“We refreshed this year’s schedule to make sure we’re truly offering something for everyone,” Brooke Horejsi, chief programming & engagement officer for the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, said. “The kid-friendly ‘early eve’ celebration offers families a fun night out while new events like the Dollar Bank Battle of the Bands will charge up the crowd all the way to midnight.”

All events are free and open to everyone except as noted (two indoor ticketed performances). The full lineup can be explored at this link by clicking here.

Highlights include:

 New Year’s “Early Eve” Celebration 

Highmark Stage (Penn & Stanwix)

• Welcome & Kick-Off (7-7:05 pm) | Event organizers and elected officials provide brief welcoming remarks.

• GBU Life SING-OFF Winner (7:05-7:15 pm) | A local student singer (TBA in late December), in grades 6-12, will be chosen by special guest judge Justin Wirick (cast member of the “Wicked” National Tour), and given a chance to kick-start the New Year’s Eve festivities on the main stage.

• Family Dance Party (7:15-8 pm) | This “family rave” will keep the youngest revelers and their families on their feet. Featuring DJ Todd Griffin of Next Level Entertainment.

• Dollar Bank Children’s Fireworks (8-8:15 pm) | Somewhere in the world it’s already midnight. Enjoy an early countdown and fireworks at 8 pm—celebrate the New Year with all your little ones, without having to keep them up way past their bedtime!

Live Music & Performances 

• Dollar Bank Battle of the Bands (Highmark Stage, 10 pm-midnight) | Come see the four finalist bands live: Broom, NASH.V.ILL, Lindsay Liebro, and The Pit Crew. Experience them going head-to-head in this high-energy inaugural showdown hosted by the Queen of Emcees, Black Benatar, with special guest judges FRZY, Mike Canton, and Amy Kline.

• Black Benatar’s Community Lip Sync Spectacular (Trust Arts Education Center, 7:30-8:30 pm) | This high-energy, interactive experience blends playful performance, audience participation, and the pure joy of moving your lips to your favorite bangers. Part tutorial, part show, the event invites folks of all ages and experience levels to step into the spotlight.

• *New Years Eve Cabaret Soirée with FireWALL Dance Theater (Greer Cabaret Theater, 8-9 & 10-11 pm; ticketed, 18+) | Step into a night of glamour and glitter with sultry burlesque, plus acts that spark imagination and delight the senses. Sip champagne and experience a playful, seductive, and unforgettable evening. Dress to impress!

• Megan Paullet & The HR Department (Lounge at the Greer Cabaret, 7-8 & 9-10 pm) | Come in from the cold for some bubbly, a bite, and to enjoy soulful grooves and vibrant pop-rock in an intimate cabaret setting as Megan Paullet celebrates the release of her debut single.

• *The Harmon Brothers (Liberty Magic; 7, 8:30, & 10 pm; ticketed) | The comedy magic duo works together like a well-oiled machine, but it doesn’t stop them from butting heads. Join as they demonstrate the power of their fraternal bond, make connections with the audience, and settle their differences in some truly bizarre ways.

• Pittsburgh Samba Group and Timbeleza (Highmark Stage, 8:15-8:45 pm) | Two of Pittsburgh’s premier Brazilian performance groups – Pittsburgh Samba Group and Timbeleza – bring the rhythm and spirit of Brazil to Pittsburgh.

• Ping Pong Game Show with O’Ryan the O’Mazing (Trust Arts Education Center, 9:30-10:30 pm) | Enjoy a high-energy, immersive gameshow hosted by a despotic clown.

Variety & Roaming Entertainment 

• Citizens Live Ice Sculpting (Magnolias for Pittsburgh, 8-11 pm) | Watch master ice carver Richard Bubin of Ice Creations sculpt the Pittsburgh skyline out of a 2,400-pound ice block. Perfect for an icy photo opp!

• Peoples Gas Holiday Market presented by the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership (Katz Plaza & Trust Oasis, 7-11 pm) | Find one-of-a-kind wares from local makers along with beautiful and practical gifts created by artisans from around the world.

This year, the celebration comes to you. Instead of a single parade route (paused due to construction), guests can expect surprise encounters with roaming performers bringing music, magic, and joy to every corner of the Cultural District.

• Pittsburgh Samba Group Roaming Dancers (7-8 pm) | Bringing the rhythm and spirit of Brazil to the streets of downtown Pittsburgh’s Cultural District.

• O’Ryan The O’Mazing (7-8:30 pm) | Do some O’Mazing tricks with the tallest clown around!

• Lovely Lady Lydia (9-11 pm) | Catch the stilt-walker and circus arts performer in an LED Ice Queen costume.

More Creative Fun & Holiday Activities 

Fifth Avenue Place (indoors) and the Benedum Lot (outdoors at 7th & Penn) flank the footprint, plus other locations offer engaging hands-on activities for kids and creatives in multiple locations throughout the night.

• Highmark | (un)Hungry (Fifth Avenue Place, 7-10 pm) | As the event’s presenting sponsor, Highmark is showcasing its (un)Hungry initiative. This campaign aims to raise awareness and complement existing food and monetary donations during the holiday season, a time when individuals are more inclined to give and seek support. To promote the campaign’s animated film, Highmark collaborated with Canstruction Pittsburgh, and the Pittsburgh-based architectural firm AE7. Together, they constructed a “CANstruction” sculpture of over 2,000 cans of food, shaped like Montague the Dog (one of the film’s characters), located in the lobby of Fifth Avenue Place. Highmark encourages individuals to visit unHungry.org to watch the animated film, make a donation to a regional food bank, or find assistance.

• Citizens Activity Zone (Fifth Avenue Place, 7-10 pm) | Warm up indoors and join local artists and organizations like Beanie Paints, Mike the Ballon Guy, Scouting America, TeraBridges, Pittsburgh Center for Arts and Media, and the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust Arts Education team for engaging activities for all ages.

• Pittsburgh Cultural Trust Book Giveaway sponsored by PNC & Steel City Lego User Group (Benedum Lot, 7-10 pm) | These activities are located within the holiday market footprint across from the Benedum Center.

• Tarot Card Readers (Trust Oasis, 7-10 pm) | An annual favorite, Dr. Amber Epps, owner of Arts & Crafts: Botanica & Occult Shop (Wilkinsburg), with Elizabeth Kivowitz and Maggie Negrete, return for free tarot card readings.

• Caricature Artists (SPACE Gallery, 7-8 & 8:30-9:30 pm) | Another annual favorite, Vince Ornato and Sam Thong return for live sitting caricature drawings.

Visual Arts & Film 

• Celebrating 45 Years of CAPA: Alumni and Faculty Exhibition (SPACE Gallery, 7-10 pm)

• Fleischer Fairy Tales (Harris Theater, 7-10 pm) | Warm up and step back in time with The Cartoons of Max Fleischer, featuring beautifully restored classics with Betty Boop, Popeye, Koko the Clown, and more.

Countdown to Midnight & Future of Pittsburgh Grand Finale 

New Year’s Eve culminates with a Pittsburgh tradition. Above the Highmark Stage on Penn Avenue Place, the Future of Pittsburgh Ball will rise nearly 75 feet to its pinnacle position (symbolizing a city on the rise) as Fireworks sponsored by Visit PA fill the sky and the audience joins in harmony for a rendition of Auld Lang Syne.

Community Support 

Generous support for Highmark First Night Pittsburgh 2026 comes from Highmark, Allegheny Health Network, Dollar Bank, GBU Life, Citizens, Visit PA, PNC, PPG, and The Grable Foundation. Media partners include KDKA-TV. Operational support is provided by Flyspace Productions.

All events are subject to change. Explore the full lineup of events at TrustArts.org/FirstNightPGH.