Ferris wheel returns to Pittsburgh for Oktoberfest

The Ferris wheel that lit up Pittsburgh’s Roberto Clemente Bridge last year has returned.

Running from Thursday through Oct. 12, the Ferris wheel will be featured for Oktoberfest’s Karneval. The wheel will be open daily from noon to 8 p.m., with Fridays and Saturdays extended to 10 p.m.

As of Wednesday, the Karneval was in the process of being set up on the bridge. This included the Ferris wheel itself, which was there but hadn’t yet been assembled.

A Ferris wheel is returning to Pittsburgh’s Roberto Clemente Bridge for Oktoberfest — with rides starting tomorrow.

As you can see, it’s in the process of being set up @TribLIVE pic.twitter.com/L8cNCkd2w7

— Megan Swift (@mgswift7) October 1, 2025

George Ferris, the wheel’s inventor, had close ties to Pittsburgh, living in the North Side and contributing to the city’s bridges. When building the first Ferris wheel for the World’s Columbian Exposition, also known as the Chicago World’s Fair, he used personal credit to place orders with Pittsburgh steel mills and formed a joint stock company to attract investors.

Ferris wheel riders will need a ticket to ride the attraction.

Tickets can be purchased here for $7 each. The ride time is approximately 10 minutes over the Allegheny River.

It’s open to all ages, but riders must be at least 42 inches tall. Children must be accompanied by an adult and meet that height requirement, the website says.

Two people are required per seat, as no single riders are allowed unless approved by the ride operator for safety purposes. The maximum weight per seat is 450 pounds.