Your guide to Pittsburgh's First Night 2025 celebration
Pittsburgh is set to host its 31st New Year’s Eve party Tuesday.
As the calendar turns to 2025, the city will ring in the new year at Highmark First Night Pittsburgh, a six-hour, arts-focused community celebration that offers free and ticketed events.
A production of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, festivities begin at 6 p.m. with fireworks and end six hours later with more fireworks.
Between the fireworks will be the annual parade, featuring large puppets and decorated vehicles by Brighton Heights artist Cheryl Capezzuti. Entertainment includes jazz legend Roger Humphries, rapper and performer Harvey “Frzy” Daniels, comedians Ed Bailey and Day Bracey, drag performer Kierra Darshell and an acrobatic troupe from East Africa, Zuzu African Acrobats.
There will also be some magic and a Highmark Holiday Block Party.
“We’re delighted to continue our long-standing partnership with the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust and sponsor the joyous celebration of First Night Pittsburgh,” said David Holmberg, president and CEO of Highmark Health, in a statement. “Supporting this incredible event is an extension of our Highmark Bright Blue Futures program, driving our enterprise mission forward by investing in a healthy, thriving community as we welcome 2025.”
Weather
According to WTAE meteorologist Ashley Dougherty, rain will be on and off and heavy at times through the day Tuesday. As midnight approaches, rain will remain scattered but temperatures will drop through Wednesday morning and scattered rain showers will change over to snow showers.
Tuesday is expected to be warmer than typical with temperatures in the 40s, said Tim Cermak, meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Moon.
“New Year’s Eve is favoring wet weather,” Cermak said. “A cold front is expected to move through but not until Wednesday morning or afternoon. Hopefully, the timing of the pattern changes, but right now expect rain at some point on New Year’s Eve.”
Dancing in the streets
A little rain won’t dampen the annual parade, said artist Cheryl Capezzuti of Brighton Heights, who has been involved in the First Night parade for 22 years. It kicks off at 8 p.m., beginning at Penn Avenue between the David L. Lawrence Convention Center and 6th Street. People who want to be puppets are invited to show up at 7:30 p.m. at the convention center.
This year’s parade, which is 30 minutes long, will feature puppets that are robot-inspired, a nod to Pittsburgh’s innovative work with robots, Capezzuti said. There will also be puppet mobiles — cars decorated for the parade. Leading the way will be a cow car, and at the end will be a rainbow cat.
“We want to make people smile and bring joy,” she said. “A little rain won’t bother the puppets. Photos are phenomenal with the light reflecting off the pavement when it rains. If it rains, we will just dance a little faster along the parade route. In life, you take what is given you and you make the best of it.”
Onstage
Some of the indoor ticketed events ($10-$65) include Humphries, who will present “Roger Humphries Celebrates the Music of Ray Charles” with his big band and vocalists from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Byham Theater.
Humphries and his bandmates will bring to life the original arrangements from Charles’ big band book — Humphries was a drummer for Charles in the late 1960s — featuring blues, jazz, rhythm and blues and gospel.
Frzy will headline the evening, performing songs such as “Gold in It” and his hit radio single, “You Ain’t Got No Money,” as well as some new tunes from the Highmark Stage at 10:45 p.m. until after midnight.
Bailey and Bracey, hosts of the Emmy-nominated television show “Ed & Day in The Burgh” will bring “Ed & Day in the ‘Burgh: Epic Comedy on New Year’s Eve” from 10 to 11 p.m. at the Byham Theater.
“Kierra Darshell’s Drag Show,” is happening from 7 to 8 p.m. and 10 to 11 p.m. at the Greer Cabaret Theater. Phat Mandee will perform in the lounge before each show.
Zuzu African Acrobats, which specializes in fast-paced performances that combine traditional African acrobatics, high-energy tumbling, balancing acts and humor will perform in the James E. Rohr Building, Trust Arts Education Center starting at 6:30 p.m.
The Alumni Theater Company will blend original songs and spoken word moments as 2024 ends. The performances will also be in the Rohr Building, beginning at 7 p.m.
Liberty Magic is hosting “Luis Carreon: A Glimpse of The Beast,” a one-man magic show, which highlights his Latin heritage through off-the-wall comedy to share his real-life experiences, poking fun at stereotypes, cultural differences, and himself. Shows begin at 7:30 p.m.
Ice, ice baby
Ice Maze by Ice Creations is a maze that encompasses 30 by 40 feet of the Giant Eagle Foundation Backyard at 8th Street and Penn Avenue. It will feature carved symbols representing different areas in Pennsylvania, ending at an ice throne for photos. Nearby there will be a spot to race Lego cars down an ice luge racetrack.
Roads closed/Transportation/Parking
Guests are encouraged to consult the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust’s website, ParkPGH, which shows exactly how many spaces are available in garages throughout the Cultural District and beyond.
There are 5,000 parking spots in the Cultural District and thousands more within walking distance. Spectators can park on the North Shore or Station Square on the South Side and ride the Pittsburgh Regional Transit’s light rail for free. Check transit schedules because not all offer service after midnight.
Starting at 10 a.m. Tuesday through 4 a.m. Wednesday, Stanwix Street between Liberty Avenue and Fort Duquesne Boulevard will be closed.
Penn Avenue from 5th Street to Penn Avenue Extension will be closed as well as Cecil Place between Penn Avenue and Fort Duquesne Boulevard. There will be rolling parade closures at 9th Street from Liberty Avenue to French Street and along Penn Avenue.
Fireworks
The Dollar Bank children’s fireworks are at 6 p.m. at Penn Avenue and Stanwix Street. There will also be a performance by the GBU Life sing-off competition winner followed by a family rave with disc jockey Todd Griffin. The evening culminates with the tradition of the Future of Pittsburgh Ball, which weighs more than 1,000 pounds has thousands of LED lights and will rise nearly 75 feet to its pinnacle position as fireworks fill the sky as the song “Auld Lang Syne” is played.
Details: trustArts.org.
JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a TribLive reporter covering the region's diverse culinary scene and unique homes. She writes features about interesting people. The Edward R. Murrow award-winning journalist began her career as a sports reporter. She has been with the Trib for 26 years and is the author of "A Daughter's Promise." She can be reached at jharrop@triblive.com.
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