2026 NFL Draft: Picksburgh Music Crawl

Is there a better way to familiarize yourself with a city than getting in on its local music scene?

Pittsburgh is brimming with bands looking to immerse you in our way of life, which is why the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership is hosting the Picksburgh Music Crawl on April 22, the day before the 2026 NFL Draft forges the future of football in our backyard. Prepare yourself for a journey across a dozen local businesses, several types of acts, and just a handful of Pittsburgh's best neighborhoods.

Start the Music Crawl in Market Square, where a lineup of performers will preview the ribbon cutting for the new and improved space.

Live music will be at the following times:

DJ Arie Cole - 4:45-5 p.m.
NASH-V.ILL - 5–5:45 p.m.
Big Jus & Steeltown Horns – 6-6:50 p.m.
DJ Arie Cole - 6:50-7 p.m.

What to expect at each stop on the Crawl

August Wilson African American Cultural Center

Where: 980 Liberty Avenue (Downtown)
Time: 5:30 - 8:00pm
Price: $13
Genre: R&B/Funk/Jazz

Howie Alexander’s FunkTet is a jazz group with a funky groove that will have you dancing, jamming, and rocking with the band. Former artist-in residence at the August Wilson Center, Howie Alexander has been a leader on the Pittsburgh jazz scene for decades, and brings his funk, jazz, gospel, and blues roots to the bandstand with his all-star bandmates. Check in to the August Wilson Center for a groove you don’t want to miss in the Davenport Lobby. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. All ages are welcome.

Heinz Hall

Where: 600 Penn Avenue (Downtown)
Time: Heinz Hall Open House (6pm-8pm), Heinz Hall Garden (4pm-9pm)
Price: Free
Genre: Classical

Heinz Hall Garden will be open to the public for a free show from 4-9pm. From 4-6pm, Walter Ino will be performing, and Zig Daniels will perform from 7-9pm. During the show, the public is also invited to tour Heinz Hall. The Open House portion will involve clips of the PSO and the opportunity to see Heinz Hall from the vantage point of the artists by standing on the Stage.

Con Alma

Where: 613 Penn Avenue (Downtown)
Time: 7 - 10pm
Price: $5 Music Charge added to bill (bar seating); $10 Music Charge added to bill (dining area)
Genre: Jazz (International)

Roger Humphries and RH Factor headline Con Alma's pre-Draft entertainment. Inspired by the rich heritage of jazz in Pittsburgh, Con Alma, which means “with soul,” seeks to return jazz to its rightful place at the forefront of the local music scene while providing patrons with some of the best food and drinks the city has to offer.

The Original Pittsburgh Winery

Where: 2809 Penn Avenue (Strip District)
Time: 5 - 7:30pm
Price: Free
Genre: Covers Pop/Rock

Jimbo Jackson and Jason Caliguri will be in the Tasting Room at The Original Pittsburgh Winery from 5:00 to 7:30pm for a FREE SHOW. Jimbo singer/songwriter was the longtime frontman and founder of Pittsburgh’s award-winning band “Jimbo and the Soupbones”. Jimbo has a larger-than-life, soulful voice and his charm is infectious.Jimbo crosses musical genres without apology, resulting in a fresh, yet familiar blend of funk, rock, soul and blues that excludes no listener. He offers both original music and soulful, stripped-down covers of the songs that you forgot you loved as well as current classics. The show features this multi-instrumentalist and his looping system. If you’re lucky, you’ll catch him (or bok him!) with his longtime musical brother and guitarist Jason Caliguri. Jason is an accomplished and award-winning guitarist with touch, feel, tone and energy to match anything that the performance needs. His technical mastery of the instrument is evident, and his quick-witted comebacks serve as the perfect complement to Jimbo’s, sometimes off-script nature.

Club Cafe

Where: 58-56 S 12th Street (South Side)
Time: 7pm (doors), 8pm (show)
Price: $15
Genre: Reggae

Drawing from over six decades of Jamaican music, Ras Prophet's repertoire includes pre-Reggae Rock Steady and Ska, Roots, Lovers Rock, Songs for the Revolution, Tribute to the King Bob Marley, Tribute to Beres Hammond, the Classics, and Modern Popular Hits. This event is 21+. Click here for tickets.

Howl at the Moon

Where: 125 7th Street (Downtown)
Time: 6pm (doors), 7pm (show)
Price: $5 Cover
Genre: Pop

With a set list created by today’s hits, party classics and song requests from the audience, Howl helps people sing louder, dance happier and laugh bigger. Our versatile and talented musicians rotate instruments and take turns singing throughout the night creating a nonstop, high-energy show! Our in-house musicians take the stage from the moment our doors open until last call. There are no breaks and no intermissions; therefore guests are welcome to come and go as they please. Our musicians rotate instruments and take turns singing throughout the night which allows music to continue nonstop. Howl at the Moon is a live music destination for travelers and locals alike, bringing a unique nightlife experience of singing and dancing!

The Government Center

Where: 715 East Street (North Side)
Time: 7pm
Price: $10
Genre: Indie/Punk

The Government Center loves discovering new and old music in organic ways, like getting recommendations from people who are excited about something they love, or buying a record they’ve never heard of just because the cover art blew their minds. Their pre-Draft entertainment lineup showcases their eclectic style, with performances from Wretched Fixation (Black Metal), Uzkost (Black Metal/Hardcore), Mires (PGH Doom), and Imipolex (Cosmic Horror Death Metal).

Elk's Club

Where: 400 Cedar Avenue (North Side)
Time: 7:15pm (doors), 8pm (show)
Price: Free
Genre: Banjo Night

Allegheny Elks Lodge #339 in Pittsburgh's North Side hosts Banjo Night every Wednesday night, and Draft Eve is no exception. There's no cover charge, but the venue is cash only for food and drinks. Call 412-321-1834 for reservations.

Thunderbird Cafe

Where: 4053 Butler Street (Lawrenceville)
Time: 7pm (doors), 8pm (show)
Price: $20.17
Genre: Grateful Dead tribute

theCAUSE is a band consisting of 5 Pittsburgh musicians who have all been around the proverbial block. Playing tunes from Grateful Dead, Phish, The Beatles, Bob Dylan and MORE, including some very tasty originals, theCAUSE packs a punch while still paying close attention to the delicate touch. This event is 18+. Click here for tickets.

Enclave

Where: 1602 E Carson Street (South Side)
Time: 10:30pm - 2:00am
Genre: EDM/LIVE DJ

Featuring DJ Brenn (Hip-Hop, EDM, Party Favorites), Pittsburgh's largest dance floor, with VIP sections available, is celebrating Draft Eve in the South Side! Click here for tickets.

White Rabbit

Where: 1 Oxford Center (Downtown)
Time: 7pm (doors), 8pm (show)
Price: Free
Genre: Party Vibe

Kick off the excitement of the NFL Draft at One Oxford Centre! On April 22nd, Pittsburgh’s soon-to-be hottest music venue, White Rabbit, teams up with Mr. Smalls for an unforgettable FREE concert experience. Enjoy electrifying performances from Picksburgh’s top music artists with an indoor + outdoor venue vibe. There will be plenty of bites and brews available for purchase to keep the energy going – provided by the new and improved Oxford Market and One Social Bar. This is where music, football fever, and great company sync up —don’t miss your chance to be part of it!

The event will be taking place on the front outside lower courtyard directly in front of our bar One Social. This can be accessed directly off Grant Street via the outside staircase leading to the lower courtyard.

Spirit Hall

Where: 242 51st Street (Lawrenceville)
Time: 7pm (doors), 8pm (show)
Price: $35.25
Genre: Death Metal

Spirit is a three-level, 15,000-square-foot music venue, event space, rooftop garden bar, and restaurant located in the Lawrenceville neighborhood of Pittsburgh, PA. Our menu features pizzas, salads, and sides, including many vegan and vegetarian options, alongside a range of local beers, dynamic wines, and cocktails. Lineup for the Music Crawl include Fit For An Autopsy, Victims of Contagion, and Underneath.

Park House

Where: 403 E Ohio Street (North Side)
Time: 8-11pm
Price: Free

On April 22, Park House is featuring a solo performance by Brad Wagner. The Park House is a short walk from Acrisure Stadium on the Northside. It is one of Pittsburgh’s original public houses and is believed to have the oldest active liquor license in the state. The Park House features live music from Pittsburgh’s vibrant community of musicians, and offers an eclectic mix of vintage soul, blues, Americana, and rock.