What’s going on in Pittsburgh this weekend, Feb. 19-22? Find out here. Know of a cool event? Email us.

Thursday, Feb. 19-Sunday, Feb. 22: “Annie” at the Byham Theater
7:30 p.m. & 1:30 p.m.
Belt it out while singing along to some of the most memorable musical theater tunes ever written — from “Tomorrow” to “Hard Knock Life” to “Easy Street.” Based on the cherished comic strip by Harold Gray, this global musical phenomenon has nabbed seven Tony Awards. Featuring a book and score by the powerhouse team of Thomas Meehan, Charles Strouse and Martin Charnins, the local production is presented by Pittsburgh Musical Theater. Be inspired by the “courage and positivity” of little orphan Annie as she faces childhood hardship during the Great Depression in NYC. Tickets.

Disney on Ice. Photo courtesy of Feld Entertainment.

Thursday, Feb. 19-Sunday, Feb. 22: Disney On Ice Presents “Road Trip Adventures” at PPG Paints Arena
Various times
Experience an immersive road trip without leaving home when Disney On Ice makes a pit stop in the Burgh. Join Mickey, Minnie, Goofy and all their jovial pals for this multi-generational adventure featuring audience participation, magical thrills and character interaction. Families will be transported to iconic Disney destinations to enjoy a blend of classic and new tales. View the world below from the rooftops of London with Mary Poppins, and pop into a larger-than-life comedic carnival. Escape frigid February as you trek to sun-kissed Motunui island with Moana and join a safari with wild cheetahs. Tickets.

Photo courtesy of Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre.

Friday, Feb. 20-Sunday, Feb. 22: Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre’s “America 250” at the Benedum Center
7:30 p.m. & 2 p.m.
Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre celebrates America’s 250th anniversary with a mixed repertory production spanning eras and genres. Accompanied by the PBT Orchestra, the family-friendly program showcases a mix of classical and contemporary ballets that “honor the American spirit.” And you have only four chances to experience these works by four world-renowned choreographers.

Created by pioneering choreographer Paul Taylor, “Company B” embodies the “optimistic spirit of 1940s America amid the sobering shadow of World War II.” Set to music by The Andrews Sisters, the ballet blends jitterbug, jazz and an “athletic modern dance style.” With “Stars and Stripes Pas de Deux,” audiences will be treated to a “patriotic, classical ballet choreographed by George Balanchine as a tribute to his beloved adopted country of America.” The third work is Ben Stevenson’s internationally award-winning ballet, “Three Preludes,” which will be performed to selections by Russian composer Sergei Rachmaninoff. Rounding out the program will be Lisa de Ribere’s “The Mighty Casey,” called a “fun-filled ballet about America’s favorite pastime.” Go beyond the stage to explore “America 250” with PBT Education and Community Engagement programs open to ticket holders. Tickets.

Oscar Nominated Shorts: Animation. “Forevergreen,” Nathan Engelhardt and Jeremy Spears.

Friday, Feb. 20, & Saturday, Feb. 21: Oscar Nominated Shorts at the Harris Theater and Row House Cinema
Various times
Racing to watch all the Oscar-nominated flicks before March 15? Local cinephiles are in luck because we have not one, but two great places for screenings before the 98th Academy Awards — with programs at the Harris Theater in Downtown Pittsburgh and Row House Cinema in Lawrenceville. First up, take your seat and prepare your ballot at The Harris for the mini-fest running Feb. 19 through March 12. Screen all the worthy contenders in all three categories – animation, documentary and live action. These flicks may be shorts, but they are meant to be seen on the big screen to fully experience each work’s cinematic talent and diversity of subjects. There are 15 must-see films, but only three can be winners. Submit your predictions for this year’s winners to vie for special prize packages. Tickets and showtimes.

At Row House Cinema, the Oscar-nominated shorts run Feb. 20-26. Participate in the theater’s 2026 Oscar pools by catching all the nominated short films. Viewers can watch them by category or better yet, buy a week pass and see all the best short films of the year. Tickets and showtimes.

Saturday, Feb. 21: Pittsburgh Racial Justice Summit at CCAC
9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Recent events around the country make this year’s Pittsburgh Racial Justice Summit more relevant than ever, as the catalytic event welcomes keynote speaker Monica Ruiz. Executive director of Casa San José, Ruiz has stewarded the organization through expansive growth to meet its mission of advocating for Pittsburgh’s Latino community. A flagship event for Pittsburgh organizers, the 28th annual summit explores the theme of “Building Community for Lasting Democracy and Racial Equity.”

If you’re looking for concrete ways to support racial justice, don’t miss this empowering day of workshops, panel discussions and resources. Bringing together community organizations, activists and scholars, the one-day conference at Community College of Allegheny County’s Allegheny Campus provides the public with opportunities to interact directly with speakers and facilitators. Workshops will focus on topics such as immigrant rights, systemic racism, community organizing, environmental justice, equity, allyship and more. You’ll leave feeling empowered to join the efforts. Tickets. Read more about the summit in NEXT.

Saturday, Feb. 21: “Lewis Hine Pictures America” Opening Day at The Frick Art Museum
10 a.m.-5 p.m.
His stirring black-and-white images of immigrants at Ellis Island, child labor, steelworkers and the construction of the Empire State Building are synonymous with American history. Now, Pittsburghers can explore the trailblazing life and legacy of the “father of documentary photography” when “Lewis Hine Pictures America” opens at The Frick Art Museum. Running through May 17, the exhibit showcases 70 photographs by Lewis Hine (1874-1940), including some of his most renowned and enduring images taken during the Progressive Era and Great Depression. The exhibit also includes a selection of high-quality reprints from the Library of Congress and New York Public Library, as well as a special wall design created by Pittsburgh artist Quaishawn Whitlock. As part of Saturday’s opening day activities, In-Gallery Talks will be presented to the public throughout the day.

Presented during the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, this touring exhibition “examines a critical moment in twentieth-century history.” The Frick’s presentation places a particular emphasis on Hine’s work in Pittsburgh and the real-life experiences of workers who “toiled in the mills that provided Henry Clay Frick and his family with their extraordinary wealth.”

As part of the Pittsburgh Survey, Hine’s photographs accompanied reports documenting “the harsh living and working conditions in the modern industrial city and became an important tool to raise public awareness and influence social reform.” To augment the exhibit, the museum will host dozens of programs, including films, workshops, lectures and collaborative events. Tickets.

Saturday, Feb. 21: Pittsburgh Social Health Connection Expo at Velum Fermentation
12-4 p.m.
Looking to get involved with your city and feel more connected in the anonymous digital age? Well you’re not alone, and this expo is here to help. Unplug and head to the South Side for the first-of-its-kind Pittsburgh Social Health Connection Expo. Showcasing 50 Pittsburgh-based social clubs, community organizations and hobby groups, the free expo is a one-stop shop for forging meaningful connections and deepening your civic engagement.

In 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General declared a national “loneliness epidemic,” a crisis certainly made worse by the pandemic. Pittsburgh Social Health is on a mission to “help new, current and returning Pittsburgh residents feel more at home in their city.” Whether you’re an outdoorsy type, a bookworm, a DIY crafter or a wellness seeker, you’re sure to discover new passions and hobbies and find a renewed sense of belonging and purpose. It’s a welcoming chance to meet fellow Pittsburghers face-to-face, discover new activities, learn about volunteer opportunities and find valuable local resources. Information.

Cupid’s Undie Run. Photo by Jessica Uptegraph.

Saturday, Feb. 21: Cupid’s Undie Run starting at McFadden’s
12 p.m.
Thank goodness winter’s relentless tundra seems to be in the rearview mirror, or else these brave do-gooders might have to invest in wool underwear. Why hide from winter when you can join hundreds of caring and courageous Pittsburghers to “run straight into it?” The country’s largest “pantless party” and 1-mile (ish) run for charity has become one of winter’s signature events in 33 cities across the U.S.

A critical fundraiser for the Children’s Tumor Foundation, the event raises awareness for neurofibromatosis, a genetic disorder that causes tumors to grow on nerves throughout the body.

Who doesn’t love a run that kicks off with drinking and dancing? Snap chilly selfies for a cause when the “brief” fun run gets collective hearts pumping at 2 p.m. Warm up at the post-run dance party with DJs, costume contests and awards. Register. Read more about Cupid’s Undie Run in NEXT.

Photo courtesy of Pittsburgh Winter Beerfest.

Saturday, Feb. 21: Pittsburgh Winter Beerfest at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center
12-10 p.m.
Pittsburgh’s largest craft beer party now offers two sessions, making for a one-stop sampling Saturday for brew lovers. And as antithetical as it might sound, sometimes there’s nothing quite like a crisp beer to quench your thirst on a chilly winter night. The taps will flow with refreshing samples from more than 150 local, regional and national craft breweries. Beyond brews, the experience also features new craft wineries and distilleries, along with a variety of ciders, seltzers and nonalcoholic beverages. Presented by Hamburg Brewing Co., the Winter Beerfest offers six ticket options, so day drinkers, evening party people and designated drivers are covered. Tickets. Read more about Beerfest in NEXT.

Photo courtesy of the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh.

Saturday, Feb. 21: Glow Winter Festival at Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh
5:30-8:30 p.m.
Before welcoming the spring equinox, head to the North Side to “celebrate everything that glows, sparks, lights up the dark and warms up the cold.” Sounds like the kind of night we all need. The annual winter festival will activate outdoor spaces along with all three floors of the museum with hands-on activities, exhibits and guest artist workshops for all ages.

Test your skills in the LED obstacle course, attend a black light dance party and roast marshmallows over a fire pit. Make glowing neon art, experiment with shadow play and contribute to an interactive light installation. Explore bioluminescence, participate in the Glow Down Artist Competition and enjoy storytelling sessions. The festivities include bites and beverages from Bean Sprouts Cafe and Urban Trail Coffee. Tickets.

Saturday, Feb. 21: Slappers N Bangers at Thunderbird Music Hall
9 p.m.-2 a.m.
The wait is finally over: Slappers N Bangers returns to host its first event of 2026. Head to Lawrenceville to be immersed in the Burgh’s go-to source for hip-hop, R&B and trap music during this unique vibe that only Slappers N Bangers can create. First, the party kicks off early with a free drink ticket for everyone who arrives before 10:30 p.m. Groove into spring with back-to-back sets from Slappers N Bangers DJ luminaries Arie Cole, Icy Pisces and Yamez. Information and tickets.

Sunday, Feb. 22: The Lisette Project: Haitian Creole Music at Shadyside Presbyterian Church
2:30 p.m.
Explore the fascinating history of the oldest known song text in early Haitian Creole during this unique program presented by Chatham Baroque. Composed around 1757 in Saint-Domingue by French colonist Duvivier de la Mahautière, “Lisette quitté la plaine” tells the story of an enslaved African man. The lecture recital will trace the work’s “remarkable journey across Haiti, France, Cuba, New Orleans and back to its place of origin in Haiti.”

Set to the popular French melody “Que ne suis-je la fougère,” the song blends Creole and European elements. Led by Haitian baritone Jean Bernard Cerin, the program combines live performance with historical research to examine the song. Featuring Chatham Baroque’s own Scott Pauley on Baroque guitar, the concert will explore “how a single song carried meaning across enslavement, revolution, migration and modern Haitian identity.” Tickets.

7 more things to do this weekend

Friday, Feb. 20: A Celebration of AIR co-founder Ian Short at Artists Image Resource, 5-8 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 20: In Bed By Ten 1980s Night at Spirit, 6-9 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 20-Sunday, Feb. 22: “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” at the Robert Morris University Colonial Theatre, 7:30 p.m. & 2 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 20-Sunday, Feb. 22: Pitt Stage presents “The Trees” at the Richard E. Rauh Studio Theatre, 7:30 p.m. & 2 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 21: How to Buy a House Workshop at Prototype PGH, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 21: 20th Annual Gratitude Day at East End Brewing Co. in Larimer and Mt. Lebanon, noon-10 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 22: PGHwrites: Free Association Reading Series with Laura Jackson, Dani LaMorte, Lauren Shapiro and James Tasillo at Alphabet City, 3-4 p.m.

For more things to do with NEXT, don’t miss our February Event Guide, NEXT in the Gallery series and Date Night series.