The holidays are a time for families and friends to come together to celebrate the true spirit of the season and appreciate those special moments of being surrounded by those who mean the most to us. Make this year’s celebrations the best ones ever and treat them to one or all of the fun, family-friendly holiday events in Erie, Pennsylvania. From beautiful holiday light displays to heart-warming performances, make memories to cherish and look back on for many years to come.

The 38th Annual Festival of Trees

Dates: Friday through Sunday, November 25-27, 2022
Location: Bayfront Convention Center
Hours: Friday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Admission: Adults $10, Children 12 and under $6
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 where children can bring their own bear or purchase one (for a small donation) to be checked out by a team of teddy bear specialists.

Port Farms Christmas Tree Farm and Holiday Attraction

Dates: Wednesday through Sunday, November 25-December 23, 2022
Location: Port Farms
Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Admission: General admission is free. Some holiday activities such as horse-drawn sleigh rides and cookie decorating are a la carte. Advanced tickets are available for horse-drawn sleigh, wagon, or carriage rides are here.  
Port Farms is ready to welcome guests to their Christmas farm where there’s winter fun for the entire family. Various activities include horse-drawn sleigh, wagon or carriage rides, live music, cookie and craft decorating, holiday food and drink specials, meet-and-greets with Santa (weekends only) or the Grinch (December 3 and 4), and holiday cocktails from Luminary Distilling (guests 21 and over). Holiday décor, handmade wreaths, and Christmas trees (pre-cut or self-cut) are available for purchase.

The 32^nd Annual “Christmas Memories”

Dates:  November 30 -December 18, 2022
Location: Erie Station Dinner Theater
Hours: Wednesday at Noon, Friday 6:30 p.m., Saturday 5:30 p.m. and Sunday 2:30 p.m.
Admission: Adults $45, Seniors (65 and up) and Students $39, Children ages 6-11 $28
Ring in the holidays with this heart-warming musical where the true meaning of Christmas is celebrated. Join the Holiday Harmony Singers and sing along to traditional holiday favorites and share a bountiful meal, served family-style. It’s so much fun, even Scrooge gets into the holiday spirit!   

Presque Isle Lights

Dates: Thursday through Sunday, December 1, 2022 – January 4, 2023 (closed December 24, 25, 31 and January 1)
Location: Presque Isle State Park
Hours: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Admission: Free. Donations are appreciated, but not required.
The combination of the park’s natural beauty and a multitude of colorful holiday lights and displays is truly a unique holiday drive-thru experience. Visitors can stay in the comfort of their own vehicles and wind their way throughout the park’s 13-mile loop to see various areas decorated, including the Presque Isle Lighthouse, Stull Interpretive Center, Ranger Station, and Waterworks Beach/Rotary Pavilion. 

Asbury Woods Winter Wonderland

Dates: December 1-31 (closed December 24 and 25)
Location: Asbury Woods Nature Center
Hours: Daily from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. 
Admission: Free.  Donations are appreciated, but not required.
Bundle up for a peaceful evening stroll along Asbury Woods boardwalk trail and marvel in the thousands of twinkling lights illuminating the surrounding woods and wetlands. Stop inside the Nature Center to say hello to Asbury Woods’ animal residents and browse through a variety of specially crafted holiday gifts made by local artisans.

“Elf, The Musical”

Dates: Friday through Sunday December 2-18, 2022
Location: Erie Playhouse
Hours: Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m.
Admission: Prices for December 2 and 3 are $20.40. All other show dates, tickets start at $17.49
Based on the cherished 2003 film, this modern-day holiday classic is sure to make everyone embrace their inner elf.  After all, the best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear. Meet Buddy, a young orphan, who mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported to the North Pole where he embarks on a journey filled with laughter and a lot of Christmas joy.

Victorian Holidays

Dates: Thursday through Sunday, December 1-4, 2022
Location: Watson-Curtze Mansion
Hours: 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: Free
Thanks to local sponsors Erie Federal Credit Union and Erie Insurance, this year’s Victorian Holidays is free to attend!  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.

Downtown D’Lights

Date: Friday, December 2, 2022
Location: Perry Square, Downtown Erie
Hours: 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.  After the official lighting ceremony (6 p.m.) children can meet jolly St. Nick himself during the Santa Experience on the main stage. 

“Come Home for the Holidays: A Soulful Christmas”

Date: Saturday, December 3, 2022
Location: Warner Theater
Hours: 3 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Admission: Tickets prices vary based on seats
It's the Erie Philharmonic’s annual Holiday Pops concert, a seasonal tradition adored by families and friends. Straight from the national tour of Broadway’s smash hit Hamilton, vocalists Blaine Krauss and Shaleah Adkisson will present some of the most beloved tunes of the season with the full splendor of the Erie Philharmonic and the Philharmonic Chorus. A certain jolly gentleman in a red suit may even pop in for a visit!

Lake Erie Ballet Company presents "The Nutcracker"

Date: Saturday, December 17 and Sunday, December 18, 2022
Location: Warner Theater
Hours: 2:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Admission: Tickets prices vary based on seats
Lake Erie Ballet Company, under new direction, will continue this glorious tradition at the Warner Theater. “Erie’s NUTCRACKER Reimagined” is coming to the stage as a true WORLD PREMIERE right here in this amazing city. This will be a one of a kind multimedia extravaganza that will only be seen in of Erie, PA!