Make the most of your Pittsburgh summer at these eight events and festivals happening in July.

We deal with the gray winters of Pittsburgh because of the sunshine in the summer. But it’s not just the nice weather — Pittsburgh also hosts a number of festivals and events that make the warmest season a great time to be in the city.

Lucky for you, we’ve put together a list of some of the best July happenings in Pittsburgh. Whether you’re watching fireworks, partaking in local food and drink, or dancing the night away at a festival, be sure you’re experiencing the thrill of a Steel City summer this July.

1. City of Pittsburgh Independence Day Celebration

Date: July 4

Like any major city, Pittsburgh goes all out for the Fourth of July. The city’s Independence Day celebration spans downtown, Point State Park, and across the Allegheny on the North Shore. Multiple stages will host live music and a DJ while revelers munch on food truck fare and prepare for the big event of the night: the epic Independence Day fireworks! The fireworks show begins at 9:35 p.m.

2. Northside Music Festival

Dates: July 12-14

The Northside Music Festival, formerly the Deutschtown Music Festival, hosts multiple stages on Pittsburgh’s North Side within the Deutschtown neighborhood. The free event will feature dozens of bands and musicians as well as a bevy of food and drink vendors. On Sunday, the festival will host a gospel program.

No matter your favored genre of music, you’ll discover live music you can’t resist dancing along to. 

3. Picklesburgh

Dates: July 18-21

This downtown Pittsburgh festival, dedicated to the humble pickle, has quickly grown to become one of the area’s favorite food festivals. Spot the Heinz pickle balloon and you know you’re in the right place for pickle beer, pickle pierogies, and a pickle juice drinking contest at Picklesburgh. You can also see live music, shop for your favorite pickle trinkets at arts and crafts vendors, and let the kids have some fun at the “Li’l Gherkins” children’s activity area.

4. Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix

Dates: July 26 – August 4

The Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix celebrates all things automobile with races, car shows, and other events focused on vintage cars. For more than 40 years, the Grand Prix has raced the shady, tree-lined roads of Schenley Park, but the event holds so much more than the keynote race!

There are more than 20 vintage car shows featuring American as well as European cars, a race between legendary cars from the 1960s and 1970s at the Pittsburgh International Race Complex in Wampum, and other fun-filled parties for folks who love cars. See the entire festival schedule — and plan your week — on the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix website.

5. Wildflower Festival in Valencia

Date: July 13

Celebrate summertime in the cute small town of Valencia when Freedom Farms hosts its annual Wildflower Festival. At the Saturday festival, you’re welcome to the farm to pick wildflowers, browse arts and crafts vendors, and enjoy the summer air while you relax with a drink.

Admission includes a tractor ride to the wildflower field where you can pick beautiful sunflowers, zinnias, snapdragons, and gomphrena.

6. Allegheny County Wine & Spirits Festival

Date: July 20

In July, Allegheny County Parks is hosting its Allegheny County Wine & Spirits Festival, which features a slew of local wineries and distilleries. Adding a sense of glamor to the party, the evening takes place on the beautiful grounds of the 1920s-era mansion within Hartwood Acres Park.

Besides local libations, the festival also includes live music and a number of food trucks. Designated drivers and people under 21 enter free!

7. Allegheny County Parks’ Summer Concerts Series

Dates: Various

Allegheny County Parks are great places to spend a summer day, and not simply because lying in the sun is one of the best ways to enjoy summer. In addition to quality lounging, the folks at the county parks put on a free concert series during the summer, bringing local and not-so-local acts to park stages!

The Summer Concerts Series is held at the South Park Amphitheater and the Hartwood Acres Amphitheater. In July, you can see Vertical Horizon, Patty Griffin, and a Summer of Love concert featuring your favorite classic rock songs.

8. The City of Pittsburgh’s Dollar Bank Cinema in the Park

Dates: Various

The City of Pittsburgh hosts free movies outside in the summer at several city parks through its Dollar Bank Cinema in the Park program. Most movies are rated PG or G, though some are rated PG-13. See classic movies like “Toy Story” or newer movies like “Barbie” and “Elemental” at Highland Park, Riverview Park, Schenley Park Flagstaff Hill, Schenley Plaza, Arsenal Park, Banksville Park, Brookline Memorial Park, Grandview Park, McBride Park, Ormsby Park, and the West End Overlook.

Check out the full movie schedule at your favorite park and then get your camping chairs ready.