Unofficial start of summer? It’s about time! We’ll be basking in the long-weekend Memorial Day glow, and there’s plenty to do.
Pittsburgh Pizza Olympics
There are few questions closer to the hearts of Pittsburghers than “where in town can you find the best pizza?” Spirit in Lawrenceville will be determining it once and for all with this first annual pizza festival for all ages.
Almost a dozen pie makers will participate, including Spirit themselves, Slice on Broadway and Badamo’s. Pizza Pass holders can try a slice from each and vote for their favorite, and the pizzerias will also participate in some skill games. There will also be performances from Enjoy Wrestling and live music to soundtrack your pizza-eating fun.
You can get a Pizza Pass for $32 to enjoy all the mouthwatering pizza, and kids under 10 attend for free. The event takes place from 2 to 8 p.m. Sunday outside of Spirit in Lawrenceville. For tickets, visit spiritpgh.com.
Mary Schenley Day
The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy will be celebrating a Family Day for Mary Schenley Day on Saturday at Schenley Plaza.
The free, all-ages event will include free rides on PNC carousel from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; face painting from noon to 4 p.m.; lawn games for everyone to enjoy; and a pop-up shop with books, toys, games and more under the Oval Tent throughout the day. Mary Poppins visits from noon to 2 p.m.
The event will be held Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Schenley Plaza in Oakland. It’s a free event open to the public. To learn more about this and the Parks Conservancy’s future Family Days, visit pittsburghparks.org.
K-Pop Dance Party
Korean pop music has become an absolute juggernaut here in the United States, thanks to worldwide superstars such as BTS and Katseye. Bottlerocket Social Hall will be attracting K-Pop fans of all ages this weekend to sweat to their favorite tunes at “Gnarly: A K-Pop Dance Party.”
DJ Rodeo Starr will be spinning K-Pop and global pop music, with a special focus on female K-Pop stars including Katseye, Jennie and Blackpink.
The party starts at 9:30 p.m., with doors at 9:15 p.m., on Friday at Bottlerocket Social Hall in Pittsburgh’s Allentown neighborhood. Tickets are $5, and the event is 21 . Learn more at bottlerocketpgh.com.
Neighborhood Flea Night Market
Shop as the sun sets at Saturday’s Neighborhood Flea Night Market. The event will include a curated flea market for the night owls who prefer to keep things going as night comes on.
Dozens of sellers will bring goods of all kinds to the curated flea market space, from vintage finds to consumables and more.
The Neighborhood Flea Night Market takes place from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday at the SouthSide Works on Pittsburgh’s South Side. For details, see neighborhoodflea.com.
ASCEND
It’s hard to describe Pittsburgh Playhouse’s immersive theatrical experience ASCEND. It’s a 360-degree performance that takes attendees on a journey through the four elements (earth, air, fire and water) through gorgeous imagery, dance, music and props.
Performances will be held at 7 p.m. Friday; 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Saturday; and 2 p.m. Sunday, all at the Highmark Theater at Point Park University’s Pittsburgh Playhouse in Downtown Pittsburgh. There will also be performances next weekend. To learn more, view the digital program and get tickets, visit playhouse.pointpark.edu.