This year’s First Night celebration, brought to life by by Highmark and the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, welcomed thousands downtown to ring in the new year.

Local performers, furries, the Mayor, and so many more marched in the annual New Year’s Eve parade on Penn Ave. The Greer Cabaret theater hosted Kierra Darshell’s Drag Show while Geo Koryu performed a traditional Hawaiian Hula Kahiko fire dance for an audience of hundreds on 8th Street.

Despite the rain, Pittsburghers shared laughs and made the most of 2025’s first night.

Jon Harkness and Shaylee Gunzemhauser kiss one another on New Year’s Eve in Downtown Pittburgh.
The New Year’s Eve parade marches down Penn Ave on Dec. 31, 2024.
Divanua Diore performs at the Greer Cabaret Theater during the First Night New Year’s Eve celebration on Dec. 31, 2024.
Geo Koryu performs a Hawaiian Hula Kahiko dance during Highmark’s First Night of 2025 in the Cultural District.
Jamamba Parker and Jordan James pose for a portrait with NYE balloons on Dec. 31, 2024.
The ice maze apart of Highmark’s New Year’s Eve celebration.
Miss V Van-Cartier performs at the Greer Cabaret Theater during the First Night New Year’s Eve celebration on Dec. 31, 2024
Furries march in the New Year’s Eve parade downtown.
Nicollette M. carries a sign in the NYE parade on Dec. 31, 2024.
The Most Wanted Car Club drives in the NYE parade in Downtown Pittsburgh.
Furries march in the New Year’s Eve parade downtown.
Mayor Ed Gainey walks in the NYE parade.
Geo Koryu performs a Hawaiian Hula Kahiko dance during Highmark’s First Night of 2025 in the Cultural District.
Geo Koryu performs a Hawaiian Hula Kahiko dance during Highmark’s First Night of 2025 in the Cultural District.
Geo Koryu and Pittsburgh Fire Captain, Thomas Larbig attempt to put out an oil fire during Koryu’s fire dance performance. The fire was extinguished and no one was injured. EMS treated Koryu for burns and the performance concluded once the fire was put out.
O’Ryan the O’Mazing juggles in the Cultural District on New Year’s Eve.