CGBT will offer bike rides open to the full community through a partnership with the waterfront as part of the “CGBT Mobility Justice Rides” series, held every second-to-last Thursday from May through October. While CGBT rides have historically centered Black women, women of color, and gender-expansive people of color, this expansion honors that foundation while inviting broader community connection through movement, access and belonging. Each ride includes a guided waterfront route; reflection on mobility, racial and spatial justice; and ends with a healing circle for collective restoration and political education.

Special senior discounts and giveaways from the Canalside neighborhood will be offered as part of Silver Sneakers at Canalside, Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

A pop-up live painting group, Femmes en Plein Air, will paint the bustling scenes at Canalside from 9:30 a.m. to noon on June 21, July 19 and Aug. 23.

Canalside in the summer. (Photos courtesy of Erie Canal Harbor Development Corp./Buffalo Waterfront)

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Back and better than ever

“Fitness at Canalside,” presented by Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, will mark its 15th summer as the official health plan of Canalside, sponsoring free daily fitness classes and bike rentals at the city’s waterfront, beginning Memorial Day weekend. The program offers a different class every weekday and Saturday throughout the summer, including Zumba, yoga, bootcamp and salsa classes. There will also be special puppy yoga and goat yoga events, offering workouts with especially adorable special guests while raising funds and awareness for local animal rescues.

“For more than a decade, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield has been proud to support ‘Fitness at Canalside’ as a cornerstone of wellness along Buffalo’s waterfront,” said Michael Ball, vice president of community affairs, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield. “Seeing it grow into a beloved community tradition – one that brings people together and continues to inspire tens of thousands of Western New Yorkers to prioritize wellness – has been incredibly meaningful, and we’re excited for this season.”

Independence Day weekend will see the return of the iconic World’s Largest Rubber Duck and her 10-foot-tall baby duck, Timmy. The six6story-tall visitor last came to Buffalo in 2016. Throughout the weekend, both ducks will be available for photo ops and general viewing on the lawn at Canalside. There will also be plenty of duck-related special programming and a festival atmosphere, including 25 golden ducks placed around the site that can be redeemed for a gift; food and beer trucks; and duck-themed family movies on the giant video board.

Resurgence at Canalside and Nick Charlap’s Ice Cream are back serving up delicious food, drinks and ice cream along with impeccable waterfront vibes beginning Memorial Day weekend. BuffaLove Apparel, with its kiosk near the beer garden, is also returning.

Several cruises operated by Buffalo Boat Tours are opening on Mother’s Day, May 10, presenting the perfect way to celebrate. As the weather warms up, there are multiple ways to sit back and enjoy the Queen City from the water, including Buffalo River history cruises, sailing on Lake Erie aboard the Spirit of Buffalo or by taking a “Big Kahuna Tiki Tour.” Don’t forget about the Queen City Ferry to get you across Buffalo River to access the Outer Harbor.

“Movie Nights at Canalside” will also be returning on select Wednesday evenings in July (1, 15, 22, 29).

Canalside in the summer. (Photos courtesy of Erie Canal Harbor Development Corp./Buffalo Waterfront)

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For the kids

The Canalside Children’s Book Festival, presented by Highmark, will return Sunday, June 28, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Local book vendors will be on site, and families can participate in a range of literary-themed activities, including story times with special guests, crafts, yoga and games.

There’s also plenty of weekly free fun for kids on the calendar. EPIC’s annual summer literacy program, sponsored by Highmark, will return to the Pierce Lawn at Canalside weekly throughout the summer, starting Wednesday, July 8, at 10:30 a.m. During the one-hour session, participating families will experience opportunities to explore art, language skills, imaginative play and STEM.

Kids are also invited to come get moving and have fun, rain or shine, at Explore & More Children’s Museum’s “Free Play Friday,” which returns July 10 with sports and outdoor games. It will run weekly from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. throughout the summer.

The “Toddler Techno Beach Rave,” a silent disco for kids with three channels of music to choose from, will take place Saturday, July 11, from 2:30-5 p.m. There will also be a face painter, balloon artist, temporary tattoos and giveaways.

To make your day at Canalside easier, take advantage of the free Canalside shuttle service! The shuttle starts Memorial Day weekend and runs until Fall Fest:

√ May 22-June 21 (spring) Friday-Sunday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

√ June 24-Aug. 30 (summer) Wednesday-Sunday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

√ Sept. 4-27 (Fall) Friday-Sunday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The shuttle is free and ADA accessible. It is intended to transport visitors, residents and employees from perimeter parking lots to Canalside and neighboring attractions.

The Visit Buffalo Visitor Center at Canalside is also now open to assist guests with inquiries about the waterfront and the greater Buffalo area. For those seeking a bit of local nostalgia, the center features an iconic display of two original orange seats from the historic Memorial Auditorium.

For the latest updates to the Canalside summer schedule, visit https://buffalowaterfront.com.

Operated by the Buffalo Waterfront Management Group – part of Rich Entertainment Group, a subsidiary of Rich Products – Buffalo Waterfront is a go-to place for locals and out-of-towners of all ages to learn, play and relax.