Mark your calendars and don’t miss any of Erie County’s most popular festivals, fairs, and events. Whether it’s an ethnic festival, live music on the water, classic fair food and midway rides, or celebration of all things Erie,
there’s sure to be an event that fits any interests.
To view ALL of Erie County's tourism-related festivals, events and celebrations, click here.
This four-day maritime celebration offers visitors the rare chance to climb aboard and explore a fleet of tall ships, set sail in a historic vessel, or enjoy many other festival highlights including the Parade of Sails, live music and entertainment, children’s activities, a festival marketplace, food vendors, and much more. Tall Ships is typically hosted in Erie every three years and will take place August 25-28, 2022. Pictured right
Come out and support Erie’s awesome local restaurant scene! Hosted by VisitErie, Erie Restaurant Week takes place annually in January or February. Participants can select from a special crafted lunch and dinner menu, with meals priced and created by our local restaurants. Check back soon to see when Erie Restaurant Week 2023 dates are announced!
Erie offers a diverse melting pot of ethnic festivals each summer. Make time to stop at the Panegyri Greek Festival (July), AmeriMasala (July), St. Paul’s Italian Festival (August), Zabawa Polish Festival (August), German Heritage Festival (September), and St. Patrick’s Irish Festival (September). Each one showcases traditional items from their origin countries, live entertainment and of course delicious food! Pictured: AmeriMasala in July
Held annually during the last week of July, Discover Presque Isle celebrates Erie’s most treasured asset with dozens of family-friendly recreational and educational activities geared to draw attention to Presque Isle State Park’s diverse ecosystems and the importance of protecting its natural environment. A festival favorite is the popular sand sculpture competition on Beach 11.
Known for its perfect blend of music, art and food, Erie’s Blues and Jazz Festival is one of the area’s most popular events. Each August the free, multi-day celebration of art and music highlights national, regional, local blues and jazz entertainment set in the beautiful outdoor, family-friendly setting of Frontier Park in the City of Erie. Pictured
CelebrateErie is a three-day extravaganza taking place annually mid-August in Downtown Erie. It is designed to bring everyone together for a showcase of all things Erie. The event features nationally headlining artists on its mainstage as well as five districts: art, culture, food, family and business. CelebrateErie’s top attraction is the Chalkwalk, where more than 40 vibrant chalk murals done by local and regional artists span the length of a city block.
WineFest, like fine wine, improves each year with age! During the last full weekend of September, visitors can expect a wide selection of wine tastings, local arts vendors, grape stomping and live music in charming North East, Pennsylvania. Winery tours are also held during the event at various wineries throughout the region. Pictured
The biennial Great Lakes Beach Glass and Coastal Arts Festival has become one of the largest arts festivals in the region, featuring artists and craftspeople from across the United States and Canada. Thousands of visitors come for the handmade jewelry, art, home decor, lecture series, live music, bottle and shard identification exhibit, antique collections, wine tasting and more. The event is hosted in October at Erie’s Bayfront Convention Center.
Every first Friday in December, watch downtown Erie and Perry Square come alive with festive lights at this annual downtown tradition. Join Santa, Mrs. Claus and the Mayor of the City of Erie as they flip the lights on throughout Perry Square to officially kick off the holiday season.
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