In photos: Pittsburgh’s Cultural District helps bring in the new year with First Night event

1 Min Read • Dec. 31, 2025 | 2 hours Ago

Kids dance to music by DJ Todd Griffin of Next Level Productions at the Highmark Stage during Highmark First Night on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025 in downtown Pittsburgh. (Shane Dunlap | TribLive)

New Year’s Eve revelers enjoy snowfall during Highmark First Night on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025 in downtown Pittsburgh. (Shane Dunlap | TribLive)

Snow falls along Stanwix Street as New Year’s Eve revelers gather for Highmark First Night on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025 in downtown Pittsburgh. (Shane Dunlap | TribLive)

Entertainers perform for the crowds at the intersection of Stanwix Street and Penn Avenue during Highmark First Night on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025 in downtown Pittsburgh. (Shane Dunlap | TribLive)

New Year’s Eve revelers watch the on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025 in downtown Pittsburgh. (Shane Dunlap | TribLive)

New Years Eve revelers gather on Stanwix Street for Highmark First Night on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025 in downtown Pittsburgh. (Shane Dunlap | TribLive)

Carlos Marroquin, smiles as snow falls while outside his food truck, El Chucho, during Highmark First Night on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025 in downtown Pittsburgh. (Shane Dunlap | TribLive)

Artist Karissa Smith with Beanie Paints Face Painting creates a Minecraft character for Naitik Gupta, 5, of Pittsburgh, inside Fifth Avenue Place for Highmark First Night on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025 in downtown Pittsburgh. (Shane Dunlap | TribLive)

Entertainers perform for the crowds at the intersection of Stanwix Street and Penn Avenue during Highmark First Night on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025 in downtown Pittsburgh. (Shane Dunlap | TribLive)

Stilt-walker performer O’Ryan the O’Mazing entertains New Year’s Eve revelers on Penn Avenue during Highmark First Night on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025 in downtown Pittsburgh. (Shane Dunlap | TribLive)

Demonstrators protest against Israel’s military action in Gaza during a demonstration organized by Jewish Voice for Peace Pittsburgh during Highmark First Night on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025 in downtown Pittsburgh. (Shane Dunlap | TribLive)

Fireworks are set off for the Dollar Bank Children’s Fireworks show during Highmark First Night on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025 in downtown Pittsburgh. (Shane Dunlap | TribLive)

Despite a snowy and cold New Year’s Eve in the Pittsburgh region on Wednesday night, a crowd of revelers gathered Downtown for the 32nd annual Highmark First Night, hosted by the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust.

The five-hour long event that spanned several blocks in downtown Pittsburgh’s Cultural District ends with the raising of the Future of Pittsburgh Ball at midnight.

About the Writers

Shane Dunlap is a TribLive photographer covering Westmoreland and Allegheny counties. He grew up in the Ohio Valley near Pittsburgh and has worked for newspapers as far away as Fayetteville, N.C., where he covered the U.S. Army at Fort Liberty. He can be reached at sdunlap@triblive.com.

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In photos: Pittsburgh’s Cultural District helps bring in the new year with First Night event

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