Published by Jeremy. Last Updated on June 24, 2025.
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It doesn't take much to find great music in Pittsburgh. From our thriving theaters in the Cultural District to numerous concert venues and one-off events at businesses all over the city, you really don't have to go far to find good music.
But finding free music, and perhaps more importantly, recurring free music can be a bit harder.
So in this one, we thought we'd share some great recurring concert series that are worth checking out. Some are on a year-round schedule, others are seasonal, and even more are on select nights that change weekly or monthly. But the one thing that ties them altogether- they're free!
Note: Please reconfirm all schedules prior to visiting as performances are prone to change. The days of the week and/or months featured below are representative of historical schedules only.
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Allegheny County Summer Concert Series
As far as concert series are concerned, Allegheny County's Summer Concert Series is one of the region's best, and a staple in our schedule every year.
This one takes place at not one, but two parks in Allegheny County and features local, national, and internationally acclaimed artists throughout the series running from roughly Memorial Day to Labor Day. Programming typically has scheduled shows at South Park Amphitheater on Friday nights and Hartwood Acres Amphitheater on Sunday nights (typically at 7:30 pm, although the Pittsburgh Symphony often starts later), and the event is rounded out with rotating food trucks, resident breweries and wineries for each season, and so much more.
So take your lawn chairs with you, get in early for a great seat, and enjoy outdoor music all summer long at these two great county parks!
The programming schedule for the Allegheny County Summer Concert Series can be found on the Allegheny County Parks website, typically published in late April or early May.
Stars of Riverview Jazz
Allegheny County isn't the only one getting in on free music programming each year, and the Pittsburgh Parks has a few great annual concert series to check out as well!
Up first is the Stars of Riverview Jazz series at Riverview Park. This one typically takes place on Saturday nights at 7 to 8:30 pm throughout June and July on the hill next to Allegheny Observatory. Even better? After the concert ends, the park often hosts a Cinema in the Park night as well!
Live jazz followed by a movie screening? It is hard to beat that on a beautiful Saturday night.
The programming schedule for Stars of Riverview Jazz can be found on the City of Pittsburgh's website.
Bach, Beethoven, and Brunch
Prefer classical music? The aptly named Bach, Beethoven, and Brunch event at Mellon Park is for you!
This one is all about classical music at brunch at Mellon Park on Sundays, typically from 10:30 am to noon from late June to the end of July. So pack up your favorite brunch foods, pack a picnic blanket, and head to Mellon Park for classical music at this free concert series!
The programming schedule for Bach, Beethoven, and Brunch can be found on the City of Pittsburgh's website.
Pittsburgh Banjo Club
Did you know that the city is home to a banjo club, and you can listen to their practice sessions for free on most Wednesdays? The Pittsburgh Banjo Club practices at the North Side Elks Lodge at 8 pm, and is a lot of fun with a mix of old-timey music, classics, and more.
While this one is free without cover charge, it is worth noting that the bar at the Elks Lodge is cash only. Doors normally open at approximately 7:15 pm and fill up fast, so get in early if you're heading in with a group and want seats!
The Pittsburgh Banjo Club periodically posts practice information on their Facebook page.
Three Rivers Arts Festival
Pittsburgh is fortunate to have many annual festivals that feature live music prominently (often in addition to even more scheduled programming), and one of our favorites is the Three Rivers Arts Festival– typically taking place for two weeks every June in the Cultural District.
The Three Rivers Arts Festival is a one-stop shop for all things art with hundreds of vendors selling handmade wares and live music ranging from local acts to international stars capping off the festivities.
The Three Rivers Arts Festival typically posts the concert lineup in late May or early June on their website.
Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival
Do you want more live jazz? It is hard to beat the lineup at the Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival in the Cultural District for a single weekend every September.
This event is typically a mix of free and paid shows, with an impressive lineup of live jazz on outdoor stages in the Cultural District, with ticketed experiences inside the August Wilson Center and other venues. Programming often features 10+ bands on Saturday and Sunday, often on several stages, and is a lot of fun for those who want an entire weekend of live jazz!
The Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival typically posts the concert lineup in early summer as well as ticket sales for the premium events on their website.
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Live Music at Allegheny City Brewing
Naturally, many area bars and breweries offer live music programming throughout the year. It isn't hard to find a show at a bar if you look for it, but schedules and cover charges may be all over the place.
For free music, it is hard to beat the lineup at Allegheny City Brewing in the North Side, which regularly features local talent like the Sweaty Already String Band, Nor'side Organ Trio, Shelf Life String Band, and more- for free (although buying a beverage is always recommended)!
But, much like most bars and businesses that offer live music, it is hard to predict a fixed schedule here, and programming is a bit more variable than others mentioned in this article. We've seen bands scheduled somewhat regularly on Wednesdays and/or Thursday nights in particular, but this isn't a hard and set rule- so we recommend checking their website and social media for week-to-week updates.
Allegheny City Brewing typically posts their music lineup on their event calendar and Instagram.
City of Asylum
City of Asylum is an excellent organization that helps provide housing for international writers who have left their home countries due to persecution and can work on their writings in a safe environment.
Over the years, the organization has expanded and opened up a bookshop and performing arts venue space on North Avenue and features an impressive line-up of live programming ranging from jazz to poetry readings, film screenings, and more. Although live music can occur on various nights of the week, a Thursday night jazz series was scheduled for a few months out at the time of publication.
That said, while City of Asylum offers free programming, space is limited and reserved tickets often sell out in advance.
The City of Asylum posts its programming lineup on their website.
Millvale Music Festival
To wind down this list of free live music opportunities in Pittsburgh, we come to some epic multi-day music festivals not to miss.
Up first, we have the Millvale Music Festival taking place for two days each May. At this festival, seemingly the entire borough becomes a stage with hundreds of bands on several dozen stages inside local businesses, at neighborhood breweries like Grist House and Strange Roots, and even public stages in parking lots and in the community garden!
It is truly one of those festivals where you can roll up to Millvale, walk around, listen for music, and see where the day takes you. But be prepared, as parking for this one is often quite limited in Millvale proper, and the festival often operates shuttles from nearby ballfields to bring in guests.
The Millvale Music Festival lineup is typically published in late April or early May on their website.
North Side Music Festival
The North Side is also home to another multi-day music festival, the aptly named North Side Music Festival (formerly the Deutschtown Music Festival). This festival takes place in Deutschtown for three days each July and features many stages at area businesses, the Elks Lodge and Croatian Hall, as well as a main stage on Foreland Avenue.
Food trucks and other business popups can also be found along Foreland and nearby streets, and really is as much of a block party as it is all about live music!
Much like the Millvale Music Festival, parking in Deutschtown is limited; however, street parking in the greater North Side is often abundant, and Deutschtown is a short walk from downtown parking garages as well.
The North Side Music Festival typically publishes their lineup in June on their website.
Do you have a free concert series in Pittsburgh you enjoy? Comment below to share!
