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City Cast Pittsburgh

Kevin Gavin

Are you a Pittsburgh news junkie? Or better yet, a vintage Olympics fan?

 to find out how well you know this week's news. We'll shout out perfect scores next week in the Hey Pittsburgh newsletter!

Pittsburgh has a long history of sports excellence. (

Francesca Dabecco

, with an extra day and expanded footprint stretching from two sister bridges to the new Arts Landing, Market Square, and PPG Plaza. Enjoy pickled food, participate in Dill-cathlon Games, and shop from local vendors, July 16-19. New this year: Play a game of pickleball on freshly-painted courts at Arts Landing.

From emerging local talent to regional headliners, the 

 brings together community and good tunes at a free, three-day celebration, July 10-12. Check out music, food, artists, and more in Pittsburgh’s historic East Allegheny neighborhood. Psst! Here are more 

Honor Pittsburgh’s Legacy for America 250

, so it’s no surprise that Pittsburgh will go big for America 250 celebrations on the Fourth of July. Here’s 

 — like a Ferris Wheel ride, free live music, an art exhibit, and more.

Shop Local at The Great Pittsburgh Book Crawl

 — nine straight days of book shopping, July 18-26. Grab your passport at any participating store, and get stamps to win raffle prizes. It’s the perfect excuse to explore some of Pittsburgh’s 

More book fun: Brighton Heights is hosting a 

, “100 Things To Do in Pittsburgh Before You Die.”

Glitterbox Theater in West Homestead is celebrating the Monongahela River and its lore with a 

 for all ages July 18. There will be showings of local short films, a live jazz performance, a circus play zone, soul line dancing, airbrush art, live wrestling, and 

Celebrate the hardworking goats who help tackle the parks’ invasive plants with a day of family-friendly fun at 

 July 25. Enjoy live music, craft vendors, goat yoga, food trucks, and children’s activities like make-and-take your own teacup fairy garden. All of the funds go to ecological restoration efforts.

Take a Mental Health Break at ‘Speak Your Truth’

 will take over Allentown July 25 for a full day of arts and mental health events on the hilltop. Check out punk shows from local bands, small business vendors, a mental health matinee, and more. After all, treating and living with mental health issues takes the same type of DIY, gritty spirit as punk rock music.

July in Pittsburgh: Northside Music Festival, Picklesburgh, Great Pittsburgh Book Crawl, Goat Fest, and more.

The Best Events in Pittsburgh in July 2026

7 Things To Do in Pittsburgh in July 2026

Find the best of everything that Pittsburgh has to offer.

Pittsburgh’s Best

Pittsburgh's Best

The rivers that flow through Pittsburgh are what make our city so spectacular. Here are seven ways to soak up their beauty this summer:

 near the David L. Lawrence Convention Center is equipped with a fleet of kayaks and an accessible launch area for renters with disabilities. Book a two-hour solo or tandem kayak rental through their 

 program or take an excursion, like sunrise and sunset paddling. Want to go with a group of friends or coworkers? Check out Venture Outdoors’ kayaking option for 10+ people.

🛟 Check Out RiverLife’s ‘Shore Thing’

Take in the city skyline and riverfront breeze from RiverLife’s 4,500-square-foot floating platform, Shore Thing. The barge sits between the Clemente and Warhol bridges and is “

.” The hub has art supplies, a floating library, cards, and boardgames. Plus, you can catch special events like DJ nights, live music, yoga flows, and other workout classes.

Immerse yourself in scenic views and Pittsburgh history while cruising on a 

 sightseeing tour. The boat boards at Station Square on the Monongahela River, then carries you along the Allegheny and Ohio Rivers while a captain points out interesting landmarks and shares local lore along the way. Look for special cruises with 

, a tropical-themed bar on the river. Make it a daycation or plan a special evening on the water for Zambelli fireworks nights. The boat can pick you up along the North Shore Trail or at the marina at Station Square.

 for a full day of relaxing on the water. Pittsburgh Boat Rental’s 18-foot boats can fit up to 10 people, with a deck area for sunbathing, shaded seating, and a bluetooth stereo for cruising with your favorite tunes.

. You can book anywhere from 30 minutes to four hours, and roam between the McKees Rocks Bridge on the Ohio, the Hot Metal Bridge on the Monongahela, and the 40th Street Bridge on the Allegheny.

 on the North Shore, sit on a deck overlooking the water at 

 on Washington’s Landing, or enjoy an evening of family fun during 

 at Allegheny RiverTrail Park in Aspinwall. The series features craft beer from Trace Brewing, food trucks, and live local music. Don’t forget a blanket or camp chair!

Take your own bike or rent some wheels from 

. Catch stunning city views no matter what side of the river you’re on — and don’t forget to stop and admire 

 along the way. The path connects to the 

, which can take you all the way to Washington D.C.

Take in the Allegheny, Ohio, and Monongahela Rivers through kayak rentals, sightseeing cruises, riverfront dining, and more.

The Best Pittsburgh River and Riverfront Activities

7 Ways to Enjoy Pittsburgh’s Rivers This Summer

Juneteenth, short for “June Nineteenth,” is considered our 

 — a national holiday commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in 1865. Every year, Pittsburgh marks this historic day with a Grand Jubilee Parade, live music, and more cultural events across the city.

Here’s how to celebrate Juneteenth, also known as “Freedom Day” and “Emancipation Day,” in Pittsburgh 

 at Andrew Carnegie Free Library & Music Hall

 A Juneteenth Youth Fashion & Arts Showcase at Velum Fermentation

Celebrate Juneteenth in Pittsburgh with rollerskating, live music, the Grand Jubilee Parade, dance parties, a community garden day, and more.

The Best Juneteenth Events in Pittsburgh 2026

How to Celebrate Juneteenth in Pittsburgh 2026

Laura Tsutsui

 with these Pittsburgh shops, rentals, and repair services.

Visit this small, scrappy shop on East Ohio Street for a used bike or tune up. The shop runs a membership program that includes discounts, free stand use, and more. Want to learn to work on your own bike? Organize a group lesson or request a private session. Call ahead at 412-586-5410 to schedule.

Find new bikes, parts and accessories, car racks, clothing, and more at this shop on Forbes Avenue. Already have a ride? They also do bicycle repairs, from 

. Browse the impressive catalog on their site (including e-bikes!) before you stop in.

Did you know that this North Side spot is the world’s largest bicycle museum and bike shop? It has a collection of 6,000 new and vintage bikes — including some once owned by famous riders like Pee-wee Herman. You can buy, rent, and repair bicycles here, but it’s also completely free to visit and explore!

What started as a hobby for steelworker Steve Kraynick in the 1940s is now a staple Pittsburgh bike store and repair shop. Every year, volunteers with the shop’s “Bikes Before Christmas” program repair hundreds of donated bicycles for local families.

Do it yourself! This collective is a community space where you can learn basic bike repair through volunteering and get store credit in return. The Collective also sells fully-built bikes and everything you need to assemble or repair your own bike. Visit during shop hours to use the tools on hand, purchase parts and ask questions. Want to learn? 

Join a volunteer night Mondays and Wednesdays.

Take a guided tour of Pittsburgh, go on your own adventure, or book a group experience at this shop on First Avenue along the Monongahela River. Want something more long term? They also do used bike sales and repairs.

This full-service bike shop offers a range of services, from flat tire fixes to complete overhauls. They also service e-bikes, which are gaining popularity with daily commuters who 

From wheels to chains, this Butler Street spot has everything you need for, as they put it, “two-wheeled freedom machine.” Need help finding parts for repairs? The staff is super helpful and can guide you to the right gear.

If you want to discover Pittsburgh’s trails or go on a long trip through the Great Allegheny Passage, Bike the Burgh offers rentals for all the gear you need. Or, you can take an urban tour with one of their expert guides for $49.

Want to ride a Fern Hollow Bicycle on the new Fern Hollow Bridge? Get a new or used bike, an electric ride, accessories, a tune-up, or a larger repair at this S. Trenton Avenue shop.

This full-service bike shop will give you a basic tune-up or full restoration, polish your old parts, or make you a custom bike with one of their vintage frames. They have 

Need a good look before you test ride? Thick Bikes has a full inventory of new and used bikes on their website. Stop in for a bike repair, special flat fix clinic event, or — if you’re brave — try to balance on one of their unicycles! Join them Friday evenings at the South Side River Trail below Hofbrauhaus from 7-9 p.m through July.

Leading this shop is the former manager at ramp designer at 

 to the Burgh. Shop bikes, frames, merch and more online or at the store’s brick-and-mortar. You can even 

Service your bike, or get a new ride at these Pittsburgh shops.

Pittsburgh's Best Bike Shops

Where To Buy, Rent, or Tune Up a Bike in Pittsburgh

Jill Terner

Summer has arrived, and with it, pool season! We’re lucky enough to have 16 city pools open this year. To help you decide which pool(s) to visit, we’ve tapped “

” to share the ideal swimming experience 

If you've never visited a Pittsburgh pool before, 

 for how to get the most bang for your buck on pool tags and more tips for a fun day in the sun.

 There’s not an Aquarius who doesn’t think their sign is the best, so it’s fitting that they would most enjoy the “Patrick Mahomes of Pools” in Highland Park.

 Pisces’ whimsical and romantic nature should place them in the Perry Hilltop fortress, surrounded by nature and serenity, like at Riverview pool.

 Competitive, active Aries can play water polo and soak in the vibes of the Hill District at Ammon pool!

 Practical yet loving, Tauruses should take a dip at Ream where they can enjoy a view of the community garden in Mt. Washington.

For the Gemini twins, we offer two pools on two sides of town (Bloomfield and Ormsby in South Side), with similar social and urban vibes that are anything but boring.

 Family and friend-centric Cancer belong where you can wade into the shallow end with the kiddos and also chat by the diving wall with BFFs. This charming community space in Greenfield feels like a home away from home.

 (take your pick!): Leos don’t swim with plebes.

Virgos tend to shy away from center stage, and they can do that while enjoying a dip at this off-the-beaten-path gem. Perfectionist Virgos will also love the clean locker rooms at this South Hills neighborhood find.

The accessibility of this pool will appeal to Librans’ love of fairness and access for all. A love of the outdoors is also satisfied by the proximity to Schenley Park!

Passionate Scorpio loves the punk vibes at the West Penn pool in Polish Hill, especially during Skullfest.

 Bustling up on Brookline’s Pioneer Ave, you’ll find Moore pool which speaks to Sags’ extroverted nature. There’s plenty of space to swim away if you accidentally put your foot in your mouth.

While Sue Murray pool may have needed some TLC, its historic vibes in the Allegheny Center will appeal to Capricorn’s love of tradition and historical aesthetics.

Pittsburgh pools are open. Find a swimming hole that aligns with your astrological aura.

Find Your Pittsburgh Pool Based on Your Astrological Sign

Your Ideal Pittsburgh Pool Experience Based on Your Astrological Sign

Sophia Lo

You don't need to shell out for a gym membership to get in a good sweat. Pittsburgh has free outdoor exercise classes that cater to all fitness levels ⬇️

Sample all sorts of workouts at this summer fitness series. Classes are offered on select Thursday nights through Aug. 6. Build strength with Pilates or dance it out with boy band-themed classes.

On select Sundays through September, try workouts in the plaza from fitness studios across Pittsburgh. Classes include full-body workouts, strength training, and dance. All fitness levels are welcome.

Get your heart rate up with running groups that meet on Monday and Thursday nights, or slow it down with Saturday yoga in the sun. Plus, keep an eye on the calendar for one-off fitness classes, like a bootcamp with SHAPE Training on July 13.

Start your day by stretching on the water with YogaRoots. Classes are on Sunday mornings from 10-11 a.m., and advanced registration is required to participate.

Join 3 Rivers Outdoor Co. and the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy every Thursday through October at 6 p.m. for happy-hour yoga in front of the Carnegie Library. The class is drop-in and pay-what-you-can.

Take deep breaths under mature trees every Saturday at 10 a.m. on the North Side. This free, all-ages, and all-levels series by Counseling & Wellness Center of Pittsburgh runs through September.

Enjoy the newly-renovated Market Square with free yoga classes on Sundays, 10-11 a.m. Prefer sweating it out after work? Head over to PPG Plaza on Tuesdays for yoga, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Both locations run their classes through September.

All Bodies Welcome Yoga hosts a free, relaxing and inclusive class in the library’s backyard every Thursday through August at 5:45 p.m. Stop by to stretch, then check out a book after your workout.

Free yoga by the river, strength-training in an outdoor plaza, groovy dance classes, and more.

Where To Workout for Free This Summer in Pittsburgh

8 Spots for Free Summer Outdoor Workout Classes in Pittsburgh

 fan of dinosaurs, and it all traces back to Diplodocus carnegii — the massive, long-necked sauropod discovered in an excavation funded by steel mogul Andrew Carnegie in 1899. A life-size statue of the dinosaur, nicknamed “Dippy,” sits outside the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, and a reconstruction of its skeleton is displayed inside the museum.

The discoveries still continue today! A paleontologist with the museum recently co-led a team who found a 

 in China — Jian changmaensis. This feathery creature is similar to a velociraptor and lived more than 120 million years ago. Researchers found part of a shoulder and forelimb, which they believe will help them learn more about how birds evolved to fly.

You can see a replica of this fossil at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History and have more dino-mite fun this summer at the events below ⬇️

DinoFest at Carnegie Museum of Natural History

 and prehistoric life on June 13. Visitors can interact with museum scientists, explore active research, and discover how fossils help us understand Earth’s history. Don’t miss the PaleoLab talks to learn about how the museum cares for the fossils on display.

, from dragonflies to Triceratops, across the garden’s 65 acres of stunning green space. The installation is created by artist Dale Lewis and made from recycled metal and found objects. Be sure to see the shiny pterodactyl on your way in and look for her nest and babies hidden in the gardens! It’s on display through Oct. 31.

Check out over 30 giant creatures from the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods 

 throughout the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium. The display runs until September 7 and includes photo opportunities, fossil dig pits, and more activities.

Have you ever noticed the colorful dinosaur sculptures placed all over Pittsburgh? The Carnegie Museum of National History led a public art project in 2003 called 

, and you can still see some of these figures around town. I wrote about how you can take a DIY tour in my book, “

100 Things To Do in Pittsburgh Before You Die

.” One of my favorites is the Ketchupsaurus at PPG Place!

See these prehistoric creatures at Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Pittsburgh Botanic Garden, the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium, and more in summer 2026.

4 Roaring Dinosaur Events in Pittsburgh This Summer

4 Ways To Have Dino-mite Fun This Summer in Pittsburgh

How do you get through the ups and downs of living in Pittsburgh? No, really — we have one of the hilliest cities in the U.S.

The answer: a network of hundreds of public stairways locally referred to as “city steps.” This unique infrastructure was the first public transportation system in Pittsburgh.

Today, locals can walk these paths of the past to connect with our city’s history, explore neighborhoods, and get free outdoor exercise.

City Steps of Pittsburgh: A History & Guide

 to share a field kit to these steep and storied staircases.

If you’re just getting acquainted with city steps, here are author 

’s recommendations for the best flights for urban hikes ⬇️

 are the city's longest walkable flight. They're connected to trails that lead to the South Busway and Brookline Memorial Park. (You can catch 

 is the fourth-longest flight in the city. It's walkable, but it has a severe case of scoliosis! This flight once led residents to the East Street Valley neighborhood, which is now I-279. 👟 Want more Fineview fun? Sign up for the 

 from Shaler Street, and you'll find yourself surrounded by Emerald View park trails. Follow the half-mile 

 for a gorgeous tree canopy and sweeping views of the West End.

Enter at either Cowley-Goettman Park or Province Street to get a stunning view of the city at the 

. There’s a bench where you can relax and take in the vista. 👟Explore more of 

 span the hill in, well … the Hill District. These stairs are near the 

, the grand Victorian home of a well-known bootlegging family from the 1920’s and 30’s. 👟 Explore more of 

The National Negro Opera House, currently undergoing preservation, sits directly across from the 

➡️ All of these flights appear on the 1923 city maps, so you can literally "walk in the footsteps" of those from 100 years ago.

) for taking a field trip with the City Cast Pittsburgh team!

Discover Pittsburgh’s best city steps for urban hikers.

The Best City Step Hikes in Pittsburgh

A Guide to Touring Pittsburgh’s City Steps

Everything to know about Pittsburgh neighborhoods: Where to go, eat, shop, drink, and more.

Pittsburgh Neighborhood Guides

Neighborhood Guides

Show how well you've been paying attention to Pittsburgh news.

Take the Pittsburgh News Quiz for August 2024

Try Your Luck on the Pittsburgh News Quiz

What Pittsburghers have been wondering. We break down why things in Pittsburgh are the way they are and how they work.

Pittsburgh, Explained

America’s 250th birthday is a huge milestone for Pittsburgh. Our region was a crucial site during the French and Indian War, which set the stage for the American Revolution. Later, our city’s industrial, medical, and technological advances helped to shape the country.

Celebrate Pittsburgh’s pivotal role at these events that educate, entertain, and inspire.

‘We Hold These Truths’: American Potluck

RealTime Arts invites guests into local living rooms for short, original plays, followed by potluck-style meals and guided conversations about food, health, and American identity. Get to know your neighbors, your city, and your country from new angles at these Equitable Dinners, scheduled for 

The Heinz History Center is showing an art display focused on freedom, equality, justice, and opportunity. It’s a unique mix of watercolor, portraiture, sculpture, and cartoons. See which beloved Pittsburghers you can spot in the works, like environmentalist Rachel Carson, public television icon Fred Rogers, and civil rights activist Daisy Lampkin. 

 outside of their normal stage at Heinz Hall. Catch an evening of American classics at Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall, an outdoor concert and drone show at Hartwood Acres, and more.

Learn about Western PA’s critical role in the American Revolution with 

, the Fort Pitt Museum, and Fort Pitt Block House on the Fourth of July. There will be costumed re-enactors, a flag-raising ceremony, cannon firings, martial music, and hands-on family fun throughout the site.

Art Rooney Avenue on the North Side, July 1- 5

. Take in the city skyline and three rivers from high above. 50% of ticket sales benefit Veterans Leadership Program. It’s a fun way to honor veterans and celebrate the popular amusement ride designed by Pittsburgh engineer George Ferris Jr. in 1893.

Looking for fireworks? Have a blast at these Fourth of July 

Fireworks, an American potluck, freedom-inspired art, Ferris Wheel rides, and more ways to celebrate American 250 in Pittsburgh.

How To Celebrate American 250 in Pittsburgh

5 Ways To Mark America 250 in Pittsburgh

⏪ Looking for a previous Pittsburgh crossword? Find it here:

A crossword puzzle all about Pittsburgh news and fun facts. 

Can You Fill Out This Pittsburgh Crossword Puzzle?

Try This Pittsburgh Crossword Puzzle

Megan Harris

Both local media outlets once owned and nearly ended by Block Communications Inc. have something to celebrate today.

Both the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and Pittsburgh City Paper will continue in 2026.

Pittsburgh, Explained

Try Your Luck on the Pittsburgh News Quiz

Kevin Gavin

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