Summer Festivals and Events Sure to Enhance Your Pittsburgh Itinerary

PITTSBURGH – There’s a new reason to visit Pittsburgh every weekend this summer. This year’s lineup of summer festivals and special events includes unique celebrations and returning favorites that visitors can find Only in Pittsburgh.

“Pittsburgh is poised for an exciting summer filled with a diverse lineup of festivals and events that will be entertaining, unique and memorable,” VisitPITTSBURGH President & CEO Jerad Bachar said. “Many of these festivals and events are free to attend as well, providing Pittsburgh with an edge as visitors decide where to travel to this summer.”

Pittsburgh Pride Revolution kicks off the summer festival season and Pride month with a four-day, six-event celebration throughout storied Pittsburgh neighborhoods June 2-5. This event greatly expands upon the Pride Revolution March & Parade June 4, adding a Too Hot for July street party in East Liberty June 2; Ball on the Bridge on the Andy Warhol Bridge and Pride on the Shore music festival at Stage AE, both on June 3; and Pittsburgh Pride Revolution Festivals at Allegheny Common Park in the Northside June 4 and Trace Brewing in Bloomfield June 5.

Returning this summer is the Three Rivers Arts Festival June 3-12 at its new location in the Cultural District. Art exhibitions are on display daily from noon – 9 p.m., with featured concerts, including the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, nightly at 7:30 p.m.

Pittsburgh gathers at Point State Park to celebrate Juneteenth June 17-19, a city-wide commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. The three-day Western Pennsylvania Juneteenth Homecoming Celebration includes a parade, live music and vendor market featuring dozens of minority-owned businesses. And, new this year, the festival will spill into Market Square with Juneteenth In-The-Square, an accompaniment to the festivities featuring additional musical acts, cultural activities, speakers, vendors and more.

Kennywood brings back its Bites and Pints Food & Drink Festival every Thursday - Sunday, May 26 - June 26. This event packs the park with international cuisine menu items developed by chef Brian Pekarcik (BRGR, Spoon) to pair with specialty cocktails, craft beer and wine. Guests can purchase a Bite Card in advance to sip and savor up to 15 samples including authentic gyros, bao buns, street tacos and more.

Pittsburgh is bursting with activity the third weekend of July, hosting both the Black Music Festival, filling Point State Park and Market Square July 13-15, and Picklesburgh, twice voted No. 1 on USA Today’s “Best Specialty Food Festival” reader poll, July 15-17. Black Music Festival offers four days of free live music, with each date dedicated to a different genre of music, including a tribute to Pittsburgh singer Phyllis Hyman July 16. The beloved Picklesburgh festival is an ode to the city’s relationship with the humble pickle through the signature giant Heinz pickle balloon and pickled confections ranging from pickled vegetables to pickle beers and chocolate-covered pickles.

Deutschtown Music Festival returns for its 10th anniversary July 22-24. Pittsburgh’s Northside will be rocking with 500 bands performing across 50 outdoor stages and indoor venues, along with food trucks and family-friendly activities.

Other notable anniversaries include the 40th annual races of the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix July 15-24 and Bloomfield’s 20th Little Italy Days Aug. 18-21.

Craft beer lovers have three Only in Pittsburgh events to circle on their calendars this summer. More than 70 breweries will gather at Beers of the Burgh Festival June 4 and 11 at Rivers of Steel’s Carrie Blast Furnaces. On July 30, Pittsburgh Mixed Culture, a joint festival by Pittsburgh-based Trace Brewing and Cinderlands Beer Co., brings brewers together from across the country for this one-day festival held at Freedom Farms. And, Barrel & Flow Fest, twice named one of America’s favorite festivals by the readers of USA Today, returns on Aug. 13 at The Stacks at 3 Crossings to shine a spotlight on Black-owned breweries, artists and small businesses.

Additional Only in Pittsburgh summer festivals include: Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre’s Open Air Series June 9-12; Anthrocon June 30-July 3; Independence Day Celebration July 4; and Pittsburgh Restaurant Week Aug. 8-14.

The next three months look promising for travel and tourism in Pittsburgh. According to a recent Longwoods International Travel Sentiment Study, pent-up demand for travel remains high, with 89 percent of American travelers having plans to travel in the next six months. In fact, 51 percent indicate they are slated to travel in the next 60-90 days. Pittsburgh and Allegheny County are in a great position to capitalize on these plans, as the region is less than six hours by car from 10 states, Washington, D.C, and Canada.

Learn more about these Only in Pittsburgh events and festivals, plus others, and plan your next trip to Pittsburgh at VisitPITTSBURGH.com.

Follow VisitPITTSBURGH on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and be sure to share your travels and photos using #LovePGH.