Pittsburgh Named World Festival & Event City by International Festivals & Events Association for Second Consecutive Year

(PITTSBURGH, PA) – The City of Pittsburgh and VisitPITTSBURGH today announced that Pittsburgh has once again been designated a World Festival & Event City by the International Festivals & Events Association (IFEA), the premier association supporting and enabling festival and event professionals worldwide.

This marks the second consecutive year Pittsburgh has received the prestigious designation—awarded to only a select number of destinations around the globe—underscoring the city’s continued leadership and excellence as a hub for world-class festivals and events.

The award was presented to the City of Pittsburgh’s Film & Events Manager, Brian Katze, during the IFEA 70th Anniversary Convention & Expo. The City of Pittsburgh was one of five municipalities in the United States to receive the designation in 2025.

“Pittsburgh’s spirit shines brightest when we come together to celebrate—whether it’s through music, art, food, or community traditions," said Mayor Ed Gainey. "This global recognition reflects the passion of our residents, the talent of our event organizers, and the vibrancy that defines our city. We’re proud to once again be named a World Festival & Event City, and we look forward to continuing to welcome the world to Pittsburgh.”

Cities are evaluated by an international panel of experts based on a rigorous set of criteria, including commitment to supporting events, economic impact, and the role of festivals in enhancing quality of life. Pittsburgh’s winning application showcased a year-round roster of iconic events—from the Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival and Picklesburgh to the Pittsburgh Marathon and the Three Rivers Arts Festival—that continue to draw visitors from near and far.

“To be recognized once was an honor—to continue to earn this recognition is a true testament to the collaboration, creativity, and dedication of our city’s event organizers and community partners,” said VisitPITTSBURGH President & CEO Jerad Bachar. “Pittsburgh is a place where world-class festivals flourish, and this award reinforces that our city belongs on the global stage.”

As the city’s event industry has grown rapidly, the Office of Film & Event Management serves as the official permitting and consulting authority for all film and event projects within the City of Pittsburgh. The Office values the strong collaboration among all stakeholders that has helped secure this prestigious title.

Additionally, this designation supports VisitPITTSBURGH’s 10-Year Tourism Development Plan, which aims to enhance Pittsburgh’s capacity to host large-scale festivals and establish a county-wide strategy to promote events that reflect the city’s unique brand and cultural diversity.

Pittsburgh is proud to join the distinguished roster of 2025 IFEA World Festival & Event City Award recipients, alongside cities such as Dublin, Ireland; Rotterdam, the Netherlands; and Kailua Village, Hawaii. A full list of this year’s award recipients can be found here.

For more information on Pittsburgh’s festivals and events, visit VisitPITTSBURGH.com.

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About the City of Pittsburgh, Office of Film & Event Management
The City of Pittsburgh's Office of Film & Event Management is responsible for consulting with both film and event permit applicants to ensure that industry standards, safety regulations, and city policies are followed and met. OFEM also works with all City departments to ensure the proper planning, coordination, and execution of all permitted events and film projects, as well as assists in the safe and effective planning of large-scale city-wide events. Additionally, OFEM ensures that events and film productions do not negatively impact the City’s operations and remain positive assets to the city and its residents.

About VisitPITTSBURGH
VisitPITTSBURGH is the official tourism marketing and promotion agency of the Pittsburgh region. The organization is dedicated to generating business events, sports events, and leisure travel for Allegheny County.