Steel City Summer: What's Happening Downtown This Season
Written by Molly Green
Summer is right around the corner in Downtown Pittsburgh. It’s time to start planning your summer of sun and fun in the Golden Triangle. From iconic festivals, to sensational tours, to spectacular live theatre, there is plenty to look forward to for every Pittsburgher this season. Here is your ultimate guide to summer in Downtown, featuring the hottest events, celebrations, and performances.
Festivals, Conventions & Community Events
July 4, 2025: City of Pittsburgh Independence Day Celebration will take place at Point State Park. There will be a flag-raising ceremony at Fort Pitt Museum, family-friendly activities, food trucks, and an epic fireworks display.
June 7-8, 2025: 3 Rivers Comicon is an annual convention at the David L. Lawrence
Convention Center. 3 Rivers Comicon focuses on comic books and their creators, uniting fans and artists. There will be special guests, cosplay competitions, panels, and local vendors.
June 19-21, 2025: WPA Juneteenth Celebration is three days of free, family-friendly activities and events across Pittsburgh and Allegheny County. In Downtown, there will be a march and parade on June 21 from 11am-1pm. This Grand Jubilee Celebration will celebrate Black joy, history, voting rights, and the end of slavery in North America.
July 11-13, 2025: Picklesburgh is an annual celebration of all things pickled. The food festival will be located on the Boulevard of Allies between Stanwix and Smithfield Streets, adjoining PPG Plaza. Enjoy dill-lightful food and drinks such as pickle cocktails, pickled wings, dill pickle cotton candy, chocolate-covered pickles, and more.
Thursdays, May 15-September 25, 2025: Downtown Farmers Market is back for its 21st season, now in a new location at PPG Plaza. The market is free admission with easy parking. The Western PA Conservancy and Coen Markets will be joining the market’s kick-off this May.
Downtown Tours
April 5-Nov 1, 2025: Three Rivers Sightseeing Cruise will be at the Gateway Clipper Fleet Docks. The tour will begin on the Monongahela River and will continue on the Allegheny and Ohio Rivers. You can also enjoy snacks and drinks while learning about Pittsburgh's rich history through insightful facts, tales, and river lore from your Captain and Narrator.
April 5-Nov 30, 2025: Whiskey Rebellion & Prohibition Tour is a cocktail and whiskey rebellion history tour. You will learn how whiskey has fueled political, labor, and social movements throughout the region. Walk the streets of Downtown, and delight in drinks at Ritual House and the Rebel Room.
April 1-Dec 30, 2025: Black & Ghost Tours is a spooky, outdoor history tour of Downtown. You will observe historic landmarks and learn about the history and ghosts within them.
Theater and Performances
May 29-June 8, 2025: MADAME CLICQUOT: A Revolutionary Musical is a new work debuting at the Byham Theater.
June 17-June 22, 2025: Lerner & Loewe’s CAMELOT is a timeless musical masterpiece coming to the Benedum Center this June. The Broadway hit promises an epic tale of King Author featuring knights, royalty, love, passion, and powerful ballads and anthems.
Other upcoming CLO productions include BACK TO THE FUTURE: The Musical and Disney’s FROZEN.
June 27-June 29, 2025: Public Works Twelfth Night is Shakespeare’s cherished comedy featuring an upbeat pop score and a hilarious love triangle. This play will showcase at the O’Reilly Theater as the last production of PPT’s 2024-25 season.
Additionally, PPT will be conducting adult acting classes and youth summer sessions in July and August.
April 24-May 18, 2025: ASCEND is a production series featuring projections, music, dance, and aerialists. Energizing, engaging, and educational, you don’t want to miss out on this performance and its counterpart program of team-building events and youth workshops. Read more about ASCEND here.
June 22, 2025: Dr. Strangelove is a world premiere stage adaptation of Stanley Kubrick’s comedy masterpiece Dr. Strangelove. It features seven-time BAFTA winner Steve Coogan. It will be screening for one day only, so grab your tickets now.
What’s more, the Pittsburgh Playhouse will be hosting music community features: the Lalama Brothers Quartet on July 10, Sheryl Bailey Guitar Band on July 17, The Lao Tizer Band on July 24, and Mario Williams on August 8.
