It may feel like we just rung in 2018 yesterday, but we’re already halfway through February, and food festival season is well underway!To help you plan ahead for 2018, we’ve listed our favorite annual food festivals that happen every year all over the ‘burgh.
Be sure to bookmark this page for reference for rest of the year. We’ll keep updating when we find more events to add! If you organize one of these events, and would like us to update the information, please email: [email protected]
FEBRUARY
Pittsburgh Winter Beerfest
February 23-24
One of Pittsburgh’s favorite beer fests is back at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. Over two days, guests can sample more than 400 different craft beers from breweries across the country. Tickets range from $45 – $90 per person, and there are a number of sessions to choose from. See more online.
MARCH
Threadbare Cider’s Maple Festival
March 10
Sample and purchase local maple syrups, watch a maple sugaring demonstration, shop for maple candies, purchase maple goods, and enjoy kids activities, maple cocktails, at Threadbare Cider’s Maple Festival!
Food Truck-a-Palooza
March 10
Food Truck-a-Palooza is back and even bigger than before. Over 30 food trucks will be the Waterfront, in addtion to live music, and friendly competition – one truck will be crowned the “People’s Choice Winner.” Tickets can be purchased online.
Pittsburgh Food Bank’s Empty Bowls 2018
March 18
The annual Empty Bowls event will take place on March 18th at Rodef Shalom. Tickets to the event include a handmade bowl, and soup from some of the best restaurants in Pittsburgh. Proceeds from the event benefit Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank and Just Harvest. More information can be found online.
APRIL
Annual Beaver County Maple Syrup Festival
April 7-8
Beaver County hosts a Maple Syrup Festival with a massive, all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast. There will be two stages of entertainment, mountain men encampments, handmade crafts, pony-rides, stoneground flour and more. The festival is free, and the breakfast is $9 adults and $5 children (12 and under). See more information on the event page.
Pittsburgh Craft Beer Week
April 20-29
According to their website, Pittsburgh Craft Beer Week highlights the Pittsburgh region’s craft beer culture, expanding the reach of craft beer through education, collaboration, cooperation and responsible libation.
MAY
Pittsburgh Wine Festival
May 5
For the 16th year in a row, the Pittsburgh Wine Festival is bringing a collection of wines from around the world to Heinz Field. There will be food, drinks, tons of fellow wine enthusiasts, and over 530 expertly selected wines. Tickets can be purchased online.
PGH Taco Festival
Now in its second year, the Pittsburgh Taco Festival promises to bring together some of Pittsburgh’s best tacos in one place. Tickets are $15 per person, and the event will be held at Highmark Stadium. For more information, or to purchase tickets, visit the event page.
Kayafest
May 27
Every year, everyone’s favorite island restaurant in the Strip, Kaya, hosts a start-of-summer block party. Kaya promises that Smallman Street will be erupting with music, Caribbean inspired food and great vibes. The party lasts 11 hours and is free and open to all ages.
JUNE
The 2018 Beers of the Burgh Festival
June 2
Celebrate local beers at the 4th Annual Beers of the Burgh Festival at the Carrie Furnace! Over 40 of the area’s best breweries will be in attendance, serving ales, ciders and more, all unique to the Three Rivers regional area. Tickets can be purchased online.
Smicksburg Strawberry Saturday
June 9
The town of Smicksburg, PA (located an hour outside of Pittsburgh), hosts a massive strawberry festival every year. Smicksburg, an Amish town, is known for their homemade goods – from pottery, to quilts and wooden furniture. The festival is a great opportunity to visit the town and its shops. In honor of the festival, Smicksburg will be serving strawberry wine, strawberry jam, strawberry ice-cream, and will be selling berry bowls and serving plates. More information can be found online.
Little Italy Days in Bloomfield
August 16 – 19
Four days, three stages, and over 30 acts! The dates for the 2018 Little Italy Days have already been announced. Stop through for activities like celebrity bocce, Miss Little Italy pageant, Italian Idol singing competition, and much more. Tons of Italian food and drink will be available for purchase during the event. Now a Pittsburgh tradition, Bloomfield’s Little Italy Days started in 2002 as a way to celebrate Bloomfield’s Italian heritage, and create a destination for Italian-themed entertainment and food in Pittsburgh. Little Italy Days
Corks & Kegs in Washington County
August 25-26
Get ready for two days of beer, wine, spirits, and food at the Meadows Racetrack for Washington County’s premiere craft beer festival.The dates for the 2018 Corks & Kegs festival have already been announced. Over sixteen breweries, six wineries, and two spirit companies will be at this event. Multiple food trucks will also be in attendance, as well as tons of regional vendors. Admission to this event is free. Corks & Kegs
Mountaineer Brewfest
August 19
Celebrate West Virginia’s finest craft and microbrews at the fourth annual Mountaineer Brewfest in Wheeling, West Virginia. General admission tickets include ten beer samples, and VIP tickets include a special beer and food pairing. The event will also feature a “Beer Garden” with live entertainment, and beer and food for purchase. Follow the festival on Facebook for updates.
Pittsburgh Renaissance Festival
Weekends August 18 – September 23
Here ye, here ye! A true sign of the arrival of Fall in Western PA is the return of the annual Pittsburgh Renaissance Festival. Stop through for Renaissance themed games and shows (jousting, archery, fire breathing, fortune telling, ect.) There will also be a lot of classic Renaissance festival food and drink (giant drumsticks and beer). Tickets can be purchased online.
SEPTEMBER
Steel City Big Pour
September 15
Drink local beer at one of Pittsburgh’s biggest craft beer festivals! The date for the 2018 Steel City Big Pour has already been announced. Tickets includes samples from all food and drink vendors. Hosted by Construction Junction, the proceeds from the event support material reuse. There will also be live music and art. Steel City Big Pour
Brews in the Park at Kennywood
September 22
Enjoying a beer at Kennywood Park? Sounds like a pretty good time. Listen to live music and sample dozens of different craft beers for Brews in the Park. More than 100 different beers are available for sampling, with food trucks, live music and entertainment setting the scene. More information can be found online.
Butler Fall Festival
September 22
Main Street in Butler, PA, transforms for their annual fall festival. Attendees can expect food, crafts, two stages of live music, and a kids zone with a petting zoo, barrel train, face painting food vendors, and more. More information can be found online.
Pittsburgh Pierogi Festival
September 23
Kennywood is hosting the Pittsburgh Pierogi Festival – an event dedicated to one of Pittsburgh’s most popular foods, and a symbol of the city. Eat specialty pierogis from dozens of vendors, paint your own pierogi with Paint Monkey, and ride a select number of rides. 2017’s Pierogi Fest featured 40 vendors offered dozens of different pierogi styles, great music and entertainment, and the ability to ride some of Kennywood’s most popular attractions. A beer garden will be available for 21+ guests.
Soergel’s Fall Festival
Weekends September 23 – October 31
Soergel’s typically celebrates the season with six weekends of fall festivals! Each weekend will feature food from Sorgel’s BBQ and food bar (including roasted corn while supplies last), as well as desserts from their Sweet Saloon. There will also be hayrides, a pumpkin patch, kettle corn, pick your own apples, face painting, games, and so much more! For the 21+ crowd Boyd & Blair Potato Vodka, Arrowhead Wine Cellars, Arsenal Cider, and Aurochs Brewing Company have all been on site in the past. More information can be found on their Facebook page.
NOVEMBER
Wholey’s Hosting Oyster Fest
Weekends November 4 – 12
For two weekends in a row Wholey’s in the Strip District is hosts an Oyster Festival, featuring oysters, special sales, live entertainment, shucking demonstrations, and lots of oyster varieties, like Chesapeake Bay, Fat Baby, Connecticut Blue Points, James River and more. See more on their Facebook page.
Pierogi Fest at St. George Ukrainian Catholic Church
November 4
If you love homemade pierogies, get yourself to St. George Ukrainian Catholic Church in Woods Run for their annual Pierogi Fest. They’ll be featuring seven kinds of pierogies, like loaded potato, farmer’s cheese and sauerkraut, plus three kinds of soup and homemade baked goods. See the Facebook page for more information.
DECEMBER
Krampusnacht in Market Square
December 5
For the past few years, Pittsburgh has been celebrating Krampus Night in Market Square. Thi s ancient European holiday joins the merriment at the People’s Gas Holiday Market. Krampus will be joining St. Nicholas, and dispensing coal and the ruten bundles to bad children. Follow Krampus in Pittsburgh for updates on the 2018 edition of this celebration.
Did we forget your favorite festival? Don’t fret! Email us: [email protected]
Mairin says
Don’t forget about the Pittsburgh Irish Festival!
Lynne Jesko says
One of the best kept secrets is International Village in McKeesport. It week be August 14th, 15th, & 16th this year. Held at Renziehausen Park.
Leigh says
Picklesburgh will also be back in July! Dates tba soon!
Downtown CDC says
Also, check out Highmark’s Italian strEAT Festival Downtown on July 7th and 8th! Events include a meatball eating contest, bocce ball tournament, and personal pizza making. Come celebrate Italian-American culture!