City & Public Safety Announce Preparations for July 4th Celebrations

Pittsburgh, PA – This year, Independence Day falls at a special time in the history of our nation, as it coincides with America’s 250th anniversary. 

In the very state where the Declaration of Independence was signed, there is ample reason for all Pennsylvanians to celebrate this Fourth of July. 

In Pittsburgh, the festivities are bigger and better than ever, with multiple concerts and activities planned for Point State Park and Downtown, a Ferris wheel and hot air balloon on the North Shore, the South Side Street Fest on East Carson Street, the annual fireworks display and drone show, and epic views of it all from the vantage points of Mount Washington and the Grandview Overlook.  

“The City of Pittsburgh and the Department of Public Safety are excited to host this year’s Fourth of July celebrations. Our city has never looked better, and our first responders have never been better prepared to serve and protect our residents and visitors during this special event. There will be hundreds of Public Safety personnel from Pittsburgh Police, EMS, Fire, and Emergency Management on duty throughout the city to ensure everyone’s safety. Do not hesitate to ask them for assistance or report any suspicious behavior,” said Public Safety Director Sheldon Williams.  

There will be a visible law enforcement presence with a full complement of uniformed Pittsburgh Police officers from multiple divisions including the Mounted Unit, the Violence Prevention Unit, the Bicycle Unit, River Rescue, SWAT, as well as plainclothes and undercover detectives circulating throughout the primary event areas.  

This year, the Bureau’s Drone Unit will also act as a force multiplier by providing aerial visibility across large areas to track crowd size and traffic flow, monitor illegal or suspicious activity, and locate missing persons. 

Ahead of the weekend events, Chief Jason Lando addressed some of the recent concerns regarding large groups of teens gathering and sometimes engaging in illegal activity in various parts of the city, but particularly downtown. 

“We care deeply about our young people, and we want them to celebrate with us safely and responsibly. At the same time, we have a responsibility to protect the broader community. I want to be clear: we will have a zero‑tolerance policy for disruptive or unsafe behavior. Fighting, vandalism, fireworks in the crowd, alcohol violations, or conduct that threatens others will not be permitted. Those behaviors will result in immediate action, which may include arrests or citations,” said Lando.  

Outreach workers with the Department of Public Safety’s REACH team will be proactively patrolling the Central Business District to connect with young people to interrupt or mitigate instances of disorderly conduct or violence.  

“Parents and guardians, we ask for your partnership. Please know where your kids are, discuss expectations before they head out, and arrange safe transportation. To all attendees: arrive early, be patient with road closures and bag checks, and if you see something that concerns you, say something--find a nearby officer or call 911 for help,” added Lando. 

The City’s local and state partners will also be assisting with operations, to include Allegheny County Police, Pennsylvania State Police, Juvenile Probation, Port Authority Police, and Department of Natural Resources (DCNR) Park Rangers. 

Attendees should take note of parking restrictions and road closures, particularly on the North Shore.  

There will be NO PARKING on North Shore Drive, Mazeroski Way, or West General Robinson Street all day on July 4. 

Beginning at 11 a.m.: 

• North Shore Drive will be closed completely until the end of the event 

• Art Rooney Avenue will be closed at W. General Robinson Street 

• W. General Robinson Street will be closed at Chuck Noll Way (with access to the parking lot) 

Downtown, New Liberty Avenue at Commonwealth Place will be closed to traffic for the events at Point State Park. Private security will be in place at Point State Park and the North Shore event entrances, with a clear bag policy in effect.  

City of Pittsburgh crossing guards will be stationed at key intersections to help police with the increased pedestrian traffic. Please respect their direction in the interest of keeping everyone safe. 

With the holiday falling on a weekend, as many as 100,000 people are expected to gather throughout the day. Attendees should pay close attention to the weather which could impact the planned events. Temperatures are expected to be in the high 90’s with the potential for thunderstorms in the afternoon and early evening. 

“We urge everyone to come prepared for all weather possibilities and to celebrate responsibly, by consuming plenty of water to avoid dehydration, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. Our paramedics and EMTs will be stationed at various locations inside the event areas, as well as our motorcycle medics, who will be roving throughout. Please do not hesitate to flag one of them down if you need assistance or call 911,” said Pittsburgh EMS Chief Amera Gilchrist. 

A reminder that the Fireworks Task Force will be operating from July 3-5 to respond to fireworks-related calls and complaints. Misuse and/or illegal use of fireworks can result in warnings, citations, arrests, and confiscation of fireworks.   

The main attraction will be the annual fireworks display which is set to begin at 9:35 p.m. 

Please plan your transportation route ahead of time and consider taking public transit or using a ride share service. Parking will be at a premium and multiple road closures will slow down drive times. 

The City of Pittsburgh wishes everyone a safe and festive Fourth of July holiday!