Highmark First Night Pittsburgh Celebration Downtown; Tropidelic, Mike Pinto, Jarv, and Fubar in New Year’s Eve Jam at Mr. Smalls (Sun., 12/31/23)

The New Year’s ball rises in Pittsburgh. (photo courtesy of Pittsburgh Cultural Trust)

1) Highmark First Night Pittsburgh 2024 is the biggest New Year’s Eve party in the ‘Burgh, and happening all over the Downtown’s Golden Triangle. Musical highlights include Lyndsey Smith (Highmark Stage in the Cultural District, 10:45 p.m.), The Flow Band (Highmark Stage, 8:30 p.m.), Dwayne Dolphin (Greer Cabaret Theater, 6:30 and 8:30 p.m.) The entertainment and attractions lined up for First Night are amazing: a parade, singers, art exhibits, Sing-Off winner Anton Smith, Japanese sword dancing, O’Ryan the O’Mazing Juggling and Stiltwalking, Street Magic with Mr. Messado and the Harmon Brothers, Zuzu African Acrobats, children’s activities, caricature artists, and even Giggles the Clown. Oh, and of course, fireworks! The revelry starts at 6 p.m. and goes until midnight. Check the First Night website for a complete rundown of events, times, and locations.

Art on the march in the Cultural District: Giant people-puppets from Studio Capezzuti highlight the First Night Parade.

2) If your visions of a sugar-plummy holiday season include a desire for a musical New Year’s Eve, consider cruising to the sounds of Tropidelic. This Cleveland-based band—cofounded and fronted by Pittsburgh native Matthew Roads—plays a mellow but lively repertoire infused or least inspired by reggae. Listening to Tropidelic, you get the feeling that rock just isn’t complete without a trombone. Or a trumpet or other such horns. You’ve also got to love songs like “Alcoholic,” a whimsically honky-tonk-ish treatment of a serious subject, composed by a certain band member after his grateful segue into recovery. Tropidelic’s latest album is last year’s All the Colors. For a totally upbeat way to beat the old year out the door, catch Tropidelic at Mr. Smalls Theatre. Special guests are Mike Pinto, Jarv, and Fubar. 400 Lincoln Ave., Millvale. (M.V.) 

Share on Social Media