Free 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.

A scenic Aquabus route links Dobbins Landing with the Waterworks Ferry Dock on Presque Isle as part of Free Water Taxi Fridays. The base ticket cost is waived, however advance online registration is required and tickets must be reserved for the specific day of travel. Bikes may be brought aboard for a small fee. Supported by Erie Insurance and the Erie Community Foundation, this is a simple and relaxing way to explore Presque Isle by water.

Settle into a gentle and accessible yoga session for ages 17 and up, guided by Balancing Dragon Yoga. The practice blends Hatha and Vinyasa influences, offering multi-level flows that help increase flexibility and strength while promoting relaxation and mental ease. Participants are encouraged to bring a yoga mat and water bottle. This program is free, and registration is encouraged but not required. One sign-up covers the full series, and attending every class is optional. Born from a deep appreciation for yoga and a focus on self-acceptance and self-care, the instruction draws on YogaFit training to support each person’s journey, with the reminder that filling your own cup can create more energy to care for others.

A community market unfolds beneath the trees in Frontier Park, bringing together local vendors with produce, flowers, artisan goods, and more. Browse at a relaxed pace, meet the people who make and grow these items, and enjoy a welcoming shopping experience in the park.

Enjoy a relaxed crafting session with fellow fiber enthusiasts during the final hour to hour and a half that Stitches is open. Participants gather around a table in Grounded Print Shop's space to work on personal projects and chat. Cross stitch, knitting, crochet, and other fiber works in progress are all welcome, or simply enjoy the creative company. This is a free drop in event. Well behaved minors may attend with a responsible adult.

This free Affinity Session at ASCEND Erie focuses on creating an inclusive climbing space for people who identify as queer, femme, transgender, and/or as a woman. The session celebrates diverse communities and centers individuals who have not always had equal access to or treatment within the sport. Attendance is reserved for those who identify within these groups, and others are asked to be respectful and leave this opportunity available to the intended audience. It is an intentionally inclusive space, not an exclusive one. No climbing experience is required.

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.

This farmers market brings together a variety of local farms and producers. Find fresh picks from SSJNN Urban Farm alongside offerings from Wild Field Urban Farm, Laughing Hill Farm, Beichner Farms, Post Apples Farm, Blooming Valley, Fat Hawk Farm, Good Hill Farm, Strickland Honey Farm LLC and more. Each month, the final Monday features a special edition with live music.

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.

Mercy Hilltop Senior Center, in partnership with DANCE Erie, presents Body & Balance, a free dance class for adults 55 and older that keeps movement joyful and accessible. Classes take place at the Mercy Hilltop Center. Wear comfortable, stretchy clothing and socks. Space is limited, so RSVP by calling 814-824-2214.

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.

A friendly book discussion brings local readers together as a volunteer leads conversation about a title from the library’s “Book Club in a Bag” collection, which is available to the public. The group selects each book from the library’s online list, and copies are handed out at the branch one month in advance. Register in person, or call 451-7084 for more information. This is a recurring program, and it will be canceled if Millcreek Library is closed.

Enjoy a no-cost sunrise yoga session atop Dobbins Landing, organized with Erie Downtown Partnership and ASCEND Erie. Led by instructor Chelsea McQuaid, this gentle, beginner-friendly class offers options for all experience levels and aims to prepare participants both physically and mentally for the day. Attendees should bring a mat or blanket, a few warm layers to start, and water. The meeting point is upstairs in front of the Bicentennial Tower.

This free, public weekly board game meetup welcomes people of all ages and backgrounds. Attendees bring a changing assortment of modern tabletop games, so there is always something new to try. Bring a favorite title to share or choose from the community’s collection. Attendees may arrive and depart at their convenience. Snacks and beverages are available for purchase, and outside food and drink are permitted.

At Bayview Park, Our West Bayfront hosts a summer farmers market featuring Burch Farms alongside live music from Gem City Bands. The series showcases performances by the Gem City Steel Drum Band and the Gem City Concert Band, creating a festive wrap-up to the season. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and settle in for the show. Each week, visitors can stop by the OWB table to receive a free $5 voucher to spend at the market. This event is presented by Our West Bayfront with support from the Gannon University Well-Being Office and the Bayfront Convenience Store.

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.

ECWC is bringing free, nonmedical support for people affected by cancer to the Eastside Family YMCA. This visit features a wellness class that blends gentle yoga with meditation and reflection, along with journaling to support both mind and body. Registration is available through the organization’s Program Calendar.