“Experience the ultimate sunblock: Erie’s Total Solar Eclipse.”

— Visit Erie

A once-in-a-lifetime experience is happening on April 8, 2024, and you can experience it in Erie, Pennsylvania!

Erie is in the path of totality for this rare total solar eclipse. That means, for nearly four minutes in the afternoon, the sky will turn dark when the moon passes between the sun and Earth.

A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the Earth and the sun, completely blocking out the sun’s light for a brief period. This rare celestial event creates a dramatic sight as the moon’s shadow crosses the Earth, casting darkness over the landscape.

During totality, the sky darkens to twilight, revealing the sun’s corona — a glowing halo of plasma surrounding the obscured sun.

Timeline for solar eclipse viewing in Erie on April 8

Partial eclipse begins at: 2:02 p.m. EDT
Totality begins at: 3:16 p.m. EDT
Maximum: 3:18 p.m. EDT
Totality ends: 3:20 p.m. EDT
Partial ends: 4:30 p.m. EDT

Observers are treated to a breathtaking display of celestial mechanics, with the moon and sun aligning to create a fleeting moment of natural wonder — known as “totality.”

While just about everybody in North America will be able to experience a little bit of the eclipse, only people within the “path of totality” will get to experience all or most of the full event.

After the April 8, 2024, total solar eclipse, the next total solar eclipse that can be seen from the contiguous United States will occur on Aug. 23, 2044. (The last total solar eclipse visible from within the United States was on Aug. 21, 2017. The path of totality stretched from Oregon to South Carolina. The last total solar eclipse that passed up the East Coast was on March 7, 1970.)

And, the next time Erie is in the path of totality again won’t happen until 2144!

NASA resources:

Total solar eclipse in Erie

Plan ahead. Plan ahead. Plan ahead.

Erie is expecting up to 260,000 out-of-town visitors for the eclipse. Presque Isle State Park is anticipating 30,000 people. PennDOT and other local government agencies and police departments are anticipating gridlock that could last several hours.

While viewing the eclipse from a scenic spot like the Bicentennial Tower on Erie’s Bayfront or along Sunset Point at Presque Isle sounds intriguing, you might be in for throngs of people and even more traffic headaches.

This map provides information on viewing parties that can host at least 250 people. In addition, the map below details parks, parking and road closures.

Plan ahead.

Erie viewing parties

These locations are hosting viewing parties, welcoming visitors to experience the total solar eclipse:

Bicentennial Tower: Limited tickets are available for the top of the Bicentennial Tower and the 17-foot promenade level.
Burch Farms Country Market (North East, Pa.): Experience the solar eclipse at Burch Farms on their three-acre field with lunches, wine, snacks and desserts from the Burch Farms Country Market and Winery.
Camp Fitch YMCA: Experience the eclipse at Camp Fitch from April 7-9 with camp activities, hot meals and lodging. Day passes for April 8 are available.
Erie Sports Center: WICU (Erie News Now) meteorologist John Stehlin, and other Erie News Now on-air reporters and anchors, will be there to meet guests and discuss the eclipse. The event includes music, food and drinks at the restaurant.
Erie Zoo: This event includes activities, entertainment, local food and beverage vendors, solar eclipse/solar system-themed enrichment for animals, and some keeper talks about the relationship between animals and the moon. This event is included for free with the price of admission or with an Erie Zoo membership. The event will go on rain or shine.
FEED Media Art Center (at the center and in Griswold Park): FEED will produce a “sideshow to the main event,” they say. Events include trivia, music, a science talk, art projects and the eclipse at Griswold Park.
Goodell Gardens & Homestead: View the once-in-a-lifetime experience in the Gardens and on the Grounds at the beautiful Goodell Gardens & Homestead for Edinboro Eclipse Festival.
Lake Erie Arboretum at Frontier: Watch the natural phenomenon from the park, with the Park Side of the Moon Viewing Party. There will be music, poetry reading, food and beer vendors.
Lake Erie Speedway: Viewing party features rides, inflatables, live music, food and monster trucks. Event capacity is 5,000 people. There are parking spaces for 1,400 vehicles. Parking is $10 per vehicle and available to purchase ahead of time.
Liberty Park: The Erie-Western PA Port Authority is planning an event at Liberty Park, which is on the Bayfront.
Mercyhurst University: “Eclipse Within Our Gates” includes lectures and activities, plus a viewing of the eclipse from the campus. Activities include educational talks, glow-ware giveaways and a viewing event at Saxon Stadium with music.
Painted Finch Gallery (Corry, Pa.): The event features music and dancing; 600 parking spaces available.
PennWest Edinboro: Guests are welcome to bring blankets or lawn chairs to view the eclipse around Mallory Lake. There will also be food trucks and eclipse-themed educational events being hosted around campus.
Port Farms & Poverty Knob: Unobstructed views are the key to viewing the eclipse at Port Farms. The event features music, farm attractions, eclipse-themed flights, campfires and food! Capacity is 1,000. Tickets required.
Presque Isle Downs & Casino: The event includes food trucks, free play giveaways and a Chris Higbee concert starting at 1 p.m.
Riverside Brewing Company: A viewing party that includes live music by Juvenile Characteristics, a post-eclipse buffet by Chef Ryan and a special beer can release called “Celestial Energy.”
UPMC Park: The Erie SeaWolves will host an eclipse watch party with live entertainment, a live NASA feed, kids activities, autograph stations featuring SeaWolves players, photo opportunities with the 2023 Eastern League Championship trophy and mascot C. Wolf, the chance to win prizes and game tickets, and a view from the Bud Light Party Deck.
Victorian Princess: Experience the eclipse from the water.

And the weather in Erie?

Well, it’s Erie. So, a WJET-TV meteorologist has information on what to expect.

But even if it’s overcast on April 8, areas within the path of totality will still experience complete darkness during totality.

Eclipse/Erie Apparel

Looking for shirts and other items to remember the experience? Visit Erie teamed up with Erie Apparel.

Need a playlist?

Visit Erie created one that will last for the entire eclipse. Start it at 2:02. It’s only on Spotify now (which is anti-LGBTQ and I canceled), so I plan to recreate it in Apple Music soon.

More info?

Visit Erie is your source.