It’s July, so we all know what that means, right? Yeah, it’s time to cookout and watch the fireworks over the Steel City.
While America is preparing to celebrate its 240th birthday, Pittsburgh is getting pumped for its 200th anniversary. And, as you might expect, there are plenty of unique and exciting events happening this month.
What kind of events you ask? Every kind! Seriously, what are you in the mood for? There are annual favorites, like Cosmopolitan Pittsburgh and the Vintage Grand Prix. New favorites, see Pickelsburgh. Plus a gallery crawl, food truck round-up, music festival, and, wait for it… fireworks!
Now there’s only one thing left to do. Start mapping out your month, starting with these 18 events happening this July in Pittsburgh.
Epic Food Truck Round-Up @ Voodoo Brewing
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Join a fleet of all your favorite food trucks this month at Voodoo Brewery in Homestead and eat, drink and dance until you drop. This year, there’s not even a cover charge. Just bring the money you need to grab some great food from trucks including Savoy on Wheels, Miss Meatball, PGH Smokehouse BBQ and Second Breakfast. The whole street will be closed until around 11 p.m., and the event will last until the trucks run out of food. July 2.
Red White & Brew Bash @ Howl at the Moon
If you’re looking for a party to pregame for the Fourth, look no further than the Red White & Brew bash downtown at Howl at the Moon. The festivities begin at 6 p.m., and admission is completely free as long as you’re sporting red, white and blue. After all, who doesn’t want to wear patriotic colors in July? Expect discounted drinks and pitchers, lots of dancing and a variety of games with fun prizes. July 2.
Flashes of Freedom Fireworks @ Point State Park
Get ready for an all-day celebration of our country’s birthday. There’s no better way to spend a sun-and-fun-filled day than packing a picnic lunch, rounding up some family and friends and heading down to Point State Park, where patriotic events, live music and activities will culminate in an exciting fireworks display at night. There will be plenty of food vendors and outdoor fun, so there’s no excuse to stay home when you could be ringing in the Fourth, Pittsburgh-style. July 4.
PDP Rooftop Shindig @ Theater Square Garage
That’s right, this party is going to be held on an actual rooftop. At the top level of Theater Square Garage downtown, the PDP is bringing you live music, food, cocktails, games, and a special showing of Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy. Remember to bring a chair, but if you don’t, the PDP has you covered – you can buy one there. Local bands Donora and Meeting of Important People will provide the tunes. You’ll provide the dancing and cheer. July 6.
Cultural District Gallery Crawl
You’ve probably enjoyed one of Pittsburgh’s famous gallery crawls in the past (at least, we hope you have), so make sure to mark your calendar for this one. As usual, the crawl begins at 5:30 p.m. downtown, and is completely free. Who doesn’t want to check out some innovative art on a Friday evening totally free of cost? For those of you who want to indulge, the Crawl After Dark will provide drinks at various stops. Galleries include the Wood Street Galleries, the Shaw Galleries and the downtown Night Market, showcasing local vendors. July 8.
Night Market @ the Cultural District
While on your tour of downtown Pittsburgh’s various art galleries, don’t forget to make a stop at the Night Market. Expect to come across cool pop-up shops in downtown parking lots offering food, drinks, jewelry, trinkets, art and various other locally-made products. Don’t be surprised if you come across some live music, too. There’s no better way to shop locally – and have fun, too! July 8.
Cosmopolitan Pittsburgh @ August Wilson Center
The fun doesn’t have to end when the Cultural District Gallery Crawl does. Grab your ticket today for Cosmopolitan Pittsburgh, where you can check out some awesome art, have some snacks curated artfully by local chefs and, of course, hit up the open bar featuring Wigle Whiskey spirit tastings. Make sure to curate a great outfit for the Art of Cool bash starting at 9 p.m. Live music is presented by local collective VIA, and your ticket includes two complimentary cocktails. July 8.
Pittsburgh’s Bicentennial Parade
Our fair city is turning a stately 200 this year, and we expect you all to be out in full force to take part in the celebrations. There will be a parade throughout Downtown culminating in a festival at Point State Park, featuring activities, food, drinks and, of course, music and dancing. At the end of the evening, there will be a spectacular fireworks display. Descendants of Pittsburgh’s mayors will be coming into town to celebrate as well. July 9.
Night in the Tropics @ the National Aviary
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It may be a bit pricey, but attending a fundraiser at the National Aviary in the North Side is guaranteed to be a good time. Live performances and a DJ will keep you dancing all night, the cocktails will keep you spirited until it’s time to go home. The best part? You’ll get a chance to get up close and personal with some beautiful birds. Plus, you’ll be supporting a good cause, since proceeds go toward education and conservation programs. July 9.
Pups N Pints @ Grist House
What’s better than tossing back some local brews at Grist House? Tossing back some local brews at Grist House with man’s best friend, of course! This July, bring your dogs down to Pups n Pints for games, food, dog massages and microchipping provided by Pittsburgh Mobile Vet. There will even be a Bark Bar for your four-legged pals. Don’t worry, there’s a bar for you to enjoy, too, and the Pittsburgh Sandwich Society food truck will be on hand as well. July 10.
Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix
Even if you aren’t a car buff, you’ll enjoy seeing some beautiful vintage vehicles displayed across various locations in Downtown Pittsburgh, and you’ll have the chance to participate in a parade starting at Station Square benefiting the Autism Society. There will be food vendors, and best of all, the car displays are totally free. July 13.
Picklesburgh @ the Rachel Carson Bridge
Everyone loves pickles, and everyone loves free festivals. It’s time for the two to combine for Pittsburgh’s second annual Picklesburgh festival located on the Rachel Carson Bridge, and if you like food, fun and music, you won’t want to miss it. Local restaurants will be there, providing you with their favorite freshly-made pickle-centric dishes, canned goods and artisan cocktails for the adults. There will be plenty of things to do, including how-to demonstrations and live music, so Picklesburgh is fun for the whole family. July 15-16.
Hot Mass x Ace Hotel: Weekend Block Party
Get ready for the hottest block party Pittsburgh has ever seen. Maybe you have taken part in one of the city’s exciting Hot Mass parties, and maybe you have gazed around the Ace Hotel in awe, but now the two are combining to bring you the coolest summer bash around. The house music will keep things hot, and the drinks will keep you cool. DJs include Volvox, Anthony Parasole and Allison Cosby. The event is only for those 21 and over, and if your bank account is hurting, you can choose what you pay to get in from $5 to $20. July 17.
Steel City Pizza Fest #2: Za Wars @ Hop Farm Brewing
Pittsburghers will be thrilled to hear that the much-loved Steel City Pizza Fest has announced a second date this year. Come on down to Lawrenceville to enjoy a fun day of live music, craft vendors, and every kind of delicious slice you could ever want. The battle of the pizza vendors will begin at noon, and local celebrities will decide, once and for all, who has the greatest ‘za. Trust us, you won’t want to miss this one. July 17.
Feed More Festival @ Stage AE
Pittsburgh is embracing the music festival movement this year, and Feed More is one of the most exciting of the bunch. Headliners include the Cold War Kids, The Lone Bellow, Lucy Dacus and The Stone Foxes, so it’s a perfect follow-up to last month’s WYEP Summer Music Festival. There will, of course, be a fleet of food trucks in tow, including some of your local favorites. BRGR, Franktuary, and others will be serving up some fresh-made goodness, and you can even pick up some homemade ice cream. I Made It! Market will be taking part, so you can expect lots of cool trinkets and activities as well. July 17.
Jim Gaffigan: Fully Dressed @ CONSOL Energy Center
One of America’s favorite comedians will be visiting Pittsburgh this July. Jim Gaffigan will be taking his famous stand-up act to CONSOL Energy Center, so if you only attend one big show this year, make it this one. Tickets are likely to sell very quickly, so make sure to grab yours now. July 21.
ReplayFX Arcade & Video Game Festival
Do you love pinball, retro games and tabletop gaming? If you do, Pittsburgh has an excellent convention in the works set for the end of this month. Stop by the David L. Lawrence Convention Center for the weekend and have the time of your life gaming and laughing with friends. If you’re the competitive kind (hello, family Monopoly night), brace yourself, because the contests at the convention are offering a total of over $110,000 in prize money. And, of course, there will be food and live shows. July 28-31.
Music
If you’re hungry for more live music after the Feed More Festival, don’t worry – there are lots of cool concerts coming up in July. Kenny Chesney will play his yearly show at Heinz Field on July 2, and there will doubtless be lots of tailgating. To celebrate the life and legend of David Bowie, grab your tickets for the Pittsburgh Symphony’s musical tribute at Heinz Hall on July 22. The yearly Hartwood Acres concert series will feature Delta Rae, The Ohio Players, Josh Ritter and Booker T’s Stax Revue.
This content was provided by a local, independent contributor to Made in PGH, a lifestyle blog.