Your Guide to Pittsburgh Earth Day

How a new, green Pittsburgh celebrates Earth Day

We get it. When some people think of Pittsburgh, their first thought are images of a steel city filled with smog. But the Pittsburgh of today has undergone decades of transformation, shedding its industrial revolution roots and now positioned at the forefront of robotics, medicine and sustainability.

While green now has many connotations, Pittsburgh embodies all of them. When I introduce guests to Pittsburgh for the first time, one of the first things I hear is shock at how green (literally!) the city is as they experience our verdant hillsides and riverside trails. Pittsburgh also is leading the way in the green building movement from our airport and convention center to corporate buildings and sports arenas.

Pictured |
Green roof at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center

Pittsburgh Earth Day

So, how do keep this momentum moving forward each year and keep our city sustainable and resilient? Enter Pittsburgh Earth Day, a non-profit entering its 10th year of programming with the very fitting mission to live Earth Day, Every Day!

While Earth Day is technically a single day, Pittsburgh Earth Day is an ongoing initiative with inventive programming and transformational events all centered around green goals and initiatives throughout the year.

Read on to see what Pittsburgh Earth Day and other local organizations have in store for 2024 and beyond!

Wild Earth Day Festival

Circle April 20, 2024 on your calendars when Pittsburgh Earth Day celebrates the holiday with the Wild Earth Day Festival at Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium.

From 10 a.m.-4 p.m. this organization will be inspiring the next gen of Earth-lovers via a music, art and culture festival held right at the zoo! Take a break from penguin peeping and enjoy all the fun and educational programming, including musical acts:

  • 10 a.m. | DJ SMI with Artist Kevin Wenner
  • 11:30 a.m. | MIA Z. Band
  • 1 p.m. | Good Karma Band
  • 2:30 p.m. | Jim Donovan and The Sun King Warriors Band

PDP Night Market Goes Green

Join Pittsburgh Earth Day and the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership for their annual market in Market Square, this year after dark! Enjoy live music, educational booths and interactive activities hosted by some of Pittsburgh's most sustainable brands.

A woman wears a wreath of greenery for the Ecolution Fashion Gala.

Ecolution Fashion Gala

But Pittsburgh Earth Day doesn't end there. In fact, one of their most popular events isn't held until June! The Ecolution Fashion Gala, a sustainable couture event you can only find in Pittsburgh, will take place June 5, 2024 at the Carnegie Museum.

The main event here is their iconic runway fashion show with hand-crafted styles made by top designers and utilizing recycled and reused materials! Come see the latest in environmental ensembles curated by fashion magnate Brian David, styled by Izzazu Salon, Spa & Blowout Bar and produced by The Green Voice Collective.

A model wears a dress from recycled paper during the Ecolution Fashion Gala.
Credit |
Brian David, Designer x Photographer

Living Earth Day, Every Day

Unable to make it to Pittsburgh Earth Day events? There's still plenty of ways to get involved. Make sure to sign up for their newsletter, The Green Voice, to stay informed of all things sustainable in the city. It's an easy read but full of actionable information including vegan recipes, tips to be a better recycler and putting the spotlight on local green businesses.

Pittsburgh Earth Day also publishes a monthly podcast called The Dirt via YouTube for an even deeper look at sustainability by including a variety of voices throughout Pittsburgh on the show. As always, keep an eye on their website and social media sites to be the first to know about upcoming events and the latest news!

More Earth Day Activities in Pittsburgh

2024 Events as they are announced

Pittsburgh Earth Day is just one part of the sustainability equation, and other local attractions, museums, parks and conservation groups are making this Earth Day an action-packed weekend:

  • Join the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy for Earth Day fun throughout the month, including
    • Schenley Park programming including a Watershed Walk April 10 and 24, Birding Pittsburgh's Parks April 15 and a City Nature Challenge April 26, 2024.
    • Earth Month Forest Bathing Series Tuesdays in April starting April 9 at Frick Park, April 27 at Riverview Park, May 25, 2024 at Allegheny Commons Park
    • Take a Frick Environmental Center Building Tour April 13 at Frick Park
    • Head to Westinghouse Park April 6 for their Earth Month Celebration including lawn games, face painting, balloon animals, an Earth Month Story Hike and more at this family fun-packed event.
    • McKinley Park will host their own Earth Month Celebration on April 20 along with a story hike, mushrooms of Beltzhoover walk and solar powered interactives.
  • As part of Celebrate Trails Day, Friends of the Riverfront is taking a riverfront botanical plantlore walk to share everything they know about the plants along the Three Rivers Heritage Trail on April 27.
  • Or, simply enjoy the redbuds blooming around the city, a result of the Western PA Conservancy

No matter how you celebrate, we hope you will join Pittsburgh's efforts in sustainability and take the pledge to help live every day in our beautiful city like it's Earth Day.

Credit |
Daniel G. and Carole L. Kamin Science Center

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Jared B.

Author

Jared B.

Enthusiastic Pittsburgher

Always in search of the next great craft beer and arcade. Can be found in the Supporters Section of Pittsburgh Riverhounds games and at whatever festival is happening in the city.

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