The Independence Day weekend is packed with family reunions, friendly gatherings, picnics, parades, fireworks and other festivities commemorating America’s independence.  The Erie region has several Fourth of July weekend events to help you celebrate our most patriotic of holidays. Main photo credit: Dave Tamulonis

Lights over Lake Erie 

Celebrate Independence Day with a fireworks extravaganza with Erie’s beautiful Bayfront as the perfect backdrop!  On Monday, July 3, beginning at 10 p.m. Erie's largest Independence Day fireworks display, Lights Over Lake Erie, will launch from the Bicentennial Tower and will be viewable from points along the Bayfront including Bayview Park, Presque Isle State Park, and public areas along the waterfront. For details including parking and shuttle service, click here.

(pictured, below. Photo by R. Frank Photography)

Erie SeaWolves - Independence Day Weekend

Combine one of America’s favorite summer pastimes with the Fourth of July weekend and that equals three nights of family fun and fireworks with the Erie SeaWolves at UPMC Park!  

• Saturday, July 1: Patriotic jersey giveaway night. Show off the red, white, and blue with a special SeaWolves replica patriotic jersey featuring the team’s Uncle Sam Wolf.
• Sunday, July 2: Fireworks Night. Any fan that purchases a light-up or glow product from the SeaWolves team store can watch fireworks on the field in front of the SeaWolves dugout. 
• Monday, July 3: Fireworks Night.

Chris Higbee in Concert and Fireworks - The Fun Park at Erie Sports Center

Enjoy a lively concert from country singing sensation Chris Higbee live on the Horseheads Brewing Stage followed by a fireworks display on Saturday, July 1 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Admission to the concert is free. Picnic table seating is available; however, guests are welcome to bring their own chairs. The Fun Park will be open featuring batting cages, mini golf, and go-karts.

Lake Erie Sunset and Fireworks Sail

Enjoy the Erie SeaWolves fireworks display from a truly unique perspective aboard the historic Schooner Lettie G. Howard on Sunday, July 2 from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. During the two-hour sail, you can help the crew set some of the larger sails and then sit back to relax with a leisurely sail on Presque Isle Bay while witnessing one of Erie’s amazing sunsets and then fireworks from UPMC Park.   

56^th Annual Millcreek Township Fourth of July Parade

Pick the perfect spot to watch Erie County’s largest 4^th of July parade! The sirens will blare and the parade will step off Tuesday, July 4 at 9:45 a.m. from West 12^th and Marshall Streets and proceed west on 12^th Street to the American Legion. This year’s Grand Marshalls are Erie hometown heroes.   

Albion, PA Independence Day Festival: 

The two-day event is held Saturday and Sunday, July 1-2 at Albion Borough Park, Lisek Circle, and features live music, food, a craft show, and family activities. Fireworks begin at dusk on July 2.

Lawrence Park Fireworks Display

The eastern Erie County community celebrates on Tuesday, July 4 with a 10 a.m. bike parade from Lake Cliff Park to Napier Park followed by a 2 p.m. Main Street parade. Fireworks begin at 10 p.m. 

North East Fireworks Display

The picturesque town of North East, PA celebrates the holiday with family activities, live music by Beatles tribute band Abbey Road, food trucks, and fireworks at dusk. The fun starts at 4 p.m. at Gravel Pit Park.