Skip studying the entire schedule. Here are the family highlights<\/p>\n
CelebrateErie is one of my favorite weekends downtown \u2014 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.<\/p>\n
So I dug through the full schedule and picked out the family-friendly stuff worth building your visit around.<\/p>\n
Here are the family-friendly CelebrateErie events that stood out to me, including a free Bubble Block Party at expERIEnce Children\u2019s Museum, live performances and hands-on activities in the Youth District.<\/p>\n
CelebrateErie\u2019s 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\u2019s Museum. My top Friday pick: Make the Children\u2019s Museum your evening destination<\/p>\n If you\u2019re visiting CelebrateErie with kids Friday evening, put the expERIEnce Children\u2019s Museum Bubble Block Party from 5 to 7 p.m. on your plan.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s Outdoor Classroom.<\/p>\n The best part? There\u2019s no admission charge for the block party, and it gives families a fun destination to build the rest of their Friday visit around.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s evening at the Bubble Block Party.<\/p>\n Families with older kids can continue the night at the Mainstage, where Arrested Development performs at 8 p.m.<\/p>\n Friday at expERIEnce Children\u2019s Museum10 a.m.\u20135 p.m.: General museum admission is $8.145\u20137 p.m.: FREE Bubble Block Party on Fifth StreetDJ dance party with DJ 2WaavyBubble play and DIY bubble wandsOutdoor Classroom open lateOther Friday family highlights<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n On Friday, the Family Stage, located on the fountain side of Perry Square, includes:<\/p>\n Noon: Kids on the Block Puppet Troupe12:45 p.m.: Barber Beats Drum Circle4 p.m.: Cherokee National Treasure Storyteller5:15 p.m.: Attention Switch6:30 p.m.: Footlights Youth Theater<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Pictures from a past CelebrateErie:<\/p>\n Saturday family highlights<\/p>\n Saturday offers the most time and the largest selection of family entertainment.<\/p>\n The Children\u2019s Museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with special $8.14 general admission. You\u2019ll also find the museum\u2019s 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 \u2014 a nice place to get inside, cool off, and escape the crowds for some quiet time.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Saturday\u2019s Family Stage lineup includes:<\/p>\n Noon: Studio Guerrein12:45 p.m.: Park\u2019s Taekwondo Academy1:30 p.m.: Erie Dance Theater2:45 p.m.: Flagship Steel Drum Band4 p.m.: Dr. Peng\u2019s Dance Team5:15 p.m.: Erie Playhouse Showstoppers6:30 p.m.: In Addendum<\/p>\n My Saturday picks would be exploring the Youth District, catching Park\u2019s Taekwondo Academy for action-loving kids, listening to the Flagship Steel Drum Band and seeing the Erie Playhouse Showstoppers with young theater fans.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re attending with tweens or teens, Saturday is also the night Plain White T\u2019s performs. Daytona Beach 2000 takes the Mainstage at 6:30 p.m., followed by Plain White T\u2019s at 8 p.m.<\/p>\n Sunday family highlights<\/p>\n Sunday is another good choice if you want an afternoon visit rather than a full day downtown.<\/p>\n The Children\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n Sunday\u2019s Family Stage schedule includes:<\/p>\n 11:15 a.m.: Erie Chinese Association Performing GroupNoon: Shreelina Gosh12:45 p.m.: Lake Erie Ballet Company1:30 p.m.: Porters Harmonize By Faith2:45 p.m.: CLDC Line Dancers4 p.m.: Elvis Lives5:15 p.m.: Kelly\u2019s World<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Sunday\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n A few pictures from a past CelebrateErie:<\/p>\n Don\u2019t skip the parts without a start time<\/p>\n You don\u2019t need to schedule every minute of your visit. Some of CelebrateErie\u2019s best family attractions can be explored whenever you reach them.<\/p>\n Youth District<\/p>\n The Youth District includes hands-on activities centered on wellness, learning and the arts. This is where I\u2019d spend the most time with younger children.<\/p>\n ChalkWalk<\/p>\n Nearly 30 colorful chalk murals will fill a block of State Street. ChalkWalk is easy to enjoy with kids of different ages and doesn\u2019t require arriving at a particular time.<\/p>\n Taste of Erie<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n The new Shopping District<\/p>\n CelebrateErie\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n The CelebrateErie basics<\/p>\n CelebrateErie takes place Friday, Aug. 14 through Sunday, Aug. 16 along State Street between Fourth and 10th streets in downtown Erie.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Dogs are not permitted because of the crowds and activity level, but certified service animals are allowed.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Before heading downtown, check the official CelebrateErie stage schedule<\/a> and 2026 festival map<\/a> for locations and any last-minute changes.<\/p>\n You don\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Skip studying the entire schedule. 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See the full map, schedule, and more info.<\/a><\/p>\n