Civic Snapshot: How Pittsburgh’s Planning for Summer 2025

Summer is just around the corner and Pittsburghers are already making plans. With the season officially starting June 20, many are thinking about how to make the most of it, without straying too far from home. Instead of booking major getaways, they’re focusing on smart spending, home upgrades, and local experiences.

Recent CivicScience insights reveal a shift in how people are approaching summer, not by cutting back entirely, but by choosing experiences and improvements that feel intentional, affordable, and personal.

For brands, that’s a signal to lean in with messaging that matches the moment. Let’s look at what’s ahead and where your campaign can connect.

Smaller Upgrades, Bigger Impact at Home

Pittsburghers may be cautious about large expenses, but they’re not pressing pause on home improvement altogether. In fact, many are focusing on projects that make their space feel better right now.

📊 Is now a good or bad time to make a major purchase?

Brands offering practical, affordable home solutions still have a strong audience of 45% ready to act.

Landscaping and outdoor updates top the list, projects that feel doable, seasonal, and satisfying. That’s where your messaging can meet them.

Not Traveling Far? Even More Reason to Show Up Locally

Many people are skipping long-distance travel, but that doesn’t mean they’re skipping summer. They're still planning relaxation, weekend getaways, and activities closer to home.

📊 What kind of vacation are you planning?

Nearly 60% of respondents are either staying local, heading to a nearby beach or lake, or unsure, which means they’re still looking for ideas.

With fewer big vacations on the books, Pittsburghers will be looking to fill their calendars with events, day trips, and community experiences. That’s where advertisers can show up early and often.

Upcoming local summer events to consider anchoring campaigns around:

• Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival | June 7–9

• Picklesburgh | July 19–21

• Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix | July 20–21

• Little Italy Days in Bloomfield | August 15–18

• Night Markets, outdoor movie nights, food truck roundups, and more throughout June–August

  
  

Events like these offers great alignment for local messaging. Whether through sponsorships, digital promotions, or TV campaigns, this is the perfect time to highlight local pride, Pittsburgh culture, and being part of the summer story.

What This Means for Your Summer Campaign

This summer, your audience is tuned in, but they’re staying close to home. That makes it the perfect time to reach them with thoughtful, relevant messaging across both TV and digital platforms.

• Use TV to build trust and visibility: Local news, weather, and lifestyle segments remain some of the most-watched content in the region making broadcast the ideal place to introduce your message and establish credibility.

• Extend that message with digital: Follow your audience across mobile, desktop, and streaming with content that feels timely, targeted, and helpful.

• Highlight practical, everyday value: Whether it’s a summer service, product promotion, or local event, keep the message focused on what matters most to them right now.

• Tap into seasonal momentum:  From staycations to home projects and community weekends, align your campaign with the rhythm of the season and the places people are already looking for ideas.

  
  

A smart summer strategy doesn’t shout. It shows up, right where your audience is, with a message that feels made for the moment.

Be Where Pittsburgh Is This Summer

Pittsburgh consumers are still making decisions and still looking for brands that understand their priorities. This season is a key moment to show up with messaging that’s timely, trusted, and built for the platforms they engage with every day.

Whether it’s through broadcast, digital, or a cross-platform campaign, your brand can stay visible, relevant, and aligned with what local audiences care about most.

Connect with WTAE Advertising to plan a campaign that meets your audience where they are this summer.