Buffalo Dyngus Day
Dyngus Day Capital of the World
About
Buffalo's Dyngus Day is the largest in the United States — a massive celebration in the historic Polonia District featuring a parade of 125+ floats, 18-time Grammy winner Jimmy Sturr headlining at Central Terminal, dozens of official venues, and the annual Dyngus Day Dash 5K race. The tradition was revived in the 1960s by the Chopin Singing Society.
Official site: dyngusday.com
Highlights
- •Parade at 5:30 PM — 'Polonia on Parade' from Memorial Drive west on Broadway to Fillmore Ave
- •Jimmy Sturr & His Orchestra headline at Central Terminal — 18-time Grammy winner, 152 albums, the undisputed King of Polka
- •Dyngus Day Dash 5K — Saturday April 4, 10 AM at Parkside Lodge (includes race shirt + Pussy Willow Pass)
- •Pussy Willow Park Festival Tent — outdoor festival near the main stage on Memorial Drive
- •Adam Mickiewicz Library (est. 1895) — known as 'Micky's,' the loudest, most crowded atmosphere. Doors at 3 PM.
- •Broadway Market (est. 1888) — open 8 AM – 4 PM, family-friendly with traditional Polish vendors
- •Free shuttles between all official venues with your Pussy Willow Pass wristband
- •Official sponsors: Tyskie Beer + Sobieski Vodka (since 2008)
Venues
Buffalo Central Terminal
495 Paderewski Dr
Main stage area. Largest venue. Free parking. Jimmy Sturr headlines.
Corpus Christi Athletic Club
Church hall with live entertainment and Polish food
Polish Cadets
Traditional social club with polka bands
Pubski Pub
Bar venue in the heart of Polonia District
Pussy Willow Park Festival Tent
Outdoor tent near the main stage on Memorial Drive
Saint Stanislaus Social Center
Church-affiliated hall
Adam Mickiewicz Library
612 Fillmore Ave
Founded 1895. Known as 'Micky's' — loudest, most crowded. Doors at 3 PM.
Buffalo Airport Hotel
Off-site venue. Gates at noon. Parkside Polka Band 2–5 PM.
Broadway Market
999 Broadway
Opens: 8 AM – 4 PM
Family-friendly. Vendors sell pierogi, kielbasa, paczki. Est. 1888.
What to Eat
- Pierogi — the star of the show, available at every venue
- Kielbasa — Polish sausage, grilled fresh
- Golabki — stuffed cabbage rolls
- Czarnina — duck blood soup (a true Polish delicacy!)
- Placek — Polish coffee cake
- Chrusciki / Faworki — angel wings pastries
- Paczki — filled Polish donuts
- Broadway Market vendors: Camellia Meats, Lupas, Redlinski Meats
Getting There
Parking
- Free parking at Buffalo Central Terminal (arrive early — fills up)
- NFTA Metro Rail: $2/ride, $4 round trip, $5 day pass. Free parking at University Station or LaSalle Station park-and-ride lots.
- Street parking in Polonia District is extremely limited on Dyngus Day
- Free shuttles with Pussy Willow Pass between all official venues
Transit
- NFTA Metro Rail — metro.nfta.com
- Free shuttle system connects all official venues (included with Pussy Willow Pass)
- Uber/Lyft available throughout Buffalo
Pro Tips
- ★Buy your Pussy Willow Pass ($15) at any Tops Supermarket in advance to skip the line
- ★Start at Broadway Market at 8 AM for authentic Polish goods and a family-friendly vibe
- ★The parade starts at 5:30 PM — stake out your spot on Broadway early
- ★Micky's (Mickiewicz Library) is the wildest venue but doesn't open until 3 PM
- ★Central Terminal has free parking and the main stage — best starting point
- ★Wear red and white. Bring squirt guns and pussy willows.
- ★The Dyngus Day Dash 5K on Saturday is a great warm-up event