Botanical Gardens: Free admission for 'Community Nights' the first Wednesday of each month

In partnership with New York State Assemblyman Pat Burke, the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens is opening for free admission from 5-8 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month through 2024.

A press release stated, “This brand-new series of events, called ‘Community Nights,’ will welcome visitors and partners from the community, old and new, to enjoy the Botanical Gardens and share in all that Buffalo and Western New York has to offer.”

It added, “Each month, partners from the community will be invited to participate with information tables, interactive programs, performances, and more to create a fun, accessible night to come together and enjoy the City of Good Neighbors. Each month will celebrate a different theme or occasion to uplift the voices and impactful missions that the Buffalo community's wide range of organizations and businesses has to offer. Western New Yorkers are encouraged to visit to enjoy the beautiful gardens while learning more about what's happening in the area and all of the amazing opportunities that the community offers for its neighbors.

“Each ‘Community Night’ will also feature educational programming with members of the Botanical Gardens' team through learning stations, scavenger hunts, activities and information about events and classes.”

Images courtesy of the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens

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The first Wednesday of 2024 kicked off with "Escape the Winter" for an evening of warmth and relaxation after the busy holiday season on Jan. 3. More than 600 guests attended the free event and heard the music of Ravi Padmanabha.

February's “Community Night,” "From Soil to Soul: A Celebration of Buffalo’s Black Heritage" will welcome the Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center, the Buffalo History Museum, and the Colored Musicians Club and Jazz Museum to highlight and share some of Buffalo's Black stories from then and now. Also on Feb. 7, Visitors will also be able to enjoy the brand-new orchid exhibit at the Botanical Gardens. It features thousands of orchids highlighted with lights.

March will follow with "Beyond Barriers: A Celebration of Inclusion," as a local celebration of Disabilities Awareness Month on March 6. Partners will include Unique Theater, Erie County Office for People With Disabilities, and Spina Bifida of WNY. April is "Springtime at the Botanical Gardens," and visitors will get to enjoy fragrant spring flowers with over 30,000 blooming bulbs on April 3.

More themes and partnerships will be announced in the in the coming months. Organizers are asking for interested cultural organizations from the Buffalo community that would like to participate to reach out to [email protected]. Performances, programming, or other educational opportunities are encouraged to make the most impact on each “Community Night.”

“Community Nights” are completely free of charge. Online reservations are encouraged to help partners to plan their programming, but are not required. Walk-ins will be welcomed.

For more information, visit buffalogardens.com.