Saturday, January 18, 2025, 7:53PM |  41°
MENU
Advertisement
The rapper Frzy delivered a tight 90-minute set with the Pittsburgh Symphony and guest artist in Heinz Hall on Wednesday, Nov. 8.
3
MORE

Frzy and fireworks will cap Highmark First Night Pittsburgh 2025

JMilteer Photography

Frzy and fireworks will cap Highmark First Night Pittsburgh 2025

Highmark First Night Pittsburgh 2025 will feature a tribute to Ray Charles, a drag show, fireworks, a headlining performance by local rapper Frzy and much more.

The 31st annual event, presented by the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, is a six-hour, mostly free event that will ring in the new year on Dec. 31 in the Cultural District, Downtown.

“We’re thrilled to welcome visitors to the Cultural District for an incredible showcase of arts and entertainment,” Brooke Horejsi, chief programming and engagement officer for the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust said in a statement. “From fireworks to an ice maze, hip-hop to jazz, comedy to drag, and so much more, this is a joyous way for our community to ring in 2025.”

Advertisement

Below is an overview of First Night festivities.

Lights from passing cars fly down East Carson Street  past Nick's Fat City on the South Side in 2004.
Scott Mervis
It's a Thanksgiving weekend reunion with the Nick's Fat City gang

Free Outdoor Events

Countdown to Midnight & Future of Pittsburgh Grand Finale: The Future of Pittsburgh Ball will rise above the Highmark Stage on Penn Avenue Place, followed by a fireworks display and a singing of “Auld Lang Syne.”

Frzy: The Pittsburgh rapper will perform his radio single “You Ain’t Got No Money” and other favorites.

Highmark Holiday Block Party and AHN Family Zone: Hands-on activities and family-friendly fun at Penn Avenue and 7th Street, across from the Benedum Center.

Advertisement

New Year’s Eve Parade: Giant Eagle sponsors the parade featuring giant puppets from Studio Capezzuti on Penn Avenue between the David L. Lawrence Convention Center and 6th Street, between 8-8:30 pm.

Ice Maze by Ice Creations: The maze is back for the third time at the Giant Eagle Foundation Backyard at 8th and Penn.

Dollar Bank Children’s Fireworks: Early evening fireworks kick things off at 6 p.m. at Penn Avenue and Stanwix Street.

GBU Life SING-OFF Competition: The winner of the annual GBU Life SING-OFF Competition will perform on the Highmark Stage. Students in grades 6-12 can still submit audition videos through Dec. 1 at midnight to be considered by a panel of judges that includes special guest Mathew Fedorek.

FILE - A Beagle Scout Snoopy balloon floats above Central Park West in New York during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on Thursday, Nov. 23, 2023.
Maddie Aiken
WVU marching band will lead in Santa during Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City

Indoor Events

Roger Humphries Celebrates the Music of Ray Charles: The Pittsburgh jazz legend and his Big Band salute the R&B/soul icon at the Byham Theater (6:30 p.m., $20).

Ed & Day in the ‘Burgh: Comedians Ed Bailey and Day Bracey, of the Emmy-nominated TV show “Ed & Day in The Burgh,” do an hour of stand-up comedy for older audiences at Byham Theater (10 p.m., $15).

Kierra Darshell’s Drag Show: Pittsburgh’s First Lady of Drag is joined by Phat Man Dee at Greer Cabaret Theater (7 and 10 p.m., $20).

Zuzu African Acrobats: The acrobatic troupe from East Africa combines traditional African acrobatics, high-energy tumbling, balancing acts, and humor at the James E. Rohr Building, Trust Arts Education Center (6:30-7 p.m., 7:30-8 p.m., 9-9:30 p.m., 10-10:30 p.m., $10).

Alumni Theater Company: A blend of original songs and spoken word at the James E. Rohr Building, Trust Arts Education Center (7-7:45 p.m., 9-9:45 p.m., 10:30-11:15 p.m., $10).

Luis Carreon: A Glimpse of The Beast: One-man show of magic and comedy at Liberty Magic (7:30-8 p.m., 8:30-9 p.m., 9:30-10 p.m., 10:30-11 p.m., $20).

First Night Friends VIP Experience: Access to the First Night Friends Lounge sponsored by Citizens Bank, located inside the O’Reilly Theater lobby. A special “Freeze Pass” allows Friends to cut to the front of the line at the popular Ice Maze. In the lounge, Friends receive complimentary food, beverages, entertainment, and a convenient indoor street-level destination with packages starting at $65 per adults / $45 per youth. For more information: TrustArts.org/FirstNightPGH.

First Published: November 26, 2024, 6:09 p.m.
Updated: November 27, 2024, 4:23 p.m.

RELATED
SHOW COMMENTS (4)  
Join the Conversation
Commenting policy | How to Report Abuse
If you would like your comment to be considered for a published letter to the editor, please send it to letters@post-gazette.com. Letters must be under 250 words and may be edited for length and clarity.
Partners
Advertisement
Russell Wilson #3 and Justin Fields #2 of the Pittsburgh Steelers warm up prior to the game against the New York Giants at Acrisure Stadium on October 28, 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
1
sports
Gerry Dulac: The Steelers are looking for direction and purpose. How will the roster look in 2025?
Josh Willy, Penn Hills High teacher of 23 years, died in a single-vehicle crash on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025.
2
news
Penn Hills High mourns loss of longtime teacher in vehicle crash
Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., speaks at a campaign rally for Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris at Erie Insurance Arena, in Erie, Pa., Oct. 14, 2024.
3
news
John Fetterman was elected to challenge convention. Now, he's challenging his fellow Democrats.
The Edgar Thomson Steel Works in Braddock, seen earlier this month.
4
business
'There is no agreement': Cleveland-Cliffs, USW deny scheming to foil U.S. Steel deal with Nippon
Quarterback Kenny Pickett, left, the Pittsburgh Steelers first-round NFL football draft pick, poses for a photo with president/owner Art Rooney II at the team's training facility in Pittsburgh, Friday, April 29, 2022.
5
sports
Joe Starkey: Steelers offense in disrepair thanks to series of misguided, arrogant decisions
The rapper Frzy delivered a tight 90-minute set with the Pittsburgh Symphony and guest artist in Heinz Hall on Wednesday, Nov. 8.  (JMilteer Photography)
The rapper Frzy (left) and saxophonist Jason Kush share the stage at Heinz Hall with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.  (JMilteer Photography)
Frzy with the Pittsburgh Symphony at Heinz Hall.  (JMilteer Photography)
JMilteer Photography
Advertisement
LATEST ae
Advertisement
TOP
Email a Story