The holidays bring people together to celebrate the true spirit of the season and be surrounded by those who mean the most to us. During this special time of the year, the Erie region hosts many festive events, from dazzling light displays to heart-warming performances.

The 39th Annual Festival of Trees
Dates: Friday through Sunday, November 24-26
Location: Bayfront Convention Center
Times: Friday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Admission: Adults $10, Children 12 and under $7
This year’s festival features a gallery of more than 80 uniquely decorated trees, local entertainment, holiday vendors and displays, rooms from Santa’s Castle, live reindeer, and a special Teddy Bear Clinic with AHN Saint Vincent Hospital’s team of teddy bear specialists.

Port Farms Country Christmas at the Farm
Dates: Wednesday through Sunday, November 24-December 17
Location: Port Farms
Time: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Admission: General admission is free. Holiday activities such as horse-drawn rides are a la carte.  
Enjoy horse-drawn sleigh, wagon, or carriage rides throughout Port Farms’ scenic tree plantation, or do some shopping for holiday décor, handmade wreaths, and Christmas trees (pre-cut or self-cut). The events barn (aka Santa’s Workshop) is open every Saturday and Sunday and features live music, holiday food and drink specials, crafts, and cookie decorating.

Cirque Dreams Holidaze
Date: Wednesday, November 29
Location: Warner Theatre
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Admission: Starting at $44
Cirque Dreams Holidaze features a world-renowned cast of performers accompanied by an ensemble of aerial circus acts, sleight-of-hand jugglers, fun-loving skippers, breath-catching acrobatics, and much more. The original music score includes new twists on seasonal favorites such as “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” and “Carol of the Bells.”

Victorian Holidays
Dates: Thursday through Sunday, November 30 – December 3
Location: Watson-Curtze Mansion
Times: Thursday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday Noon to 5 p.m.
Admission: $2 per person
Guests can take self-guided tours through the historic Watson-Curtze Mansion which will be beautifully decorated inside and outside for the holiday season. A selection of holiday gifts is available for purchase in the adjacent Carriage House building. The holiday decorations will remain until January 7, 2024.

Presque Isle Lights
Dates: Friday through Sunday December 1 – 30 (closed December 24, 25, and 31)
Location: Presque Isle State Park
Time: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Admission: Free. Donations appreciated.
Presque Isle State Park’s natural beauty combined with a multitude of colorful lights and displays makes for a truly unique holiday drive-thru experience. Several areas will be decorated including the Presque Isle Lighthouse, Stull Interpretive Center, Ranger Station, and Waterworks Beach/Rotary Pavilion. Guests can tune in to 99.9 FM to pair festive holiday music with their drive.  

3^rd Annual Festival of Trees at The Elsie Greer House
Dates: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday December 1-31 (except December 24)
Location: The Elsie Greer House Bed & Breakfast
Time: 4 – 8 p.m.
Admission: Adults $7, Children 12 and under $5
Step back in time for a tour of a beautiful winter wonderland of trees as the Elsie Greer House celebrates the Christmas season. Refreshments will be provided. 

Asbury Woods Winter Wonderland
Dates: December 1-31 (except December 24 and 25)
Location: Asbury Woods Nature Center
Time: Daily from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. 
Admission: Free. Donations appreciated.
Bundle up for a peaceful evening stroll along the boardwalk trail where holiday lights will twinkle in the woods and wetlands for approximately 1/3 of a mile. The Nature Center will be open for guests and The Squeaky Frog will have a variety of specially crafted holiday gifts made by local artisans.

Downtown D’Lights
Date: Friday, December 1
Location: Perry Square, Downtown Erie
Time: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Admission: Free.
Join Santa, Mrs. Claus, and Erie Mayor Joe Schember as they light up Perry Square in an incredible display of lights and decorations, including an enormous holiday tree! This family-friendly event features holiday music, holiday vendor village shops, a live cut tree and wreath sale, hot chocolate, and sweet treats.

“It’s a Wonderful Life – The Musical”
Dates: Friday through Sunday, December 1 - 17
Location: Erie Playhouse
Times: Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m.
Admission: Adults and Seniors $25, Children and Full-time Students $18
Based on the beloved 1946 film, this musical follows George Bailey’s life, from his childhood dreams to his midlife disappointments and beyond, on a journey to discover whether his life has mattered. This adaptation breathes musical life into a familiar story while retaining the original film’s warmth and humor.

The 33rd Annual “Christmas Memories”
Dates: December 2 - 17
Location: Erie Station Dinner Theatre
Times: Wednesday at Noon, Friday 6:30 p.m., Saturday 5:30 p.m., and Sunday 2:30 p.m.
Admission: Adults $48, Seniors (65 and up) and Students $42, Children ages 6-11 $28
Ring in the holidays with this heart-warming musical where the true meaning of Christmas is always celebrated. Join the Holiday Harmony Singers and sing along to traditional holiday favorites and share a bountiful meal, served family-style.

The Erie Philharmonic presents “Come Home for the Holidays”
Date: Saturday and Sunday, December 2-3
Location: Warner Theater
Times: Saturday 8 p.m., Sunday matinee at 3 p.m.
Admission: Ticket prices vary.
This annual showcase of holiday music is a beloved Erie tradition. Guest vocalist and American Idol finalist Melinda Doolittle will fill the Warner Theatre with her powerful voice, while the Erie Philharmonic Chorus, Junior Chorus, and Youth Chorale will lend their artistry to the performance. Ballet dancers will lend a touch of grace to the concert and a certain jolly gentleman in a red suit may even pop in for a visit!

Mannheim Steamroller Christmas
Date: Thursday, December 7
Location: Warner Theatre
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Admission: Starting at $47
The Ultimate Holiday Tradition! Grammy Award winner Chip Davis has created a show that features Mannheim Steamroller Christmas classics in the distinctive Mannheim sound including dazzling multimedia effects.

A Motown Christmas
Date: December 11
Location: Warner Theatre
Time:  7:30 p.m.
Admission: Starting at $44
Featuring former members of The Temptations, The Miracles & The Contours, A Motown Christmas is a powerful family-oriented show combining Motown's greatest hits with everyone's favorite holiday classics, dazzling choreography, and unforgettable harmonies.​  

Nutcracker at the Warner
Dates: Saturday and Sunday, December 16-17
Location: Warner Theatre
Times: Saturday 7 p.m., Sunday 2 p.m.
Admission: Starting at $29
The Lake Erie Ballet Company has created a reimagined and enchanting performance of The Nutcracker, through a community collaboration of multiple dance companies. The Nutcracker is a masterpiece that seamlessly blends art, music, and dance, creating an unforgettable experience.

New Year’s Rockin Eve with the Erie Otters
Date: Sunday, December 31
Location: Erie Insurance Arena
Time: 4 p.m.
Admission: Tickets start at $11
Start the countdown for a Rockin' New Year’s Eve with the Erie Otters as they take on the Brantford 99ers. The first 1,500 fans will receive a 2024 Otters Player Calendar from Printing Concepts. Photo booths will be around the concourse plus lots of festive New Year’s surprises in store.

Noon Years Eve
Date: Sunday, December 31
Location: expERIEnce Children’s Museum
Time: Two sessions – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Admission: $12 for members, $15 for non-members
Get ready for the ultimate balloon drop at the stroke of noon, followed by a sparkling juice box toast to ring in the "noon year." But the fun doesn't end there – gear up for engaging STEAM activities that set the tone for a year of discovery and growth. Kick off the year with a bang, laughter, and learning.

Boogie on the Bay
Date: Sunday, December 31
Location: Bayfront Convention Center
Time: 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Admission: $80 per person
Say goodbye to 2023 and hello to 2024 and dance the night away on Erie’s beautiful Bayfront! Admission includes cocktails, live music, hors d'oeuvres, and a champagne toast. Overnight hotel packages are available at the Sheraton Erie Bayfront and the Courtyard Erie Bayfront. 

New Year's Eve Masquerade Celebration
Date: Sunday, December 31
Location: Splash Lagoon Indoor Water Park
Time: 10 a.m. – Midnight
Cost: Activities included with water park admission
Enjoy a live animal show, face painting, a caricature artist, crafts, a coloring contest, a silent disco, duck races, prize drawings every hour, a midnight ball drop, and more! Bring the whole family for a watery adventure on Splash Lagoon’s thrilling water slides, Wild Waters Wave Pool, and the newly updated Tree House.  Make it an overnight getaway with lots of fun extras, and book the Special Masquerade of Fun Package.