The Pittsburgh Cultural Arts Meetup Group

The 66th annual Three Rivers Arts Festival 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.

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)

Meetup Considerations While this is a general posting for the entire festival, we'll also organize some specific Meetup events to check out artist booths, galleries, and public art as well as free concerts, live theatre, dance, film, and other performances.

Because people have different schedules, they will naturally be arriving and leaving at different times throughout 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 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.

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.

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 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 is also accessible with PRT Buses 54, 86, 87, 88, and 91 which have stops within a couple blocks walk.

Weather While many joke about the association of rain with the Three Rivers Arts Festival, please note that in any 4-day period throughout the year, odds are that at least a few days will have some precipitation. But in case of bad weather, we'll let people know if any outdoor festival concerts may be cancelled.

In case of bad weather, there are numerous nearby indoor activities such as many restaurants in the Strip District, Heinz History Center & Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum, etc.

Stay tuned for updates!

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 12 PM (sharp) gathering location once we know the weather forecast. After the initial gathering and socializing at 12 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!

Please join us for an unforgettable close to the 66th annual Three Rivers Arts Festival with free concerts by Lisa Loeb (6-7 pm) and Suzanne Vega (7:30-9 pm)

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.

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)

Meetup Considerations
Based on the weather forecast, an exact gathering spot will be provided for 5:30 PM so that the group may quickly socialize and check out the last day of Three Rivers Arts Festival before the headliner concerts begin: Lisa Loeb (6-7 pm) and Suzanne Vega (7:30-9 pm). This gathering location will be announced on June 6. Stay tuned for updates!

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.

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 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.

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 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 is also accessible with PRT Buses 54, 86, 87, 88, and 91 which have stops within a couple blocks walk.

Weather While many joke about the association of rain with the Three Rivers Arts Festival, please note that in any 4-day period throughout the year, odds are that at least a few days will have some precipitation. But in case of bad weather, we'll let people know if any outdoor festival concerts may be cancelled.

In case of bad weather, there are numerous nearby indoor activities such as many restaurants in the Strip District, Heinz History Center & Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum, etc.

Stay tuned for updates!

This event begins at Café Carnegie (inside Carnegie Museum of Art) so people can socialize and get coffee/tea/wine/drink or quick lunch. Please note that Café Carnegie does not require museum admission which makes it particularly suitable as we plan the rest of the afternoon.

After we're done meeting/eating/drinking at Café Carnegie, we'll gauge of the interests of everyone and the possibility of smaller groups (perhaps 5-15+ people) exploring the following options from 12-5 PM or even later with optional dinner or staying for the WYEP Summer Music Festival.

Option A -- Spend the afternoon inside the many galleries and exhibits of the Carnegie Museum of Art and Carnegie Museum of Natural History Of note is that there will be a docent led tour at 1 PM for the Carnegie Museum of Art.

In addition, we expect at least 10 people will get into Carnegie Museums for free based on those in the group that already have Carnegie Museums memberships that allow them to bring guests.

Option B -- Walk over to Phipps to check out the new Tropical Forest Panama exhibit -- as well as the Phipps Summer Flower Show: Jungle Quest on display through September 21. Although advanced timed tickets are required, we expect timed tickets will be available at the door. Several people may be able to get into Phipps for free as the guests of Phipps members.

Option C -- Walk over to check out the 31 Nationality Rooms inside the Cathedral of Learning where there will be 1-2:30 PM and 2:30-4 PM docent led tours. Tickets are $10 Adult and $6 Youth (ages 18 and under). To make reservations, please visit Tours | Nationality Rooms

Option D -- Walk over to check out the Latin American Cultural Center (LACC) permanent exhibit and special Haiti: Culture, Religion, and Revolution exhibit on display through June 28, 2025. Haitian paintings, ornate sculptures fashioned from recycled oil drums and other salvaged materials, and Vodou flags with intricately stitched sequin and bead patterns depicting religious spirits. This is the first comprehensive exhibit of the Haiti Friends Collection, assembled over decades of working with Haitian artists. Admission is $12 Adult, $6 Youth/Students, and free for Latin American Cultural Center (LACC) members. Visits are by appointment only.

Option E -- People can discuss if they'd to have lunch or dinner at a nearby restaurant such as The Porch in Schenley Plaza or one of the many restaurants along Craig Street, Forbes Avenue, etc.

Option F -- The WYEP Summer Music Festival takes place on June 21st from 4-10 PM in Schenley Plaza, and will feature Sammy Rae & The Friends, DEHD, Fantastic Cat, Jack Swing, and Colatura. Visitors are encouraged to bring portable chairs, picnic style items, etc. so they can really relax and enjoy a late afternoon and evening of live music.

Parking The Carnegie Museum has plenty of parking which is conveniently located near the museum entrance at the corner of Forbes Ave & S. Craig Street. Here is a link with more info about parking and directions http://cmoa.org/visit/directions-maps-parking/

Stay Tuned for updates!