Pittsburgh New Year's Eve Guide: Where To Ring In 2020

PITTSBURGH, PA - Love it or hate it, New Year's Eve is happening again this year. Whether you plan to ring in 2019 at your favorite restaurant, a buzzing party with your friends, or all cozied up in front of the TV, Patch has you you covered.

So pop the bubbly, come up with some resolutions you can actually stick to and get ready to
celebrate the New Year. Check out town-by-town listings below of New Year's celebrations and events in and around Pittsburgh. If you're one to want to go out, plus a look at what television programming may make you want to stay in.

Family-friendly events

If your New Years Eve activities revolve around your kids, you can check out the celebrations at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium and Phipps Conservatory.

If you're going out...

Of course the big event Downtown is Highmark First Night Pittsburgh, an arts-focused celebration produced by the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust.

Culminating with the city's countdown to midnight and raising of the Future of Pittsburgh Ball, the six-hour celebration sprawls downtown's renowned 14-block Cultural District — inside theaters, galleries, and unique spaces and along city streets on outdoor performance stages.

Acclaimed national artists and Pittsburgh's vibrant artist community ring in the new year for revelers with live music, dance, theater, visual arts, comedy, magic, kids' activities, and a signature parade along with two Zambelli Fireworks displays, at 6 p.m. and midnight.

First Night admission buttons are $10 each, children 5 and younger are free. VIP tickets are available for $40.

Among the Downtown nightspots throwing parties during the First Night celebration:

• Il Tetto on Penn Avenue.

• Ten Penny on Penn Avenue.

• Howl at the Moon on 7th Street.

• Social House Seven on 7th Street.

• Revel + Roost on Forbes Avenue.

• Olive or Twist on Sixth Street.

• City Works in Market Square.

In the Strip District, you can dine at the Smallman Galley on 21st Street or Cake on Smallman Street.

Across the Allegheny River from Downtown, there's the New Year's Eve North Shore Block Partyat Steel Cacuts PNC Park and Local Brewhouse. A few blocks away, you can celebrate Brew Year's eve at the Federal Galley in Nova Place. Tequila Cowboy on North Shore Drive also will have a soiree. At the Rivers Casino, 100.7 and B94 FM will have a throwback bash.

On the South Side, you can try Foxtail on East Carson Street.

If you're staying in..

If your idea of the perfect New Year's Eve is curling up on the couch with a hot toddy and
watching the countdown in your pajamas, you're in luck. These are the top two live TV specials people are already talking about. Here's a peek so you can you can plan accordingly:

• "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve 2020" Hosted by Ryan Seacrest

Where to catch it: ABC

Why you should watch: You can count on crazy views of Time Square packed with people, as well as awesome musical performances by artists such as the Jonas Brothers, Ciara, Paula Abdul, Dan + Shay, Sheryl Crow and Usher.

• "New Year's Eve Live" With Anderson Cooper And Andy Cohen

Where to catch it: CNN

Why you should watch: Cooper again will will host CNN's annual New Year's Eve Live special with none other than "Watch What Happens Live" host Andy Cohen. As these two are best friends in real life, you can expect tons witty banter and hilarious moments from the pair.