It’s hot in July, but the events are cool. Enjoy farm-fresh food, live shows, riverfront fun, refreshing sips, and more this month ⬇️
🥒 Have a Salty Party at Picklesburgh
Picklesburgh is relishing its 10th anniversary this year — and it’s back on the bridge! Find festivities and vendors in Market Square, PPG Plaza, plus both the Roberto Clemente and Andy Warhol bridges. Don’t leave without trying a pickle pepperoni roll or kimchi grilled cheese!
Dig into this list of more summer food and drink festivals.
"Shore Thing" will also serve bar bites and beer from BG Brewing. (Francesca Dabecco / City Cast Pittsburgh)
🌊 Check Out RiverLife’s ‘Shore Thing’
Pittsburgh has a new way to experience the riverfront with RiverLife’s 4,500-square-foot floating platform that’s “part gathering spot, part creative lab.” The hub has art supplies, a floating library, cards, and boardgames. Plus, it’ll host special events like DJ nights, live music, yoga flows, and other workout classes.
Find more ways to enjoy Pittsburgh’s rivers, from sunset kayaking to riverboat cruises.
“Juniper Refresher” and “Puttin’ On the Spritz” mocktails at Hey Babe in East Liberty. (Francesca Dabecco / City Cast Pittsburgh)
🍹 Cheers at Nonalcoholic Cocktail Week
Pittsburgh is mixing up its first-ever NA cocktail week, with both dry versions of favorite classics and unique sober concoctions. Kick off a week of sensational sips with The Open Road’s Mod Monday party at Two Frays Brewery July 7, then visit participating bars for refreshing vibes all week long.
But the fun doesn’t stop there — mark your calendar for Mocktail Mixer, a Teetotal Initiative fundraiser at Velum Fermentation July 28.
A drag performance in Legion Park in Brighton Heights. (Francesca Dabecco / City Cast Pittsburgh)
🎶 See a Live Summer Show
Looking for outdoor entertainment? Celebrate three days of music, food, and arts at the Northside Music Festival July 18-20; check out Vibes Under The Bridge at The Waterfront July 19; and mark your calendar for Carnegie Museum of Art’s Inside Out series in the Sculpture Court all month long.
Want to groove and laugh, too? See Zoot: A Comedy and Jazz Showcase at Bottlerocket Social Hall July 10.
For the ultimate drag event, welcome home Lydia B Kollins of Ru Paul’s Drag Race July 13.
Then close out the month with the resurrection of a local institution; South Side’s Club Cafe is coming back to life with a grand reopening July 31-August 3. More details to come.
Some area farms offer PYO blooms, like Triple B Farms, pictured above. (Francesca Dabecco / City Cast Pittsburgh)
🌼 Go Flower Picking at Local Farms
Build your own beautiful bouquet at U-Pick Nights at Sol Patch Garden July 12 and 26; delight your senses with flower picking and candle making at Simmons Farm July 13; or take a trip to Butler Freedom Farms’ Wildflower Festival July 19-20 and July 26-27. Want to level up your floral design? Take a workshop with Shelly Girl Farms at Psári Market with fresh local blooms, snacks, cocktails, and more July 24.
One by Spork’s agnolotti made with eggplant, miso-ricotta, sumac cream, blistered tomato, peas, vegan demi-glaze, and chive oil. (Francesca Dabecco / City Cast Pittsburgh)
🍅 Celebrate Fresh Pittsburgh Produce
It’s the season for backyard gardens and farm-to-fork meals — and there’s one experience you should splurge on if you love inventive food made with fresh ingredients.
The team at One by Spork — the reimagined Spork in Garfield — has a pre fixe dinner series featuring crops from their urban farm right outside! And they’re making plants the main show with a new vegetarian series every Monday. Each small plate is paired with wine and cocktails or NA drinks, crafted to perfection. Look around the communal table, and you’ll be amazed by all of their food lab tools, from a koji incubator to a dehydrator.
Keep the plant party going with Beetsburgh July 5, the Swissvale Edible Garden Tour July 12, and berry picking at these local farms.
Every year, the goats take on invasive species in South Side’s “Jurassic Valley,” and volunteers seed the area with natives. (Francesca Dabecco / City Cast Pittsburgh)
🐐 Head to South Side Park for Goat Fest
Celebrate the hardworking goats who help tackle the parks’ invasive plants with a day of family-friendly fun at Goat Fest PGH July 26. Enjoy live music, craft vendors, goat yoga, food trucks, and children’s activities like face painting with Vincent Van Goat. All of the funds go to ecological restoration efforts!
Explore more ways to take care of Pittsburgh’s green spaces.
See Fiberart International on display until August 30. (Courtesy of Contemporary Craft)
🧶 Admire Creations at Fiberart International
Find wall hangings, sculptures, quilts, and more at Fiberart International on display at Contemporary Craft and Brew House Arts . The 25th edition of this exhibit is organized by Fiberarts Guild of Pittsburgh and celebrates how fiber is woven into other artistic mediums.
Handmade wooden spoons at a Pittsburgh vendor market. (Francesca Dabecco / City Cast Pittsburgh)
🛍️ Shop (and Trade) at Local Markets
Find local artists, crafters, and vintage sellers popping up at Neighborhood Flea in Schenley Plaza July 6, Burgh Crafted Makers Market at Mazzotta Winery July 12, Burgh Bazaar at the Benedum Lot in Downtown July 19, WorkshopPGH Open House July 20, and Millvale Summer Market Day July 26.
Get nostalgic with cassettes, VHS, and more at Undead Format Fest at Bottlerocket Social Hall July 26, or browse vintage Pittsburgh gear at Days Gone By Market at Velum Fermentation July 27.
Want to trade or give away your stuff? Head to the Really Really Free Market July 26 or Three Rivers Waterkeeper’s Clothing Swap July 31.
Try Millie's new picnic collection, which includes this vegan orange dreamsicle ice cream. (Francesca Dabecco / City Cast Pittsburgh)
🍦 Celebrate National Ice Cream Month
Taste some of Graeter's best flavors at Ice Cream Fundae at the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium July 27, or cool off with a treat from one of Pittsburgh’s favorite ice cream shops. We have a list of where to get creamy soft serve, decadent custard, and everything in between.
Dairy-intolerant? No problem. I did some (very tasty) research to find the best vegan scoops around town.
