You know the drill. Winter's over, summer's here, it happens every year. When you've only got 12 or so weeks to make these warm weather months count, though, every moment should be spent judiciously. And aren't you lucky: We've done all the digging for you, and found the best events in Pittsburgh this summer. Bookmark this, and come back every time you're stumped on something fun to do.
Helmet? Check. Bike? Check. Pants?
June 1 - October 31 (various dates)
Various locations
Pull on those tighty-whities and fill those tires up because it's time for the Pittsburgh Underwear Ride. This year, you'll have six chances to gear up and dress down with Underwear Bike Rides taking place throughout the city all summer long. Take a breezy bike ride through the City of Bridges and help support your fellow Pittsburgh bikers and promote positive body image.
Cost: Free
Watch some movies and help the environment
June 1
Point Park University's Pittsburgh Playhouse
The national Wild & Scenic Film Festival will be coming to Pittsburgh for a fifth year, showcasing a series of award-winning films based on environmental issues around the globe. The films in this showcase have been selected for their ability to inspire and encourage the public to spring to action. Tickets include access to all screenings, popcorn, sustainable beer, and a chance to interact with regional environmentalists. For the sustainability die-hards, continue your evening at the after party at Forbes Tavern.
Cost: General Admission $25/ After Party $10
Immerse yourself in Pittsburgh's art event of the year
June 7 - June 16
Various locations
The Three Rivers Arts Festival has been bringing music and art to the people of Pittsburgh for 60 years. In 2019, the festival is welcoming India.Arie, Nahko and Medicine for the People, the Tut'Zanni Theatre Company, the revolutionary art of Los Trompos, and dozens of other artists and makers. And… you’ll get the chance to contribute to the 2020-2120 Pittsburgh Time Capsule.
Cost: Free
Escape the city in a canoe
June 8 - June 9
Renfrew
The Connie Q Canoe Trip is not just a tongue twister -- it’s a 2-day, 16-mile trek up Connoquenessing Creek. Overnight camping, breakfast and dinner, campfire snacks, shuttle service, and live entertainment will be provided for all participants.
Cost: From $15 for adults / from $15 for boat rentals
Get down with some centaurs
June 21
Mattress Factory
Mattress Factory's annual Urban Garden Party will be celebrating the longest day of the year with an evening of ritualistic Solstice activities. Event architect Thommy Conroy has created a magical landscape for a night full of dancing fairies and mysticism. The decadent fundraiser will feature a full bar of specialty cocktails courtesy of PA Libations and Big Springs Spirits, a smorgasbord of local food creations, and endless entertainment from Steel City Kitty Burlesque and Beauty Slap.
Cost: $95 general admission / $360 for VIP tickets
Celebrate Pride Month after dark
June 21
Carnegie Museum of Natural History
June is national Pride Month and the Carnegie Museum of Natural History is celebrating with an After Dark event dedicated to the diversity of the LGBTQ+ community. This ‘80s-themed night will include a scavenger hunt, button-making with REELQ, discussions with PERSAD representatives, and lots of photo-ops including a DeLorean and the Grand Staircase. And before you call it a night, be sure to sign the 2020 Pride Scarf for Dippy the Dinosaur!
Cost: $15 for non-members / $13.50 for members. $20 at the door.
Paint and be playful with animals at the zoo
June 22
Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium
If there’s one thing better than spending an entire day with animals, it’s spending an entire day with animals at a Festival of Color. Expect a day full of sand art, animal painting, chalk artistry, tie-dying, and airbrush tattoos -- if you're really lucky you might just witness an elephant get internet-famous with its interpretive watercolor paintings.
Cost: Free
Relax on the lawn with chill live music
June 29
Schenley Plaza
Twenty years strong, the WYEP Summer Music Festival is back at Schenley Plaza with a full day of music featuring Devotchka, Cautious Clay, Clara Kent and a variety of other renowned artists. Come sunbathe on the expansive green lawn, check out the children's activity tent led by “I Made it!” market, and enter WYEP's Elaborate Picnic Contest if you dare.
Cost: Free
Join in on an intergalactic battle for the ages
June 29
Byham Theater
Kaiju Big Battel is coming to Pittsburgh for one night of intergalactic wrestling mania. Watch as the Kaiju universe comes to life in a live battle of aliens, monsters, and beasts. Confused? So are we. But we can't wait to see the most bizarre collection of creatures, including Uchu Chu the Space Bug and a sentient soup can named Kung-Fu Chicken Noodle, battle it out.
Cost: $25
Craft your heart out
July 12 - July 14
Southside Works
Back for its 15th year, Southside Works Exposed is bringing us three full days of free live music, drinks, food trucks and, of course, the Artist Market. Presented by Second Shift Crafters, this celebration of arts and crafts gives patrons an opportunity to peruse handmade wares and meet Pittsburgh's arts and crafts community.
Cost: Free
Drink for the dogs!
July 12 - July 13
Stage AE
Pittsburgh's Summer Beerfest is returning for its 6th year, and it’s bringing with it more than 250 varieties of craft beer and live music, all in aid of Animal Rescue Partners. The event will take place over two days and feature endless samples of all the craft beer your IPA-soaked heart could desire. And don't forget to have one of your friends get a “Designated Driver Pass” that includes free water and soft drinks as well as a $5 food truck coupon.
Cost: Tickets start at $45, $20 for Designated Drivers
Who needs Coachella when you have Deutschtown?
July 12 - July 13
Northside
Deutschtown Music Festival is the best way to discover new local bands (200 to be exact) while exploring nearly 30 different venues all over the city. The two-day festival will also have a beer garden and 20+ food vendors in the North Side's historic Deutschtown. And did we mention that all performances are free?
Cost: Free
Let your mudblood flag fly
July 19
Carnegie Museum of Natural History
Dust off your robes and start practicing your spells for a full night of transfiguration, competitive Harry Potter trivia, and a wizard-themed scavenger hunt with your fellow Potterheads. Been looking for a place to sport your pink tweed power-suit? Put on your best Dolores Umbridge stank face, enter the costume contest, and treat yourself to a magical, signature cocktail. You deserve it.
Cost: $15 for non-members / $13.50 for members. $20 at the door.
Get ready for a festival that's kind of a big dill
July 26 - July 28
Roberto Clemente Bridge
The brinniest of all celebrations has returned and will be double its usual size! Picklesburgh, voted the #1 Specialty Food Festival in America by USA Today, is back once again for three days full of all things pickled, including a 35-foot Heinz Pickle balloon. If you're feeling competitive, sign up for a pickle juice drinking contest. Otherwise, explore the world of fermentation, try pickle pierogi, and cool down with some pickle-flavored ice cream.
Cost: Free
Goat Fest! No kidding…
July 27
South Side Park
It’s not a normal summer festival -- it’s the 3rd Annual Goat Fest. Bring the whole family to South Side Park and explore the Bandi Schaum Community Garden. Support local food trucks, listen to live music, and stop by the craft vendor market all while in the company of America's favorite herbivores.
Cost: Free
Grab something that floats and get ready for the best sunburn of your life
August 2 - August 4
Downtown
Power boat races, dog shows, jet ski stunts, aerial competitions, sand castle building -- you name it, the Three Rivers Regatta has it. The three-day river festival is a Pittsburgh tradition that’s free to the public and, in Steel City fashion, concludes with a firework display that's sure to simultaneously mesmerize you and terrify your dogs.
Cost: Free
Nerd out at Comic Con
August 9 - August 11
Monroeville Convention Center
One of the nation's largest comic book conventions is back. Steel City Comic Con hosts 750 vendor tables, and there’ll be celebrity appearances from Karen Allen (Raiders of the Lost Ark), Lea Thompson (Back to the Future), and Ernie Hudson (Ghostbusters). For all those Trekkies out there, this year's panel will also include Gates McFadden, Mark Rolston, and George Takei. Come for photo ops, fan art and, obviously, to marvel at the over-the-top cosplay.
Cost: Daily admission prices start at $18
Eat salad and practice your downward facing dog
August 10
Allegheny Commons East
Pittsburgh Veg Fest is exactly what it sounds like, and much more. There’s the best of Pittsburgh's vegan food to sample, but also lots of live entertainment and yoga demos.
Cost: Free
Dine out at Restaurant Week
August 12 - August 18
Various locations
Pittsburgh Restaurant Week has been going strong for a decade, and it’s still the undisputed Most Delicious Week of the Year. Not that that’s a thing (sadly). Restaurants all across the region will be participating by pushing the limits and offering up new prix-fixe menus (at wallet-friendly prices) to celebrate small business and help Pittsburgh cement its place as one of America's top food cities.
Cost: Prices vary
Break out those squirt guns
August 24 - August 25
Spirit
Indulge in a weekend full of childhood nostalgia at the Summer Recess Outdoor Food + Music Festival. Grab a friend and get ready for a day full of water balloons, ice cream, DJs, and live music on the Spirit Patio. And remember to grab some pizza from Slice Island, and have a summer cocktail on the Spirit school bus.
Cost: Free from noon to 9pm, $5 from 9pm-2am
Drink beers with the orangutans
September 6
Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium
Animals plus beers -- it’s the dream combination. Pittsburgh Zoo will be providing three-and-a-half hours of craft beer tastings paired with food from Taste of the Wild catering, all as part of ZooBrew: Oktoberfest. Oh, and there’s the bar-jutsu beer pong championship. It sells out crazy fast, so...
Cost: $63
Give your summer a Gaelic twist
September 6 - September 8
Riverplex
The Irish Festival is back for its 29th year of celebrating all things Celtic. Learn all about Irish culture and genealogy, Gaelic sports, and visit the Irish Author's Corner. The event will feature live music all day long, mead tastings, an Irish dog petting zoo, and Irish cuisine like shepherd's pie, colcannon, and boxty pancakes.
Cost: Tickets range from $5-$15
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