This one’s for the brine-iacs! Picklesburgh – the four-time winner of USA Today’s ‘Best Specialty Food Festival’ contest, and Pittsburgh Magazine’s Food Festival pick for the 2026 Best of the ‘Burgh list – is back for its eleventh year.
This year’s festival has the BIGGEST footprint to date, spanning two Sister Bridges (Clemente and Warhol), Allegheny Landing, Allegheny Riverfront Park, Fort Duquesne Boulevard (westbound), PPG Plaza, Sixth Street, Market Square, and the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust’s newly opened Arts Landing. All weekend long, ‘gherkin’ geeks from across the land will enjoy four days of dill-icious food, jar-ring entertainment, and pickle-packed activities.
Picklesburgh returns to a four-day schedule, opening at noon daily from Thursday, July 16, through Sunday, July 19. During the ultimate pickle ex-spear-ience, Downtown Pittsburgh will relish in the opportunity to enjoy 55 vendors, 14 Taste of Picklesburgh merchants, exclusive culinary offerings, crowd-rousing Dill-Cathlon contests, a mechanical pickle, live music, KidsPlay activities, pickleball, and the return of the 35-foot-long signature Heinz pickle balloon flying high above the Andy Warhol Bridge.
Created by the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership (PDP) and presented by HEINZ, Picklesburgh has grown every year since its inception, boosting the Downtown economy and welcoming people from around the country and the world. Picklesburgh 2025 welcomed more than 200,000 people over the course of three days and, according to VisitPittsburgh, brought in an estimated $19.8M in direct spending to the City, which includes overnight lodging, transportation, retail, and recreation, generating over $970,000 in sales tax revenue. “This year’s festival is our biggest one yet, with an expanded footprint from the North Shore to PPG Plaza, welcoming the recently completed Arts Landing” said Jeremy Waldrup, president and CEO of the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership.
“Picklesburgh is Pittsburgh at its best, creative, welcoming, and a little quirky. For eleven years, this festival has united people from around the region and is special because of the remarkable chefs, makers, musicians, and small businesses that make our city one of a kind. We can’t wait to welcome everyone Downtown for our biggest celebration of community yet.”
“For HEINZ, pickles are in our DNA, so being part of Picklesburgh for more than a decade has been a true dill-ight,” said Jamie Mack, Associate Director, Brand Communications at HEINZ. “From our Pickle Relish to our Pickle Ketchup, we’re proud to offer something for every pickle lover. And with an even bigger footprint this year in our hometown of Pittsburgh, we’re excited to show up in a bigger way and celebrate the roots that connect us, both to pickles and to this city.”
NEW: PICKLEBALL MAKES IT DEBUT AT ARTS LANDING
This year, Pickleball joins the festival lineup in the expanded footprint at Arts Landing. The brand-new painted Pickleball courts feature the public artwork Geometry of Play created by Sharmistha Ray and commissioned by the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust. Tournaments, beginner-friendly clinics, demonstrations, and learn-to-play sessions will be presented by the Pickleball Warehouse at select times every day during the festival.
View the full Pickleball schedule and learn how to sign up for a clinic at picklesburgh.com/pickleball
DILLS, THRILLS, AND SPILLS
Presented by the PDP and Flyspace Productions, Pickle Riding made its debut during last year’s festival. This one-of-a-kind activation is Picklesburgh’s take on the classic mechanical bull. Riders will try their best to hang on for ‘dill’ life after pausing to snap a photo on the iconic ‘Briny Buckaroo’. Tickets can be purchased on site. Patrons must be at least 18 years old to ride, but all are welcome to relish the action from the sidelines.
Get all the Pickle Riding details here: picklesburgh.com/pickleriding
DILL-CATHLON BRINGS BEST & BRINIEST TO COMPETE FOR GHERKIN GLORY!
Hosted by Rachael and John from the YaJagoff! Podcast, the Games include the return of Pickle Juice Drinking, Pickle Eating, and Bobbing for Pickles. Join fellow pickle-pushers at PPG Plaza to cheer on competitors during a preview round on Thursday, July 16, followed by preliminary heats on Friday, July 17, and Saturday, July 18, culminating in championships on Sunday, July 19. The winning champion of each event will relish their victory with $500 in grand prize money, a life-like pickle trophy, and—most importantly—the coveted title of Duke/Duchess of Drinking, Earl/Countess of Eating, or Baron/Baroness of Bobbing.
“As lifelong Pittsburgh fans, there’s nothing better than joining thousands of fellow pickle lovers Downtown,” said Rachael Rennebeck and John Chamberlin of YaJagoff! Media. “We can’t wait to soak up the fun, the flavor, and maybe a little pickle juice at Picklesburgh!”
The PDP is excited to welcome Club Wingstop as the primary sponsor of the 2026 Dill-Cathlon Games. In addition to Pickle Juice Drinking sponsor, the Pittsburgh Pickle Company; Pickle Eating Contest sponsor, Clean Express Auto Wash; and Bobbing for Pickles sponsor, Pella.
See the Dill-Cathlon schedule here: picklesburgh.com/games
DILL-IGHT IN PICKLED CREATIVE CREATIONS
Voted the #1 Food Festival in America four times; Picklesburgh is known for its endless offerings of local, national, and international eats and beverages served with a briny spin. Enjoy culinary creations from Copper Coast Confections, DiAnoia’s Eatery, Gosia’s Pierogies, Grill My Dill, Millie’s Ice Cream, Mancini’s, Yuzu Kitchen, and others.
PLUS, sample exclusive items made just for Picklesburgh, such as:
- IC Pickle: Iron City Beer’s pickle-flavored IC Light beer, developed with Pittsburgh Pickle Company, offers a dill-ightfully cool cucumber taste.
- Turner’s Pickled Iced Tea: Coined as the “Official Iced Tea of Picklesburgh,” this limited-edition pickle-flavored iced tea joins Turner’s line-up of classic summer refreshments.
- Mancini’s: The 100-year-old establishment is offering up their classic pepperoni roll, the return of the PGH Roll with Isaly’s ham, Heinz pickles, and Lamagna cheese, and the new Pittsburgh Pierogi roll with pickles.
- Jenny Lee’s: Jenny Lee, The Baker Family is coming to Picklesburgh, bringing fan-favorite sweet and savory swirl breads and a grilled cheese-and-gherkin sandwich.
- Wingstop’s Dill Pickle Wings: This limited-time-only Dill Pickle Dry Rub brings a bold, tangy, and zesty dill pickle flavor to Wingstop’s freshly cooked wings.
LI’L GHERKINS TO ENJOY CARNIVAL GAMES AT KIDSPLAY AREA
For some low-cost pickle-themed carnival games, bring the kiddos to the Li’l Gherkins KidsPlay area in Arts Landing, presented by Edgar Snyder & Associates, which operates until 10 p.m. on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and until 6 p.m. Sunday. Carnival games including pickle jar toss, pickle bean bag toss, and other fan-favorites are $2 per play. Game tickets can be purchased onsite—no reservation needed. Plus, little ones can enjoy the brand-new public playground at Arts Landing, featuring modern custom wooden structures and engaging play elements.
“Picklesburgh has become a beloved Pittsburgh tradition, and we’re excited to help make it even more memorable for local families. At Edgar Snyder & Associates, we’re proud to sponsor the Kids Area because we believe some of the best community memories are made when children can play, and families can enjoy time together. We’re honored to be part of an event that brings our community together year after year.”
Learn more about the Li’l Gherkins KidsPlay area here: picklesburgh.com/festivalschedule/lil-gherkins-activity-area
LIVE MUSIC, LIMITED EDITION MERCH, BRINY BAZAAR
Picklesburgh will offer four days of live music on the stage at Arts Landing, presented by Turner’s. “Turner’s is ready to relish in our 4th year as the Official Iced Tea of Picklesburgh!” said Adriana Mazzotta, Marketing Manager for Turner’s. We’re bringing back our fan favorite, Pickled Iced Tea, made with Picklelixir from our friends at Pittsburgh Pickle Co. We can’t wait for another dill-ightful weekend!”
The stage will be programmed throughout the festival with a diverse range of genres and local favorites including Z-town Street Band, Come September, Clyde’s Electric Chalkboard, NASH.V.ILL, The Polkamaniacs, Aristotle Jones, Pickup Line, and others, along with up-and-coming headliners from Point Park University’s Pioneer Records.
A complete entertainment schedule is now available on the Picklesburgh website here: picklesburgh.com/entertainment
Picklesburgh fanatics can take a piece of the festival home, with exclusive merchandise available for purchase throughout the footprint. Shop from a curated selection of festival merchandise including t-shirts, caps, bandanas, backpacks, and souvenir Picklesburgh balloons at merch tents in Market Square, Heinz Hall Courtyard and Sixth Street, the Andy Warhol Bridge, and Allegheny Landing. Plus, stick around Allegheny Landing to find quirky pickle-themed goods and novelties from local makers and vendors at the Briny Bazaar.
See a complete list of vendors here: picklesburgh.com/vendors
SATISFY EVERY PICKLE PASSION AT ‘TASTE OF PICKLESBURGH’
Savor the flavors of Picklesburgh while supporting Downtown businesses during ‘Taste of Picklesburgh’, running now through the festival duration. Discover inventive, pickle-inspired specials offered by thirteen Downtown restaurants and one retailer, including innovative food and drink items and festive apparel. Participating establishments will also distribute free Heinz Pickle Pins with the purchase of featured items, while supplies last.
Get a glimpse of all the gherkin goodness here: picklesburgh.com/taste-of-picklesburgh
IT’S A BIG DILL: FESTIVAL GARNERS LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL ATTENTION
As Picklesburgh enters its eleventh year, it continues to garner local and international attention. The event has been recognized four times as the #1 Best Specialty Food Festival in America by USA Today and acknowledged as a Commonwealth’s ’Signature Event’ by the Pennsylvania Tourism Office. Recently, it took home Pittsburgh Magazine’s ‘Best of the Burgh’ title for the 2026 Best Food Festival and was recognized by two esteemed culinary international outlets, Food & Wine, and Food 52, as one of the most unique and fascinating food festivals in the world. Additional press highlights include features by CBS Saturday Morning, Travel + Leisure magazine, and the National Geographic, and inclusion on Ripley’s Believe It or Not!
EVENT DETAILS
DATES: July 16 – 19, 2026
HOURS: Thursday, Friday, & Saturday: Noon – 10 pm; Sunday: Noon – 6 pm
LOCATION: Downtown Pittsburgh
OFFICIAL WEBSITE: Picklesburgh.com
MAPS: picklesburgh.com/visit/festival-map
SCHEDULES: picklesburgh.com/festival-schedule
ROAD CLOSURES AND DETOURS: picklesburgh.com/visit/gettinghere
About Picklesburgh: Launched in 2015, Picklesburgh has emerged as one of Pittsburgh’s premier events, and has been recognized by USA Today as #1 Best Specialty Food Festival in America four times and featured as a ‘Signature Event’ by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Tourism Office. Since then, it continues to draw growing attention from pickle fans around the nation and the world. Learn more at www.picklesburgh.com
About the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership (PDP): The PDP is a dynamic, nonprofit organization comprised of business and community leaders, property owners, civic organizations, foundations, and residents who provide energy, vision, and advocacy for Downtown Pittsburgh. Working collaboratively with its partners, the PDP strives to create a positive Downtown experience for residents, workers, and visitors alike. The PDP’s strategic initiatives include clean and safe services, transportation, economic development, and advocacy. For more information, visit DowntownPittsburgh.com, follow us on Instagram, Threads, X, Facebook, TikTok, LinkedIn, and X @downtownpitt.