What’s going on in Pittsburgh this weekend, March 12-15? Find out here. Know of a cool event? Email us.

Thursday, March 12-Sunday, March 15: Pittsburgh Home & Garden Show at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center
4-9 p.m., 10 a.m.-9 p.m. & 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Every March, the Home & Garden Show rolls out the welcome mat for all those projects you’ve been procrastinating on. Whether you’re moving into your first home, updating your apartment or building an addition to accommodate your family, the country’s largest home show has you — and every dwelling space — covered. Spanning 8 acres, the event boasts 1,200 exhibitors, so it’s a one-stop shop for all the latest products and services and the best place to turn ideas into reality. It’s also a rare chance to see, touch and try daily necessities and luxury goods while getting pro tips from trusted experts. This weekend’s special celebrity guest is none other than Ty Pennington, Emmy-winning host of ABC’s hit show, “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.” Read more about the show in NEXT.

“Chicago The Musical.” Photo courtesy of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust.

Thursday, March 12-Sunday, March 15: “CHICAGO The Musical” at the Benedum Center
7:30 p.m., 2 p.m., 1 p.m. & 6:30 p.m.
Are you “just a Steeltown girl on a Saturday night” looking for fun and adventure … and all that jazz?! “Chicago” is back in town, baby, and you only have six chances to catch the longest-running American musical in Broadway history. Be transported to the “decadence of the 1920s” via the iconic book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse, music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb. During Chicago’s Jazz Age, “two of the Cook County Jail’s most notorious murderesses — vaudeville star Velma Kelly and chorus girl Roxie Hart — become fierce rivals as they compete for headlines amidst a media frenzy.”

Let your inner razzle-dazzle shine with this timeless tale exploring fortune and fame alongside show-stopping songs and captivating choreography. Directed by David Hyslop, the touring cast features Ellie Roddy returning as Roxie and Claire Marshall making her debut as Velma. Whether you loved the Oscar-winning film, want to experience the show live or you’re looking for your first Broadway musical, “Chicago” can’t be beat. Tickets.

Thursday, March 12, Friday, March 13, & Sunday, March 15: “Eureka Day” at City Theatre
7:30 p.m. & 2 p.m.
What happens when an “ultra-progressive California school finds themselves in a bind when a mumps outbreak exposes varying opinions on … everything?!” Exploring “the challenges of finding common ground in a polarized world,” this timely contemporary play was penned by Tony Award-winning playwright Jonathan Spector. Directed by Adil Mansoor, the cast features Daina Griffith, Max Pavel, John Shepard, Jalina McClarin and Desiree Mee Jung.

To create the play’s evocative setting, the design team was inspired by local libraries, elementary school music teachers and beloved children’s books. Blending biting humor, urgent themes and familiar characters, the award-winning play runs on City Theatre’s Main Stage through March 29. City Connects Night on Thursday, March 12, offers discounted tickets. On Sunday, March 15, don’t miss the post-show talkback with Dr. Amesh Adalja, whose work focuses on emerging infectious disease, pandemic preparedness and biosecurity. Tickets.

Photo courtesy of South Side Kids.

Friday, March 13: South Side Kids Fish Fry Food Truck Palooza at Velum Fermentation
5-7 p.m.
Tired of all the work that goes into cooking dinner? Looking for a fun alternative to fish fry season that can accommodate all ages? Head to Velum Fermentation for this first-of-its-kind Fish Fry Food Truck Palooza boasting a creative menu the whole family will enjoy. Cold Friends Kitchen will serve up tasty Tuna Melts, La Palapa will showcase delish Fish and Shrimp Tacos, and Community Kitchen will offer their popular Fried Fish Sammies. And don’t forget those slices from Bado’s Pizza. Finish it off with sweet treats from the South Side’s own Vital Sips. Inside, children and families will enjoy hands-on crafts, arcade games, face painting and balloon art, while the adults can check out Velum’s selection of craft beers and cocktails. Proceeds support South Side Kids, which organizes free events and programming and connects families to local resources across Pittsburgh. Information.

DJ Matt Buchholz and DJ Mary Mack. Photos courtesy of In Bed By Ten.

Friday, March 13: In Bed by Ten: Vazeline at Bottlerocket Social Hall
6-10 p.m.
Calling all girls to the front for this can’t-miss homage to some of the most iconic and enduring sounds of the 1990s. Head up to the Hilltop to channel your inner Riot Grrrl when Pittsburgh’s popular In Bed by Ten series teams up with DJ Mary Mack. Bottlerocket Social Hall transforms into a dance party filled with trailblazing femme-fronted riot grrrl, punk and other alternative music curated by DJ Mary Mack & DJ MB. Feel the empowering vibes of trailblazing music by everyone from Bikini Kill, The Breeders, Hole, Bratmobile and Imani Coppola, to Liz Phair, Team Dresch, Tori Amos, Heavenly and many others. Keep on dancing because $5 from each ticket sold will be donated to the Auto(nomous) Body Shop. Tickets.

Jerry O’Connell, Corey Feldman and Wil Wheaton. Photo courtesy of Mills Entertainment.

Friday, March 13: “Stand By Me:” The Film and its Stars 40 Years Later at Carnegie Music Hall
7:30 p.m.
Whether you’re still quoting the film decades later or watching it with your own 12-year-old, don’t miss this night of cinematic nostalgia in Oakland. Just ahead of its 40th anniversary theatrical rerelease on March 27, the special evening honors the beloved 1986 coming-of-age drama by the late director Rob Reiner. Set in a fictional Oregon town in 1959, the Oscar-nominated film follows four young protagonists as they “set out on a journey to find the dead body of a missing boy.”

Watch the iconic movie on the big screen and then experience an “intimate and long-awaited reunion” with the stars who lived it all — Corey Feldman, Jerry O’Connell and Wil Wheaton. During the live conversation, the actors will “revisit the summer that changed everything — on set and on screen — sharing memories, laughter and secrets behind a film that still brings people together after all these years.” The evening will also include reflections on working with the late River Phoenix. Tickets.

Pittsburgh Japanese Film Festival stills courtesy of Row House Cinema.

Friday, March 13-Sunday, March 15: Pittsburgh Japanese Film Festival at Row House Cinema
Various times
The best place to explore Japanese filmmaking is at the Rust Belt region’s largest Asian film festival — and it’s produced right here in Pittsburgh. For its 10th anniversary, the festival is focusing its lens on the innovative cult cinema of Japan, pairing new, classic and obscure films with exciting themed events. The on-screen action kicks off Friday, March 13, with “Tamala 2010: A Punk Cat in Space” — about a punk cat living in the Feline Galaxy — and all attendees receive a goodie bag. Not to miss is the watermelon and banana night featuring Nobuhiko Obayashi’s 1977 cult classic, “House.” Beyond the big screen, films will be complemented by sake and beer tastings, a sandwich pop-up, Japanese snack packs, Yakitori delights and more. Schedule and tickets. Read more about the festival in NEXT.

Photo courtesy of P3R.

Saturday, March 14: Pittsburgh Parade Day Dash throughout Pittsburgh
8 a.m. & 8:25 a.m.
Lace up, add some green garb to your getup and shake off the winter blues. For its second edition, the dash is unveiling a newly improved point-to-point course along with a virtual option and enhancing the participant experiences. Just ahead of the 10 a.m. start of Pittsburgh’s iconic St. Patrick’s Day Parade, the 1 Mile Family Fun Run kicks off at 8 a.m., while the 5K starts at 8:25 a.m.

Take your place at the starting line near Acrisure Stadium, loop around PNC Park and cross the scenic Roberto Clemente Bridge. Continue through Downtown to the finish line festivities on Stanwix Street just before the parade begins. The updated 1-mile course starts on Smithfield Street and finishes on the Boulevard of the Allies. Participants receive a limited edition hoodie, finisher medal and bib. Wear your greenest St. Patrick’s Day outfit and head to the costume contest photo booth after crossing the finish line. Register. Read more about the race in NEXT.

Photo courtesy of the Pittsburgh St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

Saturday, March 14: St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Downtown Pittsburgh
10 a.m.
According to a 2026 report released this week by WalletHub, Pittsburgh ranks as one of the country’s Top 20 best cities for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. It doesn’t matter if you are part of the one-fifth of Pittsburghers who claim Irish heritage, it’s still time to join the “sea of green” for the country’s second-largest St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Share your Irish pride alongside 200-plus marching bands, dance troupes, floats, community organizations — and even Punxsutawney Phil. This year’s Grand Marshal is lifelong Pittsburgh resident Patrick J. Byrne. With family roots tracing back to Counties Waterford and Wicklow, Byrne enjoyed a 34-year career in public service with the City of Pittsburgh.

Stepping off at the Greyhound Bus Station, the parade proceeds from the intersection of Liberty Avenue and 11th Street to Grant Street, turning right onto Boulevard of the Allies. New this year is the parade livestream produced by JRM Video Productions, accessible via the event’s website, YouTube channel and Facebook page. So whether you’re marching on Grant Street, relaxing on the couch or tuning in from across the world, you can still enjoy the day when “everyone is Irish” in the Burgh. Information.

Collage by Kiearra Williams. Photo of Marvin Gaye by Jim Britt and Randall Coleman.

Saturday, March 14: Marvin Gaye: A Tribute to the Prince of Soul at the Kelly Strayhorn Theater
7:30-9 p.m.
Whether you grew up singing “I Heard It Through The Grapevine,” you swoon over his duet “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” or you feel moved by the powerful message of “What’s Going On,” you can’t miss this tribute to musical icon Marvin Gaye. By reimagining Gaye’s trailblazing catalog via a 21st-century interpretation, the venue will also celebrate “the ways Black artists have shaped cultural and social change through sound.” Led by Musical Director Jerome O. Kirkland Jr., the tribute features vocalists Lyndsey Smith, Twan Moore, Cam Chambers and Kenny Stockard. Musical luminaries bringing Gaye’s music to life include Dennis Garner Jr., Chuck Anderson and Gary Howard. Tickets. Read more about the event in NEXT.

Lights! Glamour! Action! at The Pennsylvanian. Photo courtesy of John Altdorfer Photography. Lights! Glamour! Action! at The Pennsylvanian. Photo courtesy of John Altdorfer Photography. DJ Sosa at Lights! Glamour! Action! Photo courtesy of John Altdorfer Photography.

Saturday, March 14: Lights! Glamour! Action! at The Pennsylvanian
7:30-11 p.m.
Before making your predictions and crushing hard on your fave A-listers from the comfort of your couch, you too can strike a pose on the red carpet. And if you want to see more shows like “The Pitt” and “Mayor of Kingstown” and more films like “How to Rob a Bank” and “Rustin” made right here in the Burgh, help make sure it happens. The night before the 98th Academy Awards means it’s time to slip into something chic for the Pittsburgh Film Office’s see-and-be-seen fundraising gala. Step through the Beaux Art rotunda to dance the night away inside The Pennsylvanian’s Grand Hall. The Hollywood happening features musical performances, immersive experiences and decadent culinary creations. Sip bubbly cocktails and place bids in the lively auction. Highlighting the momentum of the film and television industry across Southwestern PA — which has generated $2.5 billion since 1990 — this night in Tinsel Town shines a spotlight on the region’s creative economy. Tickets. Read more about the gala in NEXT.

Installation view of “throughlines” at AAP, featuring work by Eric Anthony Berdis and Robyn McKee in the foreground and Mick Fisher and Carrie Smith Libman on the wall in the background. Photograph by Calling Bird Photography.

Saturday, March 14: Associated Artists of Pittsburgh and Creative Citizen Studios 5th Anniversary Celebration at AAP
6-9 p.m.
Associated Artists of Pittsburgh and Creative Citizen Studios are heading into spring by celebrating five years of “collaboration, creativity and community.” Join the two organizations to raise a glass — and raise funds for its future programming and partnerships — during the anniversary festivities at AAP‘s exhibition space in Lawrenceville. Savor cuisine by Pathways Community Living, sip libations and enjoy live music from Band Together Pittsburgh artists Cello, Madeline Segal and DJ Justin D. Explore artwork from the current exhibition, “throughlines: mapping our worlds,” before it closes to the public. Meet the featured artists, who will be on hand to share more about their creative process and watch a premiere of the project’s anniversary video by Alex Grant of ALX Photography. Tickets.

Pittsburgh artist,Amy Lovvik shares their work with attendees at the Pittsburgh Indie Expo (PIE), highlighting the creativity and innovation of independent comics creators and small press artists. Photo by David William.

Sunday, March 15: Pittsburgh Indie Expo at the Heinz History Center
11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Pittsburgh has long served as a creative hub for innovative comic book and cartoon artists. The best place to explore this vibrant scene is at PIE — the region’s only festival dedicated to indie comics, graphic novels and games, small-press publishing and experimental forms of storytelling. After debuting in 2025, the grassroots event is on a mission to increase accessible, community-driven arts experiences with 100 exhibitors, family-friendly workshops and interactive spaces. Attendees can meet the makers and hold physical media “that someone printed, folded and assembled themselves.” Highlights include a conversation with Frank Santoro and John Kelly exploring DIY zines and comics, and a panel discussion about democracy and civic engagement. Free to all ages, the event also features the Mobile Cartoon Museum. Information. Read more about the Expo in NEXT.

Empty Bowls Dinner. Photo courtesy of the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank.Empty Bowls Dinner. Photo courtesy of Just Harvest.Empty Bowls Dinner. Photo courtesy of Just Harvest.

Sunday, March 15: Empty Bowls Dinner at Rodef Shalom Congregation
1-8 p.m.
As the cost of everyday essentials continues to rise, you can help our neighbors put food on the table by attending this signature benefit supporting the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank and Just Harvest. Kinship, cooking and charity converge at this 29th annual event offering a simple shared meal of soup and bread — and a message of caring and hope. Gather with friends and neighbors to help end hunger across the region and savor nourishing soups handcrafted by local chefs, along with hearty bread and tasty treats. The event offers three dine-in seatings along with a takeout option. In addition to the meal, attendees will select a ceramic bowl made by a local artisan to take home as a reminder of our neighbors who are facing hunger. The event’s pottery bowls and homemade soups are donated by local ceramicists, schools and colleges and community arts organizations, and more than 40 restaurants and caterers throughout the region. Tickets.

7 more things to do this weekend

Thursday, March 12: Judith Vollmer at Carnegie Library Lecture Hall, 7 p.m.

Thursday, March 12-Sunday, March 15: Shit-faced Shakespeare: Hamlet at the Greer Cabaret Theater, 8 p.m. & 7 p.m.

Friday, March 13: Shamrock Night at Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, 5-10 p.m.

Saturday, March 14: Irish City Celebration at Pittsburgh Brewing Co., 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

Saturday, March 14: Hike Through Maple History: Maple Madness at Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Saturday, March 14: “The Great Race: The Story of the Chinese Zodiac” at the Byham Theater, 2 p.m.

Saturday, March 14: Cookies & Comedy Film Festival at the Harris Theater, various times