Erie Canal Bicentennial Celebrations: 200 Years of History, Innovation & Community

Discover how Rochester and canal towns across New York are honoring 200 years of the Erie Canal—and how you can experience it in 2025.

The year 2025 marks the 200th anniversary of the Erie Canal, one of America’s most influential infrastructure projects—and for Rochester-area residents, there’s no better time to rediscover the waterway that helped shape our city, economy, and cultural identity.

Rochester will be a key destination for the Erie Canal’s bicentennial celebrations during Roc the Riverway Weekend, taking place September 26–28, 2025. The highlight will be the arrival of the Seneca Chief, a replica of the original 1825 canal boat, which will dock at Corn Hill Landing on Saturday, September 27. The Sam Patch packet boat will also be docked at Corn Hill Landing, joining the festivities. On Sunday morning, the Sam Patch and Riverie will escort the Seneca Chief to Pittsford, where the Colonial Belle will meet them for the final ceremonial voyage to Fairport. Festivities throughout the weekend include boat tours, outdoor adventures, educational exhibits, and family-friendly events along the Genesee River, making it a must-see moment in the canal’s 200th anniversary.

From Albany to Buffalo, towns and communities along the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor are celebrating with festivals, reenactments, boat tours, and new opportunities to engage with this historic corridor in fresh ways.

2025 Bicentennial Events & Celebrations

The Erie Canal’s 200th anniversary will be celebrated throughout 2025 with a series of statewide events. Here are some highlights to look forward to:

Upcoming Celebrations Across Canal Towns

• May 7: Local History Walking Tour: Washington Square Neighborhood
• May 9–18: Rochester Lilac Festival
• May 11–17: Riverie Canal Cruises in Brockport
• May 16: Erie Canal Opens for the 200^th Season
• May 16: Pizza Patio Party at Longacre Farms
• May 20: Bicentennial Basics of the Erie Canal
• May 21: Local History Walking Tour: Multicultural Rochester
• May 24: Pittsford Paddle and Pour
• May 26: Pittsford Memorial Day; Fairport Memorial Day
• Jun 6–8: Fairport Canal Days
• Jun 12: Waterway of Change: Women and the Erie Canal
• Jun 20–28: Rochester International Jazz Festival
• Jul 8: Brockport’s Erie Canal Bicentennial Celebration with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra
• Jul 9: Meet Kate and Skeeter, Glory Days on the Erie Canal: An American Girl Doll History Program
• Jul 12–13: Corn Hill Arts Festival
• Jul 15: Taste of Wayne County
• Jul 16: Local History Walking Tour: Multicultural Rochester
• Jul 19: ROC Pride Festival & Parade
• Jul 26–27: Spencerport Canal Days
• Jul 30–Aug 2: Puerto Rican Festival
• Aug 6: Local History Walking Tour: Beyond Flour and Flowers- Industry in Rochester
• Aug 8: Flotsam River Circus – 2025 Erie Canal Tour
• Aug 9: Brockport Arts Festival
• Aug 14–17: Ukrainian Arts & Craft Festival
• Aug 22–23: Fairport Music Festival
• Aug 25: The Construction of the Rochester Aqueduct with Steve Boerner
• Sep 6–7: M&T Bank Clothesline Art Festival
• Sep 9–20: Rochester Fringe Festival
• Sep 13: Roc River Ride
• Sep 13: Pittsford Food Truck & Music Fest
• Sep 20: Downtown Seneca Falls Mural Project Festival
• Sep 25–27: Fairport Oktober Fest
• Sep 26–28: Roc the Riverway Weekend (The Seneca Chief will be docked at Corn Hill Landing on September 27)
• Sep 27: Fairport Plein Air Festival
• Sep 28: Erie Canal Bicentennial Celebration at Perinton Park
• Nov 3: Erie Canal Closes

Summer Series and Multi-Day Events

June 6–August 22: Pittsford Summer Concert Series. Bring a chair to enjoy this free annual Friday night concert series along the canal in Carpenter Park at Port of Pittsford Park. Port of Pittsford Park features a band pavilion and amenities for boaters, including potable water, electrical hookups, and dock space.

June 12–September 25: Thursdays at the Farm. Homesteads for Hope Community Farm in Spencerport invites visitors to enjoy unforgettable gatherings along the scenic Erie Canal. From 5 to 8 p.m., guests can experience the warmth of community with live music, canal-side seating, stunning sunset views, and a variety of games and activities suitable for all ages. Visitors are encouraged to explore the offerings at the Farm Store, bring a lawn chair, and relax with family and friends in the farm’s welcoming, picturesque setting.

June 13–September 19: Music on the Lawn. Enjoy free, family-friendly outdoor concerts at Long Acre Farm every other Friday night this summer. Savor wood-fired pizzas, BBQ from the Rolling Stoves food truck, and treats from Terrapin Station, plus wine, beer, and beverages from the outdoor beer trailer. Bring blankets or chairs—picnic tables are limited—and note that outside food and drinks are not allowed. Food service begins at 5:30 p.m., music starts at 6:30 p.m., and the tasting room and Station Bar remain open until 9 p.m.

June 15–August 31: Spencerport Music on the Canal. Enjoy this delightful 12-week concert series every Sunday evening from June 15 to August 31. Live music suitable for all ages will be performed in the canalside gazebo from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.—bring a lawn chair.

Thursdays in July and August: Brockport Summer Serenades. Performances are held at the Village Welcome Center. In July, the performances begin at 7:00 p.m., while in August, they start at 6:30 p.m. Each performance lasts approximately 1.5 hours, is free of charge, and does not require tickets or reservations. Most attendees sit on the south side of the canal, near the Welcome Center, but many others choose to sit on benches, bring their chairs, or enjoy the music while walking along the canal path on the north side.

July 12–20: Cycle the Canal. This 400-mile, fully supported bike tour spans eight days, traveling from Buffalo to Albany. Riders will cover between 40 and 60 miles each day, enjoying scenic views, visiting important historical sites, and experiencing excellent cycling opportunities. The Erie Canalway Trail is more than 85 percent off-road, making it accessible for people of all ages and skill levels.

Check out the Monroe County Library System Lectures and Guided Walks schedule.

Event details are subject to change. Before you go, be sure to check each festival’s website.

World Canals Conference in Buffalo

September 21–25, 2025

Experts, enthusiasts, and advocates of canal heritage from around the globe will gather in Buffalo for talks, tours, and events. This is an incredible opportunity to learn more about global canal heritage and innovations. The conference dates coincide with the opening of the Erie Canal on May 17, 1825. They will conclude with the Seneca Chief’s departure along the canal to arrive in New York Harbor on October 26.

The “Seneca Chief” Bicentennial Journey

A replica canal boat named the Seneca Chief—inspired by the one that made the first journey in 1825—will travel the canal from Buffalo to Albany. Expect ceremonies, community stops, and floating exhibits. Here is the planned schedule, subject to change:

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2025
Bicentennial Voyage Departure | 10:00 am
Commercial Slip at Canalside
44 Prime St, Buffalo, NY 14202

SEPTEMBER 24 – OCTOBER 26, 2025
The Erie Canal Boat Bicentennial Voyage
Traveling along the Erie Canal & Hudson River

1. Buffalo – Wed. 9/24
2. Lockport – Wed. 9/24
3. Medina – Thurs. 9/25
4. Brockport – Fri. 9/26
5. Rochester – Sat. 9/27
6. Fairport – Sun. + Mon. 9/28 – 29
7. Newark – Tues. 9/30
8. Lyons – Wed. 10/1
9. Weedsport – Thurs. 10/2
10. Baldwinsville – Fri. 10/3
11. Syracuse – Sat + Sun. 10/4 – 5 and on to New York City.

The dates listed indicate when the Erie Canal Boat Seneca Chief will be docked in port. The itinerary is subject to change.

Day-Trip Worthy Canal Towns

Each town along the canal offers something unique:

Lyons

Lyons is a picturesque canal town, featuring the 1915 Ohmann Movie Theater and 1943 Dobbins Drugs, both still owned and operated by descendants of the original families. A walk around Water, Broad, Church, and William Streets is a great way to explore shops and restaurants. The Museum of Wayne County History on Butternut Street, housed in the former Wayne County jail, is also worth a visit. The Canandaigua Outlet joins the canal beside Lock 27, and Lyons Southside Canal Park offers a superb view of the area. At Lock 28-A, there is a dry dock where boats and barges are floated in for repairs, one of only two such docks on the canal system. When drained away, the water leaves boats, like the Colonial Belle, high and dry.

Palymya

Visit the town’s five museums—Palmyra Historical Museum, Erie Canal Depot, Print Shop Museum, Phelps General Store and Residence, and the Alling Coverlet Museum—to experience its rich history. Discover restaurants and shops along the way and head to the intersection of Church and Main to see the historic four-corner churches. In Pal-Mac Aqueduct County Park, explore Lock 29 in a beautiful green space where Ganargua Creek flows into the canal.

Fairport

With a wonderfully walkable Main Street, you can easily spend an entire day in this quintessential canal town. Learn about historical and modern canal life while enjoying a leisurely three-hour lock cruise onboard the Colonial Belle. Or rent a standard or adaptive kayak or bicycle from Erie Canal Boat Company to explore independently. The village features a range of restaurants, cafes, and shops within easy walking distance of the canal. Fairport is also home to two of the largest canal festivals: Fairport Canal Days in June and Fairport Music Festival in August.

Bushnell’s Basin

This hamlet in the Town of Perinton offers a variety of excellent food and beverage options. It’s the perfect spot to enjoy frozen custard or a pint canalside. Enjoy dinner at Richardson’s Canal House, the oldest original Erie Canal tavern.

Pittsford

Schoen Place is in the heart of Monroe County’s oldest canal town, offering various dining and shopping options. Stroll down Main Street to discover more stores and services housed in historic buildings. Take a 90-minute narrated boat tour on the Sam Patch packet boat and see the operation of Lock 32. If you’re an adventurous paddler, visit Lock 32 Whitewater Park for thrilling Class 2–3 spillway rapids.

Brighton & Henrietta

In this suburban corridor, there are a few places to access the canal, aside from the canal path. Lock 33 Canal Park is an excellent location to observe boats traveling through the westernmost lock before reaching Lockport. Meridian Centre Park also provides trails that take you into the grasslands behind the Jewish Home of Rochester and back along the canal path.

Rochester

The city’s thriving manufacturing and trade industry earned it the nickname “Young Lion of the West” for its explosive growth, followed by “The Flour City” for its abundance of flour mills along the Genesee River. The historic aqueduct, rebuilt in 1842, now serves as the Broad Street bridge, spanning the Genesee River. In 1918, the state redirected the canal to run along the city’s southern border through Genesee Valley Park.

Greece

Enjoy the canal at Greece Canal Park and Henpeck Park. Head east from Henpeck for one mile and look for a trail that branches off the main path toward Ridgeway Avenue. This trail follows the original canal corridor, where the temporary Junction Lock connected the old and new canal routes for older boats needing to reach the city.

Spencerport

The Spencerport Depot and Canal Museum offers a wealth of information about the region’s rich transportation heritage. As the official welcome center for the village, the museum also provides amenities for boaters who dock overnight. Union Street offers a variety of cafes, shops, and restaurants to explore and enjoy.

Brockport

Brockport has two lift bridges—Main Street and Park Avenue—managed by a single operator who walks between them. Between May and October, hikers, bikers, and boaters touring the canal system are welcome to camp at the Canalfront Welcome Center on Water Street. Visitors can find various dining and shopping options along Main Street, such as the Lift Bridge Book Shop and the historic Strand Theatre, the second-oldest active movie theater in the country.

Holley

Holley Canal Park offers a variety of activities for visitors to enjoy, including picnic areas along the canal, an impressive waterfall, and a peaceful nature hike. Overflow from the canal creates the beautiful Holley Canal Falls, which flows into the glen and merges with Sandy Creek. This picturesque location is ideal for capturing family photos, hosting wedding ceremonies, fishing, and taking in the natural beauty of the surroundings.

Explore More

• Lockport: Historic flight of five locks and boat tours.
• Buffalo: Canalside is a vibrant reimagining of the historic western terminus.
• Port Byron: Erie Canal Heritage Park and restored canal facilities off the Thruway and NY-31.
• Syracuse: Home to the Erie Canal Museum, housed inside an 1850 weighlock building.

How to Enjoy the Canal Today

The Erie Canal isn’t just history—it’s an incredible space for daily recreation, discovery, and connection. Wave hello! Exchanging waves with boaters is a cherished canal tradition—and a small way to connect with the community along the water.

Boat Tours: Colonial Belle, Sam Patch & Riverie

The Colonial Belle in Fairport is the largest tour boat operating on the Erie Canal, with a capacity for 149 passengers. On the three-hour lock tour, you’ll experience firsthand the meaning of “Low bridge, everybody down!” The round trip covers nine miles, going west on the canal through Fairport, Bushnell’s Basin, Pittsford, and Lock 32 Canal Park before returning to Fairport.

The Sam Patch in Pittsford, a 19th-century packet boat replica owned and operated by Corn Hill Navigation, serves as a floating classroom and offers leisurely 90-minute cruises. Expert guides share stories about the Erie Canal’s commercial history, engineering innovations, and its impact on current recreational use, highlighting interesting sights.

Corn Hill Navigation’s newest boat, Riverie—a blend of the words river and Erie—launches its first public cruises from downtown Rochester in June 2023. Choose a 90-minute river and canal cruise, a 2.5-hour cruise to experience locking through Lock 33 in Brighton/Henrietta, or a specialty cruise, like a one-hour Friday night sunset cruise.

Visit Rochester’s Canal Roots

Although the current Barge Canal runs south of downtown, Rochester’s original canal route flowed through the city. Explore the Broad Street Aqueduct and nearby Corn Hill Landing for a walk through canal history. Interpretive signs and nearby landmarks tell the story of Rochester’s canal-era boom.

Cycle the Empire State Trail

Pedal along canal towpaths from Fairport to Palmyra or Pittsford to Brockport. The trail is well-maintained and great for all skill levels. Stop for coffee, canal history markers, or waterfront lunch spots.

Paddle the Canal and Beyond

The canal’s calm waters are perfect for kayaking or canoeing. You can launch from public docks in towns like Brockport, Spencerport, Rochester, Bushnell’s Basin, Pittsford, and Fairport.

💡 Tip: Don’t just paddle—pause. Some of the canal’s most peaceful spots are found just off the main path. Bring a picnic or take a break in a wildflower field at Great Embankment Park in Pittsford.

Walk, Hike, or Stroll

Take a walk along the Erie Canal Heritage Trail in Fairport or Spencerport. Head to Lock 32 in Pittsford to watch boats rise and fall in the lock chamber. Enjoy a picnic next to a lift bridge.

Try Your Luck at Fishing

Popular fishing spots include the Holley Canal Falls area, Great Embankment Park, and Greece Canal Park. Bass, perch, and catfish are common catches. (Remember your fishing license!)

A Look Back: Why the Erie Canal Matters

When it opened in 1825, the Erie Canal transformed America. The 363-mile waterway connected the Hudson River to the Great Lakes, transforming New York City into a global port and enabling cities like Rochester, Syracuse, and Buffalo to flourish. It also helped spread ideas, goods, and people westward—fueling immigration, innovation, and even social movements like abolition and women’s rights.

Right here in Rochester, the canal once flowed along what’s now Broad Street—still visible today as the historic aqueduct bridge over the Genesee River. The canal powered our mills, connected merchants to markets, and shaped the character of our neighborhoods.

The Canal’s Future

As we honor 200 years of the Erie Canal, communities are also looking ahead:

• Preservation & Restoration:
  Ongoing efforts to maintain locks, bridges, and canal banks.
• Sustainable Tourism:
  Encouraging low-impact travel, eco-friendly boating, and trail use.
• Community Revitalization:
  Investments in waterfront development, trails, and green spaces.
• Environmental Conservation:
  Protecting canal-adjacent habitats and supporting native species.
• Economic Vitality:
  The Erie Canal continues to support the local economy through recreation, tourism, and a sense of pride in place.

The 2025 Erie Canal Bicentennial presents a once in a lifetime opportunity to experience the canal that transformed America and to commemorate its influence on New York and the nation. This will be a year full of incredible celebrations, thought-provoking presentations, musical performances, and momentous journeys.

Learn more: Erie Canal National Heritage Corridor

Get Involved & Stay Curious

There’s never been a better time to explore the Erie Canal, with boat tours, bike rides, historic locks, and canal-themed festivals. Whether you’re a lifelong Rochesterian or new to the area, let 2025 be your year to engage with canal communities. Interact with travelers navigating the canal, fostering connections and sharing stories. This communal aspect highlights the canal’s role in uniting diverse groups. Take part in the tradition of boaters and onlookers exchanging waves along the canal. This simple gesture embodies the friendly and welcoming spirit of the canal community.

Helpful Links

• Official Erie Canal Bicentennial Info
• canalny.com
• discovertheeriecanal.com
• newyorkcanals.org
• unlockingny.com (new website, content coming soon)

What do you enjoy most about the Erie Canal?

I’d love to hear from you—please share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.