Things to do this summer: Festivals, movie nights, and more (2024)

The Erie Times-News has put together this guide to fun times, sounds, tastes and sights to check out around Erie County and nearby while the weather is warm, no matter if you're a visitor or vacationing in your backyard.

We'll update this article throughout the coming months as details about more summer fun emerge.

Erie need-to-know information

Bookmark these three links for the always updated weather forecast, the very latest calendar of things to do (you can add your own event for free) and the latest news:

• GoErie.com/weather
• Severe weather notifications
• Things to do in Erie
• News, sports and more from GoErie.com (find the latest subscription deals)

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Trying to get around Erie? What to know about road work

• Summer schedule for major improvements
• Temporary lane shift for Bayfront Parkway
• West Fifth Street reopens in downtown Erie
• Route 20 work underway in west county
• Nighttime paving in Summit Township
• Interstate 90 construction status
• When will Waterford's covered bridge reopen?

Presque Isle State Park

Make the most of summer at Pennsylvania's most visited state park.

• What's happening with concessions at Presque Isle in 2024?
• Meet the bands playing the weekly Sunset Music Series on Beach 11
• What to know about water quality testing at Presque Isle
• Keep these emergency numbers handy when you're on the park
• Everything you need to know about summer 2024 at Presque Isle
• Visitor guide to Erie's lighthouses
• Here's what the park staff says about lifeguards this summer
• Where to rent kayaks for Presque Isle, Bay paddling
• What's different at the Presque Isle Marina?
• About those phone service dead zones around the park ...
• What to know about the lost and found at Presque Isle State Park
• Presque Isle Express bus route back in service for summer
• Bucket list: What to do at Presque Isle
• Big Green Screen finally reopens at Tom Ridge Environmental Center
• What's up with the limited parking and access at the North Pier?
• What are those new structures in the Beach 8 parking lot?
• Get a free ride through the lagoons on a pontoon boat
• Pip, pip hooray: What to know about piping plovers at Presque Isle

Waldameer Park & Water World

From the picnic groves to the heights of Ravine Flyer II, there's something for every visitor at Waldameer.

• What you need to know about Waldameer this season
• Which Waldameer Park rides are the classics? How old some of the attractions turn in 2024
• Ready to have a cheat day? What food and drinks there are at Waldameer this year
• What makes Waldameer Park's Ravine Flyer II wooden roller coaster unique?
• Who helps keep Ravine Flyer II on its tracks? Waldameer ride mechanic describes his job
• Waldameer Park president shares thoughts about the season
• Waldameer family member writes series of children's mystery books set at park
• Waldameer says residents of Village Mobile Home Park have until Oct. 31 to vacate property

Live music

Pack a folding chair and get a front-row seat for live music all over Erie County.

• When and where to find free outdoor concerts around Erie
• Gabby Barrett, Jimmy Eat World to perform at CelebrateErie
• Check out who is performing at Presque Isle's Sunset Music Series
• REO Speedwagon to pull into Erie's Warner Theatre in July
• Sexyy Red, Jeezy, Tay Money, Mooski, Rob 49 coming to Erie
• Erie Jazz and Blues Festivalis making a comeback. See who's featured.
• Who is performing at 8 Great Tuesdays?
• When and where Erie-area festivals are happening
• Catch Erie's First to Eleven on tour this summer

Fireworks

Save your ooohs and aaahs for these nights.

• When is Lights Over Lake Erie?
• When and where to find fireworks around Erie County in summer 2024
• Why Fourth fireworks won't be contained to the Fourth

Where to see movies around Erie

Check out big fun on big screens.

• Movies under the Erie stars
• Waterford drive-in one of precious few remaining in U.S.
• Tom Ridge Environmental Center's Big Green Screen reopens after hiatus

Eat and drink around Erie

There are great places to grab a bite everywhere, and what follows is just some of the reporting the Times-News staff has done recently. Find more openings, tips and news all summer with GoErie.com's dining coverage. Want some ideas for at-home recipes? Sign up for food reporter Jennie Geisler's free weekly Erielicious newsletter.

• Ice cream near you: Try these dozens of frozen treat shops around Erie County
• Smiley's Ice Cream to open in former GetGo location at busy Wesleyville intersection
• Where to find wineries and when they're open in Erie region and along Lake Erie Wine Trail
• Elephant ears, fried foods and new food served at Waldameer
• 'Gnarly' new food truck is literally on another level near Erie's Bicentennial Tower
• 'Not just a hot dog' stand, MP Coney Island has more than franks on menu
• Bro Man's brings in crowd at second burger/taco shop in old George's
• Federal Hill Smokehouse lands spot on top 100 BBQ joints
• New bubble tea and noodle place open in former Molly's, drawing crowds
• Roma's Italian Kitchen is open. What inspired the menu?
• Erie pizza makers, customers loving brick-oven, wood-fired pies
• Owners of Pittsburgh Inn celebrate landmark restaurant's centennial
• Khao Thai owner is back with new restaurant on Peninsula Drive
• Siblings open Kitchen 601, a soul food restaurant at Brown and Cherry
• CheesErie owners to expand into new Taco Cabana kitchen in Food Hall
• Waterford's new barbecue restaurant serves more than a 'pile of meat'
• 'Evolved' Underdog BBQ open at new location in former Perkins

Erie SeaWolves

Follow Erie's Double-A Detroit Tigers affiliate as they chase major league dreams at UPMC Park and try for a second straight Eastern League championship.

• SeaWolves clinch a third straight playoff spot with five straight wins
• Championship celebrations to Fauxback uniforms: What to expect from the SeaWolves
• Defending Eastern League champion SeaWolves return 19 players from last year's roster
• More SeaWolves news

So many more things to do around Erie

• Celebrate Pride Month with Pride on the Bay and other events
• Everything you need to know about visiting the Erie Zoo
• Martina McBride, Beach Boys, Boyz II Men, more performing at Chautauqua
• Get your ticket for the annual Save-an-Eye all-star football game
• It's thoroughbred racing season at Presque Isle Downs
• What to know about visiting Erie's lighthouses
• Visit the renovated ExpERIEnce Children's Museum
• See what performances are coming to the Erie Playhouse
• Downtown Erie has an indoor rock climbing gym with a 52-foot-high wall
• Get free admission to the Erie Art Museum twice a month
• Go thrifting and for fun, savings and good causes
• There's mini-golf on Erie's bayfront
• Try glow golf at J.C. Martin
• Go roller skating at Gem City Skate
• 10 scenic views in Erie County that everyone should see
• Find a garage sale
• Visit some of the many public art installations around Erie County
• Rent an e-bike

Find something that makes Erie's summer special? Email your tip to newsdesk@timesnews.com.