Downtown Traditions

The Heinz Pickled balloon looms over a crowd of excited markey attendees in Market square.

By Julia Caterino

There’s always something to celebrate when you’re Downtown!

St. Patrick’s Day Parade

On the Saturday before St. Patrick’s Day, locals fill the streets of Downtown Pittsburgh for the annual parade! Rain or shine, you’ll find Irish step dancers, floats, community organizations, marching bands, and even Punxsutawney Phil himself. Many Western Pennsylvanians have Irish heritage, and the celebrations do not disappoint. 🍀

Pittsburgh Pride

One of the largest annual parades Downtown is Pride! To kick off Pride Month in June, locals gather for a weekend of festivities. In addition to the huge parade, there is always a packed lineup of musicians, drag queens, guest speakers, and more! 🏳️‍🌈

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Fourth of July at Point State Park

The City of Pittsburgh puts on one of the best fireworks displays in the city for the Fourth of July. Independence Day draws huge crowds to Point State Park every year! Festivities include live music and food vendors for locals and tourists to enjoy. 🇺🇸

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Three Rivers Art Festival

This free arts festival takes place every year in Downtown’s vibrant Cultural District. Attendees can listen to live music, shop local artists at the Artist Market, and walk along the river. 🎨

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Picklesburgh

There’s a reason Picklesburgh has been rated the best specialty food festival in America. The festival draws hundreds of thousands of locals and tourists to Downtown Pittsburgh every single year! From pickled grilled cheese to pickled cotton candy, there’s something for every foodie to try at Picklesburgh. 🥒

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Light Up Night

There’s nothing quite like the holiday season in Pittsburgh, and Light Up Night is the annual kickoff. With live music performances, local vendors, beautiful light displays, and a spectacular fireworks show, it is a must-see event for anyone in the city. The BLAST! VIP experience makes it even better with a cozy venue and all the delicious food and drinks you could need. 🎆

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