Falling Into Culture: This Season’s Hippest Happenings on Stages, Screens & Beyond

Along with all of autumn’s indoor “cozy” that’s on tap, there are plenty of excuses to keep getting outside, too — from apple and pumpkin-picking excursions and area-wide fall fests, to community-minded events like those hosted by UpstreamPgh, a nonprofit aiming to be “the region's voice for healthier urban water systems.” On Tuesday, October 21, their Ripple Open House marked the unveiling of the new Nine Mile Run Environmental Justice Watershed Plan and Saturday, October 25, was their largest volunteer workday of the season with the Fall Stream Sweep in Lower Frick Park along Nine Mile Run.

Other Upstream events include a winter holiday party at Goodlander Cocktail Brewery on Thursday, December 11, before they unveil a year-long, 25th anniversary celebration jam-packed with events to honor past, current and future projects. And while Riverlife’s Shore Thing closed up shop on October 18 after a highly successful first season (we’ll anxiously await their return next spring!), the nonprofit has officially launched its $30M campaign to improve the city’s riverfronts, so you can keep an eye out for events related to that, too.

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Fever

MUSICAL MAGIC OF THE SEASON

Taking things inside, the city’s upcoming concert lineup has us jazzed with big-name legends gracing the stage at PPG Paints Arena — from Sabrina Carpenter (with Olivia Dean and Amber Mark, October 23 and 24) to Paul McCartney (November 11). In contrast, Candlelight® live concerts produced by Fever fill more intimate spaces with moody vibes and memorable evenings beautified by thousands of candles. At these illuminating (literally) gatherings, initially designed to “democratize access to classical music,” stunning sounds fill venues like downtown’s Omni William Penn Hotel and Trinity Episcopal Cathedral. Savor their shows paying homage to artists ranging from Fleetwood Mac and Queen to Taylor Swift and LCD Soundsystem, plus there are seasonally-appropriate options like these ones for Halloween, too.

On Sunday, October 19, London-based powerhouse Mumford & Sons brought magnetic energy to PPG Paints Arena to play old favorites plus hits from their recently released fifth album titled RUSHMERE. Rushmere is the spot where Mumford & Sons first met in Wimbledon, and this album marks the beginning of the group’s next phase — after an intense period of creativity for the trio. (This latest work was produced in collaboration with the nine-time Grammy-winning producer Dave Cobb.) Highlights ranged from impressive stage sets and some fancy (athletic!) maneuvering by Marcus Mumford, as he shimmied up into the stands and circled the perimeterof the arena, much to the audience’s delight. For this show, they welcomed two openers: Stephen Sanchez and The Barr Brothers. (Fun fact: Andrew Barr also plays drums with Mumford & Sons, as well as Broken Social Scene, Feist, Gracie Abrams and others).

Patty Griffin

Two-time GRAMMY® Award-winning artists Patty Griffin and Rickie Lee Jones performed on October 23 at Carnegie Music Hall, while Carnegie of Homestead Music Hall welcomed Neko Case October 24 and will welcome Josh Ritter and the Royal City Band November 12. Then looking ahead to early 2026, the Carnegie Lecture Hall hosts “Sound Series: An Evening with Valerie June,” to show off an unique talent who brings magnetic energy to the stage while blending elements of folk, soul, blues and Appalachian traditional sensibilities.

Other venues piquing our interest this season range from Pittsburgh Winery welcoming Fantastic Cat on November 14, newly reopened Club Café (now with daytime coffeehouse hours, too) spotlighting Ontario indie folk band Great Lake Swimmers the evening of November 18, Crafthouse Stage & Grill (Pacific Northwest crooner Noah Gundersen comes here November 18), Thunderbird Café & Music Hall (with five-piece, retro-inspired rock band The Heavy Heavy taking over December 4) and The Andy Warhol Museum (showcasing Billie Marten December 7).

Kennedy Caughell as Jersey and Maya Drake as Ali in the North American Tour of Hell's Kitchen, the hit Broadway musical from Alicia Keys.
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Marc J Franklin

MORE CAPTIVATING STAGES AROUND TOWN

Michael Pink’s Dracula gets Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre audiences in the spirit during its run from October 31 through November 2 at Benedum Center. And fans of the PNC Broadway in Pittsburgh series won’t want to miss the Grammy and Tony Award-winning musical “Hell’s Kitchen” from 17-time Grammy Award winner Alicia Keys, when it comes through here from November 4 through 9. Keys’ new songs and greatest hits about growing up in New York have inspired a story made for Broadway, featuring a 17-year-old character who’s “full of fire.” The work’s described as a love story between a mother and a daughter, all set to the rhythm of the 90s. The result: a show about “finding yourself, your purpose and the community that lifts you.”

Broadway fans will also want to get Clue on their calendars (December 30 through January 4) and of course the much-anticipated run of Wicked, coming to Benedum Center January 14 through February 15.

Among Pittsburgh CLO’s upcoming productions, “The Rocky Horror Show” at Greer Cabaret Theater sticks around through November 8. Enjoy this “high-energy, time-warping night of music and mischief” as the legendary rock musical celebrates its 50th anniversary. The evenings of Thursday, October 23, Saturday, October 25, Saturday, November 1 and Saturday, November 8 welcome to the madness a special guest narrator — on-stage natural Boaz Frankel from KDKA.

And while looking ahead to holiday-time fun, December 2 through 21 at Greer Cabaret Theater means the return of “YIPPEE KI YAY” — the beloved parody celebration of “Die Hard.”

In yet more theatrical news, from October 30 through November 23, Quantum Theatre puts on its latest show “ENRON,” which gets described as more than just a play — also an “audacious” and timely take on a well-known scandal. This “high-octane odyssey through the glittering freefall of American capitalism” gets staged six stories above our city, in the retro-cool Oxford Centre, as spectators go on a wild ride that reveals what happens when greed, ambition and charisma collide.

Thanks to a 14-person cast and playwright Lucy Prebble, three-time Emmy Award-winner for wildly the popular series Succession, Pittsburghers get to enjoy this darkly funny production. As more temptation, the Quantum team adds, “Business sharks that we are, we’ve negotiated free parking in the building, and drinks at the Rivers Club for those with the secret handshake.”

COMEDY, FILMS + MAGIC, OH MY!

Celebrate the freedom of creative expression this month and beyond with enticing City of Asylum programming that ranges from translation and story slams to jazz nights.

For something totally different, magician and mentalist Asi Wind comes to The Oaks Theater in Oakmont on Thursday, November 6. After his sold-out run off-Broadway, Inner Circle, and a six-month-long run in London’s West End, Incredibly Human, Wind returns with a new show — More than Magic, and we can’t wait to see what tricks he has up his sleeve.

And if you ask us, there’s never been a better time to find some levity amongst community, and thankfully Pittsburgh’s comedy scene gives plenty of opportunities to do just that. Support local funny folks like Handsome Man Comedy’s presentation of New York-based comedian Gary Vider November 8 at Millvale Food & Energy Hub, with additional Handsome Man-hosted events lined up in January, too.

The 44th annual Three Rivers Film Festival returns November 12 through 23 as the region’s largest annual film fest — showcasing a lineup of independent features, shorts, panels, parties and special events.

And for young artists wanting to learn new skills themselves? The August Wilson African American Cultural Center hosts the Hip-Hop Art Camp, a vibrant two-part workshop taking place on October 25 and November 1.

Corinne W

Author

Corinne W

Freelance Writer & Editor

Corinne is happy to be back closer to home (D.C.) after 11 years in the glorious Pacific Northwest. Though she cherishes global adventures, she also lives for discovering local gems, from the best spots for coffee, conversation and soul-nourishing music, to water activities and trails on which to walk a loveable little husky. You can follow her on Instagram at @travelcorx

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