The Turn It Upstream Music Festival is a 5 hour long, one night nonprofit fundraiser celebrating the 25th Anniversary of UpstreamPgh (formerly Nine Mile Run Watershed Association). The event will take place on about 2 acres in Lower Frick Park and is expected to draw about 500 people.

This is our first year, so we’re starting small and dreaming big. We’re planning for a few hundred attendees. If demand grows, we may need to cap attendance to ensure a sustainable event. Once tickets are available, we recommend grabbing yours early so you don’t miss out—and so we can plan accordingly.

Yes. Even though it’s one of the longest days of the year, we’ll be going past sundown, and lighting will be kept mostly within the festival area to minimize light pollution and disturbances to wildlife.

If you’re planning to stay until the end (we hope you do!), we recommend bringing a flashlight, headlamp, or a fully charged phone to help guide your way out of the park. Frick Park closes at 11:00 PM, and the festival will wrap up with plenty of time for a safe exit.

We’re all about reducing our impact and being good neighbors, so we encourage low-impact ways to get here. A full “Getting There” guide is on the way, but here’s the quick version:

1. Walk or Bike
If you’re nearby, this is the best way to arrive. You’ll enjoy the park and avoid traffic—and we’ll have bike racks on site for you.

2. Public transit
Frick Park Hollow is a short walk from several PRT bus stops. It’s an easy, eco-friendly option. A more robust guide is coming soon.

3. Rideshare
Coming from farther out? Grab a friend (or two) and share a ride. Preferred drop-off/pick-up location details are coming soon.

4. Carpool (if you must drive)
Please avoid driving solo. There will be no festival parking in the Lower Frick Park lot. If you drive, plan to park in nearby neighborhoods like Regent Square or Squirrel Hill, visit some local businesses, and enjoy a short walk through the park to the venue. Please be respectful of our neighbors— illegally parked cars may be towed.

We’re committed to making the festival accessible. We’re currently finalizing drop-off and pickup logistics—if you have specific needs, please reach out to in**@*********gh.org so we can support you.

Then you might get wet…but the show goes on! This is a rain-or-shine event, and we’re planning to keep the music going through anything short of severe weather (like high winds or lightning).

If it looks like rain, bring a rain jacket or poncho, embrace the vibes, and get ready to dance either way.

We will have multiple portable restrooms (including accessible models) for your comfort.

Nope—and honestly, you won’t miss it. Like most large outdoor events, cell service can get spotty once we hit critical mass, so sending texts or loading apps might be a challenge.

Take it as an opportunity to unplug, be present, and enjoy the moment. The photos and videos will still be there to post when you get home.

Absolutely. We’re right at the crossroads of several Lower Frick Park trails, so feel free to come and go as you please. In fact, we encourage you to explore—try taking one of our walking tours along Nine Mile Run or Fern Hollow Creek while you’re here.

Just make sure to keep your wristband on, and we’ll welcome you back anytime.

Yes! Some ticket tiers include food and drink vouchers, and you’ll also be able to purchase food and beverages on-site. We’ll have free drinking water available, so feel free to bring an empty water bottle to refill throughout the night.

The festival is fully contained within Frick Park Hollow. You’ll find our check-in tent on the southern side of the Hollow, at the intersection of Tranquil Trail and Falls Ravine Trail.

Once you enter the park, we’ll be funneling guests along the trails toward check-in, and clear signage will be posted from all major access points to help guide you. We’ll also send detailed arrival instructions via email to all ticket holders ahead of the event.

Yes! Frick Park is 644 acres, and the festival only occupies a very small portion of it—about two acres within Frick Park Hollow.

We’ll have clearly marked trail detours so everyday park users can easily route around the event area. If you happen to wander in and want to join the fun, we’ll also have volunteers nearby who can direct you to the check-in tent for walk-up ticket options.

Think of this like your favorite outdoor concert in the park. Blankets and lawn chairs are welcome, and we recommend bringing the basics for a full evening outside: sunscreen, a rain jacket or poncho, and an empty water bottle to refill at our hydration station.

We’ll have food available on-site, but we never want cost to be a barrier to enjoying the festival. Feel free to bring your own snacks or picnic items if you’d like.

A few things to leave at home: large or hard-sided coolers, glass bottles, and outside alcoholic beverages. If you bring your own food, please help us care for the park by packing out your trash or using compostable (preferred) or recyclable containers whenever possible.

We’ll be honest: once a few hundred people gather in the Hollow, cell service may go from spotty to basically nonexistent. Plan ahead when you can—set pickup times in advance, coordinate meeting spots with friends, and let loved ones know when you expect to be back online.

Then take a deep breath, put the phone away, and enjoy being present for a while.

Most vendors will accept a mix of payment options, including cash, credit/debit cards, tap-to-pay, and peer-to-peer apps like Venmo or Zelle. That said, because cell service can be spotty in the park, some digital payment systems may be unreliable at times.

We recommend bringing some cash as a backup just in case.

If you do run into any issues, head over to the check-in tent—we’ll be able to help you convert card payments into “Stream Bucks,” a festival-only currency that can be used with all on-site vendors the same day. Vendors will settle Stream Bucks directly with us behind the scenes.

Think of it as a small, self-contained festival economy—and we’re just here to keep everything flowing smoothly.

Yes—families are welcome! We encourage you to bring the kids (and don’t forget hearing protection for little ears). This is a community-focused event, and we’re committed to maintaining a safe, welcoming environment for all ages. Security will be on-site throughout the festival to help ensure everyone follows event guidelines, City of Pittsburgh and Citiparks rules, and any and all applicable government regulations and laws.

A quick note for families: some performances may include explicit language and alcohol will be available for purchase on-site. We recommend parents plan accordingly and prioritize what feels right for their family experience.

We won’t have bleachers or general seating provided in the concert area. There will be a limited number of tables and chairs around the venue, primarily intended for eating.

We encourage you to bring your own blankets, lawn chairs, or anything else that helps you stay comfortable while you enjoy the music.

If you need seating or viewing accommodations for accessibility reasons, please reach out to us directly at in**@*********gh.org so we can help make sure you’re taken care of.

Absolutely! We love seeing people make their “flop space” their own. Bring blankets, pillows, battery- or solar-powered lights, beach balls, or anything else that adds to the vibe. Just be mindful to keep things eco-friendly, family-friendly, and in line with festival rules. And as always, please pack out what you bring in and keep track of your belongings.

No need for totems here—we’re a small enough festival that you should be able to find your people without a landmark in the sky. For safety reasons, please leave long sticks, poles, and similar items at home.

Wear whatever makes you feel like you’re at your version of a music festival—whether that’s laid-back, expressive, or somewhere in between. Think Coachella, Woodstock, Bonnaroo… or just your favorite “I’m here to have a good time” outfit.

Go for comfort, have fun with it, and feel free to turn a look if that’s your thing. Just keep it family-friendly and weather-appropriate so you can enjoy the night from start to finish.

You’ve got plenty of great options nearby. Braddock Avenue in Regent Square is full of local spots worth checking out—many of which are also part of the festival community.

Some, like Stay Gold Books and 3 Rivers Outdoor Company, will even be joining us as vendors on-site. Others nearby—like Rockaway Pizzeria, D’s Six Pax and Dogs, Murphy’s Tap Room, Hemlock House, and Frick Park Tavern—are perfect for grabbing a bite or a drink before or after the show (be sure to check hours).

There’s no official pre- or post-festival party—just a great neighborhood to explore. We encourage you to spread the love and support local businesses while you’re here.

Our 2026 lineup is officially set. If this festival hits the way we think it will, we’d love to open things up to more artists in future years—stay tuned.

Kinda?! For our first year, we’re prioritizing space for longtime partners and environmentally focused nonprofits. Once we know how many spots are left, we’ll reach out to additional potential vendors. Want to be considered? Fill out this form.

Volunteers will play a big role in making the festival run smoothly, from guiding guests to supporting recycling efforts. Volunteer registration is now closed.