Welcome in 2026 at First Night!
Written by Elisabeth Kay
Downtown Pittsburgh’s biggest New Years event is back to ring in 2026– First Night is back in the Cultural District this New Years Eve! Starting at 7 PM, the 32nd Annual First Night is brought to you by the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust and Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield. The event will have family-friendly activities, amazing live performances, and so much more fun!
First Night offers so much to do before the countdown to midnight. Find events all around the city, like at the Highmark Stage (located on Penn Ave & Stanwix St.) This stage will host a family dance party, a battle of the bands and so much more. Live performances can also be seen at a handful of familiar venues around the Golden Triangle, such as the Greer Cabaret Theater, Liberty Magic, and the Trust Arts Education Center.
Entertainment can also be found roaming around the city, just as you do. You can stop to watch some ice sculptures be hand crafted, or roam through the People’s Gas Holiday Market. Or, if you’re roaming around looking for your next activity, let the activity come to you! A variety of entertainment, such as the stilt walker Lovely Lady Lydia, or O’Ryan the O’Mazing, will be walking around, possibly bumping into you!
Other events, such as the Citizens Activity Zone in PPG Plaza or Highmark’s (un)Hungry Event will be held throughout the night. Stop by for those, or for a tarot card reading in the Trust Oasis, or classic caricature in the SPACE Gallery!
The SPACE Gallery will also be celebrating 45 years of CAPA with an alumni and faculty exhibition from 7-10PM. Additionally, the Harris Theater offers a cozy place to warm up and wind down while watching Fleischer Fairytales from 7-10 PM.
And then, finally, the countdown to midnight! Welcome the new year in the Golden Triangle, surrounded by others who make it worthwhile. Above the Highmark Stage located on Penn Ave. Place, the Future of Pittsburgh Ball will rise to welcome in 2026. This is something you don’t want to miss– make sure you ring in the new year at First Night downtown!
