Did you know there is a nature festival where you can take your pick from nine guided themed hikes, turtle and snake meet-and-greets, live music, and more, right in North Java, New York?
A returning favorite, SpringFest is back at Buffalo Audubon’s Trillium Nature Center for its second year, happening from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 6, on National Trails Day!
This festival is perfect for families, nature-lovers, birders, and hikers alike—and truly has something for everyone.
One admission ticket (which is $5 cheaper, if you buy pre-sale!) gets you lunch from Krolick’s BBQ, access to a day’s worth of activities, and so much more.
“SpringFest truly has something for everyone to enjoy—music, nature, art, and fun family activities. It also raises funds to advance the work and mission of Buffalo Audubon and Trillium Nature Center,” says Lynn Westcott, Buffalo Audubon Director of Development and the event’s coordinator.
“For music lovers, in addition to the bands, a guided music hike offers four musical performances along the trail, and for those who enjoy art, there are two participatory projects on the art hike. Nature lovers will enjoy birding, native plant, and flip-a-log hikes, and forest bathing will immerse people in nature to help reduce stress. Families will certainly enjoy the shorter educational children’s hikes.”
Here’s everything you need to know about the return of our signature event, including activities throughout the day, admission, parking, logistics, and more.
What to Enjoy at SpringFest
From live music and barbecue to animal meet-and-greets and children’s activities, there’s something for everyone to enjoy at SpringFest!
Here’s what you can enjoy if you’re planning to spend the day with us:
Nine Guided Themed Hikes
Take your pick from nine guided, themed hikes, all running 50 minutes and included with paid admission, including:
- Birding 101 & Experienced Birding Hikes: Senior Naturalist Tom Kerr is offering two distinct birding hikes this year: one for beginners (you’ll be birding on your own in no time!) and one for those who know the routine but want to hear what an expert has to say.
- Music Hike: Join us for an immersive music hike, where you’ll enjoy Beaver Meadow’s trails and multiple live performances from local musicians.
- Art Hike: This is the perfect option for creative people of all ages who enjoy art and the outdoors. Led by Buffalo Audubon Board Member Mike Spencer, you’ll hike and participate in two nature-based art projects.
- Forest Bathing: Forest bathing is the Japanese practice of being immersed in nature to improve mental and physical health. Your guide, Debra Smith, who is also a yoga teacher and therapist, will lead a meditative walk and engage all five senses to absorb and enjoy nature.
- Native Plants Hike: Led by husband-wife Master Naturalists team David and Anne Shepherd, this hike will take you through meadows, forests, and wetlands to admire the views, learn to appreciate native plants, and better understand threats posed by invasive species.
- Flip a Log Hike: Explore the hidden side of a hike. Your guide, Zach Kolesar, will gently flip logs to reveal and explain what’s hiding or living under them. If you like pillbugs, salamanders, worms, and centipedes, this hike is for you!
- Kids Hikes: Children and families will enjoy their time with Nature Camp Counselor Salah Griffis as she leads two kids hikes designed to build confidence, foster independence and encourage curiosity in children (and their parents)!
Get pre-sale SpringFest tickets at a discount
Save on admission for this favorite nature festival
when you reserve your spots today!
Turtle & Snake Meet-and-Greets
Have you ever wanted to see a snake or turtle up close? Enjoy meet-and-greets with our snake and turtle at SpringFest!
Led by our experienced Buffalo Audubon naturalists, these are happening at 12:30 p.m. and 2:15 p.m. respectively.
Guided Nature-Based Art Projects
Get your hands dirty with wildlife sculptures and cyanotype (sun) prints! Not just for children, these guided art projects encourage creative exploration and imagination for those of all ages.
For Children
Bringing kiddos? There’s tons for children to enjoy at SpringFest.
From two children’s hikes and a station for guided nature-based art projects to new nature trails and more, there’s no shortage of activities for little ones.
Plus, enjoy hula hoops in the children’s area and play lawn games or visit Fairy House Lane and Woodland Way, our all-natural playground.
Lunch from Krolick’s BBQ
This southtowns staple is famous for their barbecue. Your SpringFest admission comes with a BBQ chicken dinner of a half chicken, green salad, roll and butter, and buttered spuds. Anyone who’d like to opt for a veggie burger, plus these sides, is free to do so, and there will also be hot dogs available for kids.
Along with your lunch, each admission comes with two complimentary snacks, including fruit and granola bars.
Live Music on the Lawn
Live music and nature go together like SpringFest goes with the start of summer.
Tony Blasting and Skinny G & The Meatballs will be returning to this year’s event—both favorites from last year’s, with their acoustic and ‘70s staples, respectively.
Make sure to bring your own chairs and blankets and find a spot in the sunshine!
Basket Raffle & 50/50 Split
Why not try your hand at the variety of baskets in our raffle, or the 50/50 split? For $10 per sheet of tickets or three sheets for $20, you can enter to win baskets centered around gardening, Buffalo history, and lots more.
Watch an Artist Paint in Real Time
Have you ever wanted to watch an artist create a piece of art in front of you? Local wildlife muralist Nate Phillips will join this year’s event and craft a painting in real time!
A Buffalo-based artist, Nate also just recently completed a detailed and extensive native bird mural for the Honorable Shirley Chisholm Library (formerly Audubon Library).
Visit the Nature Center
Explore two floors of lifelike, engaging exhibits inside Trillium Nature Center! From treehouse play structures and displays to turtles and snakes, there’s something to enjoy around every corner.
Plus, you’ll also find restrooms and a water bottle refill station inside the center.
Did you know your 100 club buffalo audubon membership comes with a free springfest admission?
It’s true! Upgrade or join our flock today to claim your free ticket, plus myriad other benefits that a Buffalo Audubon membership offers.
More to Know: Parking, Admission & More
Your SpringFest admission is virtually all-inclusive: Everything listed above (besides the basket raffle and 50/50) are included with your tickets, which run at $45 general admission or $25 for children. VIP options are also available for $100 apiece.
Once you arrive, look for our friendly volunteers to help you find parking, which is free for all guests.
Then, you can head over to the check-in tent, where you can either get tickets or give your name, if you purchased them pre-sale. (Admission does go up $5 day-of, so make sure to get your tickets beforehand!)
Lunch will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., and limited alcoholic beverage tickets are also available for purchase.
With warm weather in the forecast, it’s a good idea to bring blankets and chairs to sit outside, along with sunscreen, bug spray, and refillable water bottles.
See you at SpringFest!
Interested in learning more about programs and events like these at Buffalo Audubon? Visit our website to stay updated on Friday morning birding hikes, nature camps, discounts and other perks that come with a Buffalo Audubon membership, and so much more.
Buffalo Audubon leads and inspires Western New Yorkers to connect with and protect the natural world through bird-focused activities, advocacy, and habitat restoration. Our organization launched the Bird-Friendly Buffalo movement in 2025, to help raise awareness and guide communities with practical solutions to build a city where birds can thrive.
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