SPRING
Art All Night. Launched by a grass-roots group of Lawrenceville residents, this free annual event gives professional and amateur artists a chance to share their work with the world. Each participating artist is invited to bring one piece of work to display. Volunteers spend their Saturday afternoon constructing an enormous, all-inclusive art exhibit (the 2007 show featured more than 800 works). Come evening, the doors open for a 24-hour art and performance extravaganza, open to all at no cost. Kids are welcome—both as artists and visitors! (Usually held the last Saturday in April)https://www.artallnight.org/
Memorial Day Parade. Our community honors the contributions of its fallen soldiers with an annual parade and ceremony. (May)
SUMMER
Arsenal Park Independence Day Celebration. A neighborhood-sized cookout, kids’ games, and plenty of time to visit with neighbors. This Lawrenceville tradition has been bringing the neighborhood together for more than six decades. The fun lasts all day, with fireworks capping off the evening. (Usually held Saturday before July 4) More info can be found on Lawrenceville United’s website.
FALL
Artist’s Studio Tour. Run by a small group of volunteer artists from around the neighborhood, the Artist’s Studio Tour is a chance to experience creative space not usually open to the public. Every fall the tour educates visitors about different artistic practices and invites people to Lawrenceville to enjoy the neighborhood. (mid November)
Lawrenceville Hospitality House Tour. House-proud Lawrenceville residents open their doors and share their inspiring interiors with the public. A great opportunity to scope out neighborhood house styles…and possibly score the inside scoop on a place you can call your own. (early October)
The Joy of Cookies, Cookie Tour is a Lawrenceville institution and holiday tradition. The Cookie Tour had its beginnings as a holiday open house at Jay Design Soaps & Gifts in 1997. Driven by the spirit of collaboration, the event grew to include more than a dozen businesses, and cookies were added around 2000. Today, the Cookie Tour has become Lawrenceville’s signature business district event, one which helps the business district grow economically, attracts visitors and exemplifies the strong spirit of community in Lawrenceville. Next Pittsburgh summed it up perfectly in a 2014 feature: “Equal parts cookie crawl and buy local movement, the free, family-friendly event showcases Lawrenceville’s thriving Butler Street business district.”
In 2020, the event had to take a pause due to the pandemic. The Cookie Tour Rewards Card was created as a way to still encourage shopping local and the idea of the Cookie Tour, but in a safe way.
Cookie tour is back in full force. Planning will be underway in the fall.
Year-Round
The Lawrenceville Historical Society offers tours and talks throughout the year.