The 35th Annual Erie Wild Rib Cook Off & Music Festival runs Wednesday May 27 through Saturday May 30 in Perry Square, and Flagship City District is steps away (we counted and figured how far the walk is below...) While you're here for the ribs, here's everything else the neighborhood has to offer across all four days. 👇
EAT
Flagship City Food Hall: Erie's first and only food hall is open all four days of the festival. Start your morning with bagels from Jo's Brooklyn Bagel and end the day grabbing a brick oven Neapolitan pizza from IPPA Pizza. Dominican, noodles, comfort food, and more are available all day long.
📍 22 North Park Row (1-minute walk)
🕚 Wednesday–Friday: 6 AM–9 PM | Saturday: 7 AM–9 PM
🌐 www.flagshipcityfoodhall.com
Dave's Diner: A downtown Erie staple. Open every morning of the festival for breakfast and lunch, the perfect way to begin the day before you head to Perry Square. *The breakfast burger comes highly recommended.
📍 431 Peach Street (2-minute walk)
🕚 Wednesday–Saturday: 7 AM–3 PM
🌐 www.davesdiner.com
Serafini's Trattoria: Authentic Italian family recipes are just steps from Perry Square. Open for lunch and dinner all four days, with extended hours Friday and Saturday for a proper sit-down dinner after a long day at the festival. Make reservations now.
📍 417 State Street (2-minute walk)
🕚 Wednesday–Thursday: 11 AM–9 PM | Friday–Saturday: 11 AM–10 PM
🌐 Facebook Page
PLAY
Hazards Mini Golf & Social Pub: 18 holes of indoor mini golf with a full bar. Open every night of the ribfest, the perfect outing when you want to keep the night going.
📍 419 State Street (2-minute walk)
🕚 Wednesday: 5–11 PM | Thursday: 3–11 PM | Friday: 3 PM–12 AM | Saturday: 12 PM–12 AM
🌐 https://hazardserie.com/
ASCEND Climbing Gym: Erie's premier indoor climbing gym is open early every day of the festival. A great way to start your morning before the festival grounds open at 11 AM.
📍 426 State Street (2-minute walk)
🕚 Wednesday–Friday: 6 AM–10 PM | Saturday: 8 AM–8 PM
🌐 https://www.ascendclimbing.com/locations/erie
EXPLORE
Erie Art Museum: World-class art in the heart of downtown Erie. Free or low-cost admission and open all four days of the festival. A quiet, air-conditioned escape if you need a break from the heat.
📍 20 East 5th Street (2-minute walk)
🕚 Wednesday–Friday: 11 AM–6 PM | Saturday: 10 AM–5 PM
🌐 https://www.erieartmuseum.org/
expERIEnce Children's Museum: Hands-on exhibits designed for kids. If you're bringing the family to ribfest, this is the perfect way to keep little ones entertained before the festival opens or on a second wind in the afternoon.
📍 420 French Street (2-minute walk)
🕚 Wednesday–Friday: 10 AM–5 PM | Saturday: 10 AM–5 PM
🌐 https://www.eriechildrensmuseum.org/
WEDNESDAY NIGHT — LIVE MUSIC AT THE FOOD HALL
Kick off ribfest weekend the right way. Each Wednesday night Flagship City Food Hall hosts live music from local and regional artists from 6–8 PM and this week is Jazz Night feat. Three Way Street Band. Free to attend, all ages welcome. The Ribfest and the food hall are steps apart.
Three Way Street Band
PARK ONCE. DO EVERYTHING.
The 5th & Peach Parking Garage at 425 Peach Street puts you within easy walking distance of Perry Square, the food hall, and every attraction on this list. Over 300 covered spaces with rates starting at just $2. Click here for full parking details, rates, and a video walkthrough of the garage.
Flagship City District has even more to explore. Local shops, boutiques, antiques, and more within easy walking distance. Visit flagshipcitydistrict.com for it all.