Sweater Weather and Fall Festivals—Millcreek

Crisp air, corn mazes and pumpkin patches—unpacking hometown traditions that make fall unforgettable.

Down on the Farm

Port Farms Fall Harvest Festival

When: September 12 through November 1

Where: 2055 Stone Quarry Road, Waterford

For more info: portfarms.com

This event includes wagon rides, a corn maze, wagon rides, corn pit, Kids Village, slides, ball zone, games, pedal carts, animal exhibits, mindbender mazes, trike track and more.

Fall Festivals

Albion Area Fair

When: September 15–19

Where: Albion Fairgrounds, 30 Academy Street, Albion

For more info: albionfair.com

Enjoy the “Biggest Little Fair Around” that includes animal and produce exhibits, tractor pulls, live music, amusement rides and food.

Artisan Craft Fair

When: October 3

Where: Asbury Springhill (Community Room), 2323 Edinboro Road, Millcreek Township

For more info: Contact Jane Dorler at jdorler@asbury.org.

This year’s fair will include A Waffle Miracle food truck, bake sale, arts, crafts, a basket raffle and a kids corner.

ComiCon Erie

When: September 18–20

Where: Erie Bayfront Convention Center, 1 Sassafras Pier, Erie

For more info: eriepromotions.com/comicon-erie

Experience the annual ComiCon Erie featuring a wave of celebrity guests, artists and special activities. This year’s event will offer a large array of vendors, local and regional artists, panels, seminars and costume contests.

Edinboro Highland Games and Scottish Festival

When: September 11 & 12

Where: PennWest Edinboro, 219 Meadville Street, Edinboro

For more info: pennwest.edu/campuses/edinboro/highland-games

Crowds from around the region will enjoy these annual games that feature many competitions, world-class musicians, fine gift vendors, and kids games in celebration of Scottish heritage and culture.

Erie Irish Festival

When: September 18–20

Where: St. Patrick Church, 130 East 4th Street, Downtown Erie

For more info: erieirishfestival.com

Celebrate Irish culture right in downtown Erie! This event brings together the community and will feature an exciting weekend full of live Irish entertainment, food, drinks and more.

German Heritage Fest

When: September 5 & 6

Where: St. Nick’s Grove, 5131 Old French Road, Millcreek Township

For more info: dank-erie.org

There will be music, dancing, merchandise, food and beverages—including beer, of course—in a celebration of German culture.

Homegrown Harvest Festival

When: September 20

Where: Goodell Gardens & Homestead, 221 Waterford Street, Edinboro

For more info: goodellgardens.org

This event will include art and farm vendors, food trucks, live music, children’s activities and more!

North East Fall Fest

When: October 2 & 3

Where: Gravel Pit Park, 10300 West Main Road, North East

For more info: nechamber.org

Enjoy live music, food, beer and other beverages at Fall Fest! Proceeds from the event will benefit Fuller Hose Co.

North East Wine Fest

When: September 25–27

Where: Gibson Park and Heard Park, North East

For more info: nechamber.org/community-events

This festival will feature wine tasting from more than 10 wineries plus live music, artisans, food, a car show and a cycling tour!

Peek’n Peak Fall Fest

When: October 10 & 11, 17 & 18

Where: 1405 Olde Road, Clymer, NY

For more info: pknpk.com

Celebrate fall at Peek’n Peak Resort with two weekends full of fun! Brilliant foliage sets the scene for a juried craft show offering more than 100 vendors, a farmers market, and activities like a pumpkin cannon, children’s games, live entertainment, pony rides, ski lift rides, classic car cruise-in and an annual snow sports equipment swap.

Waterford Community Fair

When: September 6–12

Where: Community Fairgrounds, 13012 Old Route 19N, Waterford

For more info: waterfordfair.org

Don’t miss the fantastic exhibits and judging of livestock! The fair also offers arts, crafts, rides, entertainment, food, truck and tractor pulls, a monster truck show and more.

Halloween and Fall Happenings

Eerie Stories, Legends & Lore Ghost Tour

When: Various dates in September and October (Check the website for specifics.)

Where: Flagship City Food Hall, 22 North Park Row, Erie

For more info: toureriepa.com

Hear stories of the Battle of Lake Erie, the tragedy of Misery Bay, the ghost said to haunt the lake, and more on this eerie tour. It will be a little bit of history, a little “true crime,” and plenty of strange legends that still linger in the shadows of Erie.

Fall Foliage Train Rides

When: October 1–16 (Wednesdays through Sundays only)

Where: Perry Street Station, 409 South Perry Street, Titusville

For more info: octrr.org

Experience the color and beauty of the Pennsylvania countryside in fall while riding the rails.

Ghosts & Legends Tours

When: October 9

Where: Erie Cemetery, 2116 Chestnut Street, Erie

For more info: eriecemeteryassoc.com

Walk through the Erie Cemetery and learn about some ghostly stories of those long deceased.

Halloween Train

When: October 24

Where: Perry Street Station, 409 South Perry Street, Titusville

For more info: octrr.org

Families can enjoy a three-hour round-trip train ride through the scenic Oil Creek State Park. Everyone is encouraged to wear a costume, but it is not required. Each child 12 and under will receive a treat bag.

Lions, Tigers and Beers

When: October 3

Where: Erie Zoo, 423 West 38th Street, Glenwood Park

For more info: eriezoo.org/events

This is a 21+ evening event where guests get to “trick-or-treat” for beer samples around the zoo. There will also be behind-the-scenes animal tours, live music, sample stations, and local food trucks available for purchases.

Scary Creature Feature at Asbury Woods

When: October 8–10

Where: Asbury Woods Nature Center, 4105 Asbury Road, Erie

For more info: asburywoods.org

A family event offering activities, storytelling and a guided walk through the woods where guests encounter and learn about some not-so-scary nocturnal creatures that live in the forest. It’s the perfect chance to explore the woods at night and enjoy the cool, crisp air of an autumn evening.

Unusual Deaths Tour

When: September 9

Where: Erie Cemetery, 2116 Chestnut Street, Erie

For more info: eriecemeteryassoc.com

Stories of danger and strange circumstances will be shared on this walking tour.

Zoo Boo

When: October 15–30

Where: Erie Zoo, 423 West 38th Street, Glenwood Park

For more info: eriezoo.org/events

This is one of the largest kid-friendly Halloween events in the area. Get your costume ready to wear, and experience the zoo “Halloween style.”

Outdoor Activities

Erie Heart Walk

When: September 10

Where: Rebich Investments Amphitheater at Liberty Park, 828 West Bayfront Parkway, Erie

For more info: www2.heart.org

The Erie Heart Walk boosts your heart health and mental health while joining millions of others in the fight against heart disease and stroke.

Erie Humane Society’s Trails & Tails 5K Run

When: October 3

Where: Harborcreek Community Park, 5850 Firman Road, Harborcreek

For more info: runsignup.com/Race/PA/Erie/TrailsTails

Lace up your shoes and leash up your pup to raise money for the Humane Society and SafeNet’s joint program, Haven 2 Home!

Lake Erie Odyssey

When: September 12

Where: Waldameer Park, 220 Peninsula Drive, Erie

For more info: barberinstitute.org/lake-erie-odyssey

Lake Erie Odyssey is a one-of-a-kind adventure, transforming Waldameer Park into an adapted obstacle course. Choose your challenge at every obstacle, move at your own pace, and meet at the finish inside Rainbow Gardens for food trucks, beer, activities, a DJ and dancing.

Presque Isle State Park Cleanup

When: October 17

Where: Presque Isle State Park, AAUW Pavilion, 301 Peninsula Drive, Erie

For more info: adopt.greatlakes.org

Looking for a meaningful family activity? Join the Adopt-a-Beach team of volunteers to help keep Presque Isle beaches clean.

Winnie the Pooh’s Asbury Adventure

When: September 19

Where: 4105 Asbury Road, Erie

For more info: asburywoods.org

Save the date for a day of fun and adventure with Winnie the Pooh and the whole gang! Discover where each friend lives on a magical walk, join a dance party, and visit Eeyore’s cloud room.

Arts and Entertainment

‘Disaster!’ A New Broadway Musical

When: November 5–8

Where: Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center, 501 East 38th Street, Erie

For more info: miac.mercyhurst.edu/events

A new musical straight from Broadway, this show features some of the most unforgettable songs of the ’70s and a cast of characters ready to dance the night away on a floating casino and discotheque.

Erie Philharmonic: Tim Burton’s ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’ in Concert

When: October 24 & 25

Where: Warner Theatre, 811 State Street, Downtown Erie

For more info: eriephil.org

Jack Skellington, Sally, and the citizens of Halloween Town take over the Warner Theater as the Erie Philharmonic brings Danny Elfman’s beloved film score to life.

Erie Playhouse Presents Roald Dahl’s ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’

When: Starting October 16 (Check the website for specific show dates.)

Where: 13 West 10th Street, Downtown Erie

For more info: erieplayhouse.org

Step into a world of pure imagination with “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” the beloved musical adaptation of Roald Dahl’s classic tale.

Erie Pops Presents the Music of Elton John

When: September 26 & 27

Where: Warner Theatre, 811 State Street, Downtown Erie

For more info: eriephil.org

Broadway’s “piano man,” Michael Cavanaugh, will return to perform some of the high-energy and beloved hits of Elton John.

Mania – An ABBA Tribute

When: October 15

Where: Warner Theatre, 811 State Street, Downtown Erie

For more info: eriewarnertheatre.com

Mania’s tribute show is not to be missed by those who love ABBA’s hits, such as “Mamma Mia,” “Dancing Queen” and many more.

The Station Dinner Theatre Presents ‘A Canterbury Feast’

When: Multiple dates in September and October (Check the website for specifics.)

Where: 4940 Peach Street, Millcreek Township

For more info: canterburyfeast.com

Celebrate at the annual “Canterbury Feast” medieval musical comedy. This mystical and magical show at the longest-running dinner theater in the U.S. features knaves and wenches who will not only perform but also serve your meal!

We love to inform our readers about fun events happening in our local communities. Send email to d.mountain@icmags.com if you have details about a future event in the area.

We kindly ask that before attending an event, please check the website. We do our utmost to make certain the information we provide in this section is accurate, however events are subject to change.