Estimated Read Time: 10 Minutes

In Erie County, Pennsylvania, the holidays feel charming in the best way: twinkling lights, snow-dusted storefronts, local wine, cozy food, festive events, and independently owned shops filled with gifts for everyone on your list. Spend a weekend shopping and exploring Erie, Pennsylvania to get you in the spirit of the season.

Holiday hours, event dates, and seasonal menus can vary, so check with individual businesses before you go—especially if you’re visiting on a weekday or holiday weekend.

Day One – Shop Small in One of Erie County’s Small Towns

Small towns are sprinkled throughout Erie County, each bringing their own character to visitors’ experiences. Start your trip by shopping local in the town that best fits your aesthetic or route.

North East, Pennsylvania
Best for: wine lovers, Hallmark movie enthusiasts, readers
Route 5, between Buffalo and Erie

Located on the easternmost edge of Erie County, North East serves up charm all year, but turns it up over the holiday season. At the center of the town is Gibson Park, serving as the heart of the community, and location for town events and its Christmas tree. The strollable streets are well maintained, and lights overhead really set the tone for holiday magic.

North East also does local holiday shopping better than most. Local stores and restaurants circle Gibson Park in the town center: put Book Club on Main, Julie’s Sweet Treats, BeBe’s Baskets and Artisan Gifts and reFoundry on your must-stop list. Each is a woman-owned local business. Many of the wineries that North East is most notable for also have gift shops, including Courtyard Winery and Arundel Cellars & Brewing Company. A bottle of award-winning Lake Erie wine makes an outstanding gift.

Before you’re done, stop for a glass of Cab Franc at Yori Wine Cellars & Brewing Company and get dinner at the Skunk & Goat Tavern, a staple establishment in North East that also goes all-out for the holidays with a festive menu and elaborate snowflake display in the dining room.

Where to stay in North East: Holiday Inn Express-North East

Edinboro, Pennsylvania
Best for: artists, vintage lovers
I-79, between Pittsburgh and Erie

Just south of Erie lies Edinboro – a college town with a distinctly artsy vibe in the heart of Erie County’s snowbelt. Edinboro has a lot of character, and is the perfect place to kick off a shopping trip to Erie County.

Two main thoroughfares are hubs for most of Edinboro’s small businesses – Erie Street, and Meadville Street. Stop in to every store to get out of the cold, but ensure that The Cottage Rose, Edinboro Chocolaterie and Earthshine are on your list. In other parts of Edinboro, visit Sealed by Nature for hand crafted soaps and scrubs, and Sweet Memories at Nick’s Place for old school candy that will add a dose of nostalgia to your holiday.

End the day with dinner at Riverside Brewing Company, located just south of Edinboro in Cambridge Springs, Pennsylvania. The former historic inn is perfect for a cozy winter meal. The owners also own a maple farm, so the sweet syrup is incorporated into many winter meals, and the dining room is built around a massive stone fireplace that’s always decked out for the holidays.

Where to stay near Edinboro: The Seasons Inn

Millcreek, Pennsylvania (Presque Isle Gateway Region)
Best for: shoppers, foodies
Route 5, between Cleveland and Erie

One of the region’s most popular areas in the summer stays bustling through winter, with a multitude of shopping plazas that skew heavily to local business. The Colony Plaza is the area’s largest. Inside the Jelly Jar is a favorite for unique (and often nostalgic) children’s gifts, and A La Carte is one of the county’s most popular gift stores. While you’re there, grab lunch at Colony Pizza or The Juice Jar.

Closer to Erie, the West Erie Plaza features walkable upscale local shops, restaurants, and a cupcake vending machine. In December, the outdoor Plaza lights a massive Christmas tree in the center, the perfect place for a family photo op.

Linger to enjoy some of Erie’s best restaurants, also located in West Erie Plaza. The Cork 1794 has been nationally honored for its wine menu, and Bar Ronin and Lucero are continually ranked among Erie’s best restaurants. Local tip: make reservations if you want to get a table.

Where to stay near Presque Isle: TBD

Day Two – Explore Downtown Erie and the City

Erie lights up for the holidays – literally. With Perry Square and its signature tree at the center, Downtown Erie transforms into a movie scene each December, with lights lining the streets, shops and restaurants hosting pop ups and special hours, all usually complemented with a steady coat of fresh snow.

Start your second day at Flagship City Press and Purrista Cat Café for a warm beverage and gifts. The neighboring businesses are woman-owned and sell the kinds of things that make perfect holiday gifts – think trendy stationery, quirky stickers, and home décor.

A short (and generally traffic-free!) drive into downtown takes you to the Flagship City District – the core of Erie’s downtown, and home to the newest local businesses.  Located between 4^th Street and North Park Row along State Street, nearly 20 new businesses have opened or relocated to the District since 2021, spanning shopping, experiences, and dining. Glass Growers Gallery and Copper Carriage Antiques are must-visits for holiday shopping and rare finds.

End the day with a bowl of comfort at one of Downtown Erie’s restaurants. The Taiwanese Beef Noodle Soup at Like My Thai on State Street is a cold weather cure and SobaEra Tsaocaa is known for its ramen and pho. After dinner, The Brewerie at Union Station goes all out for the holidays with its annual holiday pop-up, Blitzen’s at the Brewerie. It’s not just floor-to-ceiling tinsel and décor: it’s a full menu of more than 10 specialty holiday cocktails and mocktails, and hundreds of Erie’s most festive visitors celebrating together.

Where to stay Downtown: The Inn Down Town

Bonus Activities

Erie’s calendar of events lights up each November and December to kick off the most festive season. Plan your trip around one of these annual events to gather with locals and celebrate the season.

• Festival of the Trees – Professionally decorated trees line the halls of the Bayfront Convention Center
• Downtown d’Lights – Hosted by the Erie Downtown Partnership, light up downtown Erie with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
• Country Christmas at Port Farms – Sleigh rides, cut Christmas trees, Santa and more.
• Presque Isle Lights – Light displays illuminate sections of Presque Isle State Park.
• Victorian Holidays at the Watson-Curtze Mansion – Erie’s most historic mansion is decorated for tours.
• Holiday shows and concerts are also common at the historic Warner Theatre, the Erie Playhouse, and the Mercyhurst Institute for Arts and Culture. Check schedules for upcoming performances.