One of Erie’s biggest summer celebrations is back! Discover Presque Isle returns July 20–26, 2026, with a full week of outdoor adventures, wildlife programs, live music, beach activities, local vendors, family fun, and plenty of reasons to explore Presque Isle State Park.
Families can try archery, meet live birds of prey, search for turtles, join guided bird walks, build sand sculptures, fly kites, shop the craft fair, enjoy a pancake breakfast, and end the day with free yoga on the beach.
New this year: The traditional Discover Presque Isle bonfire is moving to Wednesday night and joining the UPMC Sunset Music Series finale at Beach 1. In previous years, the bonfire was held on the final day of the festival. This year, the giant beach bonfire will be lit at 9 p.m. Wednesday, July 22, following the concert and a live DJ.
Discover Presque Isle at a Glance
- Dates: July 20–26, 2026
- Location: Presque Isle State Park
- Cost: Most events are free
- Registration: Required for select programs
- Major weekend events: Craft fair, Sand Jam, pancake breakfast, volleyball tournament, kite flying, and Beach Illumination
- More info
Happening Throughout Discover Presque Isle
Discover Bees
Monday, July 20–Saturday, July 25 | 8 a.m.–4 p.m.
Tom Ridge Environmental Center
Learn why honeybees are so important with the NWPA Beekeepers Association. Visitors can check out a mobile hive, meet local beekeepers, and shop for locally produced honey products.
Cost: Free
Registration: Not required
Sunrise and Sunset Beach Classes
Start or end the day with a free, beginner-friendly yoga, Pilates, or Yogilates class at Beach 1. Bring your own mat.
Sunrise classes: 7:30 a.m.
Sunset classes: 7 p.m.
- Monday, July 20: Yogilates with Therese Toth at 7:30 a.m.; yoga with Terry Seth at 7 p.m.
- Tuesday, July 21: Yoga with Deb Phillips at 7:30 a.m.; yoga with Jennie Askins at 7 p.m.
- Wednesday, July 22: Yoga with Norine Gammon Samuels at 7:30 a.m.; Pilates with Michelee Curtze at 7 p.m.
- Thursday, July 23: Yoga with Patricia Gradler at 7:30 a.m.; yoga with Terry Henry at 7 p.m.
- Friday, July 24: Yoga with Elizabeth Valkanas at 7:30 a.m.; Pilates with Christine Seymore at 7 p.m.
- Saturday, July 25: Hatha yoga with Halle Sullivan at 7:30 a.m.; yoga with Cate Weber at 7 p.m.
- Sunday, July 26: Yoga with Karen Dukato at 7:30 a.m.; yoga and sound bowls with Bridget Allen at 7 p.m.
Explore Presque Isle Your Way
Families can also build their own park adventure throughout the week. Stop at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center and Erie Visitor Center, catch a nature film on the four-story Big Green Screen, rent bikes or boats, take a Lady Kate cruise, ride the Presque Isle Water Taxi, or visit Erie’s historic lighthouses.
Fees and operating schedules may vary for rentals, cruises, lighthouse tours, movies, and transportation.
Monday, July 20
Building the Fleet in the Wilderness
10–11:30 a.m. | TREC Room 112
Discover how people working in a rugged frontier outpost constructed the vessels that would fight in the pivotal Battle of Lake Erie. The program brings to life the ingenuity and determination that helped put Erie on the map.
Cost: Free
Registration: Not required
Presque Isle Through the Lens
2–3:30 p.m. | TREC Room 112
See the park from a new perspective through photos and videos captured with cameras, camcorders, and wildlife camera traps. Park educators will share surprising wildlife encounters, beautiful landscapes, and behind-the-scenes glimpses of Presque Isle.
Cost: Free
Registration: Not required
Tuesday, July 21
Bird Walk
9–10 a.m. | Thompson Circle
Join Erie Bird Observatory for a guided walk through some of Presque Isle’s best birding trails. Walks are held rain or shine unless conditions become unsafe.
Cost: Free
Registration: Required
Fun With Archery
9–11 a.m. and 1–3 p.m. | AAUW Pavilion
Learn the basics of archery and how to safely shoot a bow with Presque Isle State Park educators. Participants can test their skills with target games and challenges during this family-friendly program.
Cost: Free
Registration: Not required; first come, first served
Wednesday, July 22
Gull Point Walk
8–11 a.m. | Meet at Beach 10
Celebrate 10 years since piping plovers returned to nest in Pennsylvania. Erie Bird Observatory will lead participants from Beach 10 to Gull Point for an opportunity to learn about and potentially observe this federally and state-endangered bird.
The approximately three-mile round-trip walk covers sand and wooded pathways and is considered easy to moderate.
Cost: Free
Registration: Required
Sensational Senses
10–11 a.m. | Pine Tree Pavilion
Children ages 3–9 and their adults can explore the natural world through playful, nature-themed sensory activities in a forest setting.
Cost: Free
Registration: Required by July 18; limited to 20 participants
All About Turtles
1–2:30 p.m. | Turtle Observation Deck at the Lagoon Launch
Meet park naturalists and learn about the native turtles that live at Presque Isle. Bring sunscreen and water. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Cost: Free
Registration: Not required; first come, first served
New for 2026
The Discover Presque Isle Bonfire Moves to Wednesday Night
The giant beach bonfire traditionally held on the final day of Discover Presque Isle is moving to Wednesday, July 22, as part of the UPMC Sunset Music Series finale. The concert begins at 5:30 p.m., followed by a live DJ and the lighting of the bonfire at 9 p.m. at Beach 1.
UPMC Sunset Music Series Finale
5:30 p.m. | Beach 1
The final concert of the 2026 UPMC Sunset Music Series will feature free live music, food trucks, craft vendors, refreshments, extended swimming hours, hoop playshops, raffles, and beach accessibility through mobility mats.
Music:
- Opening act: 2 For the Show
- Headliner: Lopaka Rootz
- Live DJ following the bands
- Giant Beach Bonfire at 9 p.m.
Food vendors include: Cluck Truck, E Dogg’s, Food for Thought, Holy Smokes Barbeque, Tropical Breeze, Connie’s Ice Cream, and Cowboy Kettle Corn.
Craft vendors include: Flagship City Press, Werner Books, Mother Beach, and Terrapin Moon Tie Dye.
Thursday, July 23
Bird Walk
9–10 a.m. | Thompson Circle
Join Erie Bird Observatory for a guided walk through Presque Isle’s birding trails. Walks run rain or shine unless conditions are considered unsafe.
Cost: Free
Registration: Required
Nature Craft Creations
10 a.m.–Noon | TREC Room 112
Use natural materials collected from Presque Isle’s shoreline and trails to make one-of-a-kind crafts and decorations. This hands-on activity is open to all ages.
Cost: $3 per participant
Registration: Not required
Sponsored Content
Make Wild Memories at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center
Every summer Thursday, the Tom Ridge Environmental Center extends its hours and remains open from 4–8 p.m. Each week brings a new wildlife or science theme to life through hands-on activities, movies, and more. Whether you’re 7 or 70, there is something for everyone to discover.
Thursday, July 23: Discover Presque Isle
Explore some of Presque Isle’s hidden gems, including macroinvertebrates, trails, old infrastructure, and other parts of the park visitors might not ordinarily see.
Free movie showings:
- Backyard Wilderness at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Cost: Free
Registration: Not required
Friday, July 24
Birding by Pontoon
8–9 a.m. | Lagoon Boat Launch
Explore Presque Isle’s marshes on a guided pontoon boat tour with Erie Bird Observatory. Participants should arrive 15 minutes early to sign a waiver.
Cost: Free
Registration: Required
Discover Presque Isle Craft Fair
11 a.m.–7 p.m. | Beach 11 and Coast Guard Road
More than 30 local vendors will transform the Beach 11 area into an outdoor craft fair. Shop for pottery, paintings, woodwork, and other handmade goods, then grab lunch or a sweet treat from local food and confection vendors.
Cost: Free to attend
Sand Jam
Throughout the day | Beach 11
Watch professional sand sculptor Todd Pangborn begin creating a large-scale sand sculpture live on the beach. The sculpture will take shape over Friday and Saturday.
Sunset Point Kite Flyers
All day | Sunset Point, before Beach 10
Relax on the beach and watch colorful kites fill the sky as the Sunset Point Kite Flyers display their creations.
Cost: Free
Registration: Not required
Note: Kite flying is dependent on wind conditions.
Tamarack Birds of Prey
1–3 p.m. | TREC Room 112
Meet live raptor ambassadors, including hawks, owls, and falcons, during a family-friendly presentation from Tamarack Wildlife Center. Learn about these powerful hunters and the important role they play in Pennsylvania’s ecosystem.
Cost: Free
Registration: Not required
Beach Illumination
After dark | Sunset Point
As darkness falls, Sunset Point—also known locally as Kite Beach—will come alive with illuminated fabric creations, glowing displays, and interactive light installations. Presented by talented kite-flying enthusiasts, this whimsical nighttime event is a Discover Presque Isle favorite for all ages.
Saturday, July 25
Discover Presque Isle Pancake Breakfast
7:30 a.m.–Noon | Rotary Pavilion at Waterworks
Fuel up for a day at the park with pancakes, eggs, bacon or sausage, coffee, and juice. The Rotary Club of Presque Isle has served this festival tradition to park visitors for more than 30 years.
- Adult pancake meal: $10; includes a choice of bacon or sausage and juice or coffee
- Kids’ pancake meal: $5; includes a choice of bacon or sausage and juice
- Add eggs: $1
Discover Presque Isle Volleyball Challenge
Beach 6
Teams can compete beside Lake Erie in Recreational 6s or High School Girls 6s divisions. All skill levels are welcome, but space is limited.
Cost: $90 per team
Registration: Required
Sunset Point Kite Flyers
All day | Sunset Point, before Beach 10
Watch the Sunset Point Kite Flyers fill the sky with kites throughout the day, weather and wind permitting.
Cost: Free
Registration: Not required
Sand Jam Sculpture Competition
Throughout the morning | Beach 11
Families, friends, and beachgoers of all ages and skill levels are invited to create a sandy masterpiece during this free competition.
Participants may begin building at any point during the morning but should finish their sculptures in time for judging at 1 p.m. Awards will begin at 2 p.m. at the Presque Isle Partnership tent.
First-, second-, and third-place trophies will be awarded in multiple categories. Visitors can also vote for the fan-favorite “Best on the Beach” award, which comes with a $200 Mpowered cash prize.
Cost: Free
Discover Presque Isle Craft Fair
11 a.m.–7 p.m. | Beach 11 and Coast Guard Road
Shop handmade goods from more than 30 local vendors and enjoy food trucks and confection vendors throughout the festival area.
Cost: Free to attend
Sunday, July 26
Discover Presque Isle Pancake Breakfast
7:30 a.m.–Noon | Rotary Pavilion at Waterworks
Start the final day of Discover Presque Isle with pancakes, eggs, breakfast meats, coffee, and juice served by the Rotary Club of Presque Isle.
- Adult pancake meal: $10; includes a choice of bacon or sausage and juice or coffee
- Kids’ pancake meal: $5; includes a choice of bacon or sausage and juice
- Add eggs: $1
Discover Presque Isle Craft Fair
11 a.m.–4 p.m. | Beach 11 and Coast Guard Road
Enjoy one final afternoon of local shopping, food, sweet treats, and summer fun at Beach 11.
Cost: Free to attend
Before You Go
- Most Discover Presque Isle programs are free, but select activities have fees, as noted.
- Advance registration is required for some bird walks, boat tours, and children’s programs, as noted.
- Several programs are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Outdoor activities may be changed or canceled because of unsafe weather conditions.
- Bring water, sunscreen, comfortable walking shoes, and beach gear appropriate for your plans.
Whether your family comes for one favorite event or spends the entire week exploring the park, Discover Presque Isle offers plenty of ways to enjoy the nature, wildlife, beaches, and community that make this Erie landmark so special.
