Erie’s Downtown D’Lights holiday festival is moving to an earlier date this year, and organizers say the change will continue in future years.
The Erie Downtown Partnership and community partners announced Nov. 2 that the 2026 celebration will take place Friday, Nov. 20 — the Friday before Thanksgiving.
The festival had traditionally been held the first Friday in December.
Organizers said the earlier date gives downtown businesses more opportunity to reach holiday shoppers during a shorter shopping season and welcomes visitors arriving for Thanksgiving.
“We are going to keep that date moving forward in subsequent years,” Emily Fetko, executive director of the Erie Downtown Partnership, said, according to the Erie Times-News.
The celebration begins at 5 p.m. in the Perry Square area.
Its centerpiece is the lighting of a 40-foot Christmas tree at 6 p.m., when Santa and Mrs. Claus will join the countdown.
Visitors can enjoy hot chocolate, holiday lights, skating at the Perry Square rink, photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and pop-up shops in the chalets around the square.
Jolly Trolley service expanded
The Hamot Health Foundation and Erie Metropolitan Transit Authority are expanding Jolly Trolley service to help residents travel to the event.
From 5 to 8 p.m., a shuttle will make continuous loops from the UPMC Neighborhood Center at East Eighth Street and East Avenue. Another shuttle will travel along Sixth Street, where riders can flag it down for a ride to Perry Square.
The Downtown D’Lights celebration also marks the seasonal opening of the Perry Square ice rink. Skating is free, and the rink is expected to remain open through the first weekend in January. Hours will be posted on the Erie Downtown Partnership website.
Downtown’s holiday shopping season continues with Miracle on State Street, scheduled to coincide with Small Business Saturday on Nov. 28. The celebration features pop-up markets, vendors and shopping events at downtown businesses, including Werner Books and nearby boutiques.
If you go to Downtown D’Lights
- Date: Friday, Nov. 20
- Time: 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.; tree-lighting countdown at 6 p.m.
- Location: Perry Square and downtown Erie
- Cost: Free
More information is available from the Erie Downtown Partnership.
