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A Food Lover's Guide to Downtown Erie Restaurants

Local breweries, cafés, bakeries, and restaurants serve everything from elevated comfort food to creative new flavors, making downtown a must-visit destination for food lovers.

A band gives their final bow in front of a crowd on State Street during CelebrateErie.

Annual Events & Festivals

There’s something special about experiencing a destination through its biggest celebrations. Erie’s annual events and festivals bring locals and visitors together to share in the traditions, culture, and excitement that make the region unique. Some are even worth planning your entire trip around.

Signature Erie Events

Every year, visitors count on these signature events and festivals to be the foundation of their next great getaway. For a more customized list of events, discover Events for Foodies, Sports Fans, Free Events and more.

  • Large dinosaur-shaped kites are set up on a beach in Erie, PA, with more traditional kites flying overhead.

    Summer Staples

    • 8 Great Tuesdays (June, July)
    • Pride on the Bay (June)
    • UPMC Sunset Concert Series (June, July)
    • Discover Presque Isle (July)
    • Erie's Blues and Jazz Festival (July)
    • North East Fireman's Cherry Festival (July)
    • CelebrateErie (August)
  • A large number of bikers in Erie during BikeFest.

    Special Interest Events

    • Erie Kennel Club All Breeds Dog Show (January)
    • Maple Taste and Tour Weekend (March)
    • Lake Erie Cyclefest (July)
    • Lucille Ball Comedy Fest (July)
    • Comicon Erie (September)
    • Tall Ships (July, every three years) 
  • A family looking at pumpkins in a pumpkin patch during Erie Fall Fest.

    Fall Festivals

    • Erie County Fair (August)
    • Harvest Weekends at Port Farms (September - November)
    • Erie Downtown Fall Fest (October)
    • Peek'n Peak Fall Fest (October)

More Erie Events & Festivals

  • A couple performs a traditional Russian dance in authentic clothing at the Troika Russian Festival.

    Cultural Events

    Erie’s cultural festivals celebrate the cultures, traditions, and people who have helped make Erie the vibrant community it is today. Every summer and early fall, these events bring generations of heritage to life through music, dancing, and, most importantly, food. Come hungry and discover the flavors, stories, and traditions that make Erie unique. Most are free to attend.

  • Three women smile for the camera and hold up wine glasses.

    Beer & Wine Events

    On the water or in wine country, Erie’s craft beverage events and festivals are celebrations of regional flavors. Major annual events include Wine on the Lake (February), Erie Craft Beer Fest (April), Beer on the Bay (July), WineFest (September), and Lake Erie Wine Country Harvest Weekends (November). 

  • Fireworks light up the sky behind the Bicentennial Tower on July 3.

    Holiday Events

    Erie lights up for the holidays - literally. Whether you’re celebrating Christmas or the Fourth of July, Erie has a festival to make the holiday feel a little more special. Major annual events include Erie’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade (March), Juneteenth (June), Lights Over Lake Erie (July), Festival of Trees (November), Downtown d’Lights (December), and Country Christmas on the Farm (December).

An overhead photo shows a tablescape of appetizers at Lucero restaurant.

Erie Restaurant Week

Let your appetite be your guide with over 60 local chefs showcasing inspired menus and bold ideas. Each January, support local flavor and the people who create it with limited-time menu items and special pricing. 

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