Waldameer & Water World: 2027 Tickets, Rides and Tips
Free admission and parking, wristbands or pay-per-ride, a wooden coaster that crosses a highway and a brand-new launched coaster for 2027.
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Erie in Winter: Things to Do from November to March
Holiday lights on the peninsula, junior hockey downtown, an 84-degree indoor waterpark and quiet, snowy trails. Here is what is open, what closes and what it costs.
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Winter is Erie's quiet season, and it has its own charm. The beaches are empty, the peninsula is often under snow and the lake throws up some of the most dramatic skies of the year. The calendar fills with holiday lights, hockey and indoor fun. This guide covers what to do from November to March, which attractions close for the season and the hours we confirmed on each official site.
Check before you goHours, prices and seasons change. We checked each official site in late October 2026 and link to it. Confirm before you go, especially around holidays.
01Holiday lights
Presque Isle Lights
Presque Isle Lights is a free drive-through holiday display in the state park, run by the Presque Isle Partnership. In 2026 it runs Fridays to Sundays, Nov 27 to Dec 27, closed Dec 25. The lights come on at dusk, and you must be through the entrance gates by 9 PM, weather permitting.
This year's route is shorter. Instead of the full 13.5-mile loop, it turns around at the Duck Pond crossover and concentrates the displays on the front side of the peninsula, including the Stull Interpretive Center, the Ranger Station, the Waterworks picnic shelters and the Presque Isle Lighthouse. Admission is free and donations are welcome. A $5 donation gets you a commemorative button. Drive 25 mph or less, and tune your radio to Classy 100 for the soundtrack.
Downtown d'Lights
Downtown Erie kicks off the holidays at Perry Square on Fri, Nov 20, 2026, from 5 PM. VisitErie lists free hot cocoa, carriage rides and ice skating.
Winter Wonderland at Asbury Woods
Asbury Woods hosts an evening winter walk on select December nights. Check its program calendar for dates and tickets.
02Hockey and shows
Erie Otters hockey
The Erie Otters play junior hockey in the Ontario Hockey League, with home games at Erie Insurance Arena downtown from fall through March. Home dates on the 2026 schedule include:
- November: Thu, Nov 12 (11 AM vs. Kitchener), Sat, Nov 14, Fri, Nov 20, Sat, Nov 21, Wed, Nov 25 (Thanksgiving Eve, 7 PM vs. London) and Sat, Nov 28.
- December: Sat, Dec 12, Sun, Dec 13, Fri, Dec 18 and Sat, Dec 19.
Check the official schedule for times and tickets, which can change.
The Warner Theatre and the Erie Playhouse
The Warner Theatre on State Street opened as a movie palace in 1931 and now hosts touring shows, concerts and the Erie Philharmonic. The Erie Playhouse is a long-running community theater. Winter is a good time to plan an evening around a show.
03Indoor fun
Splash Lagoon
Splash Lagoon, at 8091 Peach Street, is an indoor waterpark resort kept at 84 degrees, with nine water slides, a 200,000-gallon wave pool, a multi-level tree house, a ropes course and a large arcade. Three connected hotels make it a popular winter weekend: the Wyndham Garden, Hawthorn Inn & Suites and Comfort Inn & Suites. Day passes are sold too. The waterpark doesn't open every weekday outside busy periods, so check its waterpark hours calendar before you go.
Museums
Erie's museums are open through the winter. See our indoor and rainy-day guide for hours and prices at the Erie Art Museum, the Hagen History Center, the Erie Maritime Museum and the expERIEnce Children's Museum.
04Outdoors in the snow
Presque Isle in winter
Presque Isle State Park is open every day of the year, from 5 AM to sunset, and there's no entrance fee. In winter the peninsula is quiet and often snowy. When conditions allow, it's good for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and ice fishing on the bay.
Check before you goNever go onto the ice without current local information. Ice conditions on the bay and the lake change constantly and can be dangerous.
Tom Ridge Environmental Center
The Tom Ridge Environmental Center at the park entrance is free, with interactive exhibits and a 75-foot observation tower. From Nov 1 to Mar 31, it's open Tuesday to Saturday, 8 AM to 4 PM, and closed Sundays, Mondays and major holidays.
Asbury Woods
Asbury Woods, at 4105 Asbury Road, has more than 5 miles of free trails, open daily during daylight hours, and it rents snowshoes and cross-country skis. The free nature center is open Monday to Saturday, 10 AM to 4 PM, and Sunday noon to 4 PM from Nov 1 to Mar 31.
Skiing and tubing nearby
For downhill skiing, Peek'n Peak Resort in Clymer, New York, sells lift and tubing tickets. Check the resort for conditions and opening dates.
05What closes for winter
| Attraction | Winter status (2026–27) |
|---|---|
| Waldameer & Water World | Closed. A summer park; 2027 season passes are on sale now. See our Waldameer guide. |
| Erie Zoo | Open daily, 10 AM to 5 PM, through Nov 30, then closed until March 1. |
| Presque Isle Lighthouse | Its 2026 season ended Oct 26. |
| Bicentennial Tower | Open Fridays to Sundays only, 10 AM to 6 PM, from October to April, weather permitting. |
| Presque Isle beaches | No lifeguards until Memorial Day weekend. |
Hours above come from each official site in late October 2026. Holiday closures apply, so check before you go.
06Driving and packing
Erie is one of the snowiest cities in the country. Cold air crossing the open lake creates bands of lake-effect snow that can drop a lot of snow quickly and very locally, so it may be snowing hard on one side of town and sunny on the other.
- Check the forecast and road conditions before you drive, especially on I-90 along the lake.
- Pack real winter gear: a warm coat, boots, a hat and gloves.
- Keep a snow brush and an emergency kit in the car.
- Plan indoor backups for stormy days.
07Frequently asked questions
Is Presque Isle open in the winter?
Yes. The state park is open every day of the year from 5 AM to sunset, with no entrance fee. The beaches aren't guarded in winter.
When is Presque Isle Lights in 2026?
Fridays to Sundays from Nov 27 to Dec 27, 2026, closed Dec 25. Lights come on at dusk, and cars must enter by 9 PM. It's free; donations are welcome.
Is the Erie Zoo open in winter?
The Erie Zoo is open daily from March 1 to November 30, so it is closed in December, January and February.
What can you do in Erie when it snows?
Splash Lagoon, Otters hockey, the museums and shows at the Warner Theatre are all indoors. If you like snow, try the trails at Asbury Woods or Presque Isle when conditions allow.
We link the official site for every place we name. Hours, prices and schedules change; confirm with the venue before you go.
