Must-Attend Events & Festivals: Strip District
An iconic Pittsburgh location, the Strip District comes alive year-round with must-attend events and festivals. Timing your visit to coincide with these signature events offers a chance to see the riverfront at its most energetic and vibrant.
Annual Events
KayaFest | May
KayaFest is a vibrant annual street festival hosted by Kaya Memorial Day weekend. The Caribbean-inspired kitchen outdoors, serving street-friendly versions of their menu like jerk chicken skewers, "Kaya dogs," and pulled pork sandwiches alongside tropical rum punch and local craft beers. The festival is free to attend and open to all ages, typically running from the afternoon until late at night.
Pittsburgh Mac and Cheese Festival | May
The Steel City’s cheesiest event, the Pittsburgh Mac and Cheese Festival features top chefs, food trucks, and food vendors all centered around, you guessed it, mac and cheese.
Barrel & Flow Fest | August
Named the best beer festival in the entire country in 2024 and 2023, Pittsburgh’s Barrel & Flow Fest celebrates, embraces and uplifts Black artists, musicians, chefs and brewers around the country.
Pittsburgh Taco Festival | September
This massive event typically takes over The Stacks at 3 Crossings. It features over 25 food trucks, live Latin music, an art market, and family activities.
Pittsburgh Monster Pumpkins Festival | October
This festival recently moved to the The Stacks at 3 Crossings. It features giant pumpkin sculptures, a "pumpkin regatta" on the river, and pie-eating contests.
Planning Tips
Park and Walk: The Strip District isn’t a massive neighborhood, so it’s easy to find a spot to park and then keep your car there all day as you walk around. Wherever you leave your car, it won’t be far from where you end up. For convenience, park in the lot at the Terminal, but if you have time to spare, you can try to find a free parking spot on one of the Strip District’s side streets.
Smart Parking: Avoid the stress of searching for an open garage by using these digital tools:
- ParkPGH: Provides real-time availability and space counts for all Cultural District and many public garages.
- Go Mobile PGH: The official app to pay for on-street metered parking and select authority lots directly from your phone.
