5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: Dec. 29-Jan. 1
It’s the final weekend of 2023 and a long weekend for some. Here are some fun ways to send off one year, while welcoming in another.
First Night
Pittsburgh’s annual New Year’s Eve celebration turns 30 years old Sunday night. The Highmark First Night Pittsburgh event is a six-hour arts-focused family-friendly free production of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust.
It takes place beginning at 6 p.m. in a 14-block area of the Cultural District, Downtown. There will be live music, dance, theater, visual arts, magic, kids’ activities and a community parade beginning at 8 p.m.
And it wouldn’t be an event in Pittsburgh without fireworks, which will go off at 6 p.m. and again at midnight.
This year’s headlining performer is New Orleans-based Lyndsey Smith, a former Pittsburgh resident. Smith’s performance on the Highmark Stage starts at 10:45 p.m.
Details: TrustArts.org
Pittsburgh Shrines
They are holy places rich with history, decorated with magnificent relics, larger-than-life paintings, spiritual steps, embellished stained glass windows and massive domes that can be spotted from miles away.
Six Catholic churches — St. Anthony Chapel and Most Holy Name, both on Troy Hill, St. Nicholas in Millvale, St. Patrick and St. Stanislaus Kostka Church in the Strip District and Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Polish Hill — make up The Shrines of Pittsburgh. They will be open for prayer and reflection from noon to 3 p.m. on Friday.
Details: pghshrines.org
Holiday concert
The Devilish Merry Holiday Concert runs from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at The Breezeway Home in Point Breeze.
Pittsburgh folk fusioneers Devilish Merry will perform a holiday concert. Devilish Merry blends Appalachian and Irish melodies with haunting, ballad-based songs on American history and heritage. It’s a lively mix of old-time fiddle tunes, Irish jigs and reels, Pennsylvania folk and labor ballads and riveting new songs from the musicians’ own life experiences.
Tickets are $20.
Details: the-breezeway-home.com
Noon years eve
Lo Rose Creative and SouthSide Kids present the third annual Baby & Family Noon Years Eve starting at 11 a.m. Sunday in Town Square at SouthSide Works.
There will be live music, a little kids disco dance party, snacks and crafts.
The event is free. Guests must register in advance online.
Details: happynoonyearseve.com
Polar Bear plunge
Celebrate the New Year at 9:30 a.m. Monday with the Pittsburgh Polar Bear Club by jumping into the river from the Mon Wharf, Downtown near Fort Pitt Boulevard. It’ a New Year’s Day tradition.
The event is free.
Donations and proceeds from T-shirt sales will benefit WTAE-TV’s project Bundle-Up, providing new winter outerwear to children and seniors in Western Pennsylvania.
Details: facebook.com
JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a TribLive reporter covering the region's diverse culinary scene and unique homes. She writes features about interesting people. The Edward R. Murrow award-winning journalist began her career as a sports reporter. She has been with the Trib for 26 years and is the author of "A Daughter's Promise." She can be reached at jharrop@triblive.com.
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