Erie Canal Bicentennial Week Guide
Join the Erie Canal Bicentennial Committee in celebrating a once-in-a-lifetime milestone at Lockport’s 2025 Erie Canal Bicentennial Week!
From September 21–27, our community will come alive with music, history, fireworks, art, and family fun as we honor 200 years of the historic Erie Canal. Enjoy concerts at the Palace Theatre, the Bicentennial Cruise Night, Rock the Locks fireworks, Locktoberfest, and much more. This week long celebration is packed with activities for all ages. Mark your calendars and bring your family and friends for this historic moment!
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 21st, 2025
In honor of the 200th Anniversary of the Erie Canal, the Kenan House Gallery is proud to present Erie Canal Celebration, on view September 14 – November 23, 2025. Curated by Dennis Stierer, a photographer who has spent more than three decades capturing the canal’s history and beauty, this exhibition brings together original works across a variety of mediums. Highlighting the canal’s profound influence on communities and its enduring cultural legacy, the show invites visitors to see this historic waterway through fresh artistic perspectives. Join Kenan Center for the free opening reception on Sunday, September 21, 2025, from 2-4PM.
As part of Lockport’s Erie Canal Bicentennial Week, the Historic Palace Theatre will host Community Music Day on Sunday, September 21 at 2PM. This FREE concert will showcase the talents of the Lockport Chorale, Lock City Sound, and the Lockport Community Band, bringing the community together in celebration of 200 years of the Erie Canal.
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2025
Stop on by the Bicentennial Cruise Night at Ida Fritz Park on Monday, September 22nd at 5:30PM-8PM! Enjoy classic cars, food vendors, and music!
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2025
Join the Historic Palace Theatre at 11AM, 3PM, and 6PM for a FREE viewing of the live action film How To Train Your Dragon, sponsored by the Erie Canal Bicentennial Committee. Please bring a jar of PB or J for the Niagara County PBJ drive!
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2025
Enjoy Rock The Locks, welcoming the Seneca Chief Boat to Lockport on its journey down the Erie Canal. Stop on by the Pine Street Bridge on September 24th from 5PM to 8PM for live music, food, free family-friendly activities, and fireworks!
Plus -thanks to West Herr, Stooges will be raffling off a signed Dion Dawkins football! Get your tickets at Rock the Locks on Wednesday, September 24. Winner announced the next day on social media. (No need to be present to win!)
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2025
Cornerstone Community Federal Credit Union is proud to present the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra at the Historic Palace Theatre on Thursday, September 25, in celebration of Lockport’s Bicentennial.
This special concert promises an unforgettable evening of music, community, and history as we honor 200 years of Lockport’s rich heritage.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2025
Don’t miss the world premiere of “America’s Stairway” on September 26th at 7 pm at the Lockport Palace Theatre. Enjoy the epic story of how one of America’s first successful public works emboldened a nation to move westward, and how in the 21st Century it has enabled a new generation to revitalize itself. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased at Mills Jewelers or the Palace Box Office.
Don’t miss this masterpiece on the big screen! View the trailer at the link below:
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2025
Join the Challenger Learning Center in supporting Locktoberfest during the 40th Anniversary of the Challenger Shuttle incident, to help carry on their legacy of bringing experiential STEM education to young students. This race will start and end at the Kenan Center, and will utilize the neighborhood streets of the City of Lockport. Find all the details at: https://www.clclockport.org/fivekrace.html
Join Lockport Main Street and the Lockport Locks Heritage District Corporation on Saturday, September 27th from 10AM - 5PM on Canal Street for a community-wide celebration of the Erie Canal’s 200th birthday.
Browse 55+ local vendors at the expanded Lockport Community Farmers Market, explore the Family Fun Zone, enjoy live music throughout the day, and raise a glass at the Locktoberfest Beer Garden. Attendees can also watch the season-finale demonstration of the historic Erie Canal Flight of Five Locks by the volunteer Lock Tenders as they wrap up the season! It’s a celebration you won’t want to miss!
Enjoy the Wicked Movie Sing-Along at the Historic Palace Theatre – FOR FREE thanks to their generous friends at Village Eatery Italian Bistro! Showings are Saturday (9/27) and Sunday (9/28) at 10AM, 2PM, & 6PM!