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Third Eye Blind, Nelly to headline free Point State Park show

The show caps a statewide concert series marking America's 250th.

News

Third Eye Blind and Nelly will headline a free summer concert at Point State Park on June 27, closing out the five-stop <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="America250PA Commonwealth Concert Series" data-vars-click-url="https://www.america250pa.org/Signature_Events" data-vars-content-id="1e99e61a-08c7-472d-af67-0d71eb8e3516" data-vars-headline="Third Eye Blind, Nelly to headline free Point State Park show" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.america250pa.org/Signature_Events" target="_blank">America250PA Commonwealth Concert Series</a>.The big picture: The series joins a packed summer lineup of major events, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="headline acts" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/03/26/nelly-2-chainz-to-headline-north-shore-plaza-shows" data-vars-content-id="1e99e61a-08c7-472d-af67-0d71eb8e3516" data-vars-headline="Third Eye Blind, Nelly to headline free Point State Park show" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/03/26/nelly-2-chainz-to-headline-north-shore-plaza-shows" target="_self">headline acts</a> and other <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="free shows" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/04/02/nfl-draft-concerts-wiz-khalifa-kane-brown-pittsburgh" data-vars-content-id="1e99e61a-08c7-472d-af67-0d71eb8e3516" data-vars-headline="Third Eye Blind, Nelly to headline free Point State Park show" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/04/02/nfl-draft-concerts-wiz-khalifa-kane-brown-pittsburgh" target="_self">free shows</a> in the city.

Pittsburgh joins Michelin restaurant guide

The Michelin Guide will rate Pittsburgh restaurants for the first time in 2027.

The world&#x27;s preeminent food reviewer is adding Pittsburgh to its guide. Why it matters: The Steel City continues to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="notch accolades" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/04/02/fet-fisk-james-beard-finalist-pittsburgh" data-vars-content-id="ef0026bd-41c6-43e6-abb2-affda42b758d" data-vars-headline="Pittsburgh joins Michelin restaurant guide" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/04/02/fet-fisk-james-beard-finalist-pittsburgh" target="_self">notch accolades</a> for its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="growing food scene" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/11/13/pittsburgh-restaurant-survival-doordash-2025" data-vars-content-id="ef0026bd-41c6-43e6-abb2-affda42b758d" data-vars-headline="Pittsburgh joins Michelin restaurant guide" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/11/13/pittsburgh-restaurant-survival-doordash-2025" target="_self">growing food scene</a>, and a Michelin star would fully legitimize it.

Pittsburgh gets its first romance-only bookstores

The new bookstores highlight the genre's growth and changing cultural reputation.

Things to Do

Pittsburgh is getting a double dose of romance with two new bookstores just blocks apart.Why it matters: Romance novels <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="dominate" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/07/briefing/romance-bookstores.html" data-vars-content-id="0248b646-8b45-495c-9b50-37680268b951" data-vars-headline="Pittsburgh gets its first romance-only bookstores" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/07/briefing/romance-bookstores.html" target="_blank">dominate</a> bestseller lists, but the genre hasn&#x27;t always enjoyed equivalent <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cultural respect" data-vars-click-url="https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/why-cant-romance-novels-get-any-love-180954548/" data-vars-content-id="0248b646-8b45-495c-9b50-37680268b951" data-vars-headline="Pittsburgh gets its first romance-only bookstores" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/why-cant-romance-novels-get-any-love-180954548/" target="_blank">cultural respect</a>.

Hospitals ramp up for NFL Draft crowds

The city's hospital systems will expand services to handle large crowds and emergencies.

Pittsburgh&#x27;s hospital systems are mobilizing in anticipation of hundreds of thousands of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="NFL Draft" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/03/25/nfl-draft-pittsburgh-transportation-tips-road-closures-parking" data-vars-content-id="862b1f09-3350-4b94-823c-653ef6320bd3" data-vars-headline="Hospitals ramp up for NFL Draft crowds" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/03/25/nfl-draft-pittsburgh-transportation-tips-road-closures-parking" target="_self">NFL Draft</a> visitors flocking to the city this month.Why it matters: Record <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="crowds" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/04/02/nfl-draft-concerts-wiz-khalifa-kane-brown-pittsburgh" data-vars-content-id="862b1f09-3350-4b94-823c-653ef6320bd3" data-vars-headline="Hospitals ramp up for NFL Draft crowds" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/04/02/nfl-draft-concerts-wiz-khalifa-kane-brown-pittsburgh" target="_self">crowds</a>, alcohol and late nights can quickly overwhelm emergency departments.

Kennywood gets creative with Potato Patch fries

New toppings like pulled pork and truffle reinvent the classic fries.

Culture

Kennywood is leaning into its history this year with fresh spins on old favorites, including a limited-time Potato Patch-inspired menu, plus two new dining spots.Dig in: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Celebrate Kennywood Weekends" data-vars-click-url="https://www.kennywood.com/press/kennywood-to-kick-off-2026-season-with-all-new-event-celebrate-kennywood-weekends/" data-vars-content-id="d8a61bd1-6ab1-429a-b557-3379f52850bd" data-vars-headline="Kennywood gets creative with Potato Patch fries" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.kennywood.com/press/kennywood-to-kick-off-2026-season-with-all-new-event-celebrate-kennywood-weekends/" target="_blank">Celebrate Kennywood Weekends</a> — a new festival running each weekend from April 18-May 10 — will feature sweet and savory offerings such as pulled-pork–topped Potato Patch fries, rosemary truffle fries, and maple-cinnamon sweet-potato waffle fries with cinnamon sugar, mallow cream and maple glaze.

Pittsburgh has an Easter candy abundance

Local candy shops across the region offer handmade treats ahead of the holiday.

Food and Drink

Pittsburgh is the second-best city in the country at celebrating Easter, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a Wallet Hub study" data-vars-click-url="https://wallethub.com/edu/best-places-to-celebrate-easter/19774" data-vars-content-id="3b629790-8ae1-413d-bcc3-4feffdc1c38c" data-vars-headline="Pittsburgh has an Easter candy abundance" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://wallethub.com/edu/best-places-to-celebrate-easter/19774" target="_blank">a Wallet Hub study</a>, and when you look around, it makes sense why.🐰 Why it matters: Easter is, of course, about Christianity, but for secular celebrators it&#x27;s also about candy — and the Pittsburgh region has a plethora of local confectioners offering sweets made on-site.

Hologram musicians to greet NFL Draft visitors

Life-size holograms of Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra musicians will greet NFL Draft visitors next month.

<figure><img alt="The installation features PSO assistant concertmaster Dylan Naroff, ​​associate principal trombone Douglas Rosenthal." height="449" id="a41f52dc-02da-4199-a45d-b516ea8fc440" src="https://images.axios.com/oMZg9yVooVqD_f7_pgNr6kLniyE=/2026/03/24/1774379280189.gif" width="800"/><figcaption>Assistant concertmaster Dylan Naroff and associate principal trombone Douglas Rosenthal. GIF: Chrissy Suttles/Axios</figcaption></figure>Life-size holograms of Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra musicians will greet NFL Draft visitors the moment they land next month.Why it matters: Pittsburgh is using its moment to boost its reputation in arts and tech.

Pittsburgh City Paper returns with new owners

Pittsburgh City Paper is relaunching under new ownership backed by nonprofit support.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Pittsburgh City Paper" data-vars-click-url="https://www.pghcitypaper.com/" data-vars-content-id="835cfc0b-ed7e-407d-9e36-ce75e88a9371" data-vars-headline="Pittsburgh City Paper returns with new owners" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.pghcitypaper.com/" target="_blank">Pittsburgh City Paper</a> is relaunching under new ownership less than three months after the alt-weekly&#x27;s abrupt shutdown.Why it matters: Pittsburgh&#x27;s media ecosystem is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="in flux" data-vars-click-url="https://triblive.com/local/regional/trib-expands-to-fill-pittsburghs-newspaper-void/" data-vars-content-id="835cfc0b-ed7e-407d-9e36-ce75e88a9371" data-vars-headline="Pittsburgh City Paper returns with new owners" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://triblive.com/local/regional/trib-expands-to-fill-pittsburghs-newspaper-void/" target="_blank">in flux</a> after <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Block Communications" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/01/07/post-gazette-shutdown-may-2026" data-vars-content-id="835cfc0b-ed7e-407d-9e36-ce75e88a9371" data-vars-headline="Pittsburgh City Paper returns with new owners" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/01/07/post-gazette-shutdown-may-2026" target="_self">Block Communications</a> moved to shed two of the city&#x27;s most recognizable news brands in rapid succession.

Pittsburgh Fringe Festival brings alt art to city

The 10-day festival fills venues with indie theater, comedy and more.

The Pittsburgh <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Fringe Festival" data-vars-click-url="https://pittsburghfringe.org/" data-vars-content-id="58ba767c-f702-4b0a-a54a-5265b78357d2" data-vars-headline="Pittsburgh Fringe Festival brings alt art to city" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://pittsburghfringe.org/" target="_blank">Fringe Festival</a> returns this week, packing stages across the city with offbeat stand-up, clowning, puppetry, poetry and more.Why it matters: The exhibition puts risk-taking indie artists front and center, giving audiences a look at work that doesn&#x27;t follow the usual script.

What it's like to march in Pittsburgh's St. Paddy's Day parade

If you want to know what the city's annual St. Patrick's Day Parade is like, you have to march in it.

If you want to know what the city&#x27;s annual St. Patrick&#x27;s Day Parade is like, you have to march in it.Why it matters: Pittsburgh&#x27;s St. Patrick&#x27;s Day Parade is one of the nation&#x27;s largest, drawing as many as 350,000 people Downtown each year, per <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Visit Pittsburgh" data-vars-click-url="https://www.visitpittsburgh.com/blog/st-patricks-day-in-pittsburgh/" data-vars-content-id="f9094c86-8ae3-42de-b345-8f54224c0424" data-vars-headline="What it&#x27;s like to march in Pittsburgh&#x27;s St. Paddy&#x27;s Day parade" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.visitpittsburgh.com/blog/st-patricks-day-in-pittsburgh/" target="_blank">Visit Pittsburgh</a>, and the city goes all in on the revelry.

North Side Croatian National Hall Javor voted Pittsburgh's best fish fry

The North Side social club has served Lenten classics with a twist since the 1980s.

<figure><img alt="Colorful mural on a brick wall: a hand holding a bouquet of red, white, and blue flowers, a guitar nearby, swirling blue and orange vines, and the text &quot;Taylor est. 1705&quot;." height="1258" id="6d7e42c6-346d-4315-861c-9ab272b56ee4" src="https://images.axios.com/q1GCAoQh4-Kh9in4IxSSkTN4yqM=/2026/03/12/1773342664762.gif" width="1920"/><figcaption>Art outside Croatian National Hall Javor on the North Side. Photos: Chrissy Suttles/Axios</figcaption></figure>The votes are in: Pittsburghers have crowned a new favorite fish fry.The big picture: Axios Pittsburgh readers named <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Croatian National Hall Javor" data-vars-click-url="https://www.javor.org/" data-vars-content-id="ce15df14-38dc-4dfd-ab0b-0e5daed9884a" data-vars-headline="North Side Croatian National Hall Javor voted Pittsburgh&#x27;s best fish fry" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.javor.org/" target="_blank">Croatian National Hall Javor</a> the region&#x27;s best fish fry this year in a competition stacked with heavyweights.

Vote for Pittsburgh's best fish fry

Axios Pittsburgh is back for year two of our hunt for Western Pennsylvania's best fish fry.

Update: Axios Pittsburgh readers named Croatian National Hall Javor the region&#x27;s best fish fry this year! <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Read more here" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/03/13/croatian-national-hall-javor-voted-pittsburghs-best-fish-fry" data-vars-content-id="4ef868ce-589c-400a-9070-963aea0103fb" data-vars-headline="Vote for Pittsburgh&#x27;s best fish fry" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/03/13/croatian-national-hall-javor-voted-pittsburghs-best-fish-fry" target="_self">Read more here</a>!Axios Pittsburgh is back for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="year two" data-vars-click-url="http://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/03/03/pittsburgh-best-fish-fry-vote" data-vars-content-id="4ef868ce-589c-400a-9070-963aea0103fb" data-vars-headline="Vote for Pittsburgh&#x27;s best fish fry" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="http://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/03/03/pittsburgh-best-fish-fry-vote" target="_self">year two</a> of our hunt for Western Pennsylvania&#x27;s best fish fry.Why it matters: We&#x27;re in the heart of fish fry season, and everyone has a favorite. Some stick with the fire hall down the street, while <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="others" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/03/02/mayor-corey-oconnor-fish-fry-order" data-vars-content-id="4ef868ce-589c-400a-9070-963aea0103fb" data-vars-headline="Vote for Pittsburgh&#x27;s best fish fry" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/03/02/mayor-corey-oconnor-fish-fry-order" target="_self">others</a> set out to visit as many as they can.

First look: Citizens Live at The Wylie

Expect a rooftop skyline lounge and sweeping stage views when doors open this fall.

<figure><img alt="Enter to photo displays that honor the Lower Hill&#x27;s cultural legacy and a tribute to the Crawford Grill&#x27;s famous mirrored piano. Visual: Courtesy of Citizens Live at the Wylie" height="450" id="066814a2-d872-4df7-9c4c-27903058ae7e" src="https://images.axios.com/WE2zqqnoSzPCW3_tTGq_yzeKxGE=/2026/03/05/1772688223189.gif" width="800"/><figcaption>Enter to photo displays that honor the Lower Hill&#x27;s cultural legacy and a tribute to the Crawford Grill&#x27;s famous mirrored piano. Visual: Courtesy of Citizens Live at the Wylie</figcaption></figure>Live Nation will open a 4,000-seat entertainment venue in the Lower Hill District this year, with tributes to the neighborhood&#x27;s music legacy lining the walls, a rooftop lounge overlooking Downtown, an intimate listening room and more.Driving the news: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Citizens Live at the Wylie" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/03/13/pittsburgh-newest-venue-citizens-live-at-the-wylie" data-vars-content-id="ff0fbede-342b-40aa-a2e2-019b8066160b" data-vars-headline="First look: Citizens Live at The Wylie" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/03/13/pittsburgh-newest-venue-citizens-live-at-the-wylie" target="_self">Citizens Live at the Wylie</a> released first-look renderings and videos on Thursday from Blueprint Studio, Live Nation&#x27;s in-house design team.