The Pittsburgh Cultural Arts Meetup Group

28th Annual Shadyside Arts Festival on Walnut Street August 23rd & 24th, 2025

Saturday 10am - 5pm & Sunday 10am - 5pm

Free Admission!

This is a great opportunity to spend a weekend afternoon in a relaxing atmosphere at one of our region's signature festivals. We'll walk around a bit while checking out booths featuring local artists and artists from around the country working in a wide range of different mediums, such as painting, sculpture, etc.

This is also a chance to visit various Shadyside boutiques, shops, and galleries mingled with national retailers in a neighborhood of tree-lined streets, historic homes, and distinctive restaurants.

There is also plenty of time to take breaks for coffee/tea, ice cream, cool drinks, and perhaps even lunch or dinner.

The Shadyside Arts Festival includes over 140 artists/activities along Walnut Street -- centered primarily between the intersections with S. Aiken and Ivy. What started out as a neighborhood street fair, is now regarded as one of the top shows in our region.

MEETUP Considerations

1. While this is a general posting for the 2 Day Festival, one gathering spot will be at Dr Tea (736 Bellefonte Street, upper level) at 12 PM sharp on Saturday, August 23. Once people initially gather and meet at Dr Tea, they can quickly decide to:
   A) relax a bit enjoying bubble tea, frozen treats, etc. at Dr Tea from 12-12:30 PM
   B) go downstairs for lunch at KuJiRa Sushi & Bar in the lower level of 736 Bellefonte Street (below Dr Tea) which has an extensive menu, including "all you can eat" sushi options that begin at $32.99 per person on the weekends.
   C) check out the 28th Annual Shadyside Arts Festival on Walnut Street, and decide on lunch plans later on as there are many other nearby restaurants, coffee shops, etc.
2. When people RSVP for a festival, this indicates some general interest for the entire festival although people could be arriving or leaving on Saturday morning, Saturday afternoon, Saturday night, Sunday morning, or Sunday afternoon.
3. At any given time during the Shadyside Arts Festival, there could be anywhere from 0-20 people from Meetup dispersed among many hundreds of arts enthusiasts, festival vendors/donors, Shadyside residents, general public, etc.
4. Because people have different schedules, they will naturally be arriving and leaving at different times throughout the festival.
5. Please be mindful that most people are simply happy enough to say hi to whoever they already know -- and happen to run into -- as they walk around the festival.
6. As always, it is fine if people prefer to check out the festival on their own with family/friends or in smaller groups.
7. It is not realistic to post comments asking where other people in the group are and expecting a timely response. Many people are there to enjoy the festival without feeling the need to constantly check their cell phones.
8. Please be mindful that whenever gathering times/locations are provided for Meetup events, there is always a tradeoff as to how long people that show up 'on time' should be expected to 'wait around' for others that may or may not show up at a given time.

Parking
While there is a Pittsburgh Parking Authority garage in Shadyside that charges fairly reasonable rates ($3-$12 depending on how long one stays), the garage may be busy and thus, people may try street parking since there are many side streets in Shadyside. But if you want to try swinging by the garage, it is located at 714 Bellefonte Street or call 412-683-9017.

There is also public transportation with stops within 2 blocks of the festival (64, 71B, 71D, 75) and 3-5 blocks of the festival (P1, 71A, 71C, 82, 86)

Stay tuned for updates!

A Fair in the Park which is presented by the Craftsmen’s Guild of Pittsburgh

This annual contemporary fine art and fine craft festival will take place during September 5-7 in the lush surroundings of Pittsburgh’s Mellon Park which is located in Shadyside on the edge of Squirrel Hill and Point Breeze at 6300 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15232.

An estimated 20,000 visitors will enjoy the opportunity to interact with over 100 regional and national artists working in a variety of mediums including clay, fiber, wood, jewelry, glass, metal, mixed media, and two-dimensional art.

The festival hours are:
Friday: 1pm-7pm
Saturday: 10am-7pm
Sunday: 10am-5pm

This festival is free and open to the public and will be held rain or shine.

MEETUP Considerations

With over 22 hours of activities/entertainment (during Friday/Saturday/Sunday), a large crowd is expected as people will naturally be arriving and leaving at different times depending on the weather and what else they have planned for the weekend.

At any given time, there could be anywhere from 0-10+ people from the Meetup group although they'll be dispersed among many hundreds of others (general public) that will also be attending. Thus, you'll generally find more people from the Meetup if you walk around as compared to staying in just a few spots.

If the weather forecast is looking pretty good, we'll try to arrange Meetup groups for various times during the weekend.

While some may spend only an hour or two at the festival, others will stay longer or may want to check out nearby places in Shadyside, Bakery Square, East Liberty, Point Breeze, Squirrel Hill, or Oakland.

As always, it is also fine if people prefer to check out the festival on their own with family/friends or in smaller groups.

Please be mindful that most people are simply happy enough to say hi to whoever they already know -- and happen to run into -- as they walk around the festival.

It is not realistic to post comments asking where other people in the group are and expecting a timely response. Many people are there to enjoy the festival without feeling the need to constantly check their cell phones.

Please be mindful that whenever gathering times/locations are provided for Meetup events, there is always a tradeoff as to how long people that show up 'on time' should be expected to 'wait around' for others that may or may not show up at a given time.

Stay tuned for updates!

Check out the free 15th Annual Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival (PIJF) during the afternoon and evening along Liberty Avenue near the August Wilson Center (980 Liberty Avenue).

It is recommended people bring portable chairs for the jazz festival. The jazz festival includes free outdoor concerts on Liberty Avenue as well as several ticketed indoor events. Once the jazz festival schedule is announced, we'll update the Meetup description with the performance times for each band.

While at the PIJF, people can also check out various downtown galleries. In addition, there are other options such as taking in a movie at Harris Theater, theatre performances in the Cultural District, etc.

Other updates may be provided later on -- such as where the group may be meeting to check out jazz festival, downtown galleries, etc.

Stay tuned for updates!

Parking Here is the ParkPGH website with real-time info on downtown parking garage availability where you can also download apps, get garage availability via text messaging, etc. You can also call 412-423-8980.

The free, informal Song Shops feature Pittsburgh Opera's Resident Artists. Beginning at 12:00 PM on selected Saturdays, these one-hour performances are free, fun, and open to everyone. Guests are encouraged to bring a friend and bring a lunch. FRIENDS of Pittsburgh Opera provide a reception after each Song Shop concert. Doors open at 11:30AM.

Attracting about 200 people each month, these free performances feature Pittsburgh Opera's Resident Artists for one-hour concerts to help showcase upcoming productions during Pittsburgh Opera's 2025-2026 season.

Free Family-Friendly Concert

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

This free performance takes place at Pittsburgh Opera Headquarters, 2425 Liberty Avenue in the Strip. It's free and open to everyone. However, to assist with logistics, please register in advance October Song Shop 2025

Doors open at 11:30 AM.

Please note that the Pittsburgh Opera garage is available only for handicapped parking, by reservation. Handicapped parking reservations must be made by 4 PM Friday, April 11.

For more information about Pittsburgh Opera

So whether you're curious or just looking to take a little break while shopping in the Strip, please consider stopping by Pittsburgh Opera to enjoy their resident artists as they sing classics to give guests a little taste of opera.

And if you're relatively new to Meetup, this is a nice event to meet people in a very relaxed, convenient setting. Because the concert ends at 1 PM, your Saturday afternoon will still be open. Depending on the RSVPs, weather, and interests of the group, some people may go out for an optional lunch or walk around the Strip District.

Options for Spending Time After the Concert

1. Lunch within a few blocks from the Pittsburgh Opera location.
2. Heinz History Center & Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum (1212 Smallman Street)

Parking There are several websites with recommendations for parking in the Strip District, such as Strip District Neighbors | Pittsburgh Pennsylvania | Directions & Parking

The Strip District is readily accessible with PRT Buses 54, 86, 87, 88, and 91 which have stops near the corner of 25th and Liberty which is directly across from the Pittsburgh Opera location.