Ah, spring is in the air and our events calendar is filling up fast. From art shows and bar crawls to Opening Day and the Pittsburgh Pizza Fest, here are 20 things that we’ve already circled on the calendar.
The Pancakes & Booze Art Show
Don’t lie. You’re intrigued. Here’s the need to know: This art show is a platform for emerging local artists featuring live music, an all-you-can-eat pancake bar, and plenty of booze. All this and more can be yours for $5 bucks. If you’re wondering what “more” entails, prepare yourself for some live body painting (use your imagination). After all, Spirit is playing host to this art show, so it’s guaranteed to get weird. April 1
Unblurred
On the first Friday of every month, people take to the street on Penn Ave between the 4800 and 5500 blocks to meet with artists and local business owners. You can expect a mix of photography, dance, painting, sculpture, music, and spoken word performances. Best of all? You can check it all out for free! April 7th
Pirates Opening Day
Go ahead and request PTO for April 7th — the Pirates are back for the 2017 season! They’ll be playing the Braves in this afternoon game. Grab your friends, grab your McCutchen jersey, and get ready to root the Bucs the whole way to the playoffs. April 7th
90s Bar Crawl
Start gathering up your slap bracelets, your LA Gears, and your scrunchies — you’ll need them for the 90s Bar Crawl. You might think you stepped out of an episode of Saved by the Bell! In the country’s largest 90s event. BRB while we think of our AIM away message for the night… April 15th
Vintage Pittsburgh
Whether it’s shopping second-hand stores or picking one-of-a-kind pieces, we’re big fans of vintages finds. If you are too, you need to mark your calendar for Vintage Pittsburgh. More than 40 local and regional vendors will be on hand selling genuine vintage fashion, housewares, vinyl, home décor, artwork, furniture, collectibles, and more. April 22.
Craft Carnival at Industry Public House
Craft Beer Week in Pittsburgh ends in a unique way at Industry Public House. You’ll join over 30 craft breweries and distilleries to play games, hear live tunes, and of course, drink lots of beer. April 28
PedalPaleAle Keg Ride
Help East End Brewing deliver their kegs in a totally sustainable, near-zero waste way to a mystery donation by pulling them on your bike and get your first beer (and a commemorative East End Brewing Keg Ride glass!) on the house. Don’t worry, they try to avoid as many hills as possible. April 29th
Art All Night
Thousands of artists and 10x as many viewers make their way to Lawrenceville to experience one of the largest and most unique arts events around. Plus you can submit your own work. That’s right, anyone and everyone to submit a single piece of artwork! Either way, it’s totally free to submit or attend. April 29
Pittsburgh Wine Festival
Wine lovers, prepare to take over Heinz Field on May 4th for the 15th annual Pittsburgh Wine Festival. Hundreds of wineries from around the world will be on hand to pour sips and of course, there will be a wide selection of food available. Tickets start at $125 but you won’t regret your decision to go! May 4th
MAKEnight (21+)
The Children’s Museum turns into a Star Wars-themed craft night for adults on May 4th. Your ticket price includes light fare, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, and all activities. Past events have sold out, so get your tickets early. May 4th
ZooBrew Spring Hops
If you’ve ever wanted to visit the zoo child-free and drink local beer while doing it, now’s your chance. This annual event always sells out and includes a commemorative mug for sampling and food from Taste of the Wild. May 5th
Food Truck-a-Palooza
If you can’t keep track of all the new food trucks dotting Pittsburgh’s streets, you’ll have the chance to try food from over 30 of them at the Food Truck-a-Palooza. There will be activities for the kids, so this Waterfront event is fun for the whole family. May 6th
Pittonkatonk 2017 May Day Brass BBQ
Imagine the perfect block party: the food and music are on point. And you’re dancing harder than you’ve ever danced before. That’s Pittonkatonk in a nutshell. Head to the Vietnam Veterans Pavilion in Schenley Park to hear some great brass bands, local and otherwise, and get lost in the overwhelming sense of community. May 6.
Pittsburgh Marathon and Half-Marathon
This event doesn’t need an introduction. The Pittsburgh Marathon and Half-Marathon brings the citizens of neighborhoods around the city to the streets to cheer on those Runners of Steel. If you’re running, the course is new this year due to construction — but it’s promised to be flatter and faster. May 7th
May Market at Phipps
It’s Phipps’ 81st annual May Market, a marketplace of unique plants, gardening accessories, handmade jewelry, lawn decor and more to celebrate National Public Gardens Day. If you want to visit the Conservatory while you’re there, admission is 50-percent off during May Market hours. Just don’t forget to bring cash — all vendors are cash only! May 12th
Beers of the Burgh
Don’t forget to hydrate on May 13th — you’ll have your choice of craft beers from over 40 Pittsburgh-area breweries during the spring edition of Beers of the Burgh. Best of all? A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Rivers of Steel Heritage Corporation which works to promote conservation and development, heritage tourism, cultural and educational programs and economic revitalization in the greater Pittsburgh area. May 13th
Three Rivers Arts Festival
Does the Three Rivers Art Festival really need an introduction? It’s the annual 10 days where the city enjoys free art and music from local and national artists alike. The concert session can’t be missed — headliners are still TBD, but past performers have included Edward Sharp, Jeff Tweedy, and The Black Keys. June 2-11th
Pizzafest
Bakery Square will turn into Pizza Square on June 3rd for this free pizza and music festival. Best of all? The event is free (well, the pizza costs money) and there’s beer for sale because pizza and beer were made for each other, right? June 3rd
TEDx Pittsburgh
If you start conversations by saying, “Hey, have you heard this great TED talk?” Well, this event is for you. TEDx Pittsburgh celebrates the city’s boom in technology, creativity, and entrepreneurship with its very own TED Talk Series. Your ticket will include healthy doses of wisdom, humor, philosophy, and activism, so make sure you don’t miss out. June 4
Pittsburgh Pride
It’s so much more than a parade during Pittsburgh’s Pride Week (but there is still a parade and you should still attend because it is so much fun!). Headliners for “Pride in the Street”, the annual dance party on Liberty Avenue, but past performers have included Kesha, Nick Jonas, Chaka Khan, Adam Lambert, Melissa Etheridge, and Patti LaBelle. June 2-11th
[join]What do you think about these events? Are you going to any of them? Did we miss something? Let us know with a comment here. [button text=”Click Here to Comment” link=”https://www.facebook.com/madepgh/posts/1435021139904824″ target=”blank” width=”full” color=”black” size=”small”][/join] This content was provided by a local, independent contributor to Made in PGH, a lifestyle blog.