The holidays bring families together, lift spirits up, and can also bring out some odd traditions. Here in Western New York, we have our fair share of quirks when it comes to how we celebrate major holidays. Read on for 9 weird and wacky holiday traditions you’ll only get if you’re from Buffalo.
- Leaving Christmas lights up year-round.
Pat Kight - Flickr In Buffalo, you likely fall into one of two camps: either you decorate your house for Christmas in the freezing cold and snow, or you leave your lights up 365 days a year.
- Burning calories pre-Thanksgiving feast.
YMCA Buffalo Niagara Turkey Trot - Facebook Thousands of Buffalonians register for the Turkey Trot to run off some pre-Thanksgiving calories! Learn more about the race here.
- Frying turkeys in the snow.
John Kittelsrud - Flickr It’s a tough job, but someone has to do prepare the bird! Plenty of Buffalonians know the struggles of running outside to check on the turkey in the fryer in sub-freezing temps.
- Touring taverns Polish style.
Forgotten Buffalo Tours - Facebook If you haven’t found out by now, Polish people know how to party! Forgotten Buffalo Tours pay homage to the traditions of the past by offering up Polish tavern Christmas tours, and they’re amazing.
- Mingling and jingling with St. Nick downtown.
SantaCon Buffalo - Facebook SantaCon Buffalo is a 21+ celebration held on the streets of Chippewa and throughout downtown Buffalo. Dress in your best red suit and join the festivities this year on December 9th!
- Plunging into Lake Erie.
WNY Polar Plunge - Facebook This tradition isn’t directly associated with a holiday, but falls smack-dab in the middle of the holiday season, so we’re counting it! The Polar Plunge is for a great cause, but we’re pretty certain you have to be both weird and wacky to enjoy this one.
- Playing snow football at family holiday gatherings.
Ann Althouse - Flickr It isn’t a family Christmas celebration in Buffalo without an intense game of backyard snow football!
- Buying butter lambs at the Broadway Market.
Patrick Haney - Flickr No Easter feast would be complete if you can’t help yourself to the head of the butter lamb on the table.
- Whipping strangers with pussy willows.
Dyngus Day Buffalo - Facebook Remember when we told you Buffalonians go hard on Dyngus Day? We meant it! This is one of the weirdest, wackiest, and most wonderful Buffalo holiday traditions.
What are the most weird and wacky holiday traditions you celebrate in Buffalo? Share them with us in the comments below! We promise not to judge you. We’re all weird here!
Pat Kight - Flickr
In Buffalo, you likely fall into one of two camps: either you decorate your house for Christmas in the freezing cold and snow, or you leave your lights up 365 days a year.
YMCA Buffalo Niagara Turkey Trot - Facebook
Thousands of Buffalonians register for the Turkey Trot to run off some pre-Thanksgiving calories! Learn more about the race here.
John Kittelsrud - Flickr
It’s a tough job, but someone has to do prepare the bird! Plenty of Buffalonians know the struggles of running outside to check on the turkey in the fryer in sub-freezing temps.
Forgotten Buffalo Tours - Facebook
If you haven’t found out by now, Polish people know how to party! Forgotten Buffalo Tours pay homage to the traditions of the past by offering up Polish tavern Christmas tours, and they’re amazing.
SantaCon Buffalo - Facebook
SantaCon Buffalo is a 21+ celebration held on the streets of Chippewa and throughout downtown Buffalo. Dress in your best red suit and join the festivities this year on December 9th!
WNY Polar Plunge - Facebook
This tradition isn’t directly associated with a holiday, but falls smack-dab in the middle of the holiday season, so we’re counting it! The Polar Plunge is for a great cause, but we’re pretty certain you have to be both weird and wacky to enjoy this one.
Ann Althouse - Flickr
It isn’t a family Christmas celebration in Buffalo without an intense game of backyard snow football!
Patrick Haney - Flickr
No Easter feast would be complete if you can’t help yourself to the head of the butter lamb on the table.
Dyngus Day Buffalo - Facebook
Remember when we told you Buffalonians go hard on Dyngus Day? We meant it! This is one of the weirdest, wackiest, and most wonderful Buffalo holiday traditions.
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