The Allegheny Regional Asset District (RAD) has announced a year-long expansion of RAD Pass, the online ticketing platform that gives Allegheny County library cardholders free and discounted access to some of the region’s most popular cultural destinations.
“RAD Pass: Year-Round Fun for Everyone” removes the cost barrier so that everyone can enjoy the region’s arts and entertainment. Passes can be used for visits to the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium, the National Aviary, the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh and Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, as well as the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Pittsburgh Opera and more.
RAD Pass is open to all Allegheny County residents with a valid library card, though most destinations require users to be 18 or older to make a reservation. New this year:
- More than two dozen organizations have now joined RAD Pass or increased their ticket availability on the platform. These include tickets for many live theater, ballet, opera and classical music performances.
- Tickets are redeemable year-round at RADPass.org, so you can plan a family outing (or one just for the grown-ups) whenever you wish (and likely have fewer crowds at your destination, since everyone isn’t going to these places only during “RAD Days”).
- Hands-on workshops are included. So Allegheny County residents who want to get creative can try artist-led workshops and other hands-on RAD Pass sessions led by local cultural pros at destinations like Pittsburgh Glass Center and Contemporary Craft.
- Alongside the expansion of RAD Pass, RAD Day events such as free concerts, tours, community festivals, ice skating and more will continue to take place. Look for those opportunities at RADworkshere.org/events.
Andrew CARDnegie among the dinos. (Courtesy of Allegheny Regional Asset District (RAD))
“RAD Pass has always been about opening the doors of Pittsburgh’s cultural treasures to everyone, and we’re proud to carry forward that legacy with this next chapter of the program,” said Dusty Elias Kirk, RAD Board Chair. “With this expansion, we’re making it easier than ever to create memories that are purely Pittsburgh — and to celebrate culture as part of everyday life.”
Here’s how you can access free and discounted passes:
- Get a free library card by signing up online or at any Allegheny County Library location. (Find your nearest one here.)
- Visit RADPass.org to browse and reserve free or discounted passes that can be booked up to three months in advance using a valid Allegheny County library card.
- Redeem your pass by following the instructions at the bottom of your RAD Pass.
To make all of this easy, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh manages the RAD Pass platform and works alongside all Allegheny County Library Association libraries, to provide the library card access that connects thousands of residents to cultural opportunities across the region. Since April 2024, more than 100,000 attendees have had an experience booked through RAD Pass.
“RAD Pass is a powerful reminder that a library card can open the door to books and so much more, including the incredible cultural experiences our region has to offer,” said Andrew Medlar, President and Director, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. “We’re proud to help connect people with the stories and creativity that make Allegheny County such an amazing place to live, work and explore.”
Funded through the RAD’s Partnerships & Initiatives budget, the program is a way to say “thank-you” to taxpayers for their steady support of Allegheny County’s quality of life. Many local families are accessing this benefit: During RAD Summer Staycation 2024, more than 36,000 new library cards were issued, helping to spark learning throughout the county.
“This is a celebration of what makes Allegheny County so vibrant,” said Sara Innamorato, Allegheny County Executive. “Thanks to our taxpayers, residents can experience the best of our region’s culture — not as a privilege, but as a shared benefit.”
