The Spring Equinox is on March 20, and the Burgh is starting to bloom! Experience the change of seasons with maple syrup making, seed swaps, fish fries, art events, and more.
Scroll for these tips, and tune into the City Cast Pittsburgh podcast for more recommendations from the team.
1. Get a Taste of Spring at Page’s Dairy Mart
Nothing says “spring is on its way” like Page’s opening day. The iconic South Side ice cream and comfort food spot will return for its 75th season on March 9. Eating ice cream under a drippy bridge and basking in the old-school neon lights is an essential Pittsburgh experience. Order a special sundae, an Arctic Swirl, or a classic soft serve cone — and be on the lookout for Page’s new mobile ice cream truck this spring and summer!
Looking for more plants? Browse some of Pittsburgh’s best plant shops. (Megan Harris / City Cast Pittsburgh)
2. Plan Your Garden at a Pittsburgh Seed Swap
Head to the annual Celebration of Seeds at Carnegie Library in Oakland on March 7 to share your seeds, pick up new ones, and learn tips from gardening experts. Every half hour, a new batch of seeds will be released, and guests who bring seeds are eligible for a raffle prize from Phipps Conservatory, Grow Pittsburgh, and Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh.
Keep the plant planning going with Etna’s seed swap on March 8; a workshop on seed starting at home on March 14; a seed giveaway in Sharpsburg on March 21; and these tips for starting a backyard garden in Pittsburgh.
You can find events at venues like Mr. Roboto Project in Bloomfield. But also be on the lookout for pop-ups at cafes and storefronts. (Francesca Dabecco / City Cast Pittsburgh)
3. See Performances at Pittsburgh Fringe Festival
This annual festival is bringing together international, national, and local artists for a multi-genre celebration of art, March 19 to 28. See more than 50 unique performances, such as stand-up comedy, live music, contemporary dance, true-life storytelling, and new twists on classic plays. Most events take place in the Bloomfield-Garfield area, but the festival is expanding into other neighborhoods a little bit more each year! Grab a festival pass for $150 or buy tickets to individual shows.
“Yinz City” is a collection of stories following four trans folks and their friends as they navigate found communities and awkward relationships. (Francesca Dabecco / City Cast Pittsburgh)
4. Meet Creators at the Pittsburgh Indie Expo
The Pittsburgh Indie Expo highlights independent comic creators, zine makers, artists, small-press publishers, and indie game creators in the Pittsburgh region and beyond. Check out “PIE” at Heinz History Center on March 15 to browse vendors, hear panel talks from professionals, and try hands-on workshops. Whether you’re a fellow creative or a fan of illustrated arts, everyone can find inspiration at this free event.
You can filter the fish fry map to include places that are ADA accessible, have takeout or drive-thru, and (maybe most importantly) serve homemade pierogi! (Sophia Lo / City Cast Pittsburgh)
5. Catch Your Favorite Fish Fry
There are plenty of fish to be fried during Lenten season in Pittsburgh — a time when locals rush to church basements, fire departments, and social clubs on Fridays to get a taste of this deep-fried delicacy. And you don’t need a god to enjoy the cod! Find your next meal with the official fish fry map or seek out some of our favorite spots in and around the city.
Take a free tour of The Pittsburgh Glass Center in Friendship / Garfield. (Francesca Dabecco / City Cast Pittsburgh)
6. Celebrate 25 Years of the Pittsburgh Glass Center
Pittsburgh is known for its history as a Steel Town, but we also have an interesting past as a glass producer. In the 1920s, 80 percent of the glass made in the U.S. came from the tri-state area.
That legacy lives on through places like the Pittsburgh Glass Center, where world-renowned glass artists gather to create and teach. Stop by to see the latest exhibit, Gathered Locally – 25 Years of Glass Art, featuring work from more than 90 artists. And don’t miss a chance to watch live hot glass demos or take a workshop.
Find Emerick’s PA maple syrup at Mayfly Market on the North Side. (Francesca Dabecco / City Cast Pittsburgh)
7. Tap into Maple Syrup Season in Western PA
March is prime time for maple sugaring because the weather offers exactly what trees need to produce sap — nights with below-freezing temperatures and above-freezing days. Take a maple history and demo hike at the Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve on March 14; enjoy a maple drink tasting at Buffalo Creek Nature Park on March 12 or 26; or take the whole family for a demo and tasting at Pittsburgh Botanic Gardens on March 14.
Senza is an Italian word that means “without rules or boundaries.” (Francesca Dabecco / City Cast Pittsburgh)
8. Try Senza’s New European Wine Bar
You need to visit Butler Street — and no, I don’t mean in Lawrenceville. Across the river in Etna, you’ll find a new(ish) neighborhood restaurant and wine bar. Senza, formerly known for their pasta Wednesdays, is back in action through a new partnership with the crew at Bar Marco. Take a seat in the cozy candlelight, sip on a blend from their curated wine menu, and feast on a bowl of sourdough cavatelli.
Throw it back to last month’s guide! You can also find one of my favorite “sandos” popping up outside of Row House Cinema on March 17, 21, and 22. (Francesca Dabecco / City Cast Pittsburgh)
9. See a Movie at the Japanese Film Festival
The Pittsburgh Japanese Film Festival, returning March 13 to 26, is one of the most prominent Asian film festivals in the Rust Belt. Watch new and classic films at Row House Cinema in Lawrenceville throughout its two-week run. Look out for special events, like a screening of the new anime “Scarlet,” based on Shakespeare’s Hamlet, that comes with a snack pack of Japanese-made treats.
Looking for a new ride? Here’s where to buy, rent, or tune up a bike in Pittsburgh. (Francesca Dabecco / City Cast Pittsburgh)
10. Participate in the Pittsburgh Bike Swap
It’s getting warmer, which is a good time to pedal through Pittsburgh. Got old bikes, gear, or lightly-used items collecting dust? Woods Room Bike Park is hosting a bike swap on March 22, where you can buy, sell, trade, or chat about bikes with fellow riders. All table fees will go toward building a new 50,000-square-foot bike park in Larimer. Get some new gear, and help the team create a spot for year-round cycling fun!
