September may be a time of transition, but summer’s far from over, so clear those calendars for some of the city’s signature events and festivals coming soon. The back-to-school season has become one of Pittsburgh’s biggest times for can’t-miss events, so naturally, we couldn’t stop at just 10 picks.
Many beloved Pittsburgh festivals are expanding and introducing new offerings, but there are also some new kids on the block you’ll want to know about, too.
For details on the Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival and more live music, don’t miss our Summer Concert Guide.
1. ReelAbilities at Point Park University’s Pittsburgh Playhouse: Sept. 4-11
It’s an exciting new era for Film Pittsburgh. Shanna Carrick has just been appointed as the organization’s new executive director, and the 13th annual ReelAbilities Film Festival is coming to the silver screen Downtown. The region’s only disability-focused film festival includes five feature films and 12 shorts. Celebrating contemporary independent cinema by and about people with disabilities, the festival fosters empathy and understanding with “stories that reflect the full spectrum of our shared human experience.”
Not to miss is opening night on Sept. 4 featuring the Pittsburgh premiere of David Fortune’s award-winning debut, “Color Book,” followed by a Q&A with the filmmaking team. In the “artistically crafted black-and-white story,” a single father and his 11-year-old son with Down syndrome navigate life together after an emotional family loss. Films are augmented by after-parties, virtual offerings and a presentation of the annual Richard Meritzer Award. An artist market in the Playhouse lobby will feature works by artists with intellectual and developmental disabilities from Creative Citizen Studios and Studio Forget-Me-Not. Schedule and tickets.
2. Pittsburgh Irish Festival at the Carrie Blast Furnaces: Sept. 5-7
Bringing the cultural riches of the Emerald Isle to the National Historic Landmark, the 34th annual Pittsburgh Irish Festival will overflow with many new experiences along the Mon. For the first time, festivalgoers can witness the traditional drum of Ireland as Bodhrán Blitz takes center stage demonstrating the power of this ancient instrument. Discover connections between Irish and West African Ghanaian music, help the Pittsburgh Steelers kick off their upcoming trip to Dublin and watch stone lifting competitions.
Start your Sunday with a hearty traditional Irish breakfast, then pop into the new Celtic Wellness Area to try a movement theory developed by the Celtic Druids. The festival lets you explore all 32 counties of Ireland without traveling 3,378 miles. Snuggle with adorable dogs native to Ireland, watch chefs demonstrate old-world recipes and sample decadent Guinness chocolate.
You never know what’s around every corner at this lively festival, from traditional Gaelic sports to the secrets of the Hedge School. Check out continuous entertainment in four performance areas, from high-octane bands and storytellers to dance workshops and bagpipers. Don’t miss the Cultural Beverage Tasting Area, Genealogy Pavilion, Leprechaun’s Landing Children’s Area and Irish Marketplace. Schedule and tickets.
3. A Fair in the Park in Mellon Park: Sept. 5-7
As the seasons begin to change, one of the region’s most esteemed art fairs will fill Mellon Park with fine art. Produced by The Craftsmen’s Guild of Pittsburgh, A Fair in the Park is celebrating its milestone 56th anniversary in Shadyside. Setting up shop adjacent to the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts in one of the city’s most idyllic parks, the event will feature work by 104 local, regional and national fine artists.
Spend the weekend discovering handcrafted items from a range of mediums, including glass, metal, ceramics, painting, fiber, wood, photography, leather, jewelry and more. Find artisans working on pieces throughout the park and watch demonstrations by Woodturners Anonymous. A scavenger hunt for kids will explore fun tree facts in the Mellon Park Arboretum, and the Fiber Arts Guild of Pittsburgh will offer hands-on activities. A gathering space for art lovers from across the city, the fair also features mobile kitchens and food trucks. Providing the weekend’s soundtrack will be Calliope House Pittsburgh musicians, local bands and DJ Zombo. Information and hours.
4. Original Pittsburgh Taco Festival at the Stacks at 3 Crossings: Sept. 6, 12:30-7 p.m.
How lucky is Pittsburgh to have not one but two taco festivals? Returning to the Strip District — but moving the handheld goodness over to the Stacks at 3 Crossings — the annual foodie fest pairs authentic taco recipes with Latin music and a community atmosphere. Now is an especially important time to support Pittsburgh’s Latin American and international food community, and this is a great place to do so.
For the first time, the festival will be produced by the Pittsburgh Hispanic Development Corp. Savor the specialties created by more than 25 local vendors — from La Palapa, Las Palmas, Tocayo and El Colibri, to Cilantro & Ajo, El Rincon Oaxaqueno, Taqueria el Pastorcito and many more. Beyond the plate, taco lovers will also be treated to salsa dancing lessons and live music by Hugo Cruz y Caminos, Mariachi, Tropicabana, Noel Quintana & the Latin Crew, and Guaracha. Founded in 2016 by Craig McCloud to support local food truck startups, the family-friendly festival also features artisan crafts, activities for kids, special raffle prizes and resources from community organizations. Tickets.
5. Clemente Bridge Fest on the Roberto Clemente Bridge: Sept. 13, 3-7 p.m.
Where better to celebrate baseball and humanitarian trailblazer Roberto Clemente than on the very bridge that holds his name and immortalizes his legacy? Atop one of the city’s Three Sisters bridges, fans will gather to pay homage to Clemente’s extraordinary life on and off the field. On the menu will be the perfect combo of pizza, ice cream, coffee, beer and wine. Savor dishes from DiAnoia’s and Dos Reyes, sip vino and beer from Engine House 25 Wines and Hitchhiker Brewing.
Heating up the festivities will be live music and dance lessons by Philadelphia-based Puerto Rican bomba and Plena Group, Los Bomberos de La Calle. A slew of family-friendly activities and lawn games will be offered, including live art making with Paints by Kait and the Chalking Dad. Have a great day paying homage to “The Great One” with interactive workshops, special guests and giveaways. Proceeds support the museum’s mission to preserve Clemente’s legacy for future generations and present educational programs centered on one of the largest existing collections of his photographs, artifacts and memorabilia. Tickets.
6. Pittsburgh County Fair at Allegheny Commons Park: Sept. 13, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Move over Big Butler Fair, it’s time to celebrate living off the land right here in the city. Explore a Garden of Decay, compete in the Farmers Market Olympics and join a bacteria scavenger hunt when this unique county-style fair in the city returns to the North Side.
Highlighting urban agriculture and all things homemade and handmade in the heart of the city, the fair features a packed lineup of unique hands-on experiences you can’t find elsewhere. New this year is the remote Urban Backyard Poultry Show presented by Chicks in the Hood, with winners receiving custom fair belt buckles. Learn the art of indigo dyeing, sorghum pressing and flax scutching and interact with materials in unexpected new ways at the Emotional Composting Station. Try your hand at competitions such as the grape stomp, kraut mash and oat milk chug. Watch chefs and farmers bring their A-game during the Apple Pie Bake-off and Best Tomato Contest featuring local celebrity judges. Attendees can even throw a baseball made in Western PA that was handspun and stitched together by volunteers from Ferment Pittsburgh flax. Entirely free, the all-ages event also includes a petting zoo, farm skill games, pony rides, sustainable art, live music and local food and beer. Information.
7. 412 Food Rescue’s Rooted at Rockwell Park: Sept. 13, 6-9 p.m.
Charitable cuisine will take root in Point Breeze when 412 Food Rescue celebrates one decade of significant impact. On the menu are 10 rock-star chefs, 10 unique dishes and 10 years of rescued food. Experience culinary creativity inspired by sustainable ingredients, rescued food and doing good.
Savor a thoughtful dinner crafted by a who’s who of beloved local chefs, from Jamilka Borges (Lilith); Cory Hughes (Fig & Ash), and Tomasz Skowronski and Kate Lasky (Apteka), to Jackie Schoedel (The Speckled Egg), George Austin (Butterjoint) and Danielle Cain (Hey Babe).
Diners will also be treated to cocktails and beer made showcasing rescued ingredients, while a VIP hour will feature Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra musicians. Since the nonprofit’s inception, 24,000 local volunteers have completed 226,000 rescues, recovering 36 million pounds of food (the equivalent of 30 million meals) and transporting it to food-insecure populations. This work has also mitigated 73 million pounds of CO2 emissions. Today, 412 Food Rescue is the country’s largest volunteer food rescue organization, and its Food Rescue Hero platform operates in 24 communities. Tickets.
8. Glow in the Park at Schenley Plaza: Sept. 19, 7-10 p.m.
Help shine a light on our city’s vital green spaces during this night under the stars hosted by the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy. Returning with a brighter glow and new surprises lighting up the night, this second annual gala activates one of Pittsburgh’s most iconic urban parks. Dance under the stars as the electrifying beats of DJ Digital Dave merge with the shimmering plaza lights. Enjoy outdoor party vibes, sip custom cocktails and mocktails, and nosh on a chef-curated menu of light bites. Sit for a tarot card reading, swing by the Sweet Treat Bar to satisfy late-night cravings and discover fresh, interactive experiences. Proceeds support the Conservancy’s mission to restore and maintain our city’s beloved green spaces while inspiring the next generation of park supporters. Tickets.
9. Pittsburgh Art Book Fair at Carnegie Museum of Art: Sept. 20-21, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
The Pittsburgh Art Book Fair is ready for its third chapter, which will bring even more vendors to Carnegie Museum of Art. Sharing a passion for printed matter, the one-of-a-kind local event connects Pittsburgh to international art book fair culture. Expanding its footprint, the two-day showcase will feature more than 80 local, national and international exhibitors — including artists on the mezzanine of the Hall of Sculpture for the first time. Also new this year will be programming featuring artists and publishers reading from their publications throughout the weekend in the museum’s Bruce Galleries.
It’s a one-stop shop for browsing and buying art books, along with a wide range of creative printed matter — from zines and photography to prints — that you can’t find elsewhere, plus a rare opportunity to meet the makers firsthand. This event also provides a welcoming space for attendees to talk with contemporary publishers, explore the many facets of the art form and engage with printed materials that are generally inexpensive and produced in multiples or editions. With an emphasis on accessibility, most publications at the fair cost between $10 and $30, and the event is free for all ages. Information.
10. Art on Fire Celebration & Auction at Pittsburgh Glass Center: Sept. 26, 6-11 p.m.
Pittsburgh’s hottest cultural gala will burn bright along the Penn Avenue Arts District in Garfield. If you’re been itching to start collecting handmade glass or add a new statement piece to your own home, office or studio — this is the place to do so. With more than 150 objects, it’s Pittsburgh’s one-and-only glass art auction. Featured works in the silent auction include original pieces by both internationally acclaimed and emerging artists. An exclusive curated collection of 22 items will be featured in the live auction, including this year’s signature work by Australian glass artist Nick Mount. In between bids, feel the heat of 2,100-degree performances featuring Pittsburgh’s top glass artists. Witness gravity-defying acrobatic feats by Iron City Circus Arts, check out live music and get a behind-the-scenes look at the center’s cutting-edge studios. Tickets.
11. BaconBurgh at SouthSide Works: Sept. 27, 12-7 p.m.
Every year, a new festival comes along to attach a new prefix onto the Burgh, which is fine with us, especially when it comes to cuisine (who wants to be called “Pitts” anyway, amirite?). SouthSide Works will sizzle when this first-of-its-kind festival brings the flavors of the frying pan to bacon lovers.
Mark Turic, founder of Beers of the Burgh Festival and TacoMania, is teaming up with food blogger Alex Goodstein (aka @AlexEatsTooMuch) — to celebrate Pittsburgh’s love for all things bacon. The bacon-infused festival also aims to highlight the region’s vibrant food, beverage and music scenes. The leaves and your taste buds are about to get a whole lot crisper this fall. Spotlighting more than 20 food trucks — including Pittsburgh Smokehouse, Notorious BLT, Wood Stoked BBQ, Pgh Burghers, and many more — with each vendor serving at least one exclusive bacon-inspired dish. Rounding out the festival’s beverage menu will be brews and bourbon. Live music from local bands Z Town Street Band, Sweaty Already String Band and NASH.V.ILL will keep the festival vibes bumping. Shop from local makers and artists in the I Made It Market Vendor Village and enjoy family activities for all ages provided by South Side Kids. Admission is free for attendees under age 21. Tickets.
12. The Great Race in Pittsburgh: Sept. 27-28
The last Sunday of September means the starting gun will kick off this world-class road race that’s been a cherished Pittsburgh running tradition for 48 years. As cooler temps arrive, 10,000-plus participants from 30 states and several countries will cross the finish line in Downtown Pittsburgh during the One Great Weekend race festivities — so lace up and join them! It’s also a milestone for the Dollar Bank Junior Great Race which marks its 30th anniversary introducing new generations to the joy of running via the Family Fun Run, Tot Trot and Diaper Dash on Saturday.
On Sunday, runners will tackle the 10K and 5K through the streets of Pittsburgh. If you’re feeling extra, compete in both and earn a bonus medal. This year, the post-race festivities will take place in Gateway Center with an awards ceremony and raffles. All participants receive a race shirt and finisher medal. Proceeds support the Richard S. Caliguiri Amyloidosis Fund. Register.
For more things to do in September, don’t miss our NEXT in the Gallery series and Weekend Event Guides.
