First Night: Here's How Pittsburgh Will Ring In 2026

PITTSBURGH, PA — With time running out for 2025, city officials have announced plans to ring in 2026 with the 32nd year of First Night festivities in the Downtown Cultural District.

The Dec. 31 event will include magic, live music, a holiday market, ice carving, film, hands-on activities and more.

“We refreshed this year’s schedule to make sure we’re truly offering something for everyone,” Brooke Horejsi, the Cultural Trust's programming and engagement officer, said in a release. "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.

The Early Even event will include a family dance party featuring DJ Todd Griffin of Next Level Entertainment and an early countdown with fireworks.

Later performances will include a battle of the bands show featuring BROOM, NASH.V.ILL, Lindsay Liebro and The Pit Crew; and other performances from The Harmon Brothers comedic magic duo, Pittsburgh Samba Group and Timbeleza, and more.

The official New Year's Eve countdown to ring in 2026 will be held at the Highmark Stage on Penn Avenue Place. There, the Future of Pittsburgh Ball will rise nearly 75 feet to its pinnacle position (symbolizing a city on the rise) as fireworks PA fill the sky, and the audience joins in harmony for a rendition of "Auld Lang Syne."

For more information on First Night festivities, visit the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust's website.