First Night Pittsburgh 2024: New Year's Eve Bash Details Revealed

PITTSBURGH, PA — A 30-year tradition resumes on Dec. 31 when the Highmark First Night Pittsburgh 2024 will help Western Pennsylvanians say goodbye t0 2023 and welcome in the new year.

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, which produces the annual event, on Wednesday released details of this year's six-hour, arts-focused, family friendly celebration that is free and open to everyone.

The 14-block Downtown Pittsburgh Cultural District will be the site for live music, dance, theater, visual arts, magic, kids' activities, a community parade and two fireworks displays - one at 6 p.m., the other at midnight.

This year’s headlining performer on the Highmark Stage at the intersectionof Penn Avenue and Stanwix Street, is the New Orleans-based and one-time Pittsburgh-based Lyndsey Smith. She takes the stage at 10:45 after warm-up acts The Flow Band and the Zuzu African Acrobats perform.

There also will be a new public art premiere – The Firetree Project presented by Dollar Bank – an interactive 24-foot-tall steel sculpture at Eighth and Penn avenues whose visitors can activate various bells within it. That area will have outdoor heaters and food trucks on hand.

The parade will feature giant puppets from Studio Capezzuti. The parade route will be along Penn Avenue between the David L. Lawrence Convention Center and 6th Street. It will be followed by a ribbon cutting for the reopening of the Roberto Clemente Bridge and the official launch of a new lighting project on the Clemente, Andy Warhol and Rachel Carson bridges.

For the full lineup of First Night Activities, click here.