Pittsburgh’s Hidden History Exhibit & Three Rivers Arts Festival Day 3

In this event, the group will have a chance to check out Day 3 of the 66th annual Three Rivers Arts Festival as well as the fascinating new exhibition Pittsburgh’s Hidden History (on view through October 5, 2025 at the Heinz History Center) where visitors wander through a whimsical world of wonders featuring rarely and never-before-seen objects that tell stories from Pittsburgh’s past like never before.

The Heinz History Center & Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum is open from 10 AM - 5 PM daily -- whereas the nearby Three Rivers Arts Festival activities occur from 11 AM - 9 PM daily.

The 66th annual Three Rivers Arts Festival (TRAF) takes place during June 5 - June 8 featuring hundreds of visual artists, musicians, live theatre, dance performances, film, etc. over a four-day period. With about 40 hours of programming and a variety of activities for people of all ages, there is something for everyone to enjoy!

Where: 15th Street Plaza | Strip District
While downtown Pittsburgh has been home to the Festival since 1960, due to construction of the festival's future home at the 8th Street Block Civic Space, this year's Festival will take place in the riverfront lots at the 15th Street Plaza along Waterfront Place in Pittsburgh’s Strip District. Thanks to The Buncher Company, who owns the property, and lot operator, Alco, the Festival will take place near its namesake three rivers, not far from its future long-term home in the Cultural District. The Cultural District is a project of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, producer of the Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival.

TRAF Headliner Concert Schedule
Thursday, June 5:
Megan Paullet & The HR Department (6-7 pm)
Las Cafeteras (7:30-9 pm)

Friday, June 6:
Tiera Kennedy (6-7 pm)
Preservation Hall Jazz Band (7:30-9 pm)

Saturday, June 7:
Souls of Mischief (6-7 pm)
Cautious Clay (7:30-9 pm)

Sunday, June 8:
Lisa Loeb (6-7 pm)
Suzanne Vega (7:30-9 pm)

Pittsburgh’s Hidden History From scary to stunning, tiny treasures to magnificent marvels, the everyday and the extraordinary, the exhibition takes you on a thematic journey through artifacts, photographs, and documents that connect with our region’s history. Explore objects from iconic Pittsburgh institutions like The Original Hot Dog Shop, Primanti Bros., Kaufmann’s, and Kennywood. Inspect the getaway sleigh used in an infamous shootout with the Pittsburgh police and the notorious Biddle brothers following a prison break in 1902 – a story so dramatic that it was later made into a Hollywood film! Other highlights include:

• A spooky section on Scary Pittsburgh, featuring creepy dolls, haunting clown masks, and the ghoulishly green Vampiress from Kennywood’s now-shuttered dark ride Le Cachot
• Some of the oldest objects in the collection, from an 18th century key to Fort Duquesne to an unfinished flint tool unearthed at Meadowcroft Rockshelter that dates back 14,000 years
• Rare sports treasures like a 1910 Honus Wagner trading card and the Oakmont jacket worn by Eric Springer, the first African American member of Oakmont
• Couture clothing, like an Alcoa aluminum mini dress by legendary fashion designer Oscar de La Renta, an 1880s pink afternoon dress made by Madame Vignon, and a Gilded Age gown

Heinz History Center Admission Tickets Heinz History Center & Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum contains 7 floors of exhibits and is open daily from 10 AM - 5 PM. Admission is $20 Adult, $18 Senior, $11 Student. While tickets are available at the door, the lines may be longer as compared to visitors who purchase admission tickets in advance.

Meetup Considerations Stay tuned for updates on the 1 PM (sharp) gathering location once we know the weather forecast. After the initial gathering and socializing at 1 PM, people in the group can decide whether they'd like to check out the Three Rivers Arts Festival or the Pittsburgh's Hidden History exhibition at the Heinz History Center first.

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. 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 note that at any given time during the festival, there could be anywhere from 0-30+ people from Meetup enjoying the festivities although they'll be dispersed among thousands of people. Thus, you'll run into more Meetup members by walking around.

Of course, as always, it is also fine if you prefer to attend the festival or Heinz History Center on your own with family/friends.

Three Rivers Arts Festival Parking link with Map In addition, there is also 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.

Other nearby parking options include Directions & Parking - Heinz History Center

The Three Rivers Arts Festival Strip District location and Heinz History Center are also accessible with PRT Buses 54, 86, 87, 88, and 91 which have stops within a couple blocks walk.

Stay tuned for updates!