Last Updated on May 16, 2022 by Jeremy
Disclaimer: Our site uses demographic data, email opt-ins, display advertising, and affiliate links. Please check out our Terms and Conditions. Pricing, operating hours, or menus may have changed since our initial visit and may not be reflected in subsequent updates. Please confirm these directly with any business or attraction prior to visiting.
Pittsburgh in May is when we truly feel like it is spring. The frosts end, temperatures warm, and all we want to do is be outside as much as we can before the (sometimes oppressive) summer heat rolls in.
So for this one, we wanted to share several great activities that are coming up for the month that you can enjoy outdoors, as well as many festivals (often libation focused) that take place in May!
Pittsburgh Marathon
Fancy a long-distance run in Pittsburgh? Or maybe you want to cheer on those who are going for a new personal record? The acclaimed Pittsburgh Marathon is returning for another year on May 1st, 2022, and will take runners on a gorgeous run throughout the city (so watch out for street closures!).
In addition to the 26.2-mile marathon, this race also includes a half marathon, relay, and 5k- so all skill levels can find something to enjoy on race day!
Go for a Bike Ride
Don't fancy yourself a runner? How about going on a bike ride around the city instead! There are many great Pittsburgh bike trails to enjoy including some of our personal favorites like the Great Allegheny Passage, the Butler-Freeport Community Trail, and if you're willing to drive a bit further, the Ghost Town Trail (our absolute favorite)!
You can even plan your outing to end around some breweries near bike trails. A post-ride beer never tasted so good, we're not going to lie.
Penguins Playoff Opening Round
If there is anything better than Pittsburgh hockey, it is Pittsburgh playoff hockey. The Penguins have made it in for another season in 2022 and are sure to put on another strong effort into clinching another cup.
Home games for the first round are on May 7th, 9th, and, if necessary, 13th, in 2022. Additional dates may be scheduled if they can pull off a win to make it to the second round, too! So be sure to grab a ticket on StubHub and join the fun!
Pirates Skyblast Extravaganza
One of our favorite things about May is that you can always count on the Pirates to have a scheduled fireworks night for one of their home games over a weekend. In May 2022, the firework night falls on Saturday the 21st for the game against the St. Louis Cardinals.
While we aren't going to make any predictions over the outcome of the game, what we are most excited about is that this particular show is going to be special. Starting this season the Pirates are going to be putting on “Skyblast Extravaganzas” a few times throughout the season where fireworks will be launched from the river, the stadium, and off of select buildings downtown too.
We really cannot wait to see this one and hope the game ends promptly so everyone can enjoy the show at a reasonable hour instead of some of the near-midnight shows we've stayed up for in the past!
ZooBrew at the Pittsburgh Zoo
Beer plus animals? You can't go wrong with the annual ZooBrew event at the Pittsburgh Zoo. 2022's event will take place on May 27th from 6 to 9:30 pm and is set to have about 20 breweries (a mix of just a few local and more national breweries), bites from the zoo's caterer, music, select animal exhibits, and more!
Enjoy the Return of OpenStreets
Whenever we travel, we love it when cities shut down main roads for pedestrian enjoyment be it walking, running, biking, and more. While Pittsburgh doesn't do this nearly as much as we would like, we do get three amazing events each year from the OpenStreets program, and the first returns in May!
May's route will take place on Sunday, May 29th and will connect Market Square to South Side via Forbes, the 10th Street Bridge, and East Carson Street!
In the past we've been able to bike through South Side, the Strip District, the West End, East Liberty, and more all without having to compete with traffic. So choose your preferred method of exploring and hit the open streets this May!
Kayafest
Looking for even more to do on Sunday, May 29th? One of our favorite restaurants in the Strip District, Kaya, will be bringing back their annual street festival, aptly named Kayafest, with music, drinks, and a whole lot of delicious food.
So after you go explore downtown and South Side for OpenStreets, be sure to head down to the Strip for more food and fun!
Pittsburgh Magazine's Wine & Spirits Festival
If you're sensing a theme that May's activities are all about enjoying some libations or getting out for some exercise, well, you're not wrong. Our last event to highlight for this month is Pittsburgh Magazine's Wine & Spirits Festival– a new event for 2022 taking place on May 13th at Rivers Casino!
We know that Pittsburgh Magazine always throws a great party (their Best Restaurant Party is always one of our favorites to attend each year) and we are excited to check out over 200 wine and spirit samples from vendors both local, domestic, and international! Going beyond tastings, there will be meet & greets with winemakers and distillers, bottle signings, and even an on-site popup store from Fine Wine & Good Spirits!
What are you looking forward to when you visit Pittsburgh in May? Comment below to share!