Ellicottville’s Winter Blues Weekend Returns Jan. 16–18 with 15+ Free Performances
Over 15 blues acts will perform across Ellicottville’s downtown Jan. 16–18, including Miller & The Other Sinners and Maria Aurigema — all with no cover charge.
ELLICOTTVILLE - Nothing complements a great day on the ski slopes more than an evening of live music, and that’s just what Ellicottville’s Winter Blues Weekend is guaranteed to deliver. With over 15 bands scheduled in all the downtown hot spots, visitors can expect a full line-up of high-energy, soulful performances come the weekend of January 16-18th.
Produced by the Ellicottville Chamber of Commerce, the music kicks off Friday evening and continues through Sunday afternoon, making it a weekend you won’t want to miss. The best part: all performances are free to enjoy! NO COVERS
Get ready to feel the soulful grooves on Saturday, Jan. 17th when Miller and The Other Sinners take the stage at Villaggio at 7:00pm. Hailing from Buffalo, this nationally touring Southern soul and blues outfit blends gut-bucket delta grit, Memphis soul, gospel spirit, and funky R&B into a high-energy roots-based sound that’s as moving as it is danceable. Led by singer/guitarist David Michael Miller - an acclaimed musician in the Western New York music scene - the band has performed hundreds of shows across the U.S. and Canada, delivering infectious grooves, heartfelt songwriting, and dynamic musicianship that connect deeply with audiences. Whether you’re a longtime blues fan or new to the scene, their rich mix of blues, soul, and roots will be a perfect fit for the Winter Blues Weekend vibe.
Also on Saturday is Buffalo-born blues dynamo, Maria Aurigema, who brings her gutsy, hard-driving original blues to The Gin Mill at 8:00pm. With an enthusiastic following throughout Western New York and Canada, Maria is known for her fiery guitar work and soulful vocals that blend traditional blues grit with rock-tinged intensity. Over the years, she’s shared the stage with acclaimed blues and rock artists like Tommy Castro, Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown, Tab Benoit, and Jimmy Thackery, and opened for national acts including Foreigner, Blue Oyster Cult, and Steppenwolf. Her albums, Take Me, Long Way Home, and her latest, Kindred Spirits, showcase her powerful guitar-driven songwriting and have helped cement her reputation as one of the region’s most compelling blues performers. Catch her live energy and masterful playing this weekend at the Gin Mill.
“Winter Blues Weekend is a great way to spend time with friends and family and discover some of the most talented Blues performers in our region,” said Barb Pump, Executive Director of the Ellicottville Chamber. “We’re looking forward to a full weekend of fun and we encourage visitors to book overnight accommodations so they can enjoy all that Ellicottville has to offer.”
Along with live music, Ellicottville boasts several breweries, distilleries, and wineries, more than a dozen restaurants, and just as many retail shops. Browse an eclectic variety of one-of-a-kind gifts and keepsakes, fashionable clothing for men, women and kids, and even unique finds for your furry, four-legged friends. When it’s time for dessert, head to any of our coffee bars, candy stores, ice cream parlors or bakeries. It’s the icing on the cake… literally!
“Our downtown business district offers the whole package, and it’s all in a 4-block walkable footprint,” said Pump. “Park your car, shop, dine, and bar hop on foot. You can easily take in all the sights and sounds of Winter Blues Weekend every which way you turn!”
Book your lodging now so you can look forward to enjoying a weekend of great music, fun dining, eclectic shopping and of course, freshly groomed ski conditions. A complete list of accommodations, restaurants, and retailers, along with a schedule of live music for Winter Blues Weekend 2026 can be found at ellicottvilleny.com. Stay updated on other Chamber-related news and events by following @visitellicottville on IG/FB. For questions or additional information, contact the Ellicottville Chamber of Commerce at 800-349-9099 or info@ellicottvilleny.com.