Music

Pittsburgh Banjo Club’s Wednesday Practice is a Classic

When it comes to music institutions in Pittsburgh, it feels like we've sadly lost many to history.

But there is one musical experience in Pittsburgh's North Side that still exists to this day, and that is the Pittsburgh Banjo Club. Founded in the 1980s, the Pittsburgh Banjo Club has become a beacon for banjo lovers to play together. Even better? Their Wednesday night practices take place weekly at the Elks Lodge #339 on Cedar Avenue starting at 8 pm, and is completely free for visitors to attend!

Free live music from a Pittsburgh institution? You'll get just that with the Pittsburgh Banjo Club!

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10 Free Concert Series to Enjoy Live Music in Pittsburgh

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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10 Performing Art Venues in Pittsburgh’s Cultural District

Every Pittsburgher knows what makes the Cultural District special, and it is the impressive concentration of theaters found in just a few short blocks.

From Heinz Hall and the Benedum Center to more obscure spots like Liberty Magic and Greer Cabaret, we really have the opportunity to see a show almost every single day of the year.

So in this one, we thought we'd run through all of the great theaters in the Cultural District to help you find a new spot to take in a show!

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Enjoy Music All Summer Long in Allegheny County Parks

We love seeing live music in the area, and there are no shortage of great concert venues in Pittsburgh to check out a show.     

But some of the best music experiences in Pittsburgh are when free music performances pop up, and one of our favorites is during the Allegheny County Summer Concert Series which takes place at two great locations in the county!

We made our way up to Hartwood Acres to check out a show and wanted to share a bit more about what you can expect and how to get the most out of these free events!

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The Millvale Music Festival Fills the Borough With Sound

When it comes to enjoying music in Pittsburgh, there is no shortage of events going on from local performances, mega artists visiting on a global tour, and local festivals.

One festival stands out as being one of the very best in southwest Pennsylvania- the Millvale Music Festival.

This one, located in Millvale just outside of Pittsburgh, brings over 300 bands to more than two dozen stages all within a roughly one-mile radius over two packed days. Truly, you're never more than a few feet away from music at this one, and it is a whole lot of fun!

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City Winery Brings Live Music, Comedy, and Wine to the Strip

Note: In January 2025, City Winery added a mandatory $25 food and beverage spend for all show attendees. Please keep this in mind when visiting.

City Winery has been taking the entertainment world by storm with its unique combination of being one part winery, one part entertainment complex.

While City Winery has been operating in several major cities in the USA for many years now, their first Pittsburgh location opened right in the heart of the Strip District in the Terminal building complex in 2023.

Wine, live entertainment, and late-night hours in the Strip? We're in for that!

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Chatham Baroque Offers a Unique Concert Series in Pittsburgh

Chatham Baroque is a period music ensemble that was founded in Pittsburgh in 1990 that performs their own concert series in the city, in addition to collaborating with other groups in Pittsburgh and touring around the country and world. Artistic directors Andrew Fouts, Patricia Halverson, and Scott Pauley invite other musicians from around the world to perform with them, making their concerts special and unique.

We were first introduced to Chatham Baroque when they accompanied the opera Idaspe, put on by Quantum Theater in the fall of 2022. I don't think we had ever seen instruments like the viola da gamba or the theorbo played in person before. We were instantly drawn to their unique look and sound, and knew we had to learn more about this interesting ensemble.

Cut to early 2023 and we were able to check out Chatham Baroque play their final concert of the season, The Joy of Bach!

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Petersen Events Center Concerts – Is The Venue Worth It?

When it comes to concerts in Pittsburgh, many venues have regular shows throughout the year. Some spots, like the Petersen Events Center, host concerts less frequently as this particular venue is primarily used for Pitt basketball games first and foremost.

But clocking in at about 12,000 seats, the Petersen Events Center is a serious stadium (roughly 2/3 the size of PPG Paints Arena) and does attract star talent periodically. While stadium performances are not typically our favorite, we have to admit we loved our show at this particular spot (Billy Strings) and have some thoughts on where to sit, what to consider before visiting, and what to avoid!

So if you plan to attend a concert at the Petersen Events Center soon, keep these tips in mind!

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