This year, Pittsburgh’s iconic People’s Gas Holiday Market will take place in the Cultural District. Typically held in Market Square, which is currently under renovation for 2026, the Market will be spread out across three different locations downtown: Katz Plaza at 685 Penn Ave., the Trust Oasis at 139 Seventh St., and the parking lot across from the Benedum Center at 237 Seventh St.

This year, Pittsburgh will celebrate its 64th Annual Light Up Night on Saturday, November 22, 2025, at various locations throughout the downtown area. Sponsored by Highmark, Light Up Night has become a Pittsburgh tradition, expanding into the surrounding neighborhoods and suburbs, but the one downtown boasts the most attendees by far. With several different activities, including vendors, tree lighting, fireworks, and various small parties throughout the city, Light Up Night is back and bigger than ever!

As we begin to wrap up this year’s Acoustic Tuesdays concerts, we can’t help but get excited for the future! Don’t worry, we’ve got big plans to bring these concerts back: in 2026, the Downtown Neighbors Alliance (DNA) will be hosting 24 more shows, completely free to the public.

Point Park University recently announced that its musical theater program will start a cabaret-style showcase series of their students.  Called the Songwriters Cabaret Series, these concerts will take place at the Greet Cabaret Theater, and offer a chance for students to perform at a professional venue in front of a paying audience.  

On November 4, the Downtown Neighbors Alliance (DNA) saw an incredible turnout at its weekly Acoustic Tuesdays event. Attendees were amazed with the stage presence of local artists Melina Bowser and Abby Morgan, two singer-songwriters with immense vocal talent and lyrical skills.

Health and wellness trends are always changing, making fitness seem more difficult than it has to be. That’s why residents of Downtown Pittsburgh flock to Etage Athletic Club at 422 Stanwix Street. There, men and women of all ages and levels of athletic ability are encouraged to simplify their fitness journeys and become their best selves.

Downtown Pittsburgh is great, but can be even greater with an ice-cold beer– bonus points if that beer is on tap. If you’ve got a thirst you haven’t quite quenched, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Do yourself and your taste buds a favor, and check out this list of the best places downtown to get a fresh beer on tap.

Pittsburgh is home to lots of universities, which offer lots of different programs. But in the heart of downtown lives one of America’s greatest dance programs: Point Park University’s School of Dance. 

We want to hear from you! The Downtown Neighbors Alliance (DNA) is researching sustainable ways to make the Downtown Dog Park a better place for local residents. Ideas range from improving cleanliness to installing clearer signage and lighting fixtures. If you live in the area, we’d love to get some feedback on what you’d like to see. Click the link to fill out the survey!

From Friday, November 14, to Sunday, November 16, 2025, the Pittsburgh Opera proudly presents the 2016 production Fellow Travelers at the Byham Theater. Originally premiering in 2016 at the Cincinnati Opera, this critically-acclaimed show is taking the stage in Pittsburgh.

Another restaurant by Julian Vallozzi, Talia opened in 2017 with executive chef Nick Senske.  Located in the heart of downtown Pittsburgh at 611 William Penn Pl., Talia offers an open-kitchen concept combining elevated flavors with a casual dining experience.

On Tuesday, November 11th, the Downtown Neighbor’s Alliance (DNA) welcomed a new, locally owned business to downtown Pittsburgh, and it’s one downtown residents have been needing for a while: a pet salon! Keeta’s Pet Salon is located on 947 Liberty Avenue, and is welcoming appointments now.

This past Saturday, November 1, 2025, at 9 p.m., the Downtown Neighbors Alliance (DNA) hosted its second Candlelight Crescendo performance with the band Cello Fury. The concert was performed at the Pittsburgh Playhouse Theatre located at 250 Forbes Ave.

Local media store Amazing Books and Records is opening its third location downtown on November 5, 2025.  With two stores currently operating in Squirrel Hill and Shadyside, this shop offers a wide range of secondhand books, records, DVDs, and other forms of physical media.

The Downtown Neighbors Alliance (DNA) is raising funds to upgrade the Downtown Dog Park at the base of the Rachel Carson Bridge on 9th St. and Fort Duquesne Blvd. Established in 2017, the public park has had many visitors, but a few updates would beautify the space and make it more eco-friendly.

As part of the Living Well Initiative, the Downtown Neighbors Alliance (DNA) held its first Walking Club event on Saturday, October 25 and saw a great turnout. The group met in Mellon Square at 10:00 AM and embarked on a journey to see the sights of Downtown Pittsburgh.

This week, National Geographic named Pittsburgh amongst its “Best Places in the World to Travel in 2026,”  commending the city for its downtown development and diversity of neighborhoods.

On Tuesday, October 21, 2025, Pittsburgh City Council unanimously granted a historic designation to the city’s Three Sister Bridges. Named after Pittsburgh icons Roberto Clemente, Andy Warhol, and Rachel Carson, these are the only known trio of identical self-anchored suspension bridges in the world.

Located in the Strip District at 2000 Smallman St., Kaya serves dishes inspired by the cuisine of the Caribbean, South America, and Pacific Islands. With menu icons such as the Plantain and Sweet Potato Soup, Jamaican Jerk Chicken, and Tropical Paella, Kaya has a variety of flavors for every palette.  The Downtown Neighbors Alliance’s (DNA) Business Director, Kiki Yan, visited Kaya last week to try out some of their signature dishes.

A clear indicator of the winter months approaching is the start of soup season. Whether it be a cozy vegetable bisque, hearty wonton soup, or a flavorful tom yum, downtown Pittsburgh and the Strip District offers a variety of dishes fit for the season.