Free Events in Pittsburgh

• Chili + Winter Festival @ SouthSide Works

  February
  Between 26th and Hot Metal streets, South Side
  Visit SouthSide Works Website

  Fight the winter blues with one hot festival! Sample chili from restaurants that will compete to be named best in the 'Burgh. Plus, see local ice sculptors, listen to bands and browse craft booths.

• St. Patrick's Day Parade

  March
  Downtown Pittsburgh
  St. Patrick's Day Parade

  Converge with the crowd in Pittsburgh's downtown for the wearin' of the green and a parade that celebrates all things Irish. Find vantage points on Grant Street and the Boulevard of the Allies. Since up to 200,000 people come for the parade each year, you know it must be unlucky to miss this Pittsburgh tradition.

• Art All Night

  April
  Lawrenceville
  Visit Art All Night Website

  Come energized for this annual art marathon. At Art All Night in Lawrenceville, professional and amateur artists of all ages display and sell their work. The show, food and drinks are free.

• Pittsburgh Marathon

  May
  Visit Pittsburgh Marathon Website

  Cheer on more than 10,000 participants as they run or walk the city of bridges. Runners must register in advance.

• Frick Art & Historical Center

  Mother's Day Weekend and Father's Day Weekend
  7227 Reynolds St., Pittsburgh, PA 15208
  412.371.0600
  Visit Frick Art & Historical Center Website

  Take mom, dad, or a grandparent for a free tour of Clayton, a house museum that was once the home of a wealthy Pittsburgh family. The house is a stunning example of Victorian architecture and interior design, and more than 90 percent of the furniture and artifacts on display are original. Reservations strongly recommended.

• Pittsburgh International Children's Festival

  May
  Oakland, on the lawns of the University of Pittsburgh campus and Schenley Plaza
  Visit Pittsburgh Children's Festival Website

  Enjoy the lively mix of professional artists and regional performance groups offering cultural and educational activities. Target Community Stage is the center of the outdoor festival action; outdoor activities are free.

• Fish for Free Days

  May-September
  Visit PA Fish + Boat Commision Website

  Each year the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission's Executive Director designates 2 Fish for Free Days. Fish legally on these two days even if you don't have a license. All public Pennsylvania lakes, rivers, creeks, streams and other waterways are open for fishing on these dates.

• Pittsburgh Pride Fest

  June
  412.422.0114
  Visit the Pittsburgh Pride Website

  Join the daylong Pride March and Festival during Pride Week, which brings thousands of people from around the region together for music, food and entertainment.

• Allegheny County Summer Concert Series

  South Park, Hartwood Acres, the County Courthouse Courtyard (downtown), Boyce Park and North Park
  412.350.2528
  Visit the Allegheny County Website

  Tune into these free outdoor concerts and performances at parks and other locations throughout the county. Find details online.

• Bach, Beethoven and Brunch

  Sundays, mid-Jun to Aug; 10:30am-Noon
  Mellon Park, Fifth and Shady Avenues
  412.255.8975
  Visit the City of Pittsburgh Website

  Satisfy your appetite for classical music by treating yourself to a special Sunday morning of Bach, Beethoven and Brunch. This longtime favorite series entertains music lovers on the lawn of the Mellon Park Rose Garden.

• Dollar Bank Cinema in the Park

  June-August
  412.937.3039
  Visit the City of Pittsburgh Website

  Watch cinema under the stars with popular family-friendly movies at seven Pittsburgh area parks. Movies are shown seven days a week (at a different park each night) and run from the second weekend in June through the end of August. Movies generally start around 9pm. Bring your own food, drinks and snacks. Glass bottles or alcoholic beverages are prohibited.

• First Fridays at the Frick

  Frick Art & Historical Center
  7227 Reynolds St., Pittsburgh, PA 15208
  412.371.0600
  Visit The Frick Art & Historical Center Website

  On the first Friday of each month, June through September, you won't want to miss this summer concert series. Pack your own picnic or plan to sample selections from The Café, which prepares a tempting array of a la carte items. Concerts begin at 7pm, but come early to get the best spot on the lawn. The Café begins serving at 5:30pm. No reservations required. Free, but a $5 donation is suggested.

• Friday Kid's Play

  Market Square, Downtown
  Visit Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership Website

  Take the kids to Market Square for stories, crafts and special guests every Friday from 10:30 to 11:30am, from Memorial Day through the end of July.

• Thursdays in the Square: Noon Concerts

  Market Square, Downtown
  Visit Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership Website

  In June and July, spend a lunchtime (or more) listening to a free live concert in Market Square. Concerts feature local musicians and coincide with farm market days in Market Square, so it's easy to pick up a fresh snack on the way.

• Three Rivers Arts Festival

  June
  Point State Park, Downtown
  412.281.8723
  Visit Three Rivers Arts Festival Website

  Journey from the exhibition spaces (including a tempting artists' market) to live stages for free concerts and performances. A tradition in Pittsburgh for more than 50 years, this festival is a must-see!

• Pittsburgh Three Rivers Regatta

  July
  Visit Three Rivers Regatta Website

  You'll find boats, concerts, fireworks and much more on the agenda each Fourth of July weekend in Pittsburgh, where the riverfront is the place for the hottest family fun.

• Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix

  July
  Schenley Park
  412.299.2273
  Visit Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix Website

  Ladies and gentlemen, start your engines! The Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix has grown from a one-day vintage race in 1983 to a 10-day festival of races, car shows and motorsport events that now attracts 250,000 spectators.

• Rodef Shalom Biblical Botanical Garden

  Su-Th: 10am-2pm; W: 7-9pm, Sa: Noon-1pm
  4905 Fifth Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15213
  412.621.6566
  Visit Rodef Shalom Website

  Retreat to the largest biblical botanical garden in North America, where the peaceful setting includes a waterfall, a desert and a stream. See examples of crops and herbs grown by the ancient Israelites. Free tours are available on the first Wednesday of each month at 12:15pm; no reservation needed.

• Stephen Foster Music and Heritage Festival

  July
  Allegheny Cemetery, 4734 Butler St., Pittsburgh, PA 15201
  412.605.0966
  Visit the Stephen Foster Music and Heritage Festival Website

  Pop into this festival, dubbed "Doo Dah Days," to celebrate the life and music of one of America's most influential songwriters. While enjoying a melodious backdrop of great bands, learn more about Stephen Foster, who is buried in this Lawrenceville cemetery.

• Three Rivers Storytelling Festival

  August
  Northland Public Library, 300 Cumberland Rd., Pittsburgh, PA 15237

  Visit the Three Rivers Storytelling Festival Website

  Everyone loves a good story. Let noted storytellers transfix and entertain you at one of the top 20 regional storytelling festivals in the United States.

• Pittsburgh Dragon Boat Festival

  September
  South Side Riverfront Park
  724.348.4836
  Visit Pittsburgh Dragon Boat Festival Website

  Admire these beautiful boats in a fun atmosphere of Asian music, dance and food. Treat your family to the riverside Dragon Stroll, where you can learn to use chopsticks and the Chinese yo-yo, practice Tai Chi, and browse arts and crafts.

• Covered Bridge Festival

  September
  Washington and Greene Counties
  PA Vendors Website
  Washington County Website
  Greene County Website

  Take a self-guided tour featuring nine bridges in two counties. The beautiful settings and expert craftsmanship of these covered bridges will have you imagining clopping horses, open carriages and stolen kisses. The hours are Saturday 10AM to 5PM and Sunday Noon to 5PM.

• City of Pittsburgh Great Race

  September
  412.255.2493
  Visit the Pittsburgh Great Race Website

  Be there when the starting gun sounds for the world-class 10K and 5K road race that has become a Pittsburgh tradition. Watch the Richard S. Caliguiri City of Pittsburgh Great Race from vantage points throughout the city. Runners must register in advance.

• Light Up Night®

  November
  Market Square and other locations, Downtown
  412.566.4190
  Visit Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership Website

  Be dazzled as downtown buildings light up in celebration of the start of the holiday season during this 50th-anniversary event. Festivities include live music, tons of family fun and fireworks.

• The Pittsburgh Creche

  November
  US Steel Plaza, 600 Grant St., Pittsburgh, PA 15219
  The Pittsburgh Creche Website

  If you can't make it to Rome during the holidays, you can find a larger-than-life replica of the Vatican's Christmas Creche right here in Pittsburgh.