The event, August 21-23, features vendors and performers from
international communities in the Pittsburgh region
Downtown Pittsburgh – Produced by the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership (PDP) in collaboration with the City of Pittsburgh’s Office of Immigrant & Refugee Affairs (OIRA), World Square is returning for its seventh year in the recently modernized Market Square located in the heart of Downtown. Locals and travelers alike are invited to Pittsburgh’s most diverse global, three-day festival celebration filled with music, food, and fun.
This year’s festivities will take place in the historic Market Square. The space received major upgrades earlier this year and continues to serve as a dynamic hub for community interaction, cultural exchange, live music, and bustling foot traffic. The PDP has also “rolled out” a brand-new 40-foot stage – a shipping container repurposed by eco-friendly manufacturing company Zero Fossil- that will literally and figuratively elevate performers during World Square.
“World Square is a great reminder that Pittsburgh is a city shaped by people from all over the world,” said Mayor Corey O’Connor. “For seven years, this festival has brought the cultures, traditions, food, music, and businesses of our immigrant and refugee communities together in the heart of Downtown, showcasing the diversity and talent that makes our city stronger.”
“We’re especially excited to welcome everyone back to a beautifully remodeled Market Square this year. With its refreshed design, new stage, and enhanced gathering spaces, the square provides an even more inviting setting to experience the music, dance, art, and flavors that reflect the richness of our city’s immigrant and refugee communities,” said Ampelio De Anda, Immigrant and Refugee Affairs Coordinator in the Mayor’s Office. “World Square is an opportunity for neighbors, families, and visitors to come together,
build connections across cultures, and celebrate the diversity that strengthens Pittsburgh.”
“This festival has always been a mirror of an authentic Pittsburgh, this beautiful melting pot of people, their culture, customs, and cuisine,” said PDP President and CEO Jeremy Waldrup. “Our goal for this weekend is to have our community come together, try new
food, support a local business, do a little dance, and truly experience the people and culture that make this city so great!”
World Square attendees will enjoy an array of diverse and unique vendor offerings from all over Pittsburgh. From freshly prepared food and drinks, including fast-casual Indian cuisine, Fresas con crema (Mexican strawberries and cream), Latinx specialty coffee, baklava, and more. Discover artisan and handcrafted goods from around the world, including African, Latin American, Middle Eastern, and Ukrainian decor, textiles, accessories, pottery, jewelry, and clothing – several made from sustainable materials.
DJ Juan Diego will serve as emcee for all three days, which will feature a wide range of musical acts and dance performances, including Nandanik Dance Troupe, CMU Bhangra, PGH Tango, Tropicana Band, Pittsburgh Xiaobo Waist Drum Dance Group, RichPatrick Celtic Trio, and many others.
WORLD SQUARE DETAILS
Dates:
Friday, August 21 | 4-9 p.m.
Saturday, August 22 | 12-9 p.m.
Sunday, August 23 | 12-6 p.m.
Location: Market Square, Downtown Pittsburgh
More details, including a complete list of vendors and an entertainment schedule, are available at www.WorldSquarePGH.com.
STEERING COMMITTEE PARTNERS
Additional community organizations served on the World Square Steering Committee, and their contributions helped to create this event. These organizations include: Asian American Chamber of Commerce, Bhutanese Community Association of Pittsburgh (BCAP), Center for Latin American Studies (CLAS at Pitt), Global Wordsmiths, Hello Neighbor, Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence (IEE at Pitt), Nationality Rooms and Intercultural Exchange Programs, Pittsburgh Hispanic Development Corporation (PHDC), Small Business Development Center (SBDC at Pitt), and The Global Switchboard.
About the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership:
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.