6. Fresh Fest Black Beer Festival at Nova Place Courtyard: August 11, 4 – 9 p.m.
From parks to parking lots, beer festivals are popping up all over town. Pittsburgh’s first Black beer festival should be at the top of your list. Get a super fresh — and frothy — taste of the thriving craft beer movement at this inaugural cultural and culinary event co-produced by Pittsburgh’s much-loved Drinking Partners podcast and Mike Potter of Black Brew Culture. Thirty breweries —15 Black-owned — will present palate-pleasing creations representing Harlem to NoLa to Braddock. In an inventive twist, 23 local breweries are collaborating with Pittsburgh-based Black artists and entrepreneurs to create exclusive releases. The menu will burst with imaginative pairings from BOOM Concepts x Hitchiker, Marita Garrett x Hop Farm and Black Tech Nation x Aurochs. There’s also a VIP session, food trucks and fantastic live music. Buy tickets.
7. Crosstown Cookout at the Mon Wharf: August 12, 2 – 11 p.m.
Once a parking lot prone to flooding, the Mon Wharf is now a riverfront amenity. It’ll be your urban playground when Crosstown Cookout returns for its largest party. Teaming up to curate one of Pittsburgh’s newest summer festivals — and support our waterfronts — are Fame15 Creative, El Gallo and Riverlife. Crosstowners will groove riverside to dancehall, disco and cumbia with two stages hosting national and local DJs like A-Trak, UPROOT ANDY and Royal Highnesss. Food truck favorites will serve street fare and cool treats, while the Vendor Village will showcase artisans and recreational activities. Keeping the libations and summer vibes flowing will be Creatives Drink, Spirit, Make Sure You Have Fun/RB and Keep Pittsburgh Dope. Buy tickets.
8. Riviera Dolce Party at the Pier at Rivers Casino’s North Shore Amphitheater: August 17, 7:30 – 11 p.m.
We don’t have the Amafli Coast but here in the Paris of Appalachia, we do have Party at the Pier. If visions of vintage Vespas, fragrant citrus trees and refreshing Campari are filling your head, buy tickets to one of Pittsburgh’s most anticipated summer fêtes. Don a colorful Pucci frock and fine Italian suit and slap on a pair of retro sunglasses for an enchanted Italian staycation. Sip specialty cocktails, cruise on the Gateway Clipper and dance your worries away under twinkling lights. Be a “persona importante” at the Il Primo VIP reception featuring ice cream from Rivendale Farms, limoncello floats from Vallozzi’s and Mediterranean fare. All your jet setting will help Riverlife make Pittsburgh’s waterways cleaner, safer and more fun for everyone.
9. Pittsburgh Comedy Festival at Club Cafe and City Theatre: August 22 – 26
Pittsburgh’s definitive comedy festival is taking the laughs on the road presenting 20 improv teams and 24 stand-up artists on the South Side. Headlining the four-day laugh-a-thon is one of the hottest figures on today’s standup scene. NYC-based comedian Marina Franklin is revered for her roles in the hit movie, “Trainwreck” HBO’s “Crashing” and Showtime’s “Women Who Kill.” Improv headliner is the long-running all-female team, The Cast, straight from NYC’s Magnet Theater. Audiences will go behind the curtain to experience a fully improvised play, watching adept comedians performing 100 different genres. Anything can happen when the stage is populated by fake plays, star-crossed lovers and raging enemies and Method actors. Buy tickets.
10. UPMC Health Plan PedalPGH at Southside Riverfront Park: August 26, 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Experience the city on two wheels while celebrating the silver anniversary of one of Pittsburgh’s most beloved bike happenings. Whether you’re a riding rookie or have Tour de France dreams, there’s a route right for you. The 10-mile Peoples Local Loop follows riverfront trails via a mellow cruise to Downtown while the 25-mile UPS City Tour heads into the Burgh’s authentic neighborhoods. Serious athletes will love the 40-mile Alco Parking Grand Tour up to Riverview Park, and the epic 62-mile BikePGH Challenge will test your stamina with 4,000+ feet of climbing. Pennsylvania’s largest charity bike ride, PedalPGH includes limited edition t-shirts and water bottles, festive rest stops with yummy snacks, cue sheets, ride marshals and a finish line festival. Register here.