Summer Dates in the Cultural District
We don't know about you, but after a long winter, we're ready to spend the maximum possible amount of time outdoors. Fortunately, the Cultural District is packed with great summer date night options. From live outdoor performances to leisurely strolls along the river, we've got your date nights covered.
Enjoy an outdoors performance
Where: Point State Park, Agnes R. Katz Plaza, and throughout the Cultural District
Key Dates: June 1-10, June 15-17
Outdoor performances are one of our favorite parts of summer, and there are plenty of free concerts to check out Downtown. Find your favorite set of matching lawn chairs and enjoy a date night at the Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival June 1-10, where the Dollar Bank Main Stage and Acoustic Stage presented by People’s Natural Gas will be packed with local and national talent. June 15-17 is the Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival presented by Citizens Bank, featuring free outdoor performances by Gregory Porter, Kenny Garrett, Shemekia Copeland, Terri Lyne Carrington, and more. And hey, speaking of jazz, you can catch a free concert any given Tuesday night from 5pm-7pm in Katz Plaza as part of our BNY Mellon Presents JazzLive Series.
Drink on a rooftop
Where: Harris Grill Downtown, Il Tetto, Biergarten at Hotel Monaco
Key dates: All summer long
Until a few years ago, rooftop bars were mostly unheard of in this city. Oh how far we’ve come! There’s no shortage of options now, including Downtown’s Biergarten at Hotel Monaco (620 William Penn Place, 9th Floor), Harris Grill (245 Fourth Avenue), and Il Tetto (942 Penn Avenue), where the glass retractable roof is clutch for unpredictable Pittsburgh weather. Take in the views together and toast to outdoor drinking season.
Stroll hand-in-hand, then take in the sunset
Where: Allegheny Riverfront Park, Point State Park
Key dates: All summer long
Sometimes a great date is as simple as a walk along the river. Our downtown trail along the Allegheny River will take you from the Rachel Carson Bridge all the way to Point State Park, where you can catch a beautiful Pittsburgh sunset together. Stop for a photo opp at the fountain, which happens to mark the spot where our favorite Pittsburgh geographical love story takes place: the Allegheny and the Mon meeting for the first time to form the Ohio. What could be more romantic?
Go on a public art tour
Where: 7th & Penn Parklet, Agnes R. Katz Plaza, Wood Street Galleries, Garrison Place
Key dates: All summer long
Here in the the Cultural District, art isn’t contained to just our theater and gallery spaces. Head to 7th & Penn Parklet, a small and colorful oasis in the heart of Downtown. There, you can grab a selfie with our Magnolias for Pittsburgh exhibit, which includes two bronze magnolia trees standing alongside five live ones. Across the street, have some fun sharing an unusual eyeball-shaped bench at Agnes R. Katz Plaza. When evening falls, you can watch the facade of Wood Street Galleries light up or duck into Garrison Place to check out the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership’s newest light installation.
When it's too humid to be outside...
Catch a Show
Where: Benedum Center and Heinz Hall
Key Dates: June 20 (Ben Folds With The Pittsburgh Symphony), June 22 - July 1 (CLO's Titanic), August 22 - September 9 (Disney's Aladdin).
The old-world glamour of the Benedum Center and Heinz Hall are the perfect excuse to dress up and catch a show when the weather is just too humid to be outdoors. Check out the summer calendar to see what’s on stage in the Cultural District this season. Our top picks for a romantic date night in Pittsburgh are Ben Folds With The Pittsburgh Symphony June 20 at Heinz Hall, Pittsburgh CLO's Titanic June 22 - July 1 at the Benedum and Disney's Aladdin August 22 - September 9 at the Benedum Center.
