As Pittsburgh gets ready to welcome hundreds of thousands of visitors for the NFL Draft, the North Shore is stepping into the spotlight—not just for football, but for a full lineup of major performances from Nelly, 2 Chainz, and Steve Aoki.
You’ll find these artists across two different venues—Shorty’s and The Plaza—each hosting their own series of events throughout the week.
Rather than overlapping, the schedules offer a chance to experience these artists in two completely different settings:
- Shorty’s brings a high-energy, late-night, club-style atmosphere
- The Plaza offers a large-scale, open-air concert experience with festival-style production
Each show will be unique to its venue, so whether you’re choosing one or planning to attend multiple, you’ll get a different experience every time.
For those looking to make the most of the week, The Plaza has also introduced a bundled ticket option for all three of its shows at a discounted rate.
Event Lineups
The Plaza (Outdoor Concert Experience)
- Wednesday, April 22nd: Draft Opening Party with Nelly (Doors at 6pm)
- Thursday, April 23rd: Ultimate Tailgate Party with Steve Aoki (Doors at 12pm)
- Saturday, April 25th: 2 Chainz Live in Concert (Doors at 6pm)
Shorty’s (Late-Night, Club-Style Experience)
- Wednesday, April 22nd: Draft Opening Party with Steve Aoki (Doors at 8pm)
- Thursday, April 23rd: Draft After Party with Nelly (Doors at 8pm)
- Saturday, April 25th: Draft After Party with 2 Chainz (Doors at 8pm)
What to Know Before You Go
- Expect opening acts at each event. Arriving early will help you catch the full lineup.
- The North Shore will be busy throughout draft week, especially in the evenings.
- Planning ahead for transportation will make your experience significantly smoother.
If you’re figuring out logistics, VisitPittsburgh has put together a full draft transportation guide along with helpful resources on getting around the city during the event.
A Once-in-a-Lifetime Week for Pittsburgh
Yes, it’s going to be crowded. Yes, it will take a little extra planning. But the NFL Draft coming to Pittsburgh is a rare moment and one that will bring a level of energy to the city we don’t see every day.
It’s the kind of week that feels a little like a Steelers Sunday, a major concert, and a citywide celebration all at once.
So make a plan, give yourself extra time, and lean into it. Whether you’re heading to Shorty’s, The Plaza, or both, this is one of those experiences that’s well worth it.
This content was provided by a local, independent contributor to Made in PGH, a lifestyle blog.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source madeinpgh.com ’
