Each year, the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust puts together a weekend showcase of the thriving arts and culture scene of Pittsburgh. At the Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival, community members can embrace art of all types, from paintings and sculptures to music and dance performances, all for free. This year will be the 65th annual festival (running from June 5-8) as it moves to the riverfront lots at the 15th Street Plaza along Waterfront Place in Pittsburgh’s Strip District due to construction Downtown.
The Three Rivers Arts Festival began in 1960 by the Women’s Committee of the Carnegie Museum of Art. In 2009, the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust took over the celebration and expanded its reach. They’ve now helped feature over 10,000 visual and performing artists over the years.
Explore 2025’s Three Rivers Arts Festival
The Artist Market
One of the largest draws of the festival is the Artist Market, stretching along the lots of Pittsburgh’s Strip District. It contains more than 300 artists from around the nation who make handmade crafts, drawings, photographs, gifts, and much more. Though if you want to catch every vendor you’ll have to attend the festival multiple days as artists change out over the course of the weekend.
Family Friendly Activities
Besides shopping for handmade creativity, express your own with family activities, gallery viewings, and live artistic performances. The Giant Eagle Foundation Backyard is home to the Giant Eagle Creativity Zone, giving all ages a chance to show off their artistic talents for free.
Many organizations throughout the city will also have hands-on crafts to make and take home. Pittsburgh Center for Arts and Media is bringing clay for hands-on making, Creative Reuse encourages art with recycled materials, Pittsburgh Glass Center lets little ones make their own mosaics, and YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh is inviting all to help create a community garden. Not to mention, the Backyard Stage is nearby to keep you entertained with performances by regional musicians.
Exploring Galleries
At SPACE Gallery on Liberty Avenue, a short distance from the festival, you’ll find a special selection of artists hand-picked by a guest panel in the Juried Visual Art Exhibition. Here you’ll find new art from regional artists who follow this year’s theme surrounding the city. Submissions reflect the spirit, resilience, and diversity of our region through various mediums.
Live Performances
If you’re craving live entertainment, you’ll want to explore the star-studded lineup at the Dollar Bank Main Stage. Headlining this year’s festival across its many evenings are Cautious Clay, Suzanne Vega, Lisa Loeb, Souls of Mischief, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Tiera Kennedy, Las Cafeteras, Megan Paullet and the HR Department, Dov Beck-Levine, Rell Z The Genius, Woodland Creatures, Calico Dogs, Guardians of Sound Hip Hop Orchestra, and Kahone Concept. Throughout the festival you can catch other performers like an interactive Drum Circle or the TRAF Dance Battle so you won’t go a moment without excitement and inspiration!
There is a lot more to explore at the festival, so we recommend reviewing the Three Rivers Arts Festival website for a full list of entertainers, artists, and other features. You can even sign up to volunteer at the largest, free, community event of the summer.
Story by Kylie Thomas
Photo Courtesy of Three Rivers Arts Festival
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