For nearly 20 years, the 8 Great Tuesdays concert series has drawn families to Liberty Park for free summer entertainment along the bayfront — a tradition organizers say remains at the heart of its popularity.

The 2026 season kicks off Tuesday night with Pittsburgh rock band The Clarks, joined by Erie-native opener Roberta Faceplant. The weekly concerts, presented by Erie Events and sponsored by PNC Bank, run every Tuesday through the summer at the Bayfront Convention Center Amphitheater.

Marketing director Erica Pavlov said the long-running series stands out as the only free concert series at Liberty Park, offering a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere that keeps crowds returning year after year.

“It’s really, you feel like you’re giving back to the community,” Pavlov said. “This is a larger production-scale concert every Tuesday throughout the summer. And without our supporters, sponsors and all the hard work from the Erie Events team, we wouldn’t be able to put this on.”

This year’s series features expanded amenities, including local food trucks, cashless concessions, and water refill stations. Guests may bring water bottles, small coolers, snacks, blankets and lawn chairs. Small umbrellas are permitted on rainy days as long as they don’t obstruct views.

Parking remains limited on-site, but Erie Events is partnering with the Erie Metropolitan Transit Authority to offer free shuttle service beginning at 5 p.m. Shuttles will run continuously from the Lincoln Park-and-Ride and the Intermodal Transportation Center until the end of each show.

The lineup includes several nationally touring tribute acts, such as Killer Queen, Songbirds (Fleetwood Mac tribute), and A1A, the official Jimmy Buffett tribute band. Most opening acts throughout the summer are local or regional performers — something Pavlov said is important to the community.

“People love supporting local,” she said. “We see families come out to watch their cousins or grandkids perform. It’s fun.”

Concerts run from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., rain or shine. Admission is free, and organizers encourage attendees to arrive early, grab a spot on the lawn and enjoy the waterfront views.

“The sunsets down there are incredible,” Pavlov said. “It’s just a great community event.”