PicklesBurgh Kicks Off Downtown (Thurs., 7/16/26)

Picklesburgh—July 16 – 19. (Downtown)

What would Picklesburgh be without a pickle juice drinking contest? Whoever drinks their quart of juice the fastest is named the Duke of Drinking. (photo: Renee Rosensteel for the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership)

Sauerkraut. kimchi. dill-flavored popcorn. Deep-fried pickles. Pickle cocktails and IC Pickle beer! It’s Picklesburgh. The 11th anniversary of the briny three-day, free event is back.  Locations include the Sister Bridges (Roberto Clemente Bridge, 6th Street) and Andy Warhol Bridge, 9th Street) plus Arts Landing and Market Square. If you can’t find it, look for the giant inflatable Heinz pickle, which resembles the company’s famous pickle pin. The festival recalls the city’s pickling history, which dates back to the 1800s, while also looking forward to our revitalized riverfronts and internationally recognized food scene. Enjoy free samples from area farms and restaurants, all of them offering their own take on pickled foods, before making the pickling purchase that’s right for you. Other “pickled” merchandise includes balloons, books, and many other items. Chefs demonstrate how to pickle and can, and local musicians provide a pleasant soundtrack to your culinary wanderings. There’s a Lil Gherkins Activity Area for children. And, yes, the pickle juice drinking contest returns as part of the Dill-Cathlon which also includes pickle eating contests, and bobbing for pickles. This year the festival is truly complete with pickleball now being played on the brandy new pickleball courts at Arts Landing. Live music will be featured every day during the festival. Picklesburgh was four-times voted the No. 1 Best Specialty Food Festival in America in a USA Today readers choice contest. The Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership organizes the event with the help of numerous sponsors including Kraft Heinz. Thursday through Sunday: opening at Noon daily. Downtown. (C.M., R.H.)

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