FUN EVENTS IN PITTSBURGH THIS SUMMER!
Summer in Pittsburgh is all about the outdoors. Pittsburgh’s summers are just beautiful with temps in the 80s and there is actually SUN (told you it is not always partly cloudy)! Of course, we experience the “dog days of summer” just like the rest of the U.S.A., but there is always a breeze, especially along the Three Rivers. Pittsburgh and her surrounding neighborhoods provide great outdoor activities for the young and old. Fun summertime things to do in Pittsburgh include many festivals, special holiday events, sporting events, live music and concerts, dog parks and of course cruising the Three Rivers aboard the Gateway Clipper Fleet! Let’s get started!
The biggest event of summer, especially in Pittsburgh, is the City of Pittsburgh Independence Day Celebration! The big 4th of July celebration in Pittsburgh is in our “Front Yard” – Point State Park! The fun begins at 4:00 p.m. with music and lots of food vendors so you can enjoy a great picnic and watch the Gateway Clipper Boats sail on the Allegheny, Monongahela, and Ohio Rivers! Lots of things for the kids to enjoy including games, dancing, and face painting! There are also live performances and music from River City Brass, East Winds Symphonic Band and the new “HAND TO HAND” Squonk Performance. And let’s not forget the biggest event on July 4th– FIREWORKS in Pittsburgh! One of the nation’s biggest fireworks displays starts at 9:35 p.m. A 25-minute Pittsburgh fireworks extravaganza is presented by world famous (and Western Pennsylvania’s own) ZAMBELLI FIREWORKS! Bring the entire family and head on down to the heart of downtown Pittsburgh and celebrate the 4th of July! https://pittsburghpa.gov/july4/
We Pittsburghers love to brag about our Heinz Pickles, so why not celebrate at the Picklesburgh Festival July 15-17? It has been voted as the best specialty food festival in America and the pickle festival is right here in Pittsburgh. Enjoy unique food vendors, live music, specialty cocktails featuring pickle juice and see the signature 35 foot Heinz Pickle Balloon! The best part is that the Pittsburgh Picklesburgh fest is celebrated on the historic Rachel Carson Bridge over the Allegheny River. It really is a “Big DILL”! https://www.picklesburgh.com/
Looking for something outside and relaxing to do with your best furry friend? If you’re looking for a night out with your pup you can take part in the “Dog Days of Summer” events at local Allegheny County Parks. Your pup can take a dip in the “puppy pool”, meet other canine friends and everyone — pups and their favorite human receive treat bags! The events are every Thursday from July 7th through August 11th at different Allegheny County Parks each week and the best part is they are FREE! Check out their website to see when the event is held at a park in your neighborhood! https://www.alleghenycounty.us/special-events/dog-days-of-summer.aspx
Are you into cars and racing? Then the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix is the event for you! Presented by the Greater Pittsburgh Automobile Dealers Foundation, it’s the nation’s largest vintage street race with 10 days of racing, car shows, parties, parades and motorsport events. This year is the 40th anniversary of this Pittsburgh event with a race through the streets of Schenley Park. The Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix raises funds for autistic and intellectually/developmentally disabled individuals in the Pittsburgh region. For more information on the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix, check out this link! https://pvgp.org/
Take me out to the Ball Game! One of the best Pittsburgh summer activities is heading over to PNC Park and catching a Pittsburgh Pirates Baseball Game. Every seat is a great seat in PNC Park, voted one of the top baseball parks in the U.S.A. Not only do you get to cheer the Pirates on to a victory, but there are also a lot of other fun events at the game. Music, fun trivia and, of course, crazy antics of the lovable Pirate Parrot make a game a great family event in Pittsburgh for young and old! So, grab your mitt and head on down to PNC Park for a Pittsburgh Pirates game! https://www.mlb.com/pirates
We all know that Pittsburghers love to make a splash in the Three Rivers, especially with all the boats you see out on the water. Want to join them but don’t have a boat? Check out the Gateway Clipper’s all new Pittsburgh Party Boat! Rent your own private boat for two hours and enjoy your own cruise with up to 50 of your closest friends and family. The riverboat “Countess” will be piloted by one of our captains and crew. You bring your own food, decorations, and music; Gateway Clipper provides a cash bar and bartender. And guess what, we even have restrooms on board! So, party out on the water in your own style and see the beautiful Three Rivers hassle free! It’s the ultimate carefree cruise in Pittsburgh that’s perfect for birthdays, graduations, bachelor, or bachelorette parties. Check out all the details here: https://www.gatewayclipper.com/cruises/pittsburgh-party-boat/
Pittsburgh is a great place all year long but in the summer there is so much to do around the city and along or ON the Three Rivers. Take advantage and visit our great downtown and eclectic neighborhoods. Enjoy a fun event or just take a walk, visit a great restaurant and pub and experience Pittsburgh! For a complete listing of fun things to do inPittsburgh this summer and more, visit https://www.visitpittsburgh.com/