Pittsburgh's Three Rivers Arts Festival Launches This Thursday

Beginning Thursday, Pittsburgh will welcome over 100,000 attendees for the Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival, a vibrant celebration of creativity and community.

This year, the festival finds a temporary home in the Strip District while its permanent venue undergoes construction. Preparations were in full swing on Wednesday as crews worked diligently to set up Waterfront Place.

Among those preparing for the event is Hannah Powell from Verona, who is excited to showcase her artwork at the festival for the first time. "I'm still absolutely shocked, a little bit, that I'm here," Powell expressed. "It's kind of indescribable to be able to be in my hometown. People that live around here are able to come, people I know will be able to come to see me and experience my work in this way."

Powell is one of four recipients of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust's Emerging Artist Scholarship, which provides financial support for new artists to exhibit at the festival.

Over its 66-year history, the festival has seen various locations. This year, it will take place in private lots along the riverwalk between 15th Street and the 16th Street Bridge. The move coincides with ongoing developments in Downtown Pittsburgh in preparation for the 2026 NFL Draft and the future site at Fort Duquesne and 8th Street, which will be named Arts Landing.

Brooke Horejsi, chief programming and engagement officer for the trust, shared insights about the upcoming permanent venue. "It's a civic space that is going to be green and robust and has a permanent amphitheater in it, so we'll be able to house the performances on that amphitheater," Horejsi noted.

While the new location is exciting, there are notable changes this year. "The footprint is a little bit smaller," Horejsi added. Additionally, the festival has been shortened from ten days to just four, running from Thursday through Sunday.

Parking will be limited, with no extra designated spaces available. Attendees are encouraged to utilize public transit or prepare for a walk to the venue.

Despite these adjustments, artists like Powell remain optimistic about attendance. "I'm pretty confident that it's going to be pretty busy down here. I don't think anyone will have trouble coming down," she stated.

The festival operates daily from noon to 9 p.m., offering a range of activities and exhibits. For more information on the lineup, timings, and parking options, details are available online.