Family events in Erie, PA

Presented by Sports Fanz and the Pittsburgh Card Show, this multi-day showcase at Millcreek Mall highlights sports cards, sports collectibles, Pokémon, One Piece, and other trading card games. The show features more than 200 tables, including over 125 focused on sports cards, memorabilia, and collectibles, and more than 75 dedicated to Pokémon cards, sealed product, One Piece, and other TCG items. Dealers and vendors will be buying and selling throughout. Admission and parking are free. Attendees can register at the Pittsburgh Card Show tables for Golden Ticket shopping sprees totaling $2,000. A limited number of 8 foot dealer and vendor tables are available for $140, covering the full run of the show. This gathering brings collectors and fans together under one roof at Millcreek Mall.

L'Arche Erie hosts an evening gathered around one long communal table with a French-inspired theme that honors L'Arche’s beginnings in France more than 60 years ago. The evening offers a warm atmosphere centered on food, friendship, music, and community, celebrating belonging, connection, and the joy of sharing life together. The experience includes dinner, dessert, adult beverages, and other thoughtful touches inspired by the charm of a French gathering. Tickets are $85 per person and availability is limited. The celebration welcomes longtime friends of L'Arche Erie as well as first-time attendees. This is a 21 and older event and will proceed regardless of weather.

UPMC Park hosts a matchup between the Erie SeaWolves and the Altoona Curve, with the SeaWolves taking the field as the Flagship City Kitties to celebrate Erie's flagship roots, 25 years of Tigers player development, and the future stars on display. A postgame fireworks show, presented by Printing Concepts, will light up the night. Fans who purchase a light up or glow item from the SeaWolves Team Store can watch the fireworks from the field in front of the SeaWolves dugout. Afterward, kids ages 12 and younger can run the bases, weather permitting.

An annual, college-hosted summer dance camp in the Erie area offers training with nationally ranked coaches and athletes. Participants build performance skills, take part in a Q&A, and can look forward to additional activities. The camp is held at Junker Gym and welcomes students in grades 6 through 12. The fee is $70 and includes a goodie bag. For questions, email Coach Karle at kqc5558@psu.edu.

Hosted at Erie Sports Center, this annual family mini golf open welcomes participants of every age. The round features a shotgun start, prizes, and raffle drawings. Four designated holes offer a $50 reward for a hole in one. Pizza, soft drinks, and ice cream are provided for lunch. Visitors from out of town can turn it into a weekend by exploring the beaches at Presque Isle.

This sweet experience centers on cookies, cupcakes, and ice cream.

Each Second Saturday, Erie Land Lighthouse offers pay what you wish tower climbs along with both self guided and guided educational activities. Businesses and organizations can support the day as a sponsor. At the Lampist level, a $500 contribution supports one Second Saturday and includes five combo admission passes to share, logo placement on the website and social media graphics, a table at the event, and one ticket to the August fundraiser. Event imagery is courtesy of NOAA, photographed by Matt McIntosh.

Explore how much of our food relies on pollinators, with one in three bites linked to their efforts. Regional Science Consortium staff guide a session on the vital role these species play and the pressures causing their populations to decline. Attendees put ideas into practice by constructing a backyard pollinator house to help support these important creatures close to home.

A welcoming, community-centered picnic created for individuals and families living with type 1 diabetes. Expect a friendly setting to meet others who understand the T1D journey, exchange experiences, and build new connections. The event is free. Light food and refreshments will be available, and you are welcome to bring your own picnic lunch. Pre-registration is requested so organizers can plan appropriately. Whether newly diagnosed or long involved in the community, attendees can look forward to support and encouragement. For questions, contact Community Engagement Manager Kristina Howell at khowell@breakthrought1d.org.

An uplifting annual block party and resource fair that centers community, welcoming Black and Brown community members, LGBTQIA+ people, allies, families, and local organizations to connect, celebrate, and empower one another. The day features live performances and DJ sets, community resource tables, wellness offerings, a variety of vendors, and food. Beyond the festivities, the focus is on visibility, access to support, and sustained care for the community throughout the year.

The second annual Rides for the Rise motor music festival begins with a motor vehicle parade through Erie, then moves to Rebich Investments Amphitheater and Liberty Park for a day of live performances by local artists, food trucks, vendors, and a bike parade. Portions of the funds raised support youth programs and mentorship in the community. Details on the parade kickoff and festival start time will be announced.

UPMC Park hosts a matchup between the Erie SeaWolves and the Altoona Curve. For this game, the SeaWolves take the field as the Flagship City Kitties to honor Erie's flagship history, 25 years of Tigers player development, and the rise of future stars. The first 1,000 fans receive a Flagship City Kitties replica jersey, presented by Erie County Community College.

RAACA Erie’s 17th Annual Child Abuse Awareness Poker Run welcomes all vehicles for a community ride focused on raising awareness and support. Check in takes place at the Angels Gone Too Soon of Pennsylvania Memorial Wall. Registration is $20 for a single rider or $30 for a couple, and car participants pay $20 per adult and $10 per child. A bug run element is included this year, with $5 stickers available and half of all sticker sales going to the winner. An afterparty will be held at the Greene Township Municipal Building Gym, featuring food catered by Underdog BBQ. Admission to the afterparty is $10 for adults and $5 for children, with bottle raffles, small games of chance, and an American Auction rounding out the day.

More than 300 corgis come together for a playful celebration at Frontier Park near Erie’s beaches and bayfront. The day includes corgi races, a costume contest, prizes, and vendor booths. Admission is $25 per adult, and corgis and children 12 and under are free.

UPMC Park hosts a matchup between the Erie SeaWolves and the Altoona Curve, affiliated with the Pittsburgh Pirates. This Retro Sunday celebration nods to the era of daytime ball and stickball, with the SeaWolves taking the field in throwback uniforms inspired by vintage baseball and classic animation, including special retro caps and jerseys. After the game, weather permitting, fans can head to the outfield to play catch, so bring a glove and a ball. Kids ages 12 and under are invited to run the bases after the final out, also weather permitting. The promotion is presented in partnership with Erie News Now.

A relaxed dinner cruise aboard the Victorian Princess glides across Presque Isle Bay with an Italian inspired menu and shoreline views. The meal features cheese ravioli, meatballs, Italian sausage, rigatoni, and a Caesar salad, followed by a cupcake for dessert. Guests enjoy the cuisine and the scenery from the water throughout the cruise.

Enjoy a relaxed library meet-up with space for kids to play and families to connect. There is no scheduled story time, but there are puzzles, blocks, and plenty of books to explore together. This program is free and requires no registration. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Supported by the Friends of the Library. This is a recurring program and will be cancelled if Iroquois Library is closed.

Elevate Summer Camp keeps kids active, engaged, and having fun with a different theme each week. Sports Week focuses on active play, with a complete experience that includes time for open jump, lunch provided, creative crafts with organized activities, and plenty of games and group activities. The fee is $215 per camp, with a 10 percent discount for siblings and Launch Pass members. Enrollment is limited to 35 jumpers, and the program is designed to create memories that last well beyond summer.

The Victorian Princess hosts an evening dinner cruise timed to sunset, combining a leisurely sail on Lake Erie with dinner and music in a relaxed, inviting setting. Designed as a scenic night out for families, groups of friends, or someone special, it features lake views and a laid back atmosphere throughout the voyage.

Cool off with sprinklers, bubbles, and reusable water balloons during a fun summer morning of water play and community at Splash-Tastic Tuesdays. Families and kids can enjoy time together outdoors on the back deck off the Wellness Center and in the side yard between the main building and the pool house. This is not a drop and play program, and an adult must be present with their children for this activity.

Support early literacy with an interactive storytime designed for families. Sessions blend stories, songs, movement, art, and other engaging activities to build pre-reading skills. No registration is required, and families can drop in whenever it fits their schedule. Siblings of any age, friends, and other family members are welcome at every session. Tuesday and Wednesday meetings differ, so participants may choose either day or both. For questions, call 814-451-6936.

PLAYtime Summer Camp returns for another season and it is completely free. United Way of Erie County brings weekly summer sessions designed for families, each running 90 minutes with songs, games, and other creative fun. Snacks are provided, along with a take-home treat for the family, and participants who attend regularly can collect camp coupons to redeem for fun items on the final day of camp. Activities take place in an air-conditioned camp cove inside the Ada Lawrence Community Room of the ECAT Wayne Building, home of Erie’s United Way. This is a family-focused experience, so children must be accompanied by an adult. Large groups are not accommodated, with a limit of one adult for every four children. Sponsored by United Way of Erie County, Erie Insurance, and American Tinning & Galvanizing Company.

An evening of Pokémon League play at In The Zone Gaming welcomes the Pokémon TCG community. Matches use the Standard format and the entry fee is $5 per week. Every participant receives a Pokémon booster pack upon completing the tournament, and additional booster packs are awarded at random. League play is open to all experience levels, and players use their own cards to play and trade while working toward prizes. It is a simple way to learn the basics and get comfortable with competitive play before moving on to tournaments, and many League locations also host Championship Series events for those just getting started. These gatherings take place in public venues such as game stores and are run by official League organizers.

Settle in for an evening of live music on the Erie Bayfront as The Goats open the show ahead of the Songbirds, a tribute to Fleetwood Mac. Attendees are welcome to bring lawn chairs for comfortable seating and enjoy the waterfront atmosphere while the bands perform.

Part of 8 Great Tuesdays presented by PNC Bank, this free community concert at the Rebich Investments Amphitheater features The Goats as the opener and Songbirds: A Tribute to Fleetwood Mac as the headliner. The series highlights local and regional talent and includes complimentary shuttle service courtesy of the Erie Metropolitan Transit Authority. Songbirds present an award-winning homage to Fleetwood Mac with a five-member lineup that prioritizes the feel of the band’s legendary live shows. Expect faithful recreations that favor onstage chemistry, gritty spontaneity, and extended instrumental moments over studio polish. Whether mirroring a particular tour set or weaving through timeless favorites from different eras, the group focuses on preserving the art of live performance for listeners of all ages. Fans, affectionately known as The Flock, often praise the precision of these interpretations and their resemblance to classic concerts from the 1960s through the 2010s.

The Gem City Jazz Ensemble presents a free, public outdoor concert at the Soldiers' & Sailors' Home. Attendees are encouraged to bring a lawn chair or blanket for comfortable seating. Donations will be accepted.

The inaugural Moonlight Market at 814 Vintage Marketplace offers an after-hours summer experience with late-night browsing of thousands of distinctive vintage and antique finds. The marketplace will reopen for a relaxed evening that includes access to outdoor gathering areas and casual lawn games, creating a laid-back night out for families and friends. Each edition partners with a local animal shelter to host pet adoptions and raise funds that help animals find permanent homes. Expect special guest vendors and seasonal touches alongside the regular selection. It is an opportunity to support local small businesses, contribute to animal welfare, and enjoy a unique community atmosphere. Entry is free and open to all. Organizers plan to share the shelter partner, guest vendors, activities, and additional details as the event approaches.

Flagship Steel Band brings a free public performance to Bayview Park as part of the Our West Bayfront Concert Series. Bring a lawn chair or blanket to relax and enjoy the outdoor concert. Donations will be accepted.

Part of the Lawrence Park Township Summer Concert Series, The Bully Pulpits take the Beute Park gazebo stage for a spirited performance. Led by teacher Chuck Ferruggia, the group brings together students and alumni to mix electric and acoustic instruments across a broad range of music that appeals to teens and adults. Guests are welcome to bring lawn chairs and enjoy a relaxed evening of community and live music as summer wraps up and the school year approaches.

This evening outing combines an Italian-inspired dinner with tranquil sunset views from the water. The relaxed cruise setting makes it a comfortable choice for friends, families, or a date night, pairing comforting flavors with a scenic, unhurried ride.