Pittsburgh festivals to check out this spring

Did someone say unlimited chocolate and wine? Pittsburgh has you covered. With the new year upon us, it’s time to start searching for the next iconic festival experience this spring.

So, whether you’re 21 and in need of a night out with friends, a bookworm looking to network with creative minds from all over Pittsburgh or an art enthusiast searching for the next best piece of original decor, Pittsburgh festivals have you covered.

Chocolate, Wine and Whiskey Festival 

For those 21 and over, a day of chocolate indulgence with unlimited wine and whiskey is the perfect way to kick off the 2022 festival season. This festival offers cookies, cakes, donuts, premium spirits and more for a $45 pre-purchased entry ticket.

The Chocolate, Wine and Whiskey Festival is happening Feb. 12 from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m and 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Rivers Casino. Tickets are on sale now with a general admission and VIP option. All guests will be given unlimited wine, whiskey and chocolate samples, and access to the fire-roasted s’mores bar. For an additional $25, a VIP ticket will get you rare whiskey samples, a private area for socializing and one-hour early access.

So, if you’re feeling savory cheese and wine or rich dark chocolate and whiskey, grab a couple of friends, split an Uber and enjoy a day of decadence on the North Shore.

Pittsburgh Winter Beer Fest

Tickets are already on sale for this year’s Pittsburgh Winter Beer Festival, which features live music, food trucks and unlimited beer samples from more than 125 breweries. Craft beer connoisseurs 21 and over will be in their element for this epic two-night event.

The festival will take place on Feb. 25 and 26 at the David Lawrence Convention Center in Downtown. Early admission tickets are $55, regular admission is $45 and Special Connoisseur tickets are $90. The event also offers designated driver tickets for $25 and will give out free water and soda, plus a $5 food voucher to each designated driver. All participating guests will be given a souvenir mug for unlimited sampling and are guaranteed to leave happy.

Pittsburgh Arts & Crafts Spring Fever Festival

For the past 30 years, the region’s biggest arts and craft festival has attracted tens of thousands of visitors from all over Pennsylvania. This art-lovers’ paradise is back for another year and is expecting the return of a whopping 180 craft, fabric, jewelry, home decor and snack booths. 

The Pittsburgh Arts & Crafts Spring Fever Festival is selling tickets for the March 18-20 event at the nearby Monroeville Convention Center. Adult tickets are $6, tickets for children 12-15 are $3 and children under 12 have free admission. The outdoor market will be held rain or shine and free parking is available for all guests. Come out and support local Pittsburgh artists while enjoying nostalgic treats like smooth fudge, flavored kettle corn and assorted homemade chocolates.

Greater Pittsburgh Festival of Books

If you’re a writer, publisher or just your average bookworm, looking to connect with other lovers of literature from all different genres, look no further!

The Greater Pittsburgh Festival of Books is bringing together community members interested in the rich culture of Pittsburgh literature and showcasing award-winning writers from the area in this year’s festival, such as Sharon Flake and Toi Derricotte. 

The first-annual event is free admission and will be held on May 14 at a to-be-determined location in East Liberty. It will include book readings, discussions and signings hosted by authors who are from or write about our great City.

Greater Pittsburgh Food Truck Festival

Calling all foodies! Dozens of delicious food trucks from the area are in one place once again this spring for a whole weekend in May. And if delicious food wasn’t enough, the festival will also feature live music, local craft beer and wine and kid-friendly activities.

The Greater Pittsburgh Food Truck Festival is happening all weekend from May 27-29. The 27th is “Family Fun Night” from 5 to 9 p.m. and will have a variety of outdoor activities for kids of all ages — such as relay races, face painting and balloon art. The events on the 28th and 29th are from noon to 9 p.m and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Bring your family and friends for all the street food you could ever wish for and save your bucks for the trucks, as admission is free for everyone.