Preview: Pittsburgh’s Inaugural Turn It Upstream Music Festival Will Be A Zero-Waste Night to Remember
REVIEW
REVIEW
☆ BY NATALIE D.C. ☆
THIS LOCAL NONPROFIT HAS BEEN WORKING TO PROTECT THE NINE MILE RUN WATERSHED FOR 25 YEARS. Now, UpstreamPgh is planning the inaugural Turn It Upstream Music Festival, a fundraiser like no other in celebration of their 25th anniversary.
Hosted by Emmy-nominated television producer, writer, narrator and Pittsburgh icon Rick Sebak, this love letter to the region’s deep connection to nature and the arts will feature live performances from local musicians—Beauty Slap, NASH.V.ILL, Colatura, the anonymous chronicles and DJ Buscrates.
“The earliest documents about the Nine Mile Run restoration called for the creation of an organization that could sit at the intersection of art, environmental activism, and community engagement to develop and steward watershed work in Pittsburgh,” states UpstreamPgh Executive Director Mike Hiller. “Twenty-five years later, as we prepare to launch our next comprehensive plan for the watershed, we’re proud that those concepts still guide everything we do. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate than by throwing a music festival at the physical nexus of our past and future work.”
The fest will be further enhanced by the goods, demonstrations and activities—including, most interestingly, an eco-friendly screen printing for all ages—provided by community organizations and artisans such as Grow Pittsburgh, the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, WorkshopPGH, 3 Rivers Outdoor Co. and many others. Meals will be provided by beloved Pittsburgh food trucks, Mr. Bulgogi and La Palapa, while drinks will be provided by local breweries, East End Brewing Company and Goodlander Cocktail Brewery. Overall, this is slated to be an exciting evening filled to the brim with music, creativity and connection in the heart of Steel City’s beloved Frick Park.
Festival-goers are encouraged to embrace their favorite festival style, from Lollapallooza to Coachella, when planning their attire and decorating their personal “chill space” on the lawn. This sustainable, zero waste event is powered by local environmental partners Zero Fossil and Pennsylvania Resources Council, and will set the tone with environmentally conscious staging, logistics and atmosphere, ensuring the festival is as green as it is unforgettable.
The inaugural Turn it Upstream Music Festival will take place on Friday, June 26, 2026, beginning at 5PM in Frick Park. Tickets are still available, ranging from $10 (under 18) and $20 for general admission to $100 for inclusive VIP tickets with food & beverage vouchers and priority viewing area access. Tickets can be purchased here.
