CelebrateErie is one of my favorite weekends downtown — three days of music, food, art, and shopping spread across the whole city. There's genuinely something for everyone, which also means there's a lot to sort through.
So I dug through the full schedule and picked out the family-friendly stuff worth building your visit around.
Here are the family-friendly CelebrateErie events that stood out to me, including a free Bubble Block Party at expERIEnce Children’s Museum, live performances and hands-on activities in the Youth District.
CelebrateErie’s former Family District has been renamed and expanded as the Youth District this year. The Family Stage remains on the east side of Perry Square, while additional youth activities extend north toward Fifth Street and the expERIEnce Children’s Museum.
See the full map, schedule, and more info.
My top Friday pick: Make the Children’s Museum your evening destination
If you’re visiting CelebrateErie with kids Friday evening, put the expERIEnce Children’s Museum Bubble Block Party from 5 to 7 p.m. on your plan.
The free party takes place outside the museum on Fifth Street in the Youth District. Kids can dance to music from DJ 2Waavy, play with bubbles of all shapes and sizes, make their own bubble wands and explore the museum’s Outdoor Classroom.
The best part? There’s no admission charge for the block party, and it gives families a fun destination to build the rest of their Friday visit around.
You could spend the afternoon watching ChalkWalk artists at work, explore the Youth District, catch a Family Stage performance and grab an early dinner from one of the 14 food trucks before finishing your family’s evening at the Bubble Block Party.
Families with older kids can continue the night at the Mainstage, where Arrested Development performs at 8 p.m.
Friday at expERIEnce Children’s Museum
- 10 a.m.–5 p.m.: General museum admission is $8.14
- 5–7 p.m.: FREE Bubble Block Party on Fifth Street
- DJ dance party with DJ 2Waavy
- Bubble play and DIY bubble wands
- Outdoor Classroom open late
Other Friday family highlights
Friday is a particularly good option because crowds are generally lighter, especially during the day. I also like that many of the ChalkWalk artists are still at work on Friday, which gives kids an up-close look at the creative process behind those amazing works of art.
On Friday, the Family Stage, located on the fountain side of Perry Square, includes:
- Noon: Kids on the Block Puppet Troupe
- 12:45 p.m.: Barber Beats Drum Circle
- 4 p.m.: Cherokee National Treasure Storyteller
- 5:15 p.m.: Attention Switch
- 6:30 p.m.: Footlights Youth Theater
Families with older kids might want to stay for the music. The Sweetest Taboo, a Sade tribute, performs on the Mainstage at 6:30 p.m., followed by Arrested Development at 8 p.m.
Pictures from a past CelebrateErie:
Saturday family highlights
Saturday offers the most time and the largest selection of family entertainment.
The Children’s Museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with special $8.14 general admission. You’ll also find the museum’s Mobile Museum exhibits outside in the Fifth Street section of the Youth District from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., along with other exhibitors offering crafting, STEM and arts activities. Right next door, the Art Museum is open for free on Saturday — a nice place to get inside, cool off, and escape the crowds for some quiet time.
That makes the museums and Youth District a good home base for the day. Families can explore the exhibits, catch a nearby performance and then continue through the rest of CelebrateErie.
Saturday’s Family Stage lineup includes:
- Noon: Studio Guerrein
- 12:45 p.m.: Park’s Taekwondo Academy
- 1:30 p.m.: Erie Dance Theater
- 2:45 p.m.: Flagship Steel Drum Band
- 4 p.m.: Dr. Peng’s Dance Team
- 5:15 p.m.: Erie Playhouse Showstoppers
- 6:30 p.m.: In Addendum
My Saturday picks would be exploring the Youth District, catching Park’s Taekwondo Academy for action-loving kids, listening to the Flagship Steel Drum Band and seeing the Erie Playhouse Showstoppers with young theater fans.
If you’re attending with tweens or teens, Saturday is also the night Plain White T’s performs. Daytona Beach 2000 takes the Mainstage at 6:30 p.m., followed by Plain White T’s at 8 p.m.
Sunday family highlights
Sunday is another good choice if you want an afternoon visit rather than a full day downtown.
The Children’s Museum is open from 1 to 5 p.m. with $8.14 general admission. Its Mobile Museum exhibits will also be in the Fifth Street section of the Youth District from 1 to 5 p.m., along with other exhibitors.
Sunday’s Family Stage schedule includes:
- 11:15 a.m.: Erie Chinese Association Performing Group
- Noon: Shreelina Gosh
- 12:45 p.m.: Lake Erie Ballet Company
- 1:30 p.m.: Porters Harmonize By Faith
- 2:45 p.m.: CLDC Line Dancers
- 4 p.m.: Elvis Lives
- 5:15 p.m.: Kelly’s World
This is probably the most varied day on the Family Stage. Families can see ballet, line dancing, cultural performances and an Elvis tribute in a single afternoon.
Sunday’s Mainstage schedule also starts earlier than the other two nights. Steamroller, a James Taylor tribute, performs at 5 p.m., followed by Al Jardine & The Pet Sounds Band at 6:30 p.m.
A few pictures from a past CelebrateErie:
Don’t skip the parts without a start time
You don’t need to schedule every minute of your visit. Some of CelebrateErie’s best family attractions can be explored whenever you reach them.
Youth District
The Youth District includes hands-on activities centered on wellness, learning and the arts. This is where I’d spend the most time with younger children.
ChalkWalk
Nearly 30 colorful chalk murals will fill a block of State Street. ChalkWalk is easy to enjoy with kids of different ages and doesn’t require arriving at a particular time.
Taste of Erie
Fourteen local food trucks will serve food throughout the festival. Letting everyone choose a snack or ordering a few things to share can become part of the experience.
The new Shopping District
CelebrateErie’s new Shopping District brings together local businesses and vendors selling clothing, jewelry, art and more. This may be especially appealing to older kids and teens.
The CelebrateErie basics
CelebrateErie takes place Friday, Aug. 14 through Sunday, Aug. 16 along State Street between Fourth and 10th streets in downtown Erie.
Admission and festival programming, including the concerts, are free. CelebrateErie is held rain or shine, although individual performances or activities may be delayed or canceled during severe weather.
Dogs are not permitted because of the crowds and activity level, but certified service animals are allowed.
Accessible parking is available on the north side of West Seventh Street between State and Peach streets and on the first floor of the parking garage at West Seventh and Peach streets.
Before heading downtown, check the official CelebrateErie stage schedule and 2026 festival map for locations and any last-minute changes.
You don’t have to see every stage or visit every district. Pick a few things your kids will genuinely enjoy, leave time to wander and call that a very successful CelebrateErie day.
