NOTE: Due to COVID-19, many of these festivals in Pittsburgh have been postponed, modified or cancelled. Be sure to visit their websites before attending. The information below is relevant for year-to-year operations, which may have been disrupted once again in 2021.
Here you will find a comprehensive guide to heritage festivals in Pittsburgh and the surrounding area, organized by approximate month of year. The festivals listed here are annual events and tend to occur at the same time every year. Check their individual websites for exact dates. Check back often, as more festivals are being added continuously – the list is growing!
Festivals in Pittsburgh – January
Somerset Fire and Ice Festival
Each mid-January, the City of Somerset, PA hosts this winter celebration. There is food, music, wine tasting and carriage rides along with themed contests. The Ice Sculpting competition takes center stage, with over 50 ice sculptures! Bring the kids for several activities including an ice slide and a scavenger hunt. Admission is free, but a pin can be purchased for admission to other events around town.
109 West Main Street
Somerset, PA 15501
https://www.somersetinc.org/fireandice/
Seven Springs Winterfest
Winterfest is one of the resort’s main cold season weekends of the year, typically in late January. This weekend-long event features snow activities off & on the slopes, family fun and live entertainment. Popular past events include the Torchlight Parade, Celebrity Olympics and Great Media Race. The event is sponsored yearly by WTAE and featured on live, televised segments throughout the weekend.
777 Water Wheel Drive
Champion, PA 15622
https://www.7springs.com/events/winterfest/
Boyce Park Snowfest
Stop out to Boyce Park, located in eastern Allegheny County, for Snowfest! This event typically takes place in the later half of January on a Friday night and Saturday. It is mostly free with indoor and outdoor games, in addition to all-day lift tickets available for purchase and snow tubing. Other features in the past have been a min-Junior Olympics and a Cardboard Box Snow Tubing Derby. Demonstrations, face-painting and all-around family fun!
901 Centerview Drive
Plum, PA 15239
https://alleghenycounty.us/special-events/boyce-park-snowfest.aspx
Butler County Winefest
The Butler County Winefest takes place each year in late January / early February at the Butler Days Inn. There typically are nearly a dozen wineries on hand, as well as high end vendors & refreshments.
Ohiopyle Winterfest
Each year during late January / early February, Ohiopyle State Park hosts its annual Winterfest. It takes place at the Sugarloaf Sledding Area of the park. Along with the sledding, in years past you could try out cross country skis or snowshoes, or take a ride in a horse-drawn sleigh.
Festivals in Pittsburgh – February
Groundhog’s Day Celebration
This event has been taking place on the morning of February 2 each year since 1887 on Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney, PA. This celebration attractions national and international attention each year and is arguably the definitive Groundhog’s Day event. Come see if groundhog Punxsutawney Phil will see his shadow, meaning 6 more weeks of winter! This tradition is based on German folklore which was common in Pennsylvania centuries ago, and in turn is based on the Christian celebration of Candlemas, when Christians brought candles to the church for blessing, which in turn would bless their homes for the remainder of the winter. Legend had it that a cloudy Candlemas meant an early spring.
For the record, the groundhog has seen his shadow about 80% of the time over the years, indicating longer winters. However, he has only been accurate about 40% of the time.
Gobbler’s Knob
1548 Woodland Ave Ext
Punxsutawney, PA 15767
https://www.groundhog.org/
Beaver County Snow Shovel Riding Championship
The Snow Shovel Riding Championship has been a unique Beaver County fixture for over half a century, held on a 160-ft. slope at Old Economy Park. It typically took place on the second Saturday in January every year, although they are going to shift it to February in 2021. If there is not enough snow for the event, it is postponed and then possibly cancelled if need be. The event is free, and fun for participants and fans alike. Trophies are typically awarded to those placing first or second in their respective age divisions.
Economy Park
5 Forcey Dr, Baden, PA 15005
https://www.facebook.com/beavercountyicearena
Festivals in Pittsburgh – March
Wheeling Celtic Celebration
Each year around the first Saturday in March, the Wheeling Artisan Center hosts their Celtic Celebration in Downtown Wheeling. Gear up for St. Patrick’s Day at the Celtic marketplace, sample Celtic foods and enjoy live entertainment all day long from various Irish performers. Several Pittsburgh-area Irish dance schools typically perform throughout the day as well.
Wheeling Artisan Center
1400 Main Street
Wheeling, WV 26003
https://wheelingcvb.com/events/
Pittsburgh St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Taking place on the Saturday morning before St. Patrick’s Day, this annual event has become one of the largest in the region, with as many as 350,000 spectators lining the route. It is the second largest St. Patrick’s Day Parade in the United States, with a duration of 3.5 hours! The parade route includes Grant Street and the Blvd. of the Allies, ending at Stanwix Street. Irish heritage organizations, marching bands, musicians and dancers take part annually – with approximately 23,000 participants in all.
Blvd. of the Allies and Grant Streets
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
https://pittsburghstpatricksdayparade.com/
Pennsylvania Maple Festival
Celebrate the arrival of spring in Meyersdale at the annual PA Maple Festival! This event is typically held on the last two weekends of March, and has been a tradition for around three quarters of a century. Don’t miss the Tree Tapping Ceremony and see how maple syrup is produced – and of course sample the maple products. Meyersdale offers many events and attractions around town, including a horse pulling contest, Kids Corner, Maple Race and a parade. Artisans, entertainment and living history is also featured, along with several shows and demonstrations.
120 Meyers Avenue
Meyersdale, PA 15552
https://pamaplefestival.com
Pittsburgh Home & Garden Show
Although not exactly a heritage festival, as one of the largest trade shows in Pittsburgh, the Home & Garden show has become a tradition in of itself. Typically held in March, the show has been pushed back to mid-April for 2021. Held at the Pittsburgh Convention Center, the show offers ten acres of everything that you could possibly want or need for your home. There are also several stages and specialized areas, such as an Antique Home Show, Farm to Table and Garden stage, along with a kids activity area.
David L. Lawrence Convention Center
1000 Fort Duquesne Blvd.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
https://pghhome.com
Festivals in Pittsburgh – April
Beaver County Maple Syrup Festival
Celebrate spring in Brady’s Run Park at the annual pancake breakfast, held at the Lodge. Craft booths, entertainers and children’s activities are on site, along with Civil War reenactors and an encampment. Of course, plenty of PA maple syrup will be for sale! This event typically takes place the first weekend in April.
Brady’s Run Park
526 Brady’s Run Road
Beaver Falls, PA 15010
https://www.beavercountyconservationdistrict.org/maple-syrup-fastival
Festivals in Pittsburgh – May
Waynesburg Sheep & Fiber Festival
This is unique heritage festival, celebrating the local lamb and wool industry each May. The festival features sheep shearing, wool spinning and dog shepherding as well as dozens of sheep breeds at the pavilion. There is a “Fleece to Shawl” competition and a Fiber Arts Contest – even cooking demonstrations on how to best prepare lamb!
Greene County Fairgrounds
107 Fairgrounds Road
Waynesburg, PA 15370
https://waynesburgpa.org/waynesburg-sheep-fiber-festival/
National Road Festival
The National Road was the first federally funded highway in the United States, today known as historic Route 40. Each May the heritage of the road and its communities is celebrated along a 90-mile stretch in Somerset, Fayette and Washington counties. There are multiple events that take place all weekend along the route. Travel the road and make stops in the quaint towns along the way. Enjoy antiques, arts and crafts, reenactments and other historic events. Tollhouses and museums will be open with festival-themed activities. The festival features the tradition of a wagon train that slowly rolls along the road all weekend, making stops in Claysville, Scenery Hill, Uniontown and Addison, to name a few!
US Route 40
http://nationalroadpa.org/
Festivals in Pittsburgh – June
Mammoth Fest
Each year in early June, Mammoth Park is the home to this family-friendly event. Over 40 vendors featuring arts and crafts are typically on hand, along with food, entertainment and music on the Lakeside Stage. Other attractions include a petting zoo, carnival rides, bounce house and horse-drawn trolley rides. Admission is free, but an all-day activity pass is available for a minimal fee.
Mammoth Park
171 County Park Road
Mt. Pleasant, PA 15666
https://www.co.westmoreland.pa.us/759/Mammoth-Fest
Three Rivers Arts Festival
For over 60 years, the Three Rivers Arts Festival has been one of the largest and most recognizable festivals in Pittsburgh. Situated at Point State Park and the adjacent Gateway Center in Downtown Pittsburgh, this annual festival features over 300 fine arts vendors. Some activities overflow into the Cultural District as well. The event takes place in early to mid-June each year over a 10-day period.
In addition to the fine arts, the festival features an entire array of food options, and multiple stages for entertainment. There is a full schedule of events posted for each day, with something for everyone of all ages.
Gateway Center / Point State Park / Strip District
3 Gateway Center
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
https://traf.trustarts.org/
National Road Chainsaw Carving Festival
Watch as chainsaw artisans demonstrate their craft! This festival takes place typically in June for three days, Thursday through Saturday. Hundreds of works will be offered for sale. Vendor booths, a parade, a DJ, and fireworks are part of the celebration. Proceeds benefit the Somerset County Blind Center.
Addison Community Park
108 Fike Lane
Addison, PA 15411
https://carvingfest.confluencelions.org
Laurel Highlands Bluegrass Festival
For over 20 years over the 3rd weekend of June, this 5-day festival has celebrated bluegrass with crafts, food and music workshops, and featured national, regional and local bluegrass performers. There is a modest charge for the weekend (Friday – Saturday), but the other days are free. Camping is available, as well as a breakfast buffet on Saturday. The site is located 5 miles north of Ligonier.
Route 271
Waterford, PA
https://laurelhighlandsbluegrass.com/
Western PA Juneteenth Celebration
This event commemorates the abolition of slavery in the United States. On June 19, 1865 the Emancipation Proclamation reached the state of Texas… Therefore Juneteenth is recognized every June 19th, but this festival takes place over 4 days at the end of June (Thursday – Sunday). It is a series of related events, including a Gospel Show, Jubilee Parade and Black Music Festival. There will also be live entertainment, speakers, vendors and kids activities. The Juneteenth Celebration has taken place in Pittsburgh every year since 2013.
Point State Park
601 Commonwealth Place
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
https://www.facebook.com/WPAJuneteenth/
PA Ciderfest
This is billed as “PA’s premier cider tasting event” with over 30 cider makers, an artisan market and food trucks. Tickets can be purchased at a discount online, or at the door. Note that there are no children’s activities since the event is for adults only (21+).
410 Cashtown Road
Biglerville, PA 17307
https://www.paciderfest.com/
Festivals in Pittsburgh – September
Penn’s Colony
Penn’s Colony is a fall festival with a French & Indian War theme. Soldier and Native American reenactors are featured alongside the nearly 200 artisans in a wooded setting. Along with the arts and crafts, come to enjoy food, games, demonstrations and live entertainment. Penn’s Colony is held annually in mid to late September for 2 weekends.
365 Saxonburg Blvd.
Saxonburg, PA 16056
http://www.pennscolony.com
Washington & Greene Counties Covered Bridge Festival
For decades, the counties of Washington & Greene have celebrated their covered bridges on the third weekend of September. This fall festival is really a combination of 10 smaller events – activities are planned at 8 Washington County bridge sites and 2 Greene County ones.
558 Mingo Creek Road
Finleyville, PA 15332
http://www.visitwashingtoncountypa.com/downloads/CBF-PDF-2.pdf
Mountain Craft Days
Enjoy a weekend in the laurel highlands focused on historic crafts and tradesmanship. Mountain Craft Days is hosted at the Somerset Historical Center, featuring over 100 artisans, with demonstrations and entertainment throughout the wooded setting. The festival is held annually, typically in mid-September.
10649 Somerset Pike
Somerset, PA 15501
http://www.somersethistoricalcenter.org/mountain_days.html
Ligonier Highland Games
Each year in September, Idlewild Park is host to a gathering of Scottish Clans – and it’s game on with traditional events such as the hammer throw, and many more! Scottish history, dancing and entertainment are featured, as well as shopping for all things Celtic.
2574 US-30
Ligonier, PA 15658
www.ligonierhighlandgames.org/
Pittsburgh Irish Festival
The weekend after Labor Day at Sandcastle’s River Plex means that it is time for the Irish Festival! This 3-day event features Celtic bands and Irish stepdancing, as well as food, Celtic wares and kids’ games. There is even a dog area featuring Irish breeds!
1000 Sandcastle Drive
West Homestead, PA 15120
http://www.pghirishfest.org
Festivals in Pittsburgh – October
Haunted Attractions & Haunted Houses
Although many of these begin their season in September, October is the heart of the haunted house season in southwestern Pennsylvania. Be sure to take part in the spooky fun that has become tradition over the past three decades (or more)! There is something for everyone, from mildly creepy and kid-friendly to outright horrifying… Check out our guide below for the latest and most complete information – it is updated each year, with frequent tweaks in the fall.
Fort Ligonier Days
In honor of the Battle of Fort Ligonier in 1758, the fort grounds host a frontier festival that keeps history alive. The battle itself is reenacted throughout the weekend! Crafts, food, wine tasting and entertainment are also part of the festivities. The celebration has expanded to include a 5K and Parade as well. The festival is held one weekend each year in mid-October, as it has been for over half a century.
200 S. Market Street
Ligonier, PA 15658
http://www.ligonier.com/fortligonierdays.php
Springs Folk Festival
An early October tradition in southern Somerset County for over 50 years, the Springs Folk Festival celebrates “the arts, skills and labors” of the frontier people. Historical artifacts and handcrafted items are on display and for sale. This fall festival is truly out of the way and keeps to its theme very closely in all areas, including music, foods and history!
1711 Springs Road
Springs, PA 15562
http://www.springspa.org/folk-festival.php
