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!

One of Pittsburgh’s most iconic properties along the Monongahela River is under new ownership as of November 21, 2025. MS Development, a Massachusetts-based firm, purchased the lot with a plan to “elevate the retail, dining and entertainment experience while creating new opportunities for office and mixed-use partners.”

Ahead of the 2026 NFL draft, Downtown Pittsburgh is investing $600 million in community development projects. Arts Landing, a 4-acre outdoor entertainment complex, is an exciting addition to these upgrades. The $31 million public park will host concerts, birthday parties, and free festivals.

The Indian Street Food ghost kitchen, Mild 2 Spicy, is relocating downtown!  Opening their brick-and-mortar storefront at 951 Liberty Ave., we are excited to welcome them to the downtown food lineup.  Mild 2 Spicy will move in where Bae Bae’s Café previously sat for the last few years, and new owner Shalin Patel is ready to make some changes.

Pittsburgh is at the forefront of the rise of AI, ranking among the top 10 cities for technology and AI development.  Courtesy of the advanced programs at the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), Pittsburgh is leading the way for the future of technology.  For example, CMU is the number one-ranked university program for AI development in the world, offering a Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence.  They are the leading institute for AI education, and their intelligent graduates are going to be on the cutting edge of this technology.

Located inside the Omni William Penn Hotel at 555 Grant St. downtown sits Penn Barber Co., a one-chair barber shop run by Anthony Mankoski. Opening in May 2025, Penn Barber Co. services classic barbering techniques combined with contemporary technology and hair design. Owner and haircutter Mankoski prides himself in his hair craftsmanship, with each cut “built on structure and styled for real life.”

As part of their Winter Music Series, the Pittsburgh Playhouse at Point Park University is excited to host Christmas Live with Joe Serafini! The musician and actor is best known for his role as Seb in High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, but locals know him as a longtime performer with Pittsburgh’s CLO Academy.

Talia, the open Italian kitchen by Julian Vallozzi, is not only serving up great food, but the vibes in the restaurant are immaculate.  Various modern and abstract art pieces cover the walls, drawing the eye all over the room.  As of now, there are three main featured artists at Talia:  Pittsburgh locals Jeremy Raymer and Michael Lotanero, and internationally-renowned artist Banksy.

Swing into the season with the Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra Holiday Show! On Friday, December 19 at 7:00 PM, the world-class jazz musicians bring the magic of the holidays to the Pittsburgh Playhouse at Point Park University.

Pittsburgh’s riverfront is about to have a whole new look as the ‘Esplanade’ was given the okay to break ground. This $740 million project would absolutely transform the bank of the Ohio river, and revitalize the area and Pittsburgh as a whole.

Pittsburgh is constantly looking– and driving– toward the future, and one way of doing that is introducing Waymo to the city. Waymo, which was founded in 2009 under a different name, has been introduced in multiple cities, and Pittsburgh is the next on its list. The self-driving car service is excited to explore the Steel City.

In July 2026, Duquesne University will have a new president. David Dausey will assume the role after serving as executive vice president and provost at Duquesne. As the university’s 14th president, Dausey has big shoes to fill.

Point Park University is a staple of downtown Pittsburgh and its community. What makes Point Park so special is their commitment to not only bringing life to their university, but to downtown Pittsburgh as a whole. Their most recent development plans showcase this commitment.

Downtown Pittsburgh has plenty of restaurants that are perfect for date night or a nice family dinner. But is a night out truly complete without a glass of wine? Whether you feel like red, white, rosé, or sparkling, these spots have a great selection. 

If you need a solid lunch spot that hits the “fresh but satisfying” sweet spot, City Works absolutely delivered for us this week. I went in thinking I’d grab something light… and left feeling like I’d just unlocked the cheat code to a perfect downtown meal.

For three weekends only, located in the Encore Building at 100 7^th St., The Merry Marketplace will return with international vendors, including the highly anticipated pop-up, the Black Market!

The Industrialist Hotel, located at 405 Wood St. downtown, has converted its lounge, The Rebel Room, into a vintage holiday wonderland pop-up bar!  Located on the second floor of the hotel, The Atomic Tinsel Cocktail Club had its opening night on Friday, November 21, 2025.

For the last six weeks, the Downtown Neighbors Alliance (DNA) has hosted a concert series called Acoustic Tuesdays, a free show open to the public featuring local and underground talent.  Having hosted a variety of acts including Ellen Perkins, Megan Paullet, Brynn Rees, Noah Goisse, Calico Dogs, and Abby Morgan, Acoustic Tuesdays has consistently brought in a significant crowd to the venue. Performed at Liberty Magic at 811 Liberty Ave. downtown, this intimate space really allows for authentic connection between the artist, the art, and the audience– and we’re so excited to have a sponsorship that allows us to bring these free shows back in 2026.

After eight years of calling Liberty Ave. home, a beloved downtown Korean bistro is saying goodbye. After opening in 2017 under Edward Lai and Ashley Bae, the restaurant is permanently closed as of November of 2025. 

A consumer alert was issued by the Allegheny County Health Department last Wednesday for a downtown restaurant. The restaurant has ten days from their last citation before their next inspection, and may be at the risk of closure.