Pittsburgh's Summer Living Guide

Make sure to check out the Summer Living Guide from Living Pittsburgh.  This blog below has some great summer events that are happening throughout the city.  There is something almost everyday, and there are things for all ages. Keep reading to learn more.

Summer is here and you won’t believe how many things there are to do, see, and enjoy around Pittsburgh and Allegheny County….without needing to spend a dime! To make things easy for you, we’ve put together this handy-dandy “Free Summer Fun Guide” filled with some of Living Pittsburgh.com’s FREE fun picks for this summer in the ‘Burgh. And keep in mind, this is just the free stuff! There’s plenty more low cost events and activities to do this summer, so be sure to check out our Events Listing for even more summer fun on a budget.

Keep checking back though (this guide included), because we add new free & affordable events, deals & bargains EVERY DAY during the week. If you’re new to Living Pittsburgh, here are some suggestions so you get the most out of the site and don’t miss a thing! The best way to keep current is to sign up for our daily emails (enter your email address to the right of this page, right below our Events Listing box), like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and sign up for our weekly LP Newsletter.

Now, on with the summer fun!
Live Music

Deutschtown Music Festival - 40+ bands will rock Pittsburgh’s Northside at this FREE all day event!

Southside Works Summer Concerts – Enjoy free live music outside at South Side Works’ Town square this summer, going on now through September.

Mellon Square Summer Concert Series - Free noon concerts at Mellon Square to enjoy during your lunch hour downtown this summer. More info coming soon!

JazzLive at Katz Plaza – This fun free jazz concert series take place outside on Katz Plaza downtown throughout the summer months.

Reservoir of Jazz Series – Enjoy live jazz music in Highland Park this August. More info coming soon!

WYEP Summer Music Festival - Free summer music concert at Schenley Plaza, complete with kids activities and an indie craft marketplace.

Lunchtime Music Series at Schenley Plaza - Free lunchtime entertainment can be found multiple times per week at Schenley Plaza.

Bach, Beethoven and Brunch – You can pack your brunch and enjoy free classical concerts every Sunday morning at Mellon Park. More info coming soon!

Allegheny County Summer Concerts - Take advantage of free live music at Hartwood Acres and South Park all summer long.

Stars at Riverview – You can enjoy free live jazz concerts in Riverview Park throughout the warm summer months.

WYEP Final Fridays – Even more FREE live music this summer at Schenley Plaza! More info coming soon!

Monroeville Summer Concert Series – This find includes free live music, followed by a free movies in Monroeville Community Park.

Summer Jams on Walnut – These free annual block parties include loads of local live bands!
The Arts



Gallery Crawl in the Cultural District – The Gallery Crawl is a quarterly free showcase of art and entertainment.

Unblurred: First Fridays on Penn – The First Friday of each month, various galleries in the Penn Avenue Arts District showcase a variety of artwork and performances to view for free.

Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival - This premiere Pittsburgh event features free activities for the whole family, live music, art exhibits and so much more.

Taming of the Shrew presented by Poor Yorick’s Players – Bring a blanket, chair, or even a picnic to see Poor Yorick’s Players return in 2013 with their seventh season: All is fair in love and war!

Squonk Opera’s Go Roadshow - An amazing and spectacular performance unlike any other! Think circus meets performance art meets holiday parade – all for FREE! More info coming soon!
Dancing

Summer Soul Line Dance Classes - Experience not required for these free fun outdoor dance lessons.

Free Dance Lessons at Saddle Ridge - You’ll find complimentary line dancing lessons at Saddle Ridge on Friday and Saturday evenings.

Salsa Around the City - Salsa Pittsburgh offers Salsa dancing lessons all around Pittsburgh, many of which are absolutely free.
Movies

Cinema in the Parks – TONS of free outdoor movies in Pittsburgh’s local parks this summer.

Summer Movie Clubhouse – Not free, but for as little as 50 cents per movie, it’s pretty darn close!

Movies by Moonlight - Free flicks at the Tall Trees Amphitheater in Monroeville

Denis Theatre’s Last Saturday Cinema - Last Saturday Cinema is a FREE outdoor film series. Come experience great movies while surrounded by shops, bars and restaurants – just a few steps from the historic Denis Theatre.
Festivals



Pittsburgh Neighborhood Community Festivals - Various neighborhoods in Pittsburgh hold FREE festivals throughout the 2011 Summer and Fall season.

African Arts in the Park – Free cultural event at Point State Park this August. More info coming soon!

Lawrenceville Garden Tour - Find out how gardens grow on this FREE annual garden tour in Lawrenceville!

Three Rivers Regatta - This is the largest inland regatta event in the United States, and ALL activites and performances are free to attend.

Wings Over Pittsburgh – Celebrate patriotism, and enjoy this spectacular September show for free, oh- and parking is free too. More info coming soon!

A Fair in the Park - A Fair in the Park is an annual contemporary craft festival held in early September, presented by The Craftsmen’s Guild of Pittsburgh. The fair features high quality art and craft displays and demonstrations ,a concert weekend, a children’s activity and project area and a variety of Pittsburgh’s fabulous foods. More info coming soon!

South Side Works Exposed – This annual event has free live music, food vendors & lots of family fun activities.

Red, Ripe & Roasted: Tomato & Garlic Festival - Enjoy free admission to this yummy summer food festival AND Phipps Conservatory with your fresh produce donation this August. More info coming soon!

WYEP Summer Music Festival - Free summer music concert at Schenley Plaza, complete with kids activities and an indie craft marketplace.

Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix – check out the largest road race in the United States this summer… for free!
Family & Kids

Pittsburgh Spray Parks - Cool down this summer with these free city spray parks - no swimming required!

Roving Art Cart - Kiddos take can take advantage of free arts & crafts… in various locations around the ‘Burgh.

Blue Slide Park - Be sure to check out this great freebie for kids, as well as some of our other great free finds!

Reading Room at Market Square - Books aren’t free, but browsing is… and books are just $1-$2.

KidsPlay at Market Square - Free stories, crafts, treats, and special guests for kiddos at Market Square in Downtown Pittsburgh.

Mini Golf at Schenley Park - Play a round of mini-golf at Schenley Park’s ice skating rink, for a very affordable price!

Learn-to-Swim Camp - Free swimming lessons at select City of Pittsburgh pools this summer.

Swim Lessons at Allegheny County Pools - FREE swimming lessons for kids ages 5 and older. No pre-registration required!

Allegheny Observatory – Take a FREE tour of the Allegheny Observatory this summer and learn about celestial objects & more.
Sports & Fitness

Pirate $10 discount - Use your GE advantage card for $10 Pirates Sunday home games this summer.





Fish for Free - No fishing license required to enjoy fishing on these two specially designated days of the year.

Free Kayak and Stand Up Paddle Board Demos - Enjoy this free demo opportunity for a brief paddle on the Irwin Run Pond (Lagoon) of North Park Lake.

Yoga in the Park- Free Yoga for the fitness enthusiast, starting in June.

Tai Chi in the Park - Reduce stress and gain focus before the work week starts with FREE Tai Chi at Schenley Plaza