Picklesburgh is a three-day, pickle-themed — yes, you heard us — festival. Regional pickle vendors and farms show up and take over a few blocks of downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania marking their territory with the giant signature Heinz pickle balloon at the entrance. (Back in the 1860s, Heinz sold pickles, sauerkraut and vinegar by horse-drawn carriage to stores around the city.)
Folks can visit “the briniest bash in the ‘Burgh” for free to experience pickle everything. There will be your classic bread and butter chips and kosher jerkins, of course, but also creative pickle takes, like pickle ice cream, deep-fried pickles, pickle beer and much more. Wander around with your family or a crew of friends and explore pickle carnival games like the pickle bobbing contest or pick up some surprisingly wearable pickle-themed merchandise. There will be live music and, for the bravest stomachs of them all, a pickle juice drinking contest that you must be at least 18 years old to enter. We tried to figure out if there are pickle shots for those 21 years and up, but to no avail. (Also expected — bad puns about “dill-icious” foods.)
If you’re traveling with kids, there’s an arts and craft play area to keep them entertained. There are also specialty cocktails available after 4:30 p.m. as well as food, beer, and other beverages available for purchase throughout the weekend. Whether you’re a seasoned sauerkraut connoisseur or a cucumber convert, this is a prime (brine) time. (Sorry, we had to.)
The Specs
- The Picklesburgh festival is free.
- It’ll take place on the downtown streets of Pittsburgh; all are welcome.
- Once you’ve had your fill of dill, grab a slice at one of the best pizza places in Pittsburgh.
FAQs
When is the festival?
The festival takes place Friday, July 19 to Sunday, July 21, 2024.
What is the closest airport to Picklesburgh 2024?
You can fly right into Pittsburgh International Airport.
Where will the fest be held?
The free, three-day festival returns to the Boulevard of the Allies between Stanwix and Smithfield Streets, as well as adjoining PPG Plaza, for its second year in this location. (Last year, the festival moved from the sister bridges at Allegheny riverfront to establish a larger footprint.)
How should I get there?
There’s parking nearby for a cost, and public transportation is readily accessible.
Where should I stay?
The festival website has a downtown hotel directory, but really any hotel or home rental close to downtown will do.
Who are the festival organizers?
The festival is produced by the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership and presented by Kraft-Heinz. Jeremy Waldrup is the president and CEO of the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership.
Has the fest won any awards?
USA Today readers named Picklesburgh the reader’s choice best specialty food festival in the country three times. It came in second this year in USA Today’s Reader’s Choice Best Specialty Food Festival ranking. It is also recognized as a “signature event” by the Pennsylvania Tourism Office.
Poster
