Rally is researching the season
Christmas with kids in Erie
In Erie, Christmas starts in the middle of a downtown park with about 100,000 lights. It also has a Santa's Castle story that began in 1977 and came back for a new generation of kids.
2026 Christmas events are coming in late November
We are confirming this season's Christmas events in Erie with every host. Subscribe and we'll email you the day they are released.
Free. One email a week with new events in Erie. Unsubscribe anytime.
The story of Christmas in Erie
How Erie celebrates
Erie's season centers on Downtown d'Lights in Perry Square, where Santa and Mrs. Claus switch on the lights, a 30-foot tree glows and an ice rink opens. The Erie Downtown Partnership bought that artificial tree in 2018, and the Erie Times-News says the first tree lighting in its current form was that year. The other beloved memory is Santa's Castle. The Junior League of Erie created it in 1977, and the original ran for 21 years, until 1998, at West Ninth and Peach streets. It was a holiday staple for many Erie families.
Christmas last year in Erie
In 2025, Downtown d'Lights began on Friday, December 5 at 5 p.m. About 100,000 lights filled the park. Santa and Mrs. Claus arrived by trolley, Santa stayed on stage until 8 p.m. and kids could get a free souvenir photo. The rink was free on opening night, and a toy drive collected gifts for Toys for Tots. A week later, on December 13 and 14, Santa's Castle returned at the expERIEnce Children's Museum for $15 per guest, with Mrs. Claus' cookie decorating, a snow globe elf workshop and Santa's Store.
Fun facts about Christmas in Erie
The vendor huts at Downtown d'Lights are sheds that Erie Insurance donated after using them for claims training. Because the ice rink is synthetic, skaters must use the Partnership's skates. In 2024, heavy snowfall pushed the tree lighting back a week to December 13, and that year the event offered free cocoa and children's books, plus horse-drawn carriage rides. Back at Santa's Castle, kids can email Santa and wrap presents they buy at Santa's Store, where gifts are low cost.
Trains and Christmas near Erie
Kids near Erie can see real trains up close. The Lake Shore Railway Historical Society Museum in North East is an all-volunteer museum at the old New York Central depot, with rare locomotives and a front-row view of CSX freight trains. Its grounds are open year-round from dawn to dusk. Farther south, the Oil Creek & Titusville Railroad runs scenic rides through Oil Creek State Park. Check each site for its seasonal schedule.
- Lake Shore Railway Historical Society Museum: Kids can watch CSX freight trains pass and see rare locomotives at an old depot, with grounds open year-round from dawn to dusk.
- Oil Creek & Titusville Railroad: It offers a 27-mile ride through Oil Creek State Park, with a working Railway Post Office where kids can mail postcards.
Traditions today
- Downtown d'Lights: A tree lighting in Perry Square with Santa, Mrs. Claus and about 100,000 lights, held on December 5 in 2025.
- Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive by trolley: At d'Lights, they arrive by trolley and join the mayor to switch on the lights.
- Perry Square ice rink: A synthetic ice rink opens with the lights, and opening night was free in 2025.
- Santa's Castle: A revived Junior League tradition at the expERIEnce Children's Museum, held December 13 and 14 in 2025.
- Toy and coat drives: Toys for Tots and a coat and hat drive collect donations during Downtown d'Lights.
- Souvenir photos with Santa: Kids could get a free souvenir photo with Santa at d'Lights in 2025.
A fact for kids
In Erie, the little shops at the Christmas lights are old sheds that an insurance company donated. Santa and Mrs. Claus show up in a trolley to turn on about 100,000 lights.
Questions about Christmas in Erie
What is Erie's biggest Christmas tradition?
Downtown d'Lights in Perry Square is Erie's signature holiday kickoff. About 100,000 lights fill the park, Santa and Mrs. Claus switch them on, and a 30-foot tree glows beside an ice rink. In 2025 it began Friday, December 5 at 5 p.m. and Santa stayed on stage until 8 p.m.
When did the Perry Square tree lighting start?
The Erie Times-News says the first tree lighting in its current form was in 2018, the year the Erie Downtown Partnership bought the 30-foot artificial tree. The paper also calls d'Lights a holiday tradition, but it does not give an exact starting year.
How do Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive?
They arrive by trolley, then join Mayor Joe Schember to switch on the lights. Afterward Santa sits on stage and kids can pick up a free souvenir photo. Trolley rides were also offered to guests at a recent d'Lights, so families can watch for them near the square.
Is the ice rink at Perry Square free?
It was free on opening night, December 5, 2025, thanks to a sponsor. On other days skate rentals cost $5, and skaters must use the Partnership's skates because the ice is synthetic. Prices and sponsors can change, so check the Erie Downtown Partnership before you go.
What was Santa's Castle?
Santa's Castle was a Junior League of Erie holiday tradition created in 1977. The original ran for 21 years, until 1998, at West Ninth and Peach streets. Many Erie families remember it as a holiday staple, and the Times-News described its 2025 return as nostalgic.
Is Santa's Castle back?
It returned in 2025 at the expERIEnce Children's Museum, 420 French Street, on Saturday, December 13 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, December 14 from 1 to 5 p.m. The ticket was $15 per guest. We do not yet have a confirmed 2026 date, so check the museum.
What happens inside Santa's Castle?
The 2025 version had a Santa meet and greet, Mrs. Claus' room with cocoa, stories and cookie decorating, a snow globe elf workshop, dance performances, reindeer games, face painting and Santa's Store. Kids could also send Santa an email and wrap gifts they bought.
What is Santa's Store?
Santa's Store is a kid-friendly shop at Santa's Castle with low-cost gifts. In the 2025 version, children could pick out presents and then wrap them. The Times-News described the Castle's return as nostalgic, and it is a nice way for little ones to practice giving.
How do I explain d'Lights to my kids?
Tell them it is the night Erie turns on its Christmas lights. Santa and Mrs. Claus ride a trolley into Perry Square, the big tree glows, and about 100,000 lights sparkle around the park. Kids can then say hello to Santa, skate and drop a toy in the toy drive.
What do vendor huts sell at d'Lights?
The huts sell holiday items, treats, seasonal beer and spiked hot chocolate. The huts are sheds that Erie Insurance donated after using them for claims training. For young kids, the treats and a stop on stage with Santa are usually the highlights, while adults can warm up with a drink.
Are there donation drives at d'Lights?
Yes. In 2025 there was a toy drive for Toys for Tots, where families could bring unopened toys, and a coat drive collecting coats and hats for the Erie United Methodist Alliance. Kids can help by choosing a toy to drop off, which is a simple way to teach giving.
What happens if it snows on d'Lights night?
If snow forces a cancellation, the 2025 plan was to move d'Lights to the following Friday, December 12, which is Gallery Night. In 2024, heavy snow pushed the event back a week to December 13. Have a backup date in mind and check the Partnership's announcements.
What did d'Lights offer in 2024?
After a snow delay, the 2024 event on December 13 included an ice rink, music, free cocoa and children's books from 5 p.m., horse-drawn carriage rides from 6:30 p.m. and a 6 p.m. tree lighting with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Santa photos continued until 8:30 p.m. and free trolley rides started at 4:45 p.m.
Is d'Lights good for toddlers?
It can be, with planning. The lighting, music and Santa stage suit little ones, and cocoa, children's books and a free photo with Santa were highlights in recent years. Evenings in Erie can be cold in December, so dress warmly and check the Erie Downtown Partnership for the current schedule before you go.
How much did Santa's Castle cost in 2025?
Tickets were $15 per guest in 2025, and museum members saved 20 percent. The museum said no coupons or discounted admission were accepted and all sales were final. Pre-registration was highly encouraged, and walk-ins were welcome while capacity allowed. Prices may differ in 2026, so check the museum's page.
Which train museum is nearest Erie?
The Lake Shore Railway Historical Society Museum in North East is the closest on our list. It is an all-volunteer museum at the old New York Central depot with rare GE-built locomotives and a front-row view of CSX freight trains. Admission is by donation and the grounds are open year-round from dawn to dusk.
Can kids ride a train near Erie?
The Oil Creek & Titusville Railroad offers a three-hour, 27-mile ride from Titusville's Perry Street Station through Oil Creek State Park. It has an open gondola car and a working Railway Post Office where you can mail postcards. Check its calendar for seasonal departures before planning a trip.
What can kids see at the North East depot?
At the Lake Shore Railway Historical Society Museum, kids can see rare locomotives and watch real CSX freight trains pass in front of the depot. Because the grounds are open from dawn to dusk year-round, it makes an easy, low-cost stop on a winter outing, though you should dress for the weather.
Where can I find current Christmas events for kids in Erie?
See our Erie Christmas events guide on this page for current kids' holiday listings such as Santa visits and tree lightings. Dates change every year, so use each host's own page to confirm times, prices and registration before you head out.
How should I plan an Erie holiday outing with kids?
Start with Downtown d'Lights for the lights and a Santa photo, then add Santa's Castle at the children's museum if it returns. Our Erie Christmas events guide on this page lists current options. Dress warmly, bring a toy for the drive and check weather backup dates.
Sources
- Downtown d'Lights is back in Erie's Perry Square. When to see it, Erie Times-News via AOL
- Downtown d'Lights in Perry Square: What to know about the holiday tradition in Erie, Erie Times-News via AOL
- Santa's Castle makes nostalgic return to Erie. When and where to see it, Erie Times-News via AOL
- Santa's Castle, Flagship City District
- Lake Shore Railway Historical Society Museum, Rally Takes the Train museum guide
- Oil Creek & Titusville Railroad, Rally Takes the Train museum guide