The past year has been a lively time in Western Pennsylvania for music, movies, TV, art and social media. From new art spaces to blockbuster series to sold-out TikTok-driven events, 2025 was a great time for water cooler conversations and fun stories around town. Here are just a few.
‘The Pitt’ takes the nation by storm
HBO Max’s Pittsburgh-set medical drama captured the nation’s attention when its first season premiered in January. “The Pitt” represented a return-to-form for star Noah Wyle, and while it may not represent pure Pittsburgh at all times, the series turned many eyes to the city. That became even more true when the show cleaned up at the Emmy Awards in September, winning Best Drama, Best Actor and Best Supporting Actress for its first season. For those jonesing for more, never fear: the start to Season 2 is coming Jan. 8.
Walk of Fame honors inaugural inductees
The new Pittsburgh Walk of Fame in the Strip District honored its first class of inductees in October. Included in the first class were jazz musician George Benson; pioneering journalist Nellie Bly; industrialist Andrew Carnegie; writer and environmentalist Rachel Carson; Pirates baseball great Roberto Clemente; childrens’ television host Fred Rogers; medical researcher Jonas Salk; pop artist Andy Warhol; award-winning playwright August Wilson; and actor Michael Keaton, who attended the ceremony to make remarks. Unfortunately, there was a typo on Keaton’s plaque; it read “Micheal.” But don’t worry, “Batman” and “Beetlejuice” fans — the mistake was quickly corrected.
Arts Landing on the way
The Pittsburgh Cultural District in Downtown is in the process of a makeover. In April, construction began on the Arts Landing civic area, which will serve as a green space, a public art gallery, a long-term home for the Three Rivers Arts Festival and more. As of the end of December, progress is on-time and on-budget, and the 2026 Arts Festival will serve as the grand opening of Arts Landing. While the construction may cause headaches in the short term — and the abbreviated Strip-District-held 2025 arts festival was disappointing to some — a new and improved Downtown venue is on the way.
Carnegie Science Center renamed
While the renamed Kamin Science Center was unveiled in 2024, it wasn’t until September of this year that the new moniker — bestowed to honor the $65 million donation given by Daniel G. and Carole L. Kamin — officially went up on the front of the building. During a brief closure, the logo, front lobby and other aspects of the Science Center were updated and redesigned to reflect the name change and the Center’s new vision for the future. While it may take Pittsburghers a while to adjust to the change — don’t lie, you still call it “Heinz Field” — the Kamins have undoubtedly given the region a monumental gift.
The Savannah Bananas come to town
While the ’Burgh hosted plenty of great concerts this year, one of the summer’s hottest tickets was for the Savannah Bananas, an exhibition “baseball” team that became famous through social media platforms such as TikTok.
They play “Banana Ball,” a modified and tricks-filled version of the classic sport. In a pair of August games at PNC Park, the Bananas danced, hosted giveaways and riled up around 40,000 fans — two sellouts, an unusual sight for the park — with their mix of athleticism and entertainment. Hopefully, 2026 will bring Banana Ball back to the ‘Burgh.
Billy Joel cancels
Excitement sparked when “piano man” Billy Joel announced a July show with Rod Stewart at Acrisure Stadium, but fans quickly became concerned when dates earlier in the tour were postponed due to Joel’s health issues, leaving the Pittsburgh date as the singer-songwriter’s planned triumphant return to the stage. Then, in May, Joel canceled all future tour dates, citing the brain disorder normal pressure hydrocephalus. This may mean that a 2022 show at PNC Park was the last chance for local fans to see the now-76-year-old Joel live in concert, but we’ll certainly all wish him a healthy recovery and hope for more shows in the future.
Wegmans coming to the region
It turns out that Pittsburghers are hungry for more grocery options. When it was announced in January that northeastern food chain Wegmans was exploring the possibility of opening a Pittsburgh-area store, social media lit up with excitement and anticipation. As of now, they appear hopeful to open the Cranberry Township location in late 2027, so that gives us something to look forward to in not just 2026 but the years following. Get ready for delicious donuts and great prepared food options when the New York chain arrives.
Live Nation’s new venue breaks ground
Speaking of things to look forward to, Live Nation set the stage for a new music venue in Pittsburgh’s Lower Hill in March, setting a target opening date for late 2026. Citizens Live at the Wylie will be about a 4,000-person-capacity venue with a number of possible configurations to attract artists and performers to the city. The new venue will also pay homage to local musicians and artists, including photographer Charles “Teenie” Harris. The project has the support of the community and is expected to create about 300 jobs in the area.
What gasp-worthy moments, new music and movies, innovations and events will 2026 have in store? We’re just as excited to find out as you are.
