Community Calendar

Get ready for a colorful good time as we dive into a world of beads, patterns, and imagination. Kids can create keychains, bracelets, critters, and all kinds of bead-tastic masterpieces. It’s the perfect mix of creativity, color, and beady fun. Come craft, laugh, and let your creativity shine!

This program is recommended for families with children ages 8-12.

Free and open to the public.
Sponsored by the Friends of the Erie County Library.

https://events.erielibrary.org/event/16730792

Are all your friends boring? Does no one want to play board games with you? Come meet some new friends who are actually cool!

Play some board games from the library’s extensive board game collection and make new friends at this chill hangout. We have all of the classics as well as more interesting titles for the adventurous gamer.

No registration required. This program is intended for adults ages 18+.

https://events.erielibrary.org/event/16832257

Think you’ve got the smarts? Show off your skills at the library’s Teen Trivia! Team up with friends (or make new ones) and put your knowledge to the test. Win small prizes, earn epic bragging rights, and have a blast in a fun, high-energy atmosphere. No registration required! For teens ages 13-18.

https://events.erielibrary.org/event/16650939

Think you have what it takes to be a spy? Join us for an interactive introduction to the world of espionage! Learn how to crack codes, create messages with Caesar cipher rings, sharpen your observation skills, and explore secret languages used throughout history. Put your detective instincts to the test and discover the tricks spies use to communicate and gather information, all in a fun, hands-on environment.

https://events.erielibrary.org/event/16996547

The Smith Carillon Concert Series at Penn State Behrend features live Thursday evening performances in July and August on the lawn of the Larry and Kathryn Smith Chapel. The 2026 series includes guest artists:

-July 23 - Andrée-Anne Doane (St. Joseph's Oratory, Montreal, Quebec, Canada)
-July 30 - Sheryl Modlin (Church of the Saviour, Cleveland Heights, OH)
-August 6 - Julie Zhu (University of Michigan)
-August 13 - Michael Gancz (Stanford University)

Performances begin at 7 p.m. Attendees often bring blankets and lawn chairs to enjoy the music from the 4-octave instrument. This concert series is free and open to the public.

The Smith Carillon Concert Series begins on Thursday, July 23, and continues each Thursday through August 13. The Smith Chapel's bell tower, adjacent to the Larry and Kathryn Smith Chapel, contains the forty-eight-bell Floyd and Juanita Smith Carillon. The bells produce a massive sound that rolls weightlessly over the college campus and its surrounding hillside.

2026 Series Schedule:

Thursday, July 23, 2026 – Andrée-Anne Doane
Thursday, July 30, 2026 – Sheryl Modlin
Thursday, August 6, 2026 – Julie Zhu
Thursday, August 13, 2026 – Michael Gancz

All concerts are free and open to the public. Free hot dogs and snacks will be served during the performances. Parking is available at Junker Center.

Seating for the Smith Carillon Concert Series is outdoors on the lawn of Smith Chapel; audience members are encouraged to bring chairs or blankets. In the event of rain, seating may be offered inside the chapel. The sound carries, however, so visitors may utilize other areas of the Behrend campus, away from the bell tower.

The Concert Series is made possible by a gift from Larry and Kathryn Smith. For additional information about the series, phone the Smith Chapel at 814-898-6609.

Calling all mini makers and pint‑sized problem‑solvers!
Join us for an action‑packed engineering adventure where YOU become the builder. Kids ages 4–8 will race to stack sky‑high towers, twist and turn their own mini roller coasters, and design bridges strong enough for big tests. It’s hands‑on, brain‑boosting, imagination‑powered FUN! Build big. Dream bigger. Let’s engineer something amazing!

This program is recommended for families with children ages 4-8.

Free and open to the public.
Sponsored by the Friends of the Erie County Library.

https://events.erielibrary.org/event/16730700

The Bubble Run in Erie, Pennsylvania is a fun and family friendly event that turns a traditional run into a colorful experience filled with foam, music, and nonstop energy. Participants make their way through a course lined with bubble stations that release clouds of brightly colored foam, creating a lively atmosphere for runners and walkers of all ages. The focus is on enjoyment rather than speed, making it a great option for families, groups of friends, and anyone looking for a playful outdoor activity. With upbeat music, photo opportunities, and a relaxed vibe, the Bubble Run offers a memorable way to enjoy the Erie waterfront and celebrate a day of lighthearted fitness. Whether you jog, walk, or dance through the bubbles, the event guarantees smiles and a finish line celebration that keeps the fun going.

Event details, schedules, formats, and requirements are subject to change at any time. For the most accurate and up‑to‑date information, including rules, specifications, location updates and any last‑minute adjustments, please visit the official event website listed below. All participants, families, and attendees are responsible for reviewing the latest information provided online.

The Anthology of Erie Poets presents Erie Poetry Community Workshops.

The Erie Community Poetry Workshop is designed to help members of the Erie community find their poetic voices and generate poetry that represents their diverse experiences and environments. We will look at different poetic forms, modes, and occasions while working together to write new poems and revise older ones. Led by Dr. Clayton Bradshaw-Mittal and featuring guest poetry instructors, the workshop is open to any member of the Erie community who would like to write poetry in a setting that encourages collaboration and growth.

For more information, please email Dr. Clayton Bradshaw-Mittal at bradshaw013@gannon.edu or visit eriepoetryanthology.com.

https://events.erielibrary.org/event/17019545