Arts, entertainment in northwestern PA

Whether you need a little Christmas, right this very minute or in the coming weeks, or are looking for other arts and entertainment this holiday season, Erie-area venues have you covered through the end of the year.

Here are just some of the things you can do, see and hear between now and New Year’s Eve. Many events have multiple dates but are listed under the first date of the event. You can also find more seasonal, arts and entertainment events on the GoErie calendar.

Table of Contents

Nov. 29

Todd Paropacic + lonesav: “New Moving Pictures“: 5-8 p.m., FEED Media Art Center, 1307 State St. Also open Fridays, 5 to 8 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays, noon to 5 p.m., through Dec. 22. Free. Learn more at www.feed.art.

Country Christmas at the Farm: Wednesdays through Sundays, Nov. 29-Dec. 22, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Port Farms, 2055 Stone Quarry Road, Waterford. With children’s activities, cocktails for 21 and older, food. Also Santa Claus visits and live music on weekends. Christmas trees and décor for sale. Call 814-796-4500 or visit portfarms.com/christmas for more information, including prices.

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Community event:Start your holiday season in Erie with traditional Festival of Trees

Festival of Trees: 9 a.m.-8 p.m., Bayfront Convention Center, 1 Sassafras Pier. Also, Nov. 30, 9 a.m.-6 p.m., and Dec. 1, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. This community tradition features a gallery of holiday trees uniquely decorated by local artists and more. Tickets are $10 for those older than 12, $7 for ages 12 and younger and free for children 12 months and younger and are available at the door or Erie Events website.

The Magical Polar Experience: 7 p.m., Warner Theatre, 811 State St. The event will include “The Polar Express” movie on the big screen, live music, dancers, a visit from Santa and more. Tickets are $39 and $29 plus fees and are available at the Erie Insurance Arena box office, by calling 814-452-4857 or at erieevents.com.

Nov. 30

Santa Trains: 1 p.m., Perry Street Station, 409 S. Perry St., Titusville. Also Dec. 1, 7 and 8. Oil Creek & Titusville Railroad event with Santa and his helpers leading a three-hour excursion through Oil Creek Valley on a vintage train. The event will include Christmas caroling on the train and complimentary cookies and hot chocolate in the station upon return. Dress according to weather conditions. Station opens at 10 a.m. Reservations recommended. Call 814-676-1733 or visit the website for more information.

“A Magical Motown Christmas”: 7:30 p.m., Warner Theatre, 811 State St. The soundtrack for the evening includes “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” “My Girl,” “Heatwave,” “Midnight Train to Georgia,” “Respect,” and more, along with a special set of Christmas favorites. Tickets are $73.25, $63, $52.50, $42.25, $32 and $21.75 plus fees and are available at the Erie Insurance Arena box office, by calling 814-452-4857 or at erieevents.com.

Dec. 1

Winter Wonderland at Asbury Woods: 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. daily, Dec. 1-31, except for Dec. 24 and 25, 4105 Asbury Road. The boardwalk that starts at the Andrew J. Conner Nature Center will be lit up for evening strolls through the woods. Stop inside the Nature Center and view the animal exhibit, browse the gift shop, and visit a sprawling holiday-themed model train display. Free, $5 per person suggested donation. Call 814-835-5356 or visit asburywoods.org/events/winter-wonderland.

A Nostalgic Night with “Home Alone” Star Macaulay Culkin: 6:30 p.m., Warner Theatre, 811 State St. See a screening of “Home Alone,” followed by an interview and audience Q&A with star Macaulay Culkin. Tickets range from $39 to $79 and are available at the Erie Insurance Arena box office, by calling 814-452-4857 or at erieevents.com.

“Follow The Star” Christmas Show: 4 p.m., Our Lady of the Lake Church Social Hall, 128 Sunset Drive, Edinboro. Features Tennessee Backporch and Friends as they present original Christmas music. Other shows: Dec. 8, 4 p.m., at St. Gregory Church, 50 S. Pearl St., North East, and Dec. 15, 4 p.m., St. Patrick Church, 130 E. Fourth St. Tickets, available at the door, are $25 for adults and $15 for students. Visit facebook.com/follow.the.star.christmas.concert or call 814-602-3739.

Dec. 3

“Sesame Street Live! Say Hello”: 6 p.m., Warner Theatre, 811 State St. Elmo, Abby Cadabby, Cookie Monster, and their friends are coming to say hello. Tickets are $53, $46 and $33.50 plus fees and are available at at the Erie Insurance Arena box office, by calling 814-452-4857 or at erieevents.com.

Learn to make Wassail: 6 to 8 p.m., the Yellow House, 436 Walnut St., Girard. Taught by Full Circle Winery, attendees will learn how to make three types of winter beverages: traditional wassail, Italian mulled spiced wine and nonalcoholic wassail. Each person will get a spice sachet, recipe cards and charcuterie. Find information and $50 tickets at https://www.eriehistory.org/events/event/12/03/2024/wassail-class-back-by-popular-demand

“Star of Wonder”: 7 p.m., PennWest Edinboro Planetarium, Cooper Hall Science Center, 230 Scotland Road, Edinboro. Yearly Christmas planetarium show highlighting the wonder of the season and how a baby born in a manger changed eternity. Why do Christians celebrate Christ’s birth on Dec. 25? What else do we celebrate about that time? Guests will be expected to sing along. Free. Visit facebook.com for information and tickets.

Dec. 4

Straight No Chaser: 7:30 p.m., Warner Theatre, 811 State St. The a cappella group’s annual holiday tour will feature festive favorites and re-imaginings of iconic songs. Tickets range from $40.75 to $76.75 and can be purchased at the Erie Insurance Arena box office, by calling 814-452-4857 or by visiting erieevents.com.

Gannon University Holiday Concert: 7 p.m., Yehl Ballroom, Waldron Campus Center, 628 Peach St. Holiday concert featuring Gannon’s Concert Band under the direction of Robert Reid and Mixed Chorus under the direction of Kate Thiem. Free. For more information, visit facebook.com.

“Christmas Memories”: Noon, Station Dinner Theatre, 4940 Peach St. Also, Dec. , 14 and 21 at 5:30 p.m. and Dec. 8, 15 and 22 at 2:30 p.m. Enjoy “Getting Home for Christmas,” a holiday family musical, along with a meal of homemade Christmas wedding soup, stuffed chicken breasts, holiday ham, scalloped potatoes, fresh green beans and Christmas caramel apple crunch. Seats are $51 for adults, $45 for ages 65 and older, students and military, and $31 for ages 6-11 plus fees. Learn more at www.canterburyfeast.com.

Dec. 6

A Very Merry Corry Christmas: 5 to 9 p.m., Corry. Browse unique stores, savor local foods and enjoy live music. Also featured will be a Festival Of Trees, a nativity display and horse-drawn wagon rides. Visit visiterie.com.

“‘Tis the Season”: 7 p.m., Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center, Mercyhurst University, 501 E. 38th St. Also, Dec. 7 at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. Mercyhurst dancers and jazz ensemble present a concert of music and movement including “The Nutcracker Suite.” Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for seniors, $7.50 for non-Mercyhurst students and $5 for youth and Mercyhurst students plus fee. Visit https://miac.mercyhurst.edu/events/tis-season-nutcracker.

Downtown d’Lights: 5 to 8 p.m., Perry Square. Featuring Santa lighting up the tree, skating at the Downtown Community Skating Rink, visits with Santa and more. Entertainment and refreshments in Perry Square throughout the evening. Visit eriedowntown.com.

Presque Isle Lights: 5:30 p.m., Presque Isle State Park. Take self-guided evening driving tour of seasonal light displays at various locations throughout the park. Continues Fridays through Sundays through Dec. 29. Park entrance gates close at 9 p.m. Free but donations of $5 or more are suggested. Visit www.discoverpi.com.

Victorian Holidays: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Hagen History Center, 356 W. Sixth St. Also, Dec. 7, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Dec. 8, noon to 5 p.m. The mansion will be decorated inside and out. Local choruses will perform every day and Santa will visit on Sunday. Half price admission this weekend only. Tickets range from $3.25 to $6; children 6 and younger get in free. Visit facebook.com.

“A Christmas Carol:” 7 p.m., Seneca High School, 10770 Wattsburg Road. Also Dec. 7 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $6 to $10. For more information, call 814-824-3400 or visit cur8.com.

“Beauty and the Beast“: 7:30 p.m., Erie Playhouse, 13 W. 10th St. Runs weekends Dec. 6 through 29. Fridays and Saturdays, performances start at 7:30 p.m. and on Sundays, performances are at 2 p.m. Tickets online range from $21.40 to $29.40. Find more information at erieplayhouse.org.

Dec. 7

Erie Philharmonic presents “Come Home for the Holidays”: 3 and 7:30 p.m., Warner Theatre, 811 State St. The Erie Philharmonic Chorus, Junior Chorus, Youth Chorale and dancers will perform with the orchestra and Santa is expected to make an appearance. Tickets range from $17 to $66. For more information, call 814-452-4857 or visit eriephil.my.salesforce-sites.com.

Linesville Tractor Parade: 6 p.m., Linesville. Parade of tractors with decorative lights, some pulling floats. Free to attend. Visit www.thelinesvilletractorparade.com.

Tuba Christmas Erie: 1 p.m., Reed Union Building’s McGarvey Commons at Penn State Behrend, 4701 College Drive, Harborcreek Township. Tuba, sousaphone, baritone, and euphonium players of all ages, some in festive clothing and with instrument decorations, participate in the concert. Free. Learn more at bit.ly/tubaerie

Dec. 10

Jim Brickman “Comfort & Joy”: 7:30 p.m., Warner Theatre, 811 State St. The pianist performs songs with joy and warmth of the season. Tickets range from $48.50 to $79.25 and can be purchased at the Erie Insurance Arena box office, by calling 814-452-4857 or at erieevents.com.

Dec. 11

Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox — “The ’10’ Tour”: 7:30 p.m., Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center, Mercyhurst University, 501 E. 38th St. The Mercyhurst Institute for Arts & Culture presents the live concert by the time-twisting musical collective Postmodern Jukebox started by pianist Scott Bradlee and featuring modern-day earworms and iconic pop hits alike reimagined in classic genres such as 1920s jazz, swing, doo-wop and Motown and brought to life by a cast of singers, dancers and instrumentalists. Tickets range from $25 to $50. Call 814-824-3000 or visit miac.mercyhurst.edu/events.

Dec. 12

Zem Zem Shriners Brass Band — Free Christmas Concert: 7 p.m., Zem Zem Shrine Club, 2525 West 38th St. Free band concert for the whole family with an array of Christmas music to enjoy. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Facility is wheelchair accessible and complimentary refreshments will be served. Free. Call 814-833-3391 or visit zemzem.us.

Lou Gramm All Stars: 7:30 p.m., Warner Theatre, 811 State St. The lead vocalist on many of Foreigner’s hit songs will be joined by special guests Asia featuring John Payne. Tickets are are $76, $63 and $46 plus fees and are available at the Erie Insurance Arena box office, by calling 814-452-4857 or at erieevents.com.

Know before you go:Foreigner original singer Lou Gramm heading to Erie

Dec. 13

Erie Art Museum’s Gallery Night: 5 to 10 p.m., including 17 participating galleries and businesses all over Erie. Some are open 6 to 9 p.m. Shop, eat, listen to music and spend time with friends and family visiting as many local galleries as you can. For more information and a list of participating galleries, visit erieartmuseum.org/gallery-night.

North East Choral Club Christmas Concert: 7:30 p.m., Park United Methodist Church, 30 N. Lake St., North East. Also, Dec 15 at 2 p.m. The group will present a “Hometown Christmas” concert. Refreshments will follow. Freewill donations will benefit the North East High School Theater Arts Program. For more information, visit pumcne.com.

Fezziwig’s Christmas Dinner: 6:30 p.m., Baldwin Reynolds House Museum, 639 Terrace St., Meadville. Also, Dec. 14 at 6:30 p.m. The Crawford County Historical Society will host this this Charles Dickens-themed meal. $40. Call 814-333-9882 or visit http://baldwinreynolds.org

Dec. 14

Winter Wonderland at the Erie Zoo: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (last admission at 3:15 p.m.), Erie Zoo, 423 W. 38th St. Also Dec. 15, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Guests can take pictures with the Mean Green One, visit a craft station, hear live entertainment and go shopping at the Animal Art Show and more. The Erie Zoo also will be partnering with Taradoodles ToyBox of Erie to help donate toys for local families in need. Guests can donate new toys for children ages birth-17 at the admission gates and receive a ticket per toy for a free face painting or glitter by Taradoodles on Saturday or for a free glitter tattoo on Sunday during the event. Zoo admission fees apply; free for zoo members. Call 814-864-4091 or visit eriezoo.org/events/winter-wonderland.

Holiday sing-a-long: 11 a.m. to noon, Erie Playhouse, 13 W. 10th St. Sing your holiday favorites live on stage. Expect jingle bells, holiday smells and happy yells at PLAYtime’s Sing-A-Long. Event includes free hot cocoa and donuts. Free; no tickets necessary. For more information, visit erieplayhouse.org.

Handel’s “Messiah”: 7:30 p.m., First Presbyterian Church of the Covenant, 250 W. Seventh St. Featuring the Erie Philharmonic Chorus performing Handel’s career-defining oratorio, composed nearly 300 years ago and still one of the most popular pieces in the classical canon and an unequaled tribute to the holidays. Tickets are $25 for adults, $17 for students. For more information and tickets, visit eriephil.org/calendar/messiah24

Dec. 15

Presque Isle Ringers Holiday Handbell Concert: 2 to 3 p.m., Church of the Cross, 5901 Millfair Road, Fairview. Celebrate the holidays with Presque Isle Ringers, Erie’s only community handbell ensemble. They will be ringing favorite holiday tunes on four octaves of Malmark handbells. This family-friendly concert is free. Call 814-835-5901 or visit visiterie.com/events/event.

“O Christmas Tea: A British Comedy”: 3 p.m., Warner Theatre, 811 State St. James & Jamesy present an outrageously funny and brilliantly inventive show reminiscent of classic British pantos. Tickets, $39 to $74 plus fees, are available at the Erie Insurance Arena box office, by calling 814-452-4857 or at erieevents.com

Dec. 19

“Who’s Holiday”: 7:30 p.m., Performing Artists Collective Alliance, 1505 State St. Also Dec. 20 and 21. The play, by Matthew Lombardo, stars Adele Crotty as Cindy Lou Who and is directed by KC McCloskey. The heartfelt, adults-only comedy tells the story of Cindy Lou Who as she recalls that Christmas Eve she first met the Grinch and the turn of events her life has taken. Tickets are $20. For more information and to buy tickets, visit www.paca1505.org.

Candlelight ConcertsDecember shows in Erie to feature Beatles and ‘Nutcracker’ music

Candlelight Concerts: 6 p.m., “The Best of the Beatles,” and 8:30 p.m., “Holiday Special Featuring ‘The Nutcracker’ and More,” First Presbyterian Church of the Covenant, 205 W. Seventh St. Separate tickets, which are are $28, $35 and $43 per performance, are required for each concert and are available at No tickets will be sold at the door.

Dec. 21

Winter Solstice Night Hike at Asbury Woods: 6 to 7 p.m. or 7:30 to 8:30 p.m., Asbury Woods, 4105 Asbury Road. Embrace the long nights of winter by hiking the trails of Asbury Woods on the longest night of the year. Open to all ages and entire event is outdoors. $8 with registration required. Call 814-835-5356 or visit asburywoods.org.

Natural Ornaments: 1 to 3 p.m., Tom Ridge Environmental Center, 301 Peninsula Drive. Take the kids to a semi-guided program to create holiday ornaments and decorations using natural items found on Presque Isle State Park. Cost is $3 per participant at the door. Call 814-833-7424 or visit https://events.dcnr.pa.gov/event/trec-natural-ornaments

Lake Erie Ballet Company presents “The Nutcracker”: 7 p.m., Warner Theatre, 811 State St. Also, Dec. 22 at 2 p.m. Lake Erie Ballet reimagines the holiday classic. Tickets range from $35-$55 plus fees and are available at the Erie Insurance Arena box office, by calling 814-452-4857 or by visiting erieevents.com.

Dec. 22

The Longest Night: 7 to 8 p.m., St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 3108 Sterrettania Road. The worship service of music, scripture and prayer is dedicated to all who are struggling in darkness or who have experienced great loss during the holidays. It is inspired by the solstice, winter’s longest night. Visit www.stpaulserie.org.

Dec. 27

“What’s All the Commotion? Comedy Show”: 7 p.m., Warner Theatre, 811 State St. Headline Mojo Brookzz will be joined by special guests Jack Funny, Mail Man, T Robe and Bruh Man. Tickets are $60, $40 and $30 plus fees and are available at the Erie Insurance Arena box office, by calling 814-452-4857 or at erieevents.com.

Dec. 31

Boogie on the Bay: 9 p.m.-1 a.m., Bayfront Convention Center, 1 Sassafras Pier. This New Year’s Eve party features hors d’oeuvres, a Champagne toast, live music by The Chozen Few and more. Tickets are $87 and are available at the Erie Insurance Arena box office, by calling 814-452-4857 or at erieevents.com.

Dana Massing contributed to this report.

Contact Jennie Geisler at [email protected]. Find her weekly newsletter at

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