Pittsburgh’s Rivers of Fire
2nd Annual — We’re Bringing the Heat… AGAIN!
Preview Night
5:00 – 9:00 PM
No ticket required · Walk in
The Big Day
12:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Tickets $10.61
Velum Fermentation · 2120 Jane St, South Side · Pittsburgh, PA 15203
Skip the line — buy your digital tickets in advance
The Hottest Weekend in the ‘Burgh
Pittsburgh’s first-ever hot sauce festival is back — bigger, hotter, and now spread across two days at the legendary Velum Fermentation in the South Side.
In 2025, Hammajack Heat Co. founder Lisa Ray brought Pittsburgh its very first hot sauce festival — and the ‘Burgh hasn’t stopped talking about it since. For 2026, we’re leveling up with 22 hot sauce vendors, more food, more entertainment, a brand-new free Friday preview night, and a Saturday main event packed with contests, fire shows, charity challenges, and surprises around every corner. Whether you put reaper sauce on your morning eggs or think ketchup is “a little spicy,” there’s a bottle here with your name on it.
Two Days, One Festival
Friday warms things up for free. Saturday is the full-tilt main event — that’s the day your ticket is built for.
Friday, October 9
Free Preview Night
5:00 – 9:00 PM · No tickets required
An easy, free warm-up before Saturday’s heat. No hot sauce vending or sales tonight — just hangouts, makers, and games.
- Crafters & Makers market (handmade local goods)
- Trivia on the festival floor
- Pepper-themed mobile escape room
- Hot sauce People’s Choice voting opens (winners announced Saturday)
Saturday, October 10
Main Event · Ticketed
12:00 PM – 7:00 PM · $10.61 admission
Full festival access — sampling, contests, performances, and games all day long.
- 22 hot sauce makers sampling and selling bottles
- League of Fire pepper eating contest
- Fire & Ice Challenge with Nervana Health (charity)
- Iron City Circus Arts — fire & aerial show
- Pittsburgh Hot Talk with the Positively Pittsburgh Podcast
- Scavenger hunt with prizes
- 10-Wing Challenge (ticket add-on)
- DJ, food trucks, pinball, pool, air hockey & more
- Velum’s craft beers on tap all day
Meet the 22 Hot Sauce Makers
Local Pittsburgh favorites and regional newcomers, all in one place. Sample, find your new favorite bottle, and take some home.
Plus food trucks, drinks & more
The Fire & Ice Challenge
Eat a blazing-hot pepper, then plunge into an ice bath — for charity.
Heat that helps a great cause
Brave attendees take on a fire-then-ice challenge with Nervana Health (formerly Pittsburgh Tub Club). Last year’s challenge raised funds for Animal Friends for Veterans, and the partnership returns in 2026 — bigger, colder, and hotter than ever.
Optional ice bath, optional fire-then-ice combo to bump up the donation. Show up, sweat, shiver, and help a great cause.
Presented by Hammajack Heat Co.
Pittsburgh’s Rivers of Fire is proudly organized by Hammajack Heat Co., the local craft hot sauce company founded by Lisa Ray. What started in a commercial kitchen in 2022 — born from a dream after attending hot sauce festivals across the country — has grown into a brand carried in 26+ stores and a festival putting Pittsburgh on the national hot sauce map.
Last Year Set the Bar
A look back at the inaugural 2025 festival that started it all.
A Great Debut
Pittsburgh’s very first hot sauce festival proved the ‘Burgh was hungry for heat. Demand was so strong that the 2026 edition was a no-brainer.
16 Hot Sauce Vendors
A mix of veteran heatseekers and bold newcomers shared their craft. This year? We’re growing the lineup to 22 hot sauce vendors — with food trucks, makers, and partners on top.
Iron City Circus Arts
Three jaw-dropping fire shows brought literal flames to the festival — because at Rivers of Fire, the fire isn’t just in the sauce.
$20 per Plunge
Brave souls ate blazing peppers and plunged into an ice bath — raising $20 per participant for Animal Friends for Veterans.
Catch photos and highlights from 2025 on Instagram @pittsburghs.rivers.of.fire
The Venue
An iconic Pittsburgh space for an iconic Pittsburgh event.
Velum Fermentation
2120 Jane Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15203
Housed in the historic former Duquesne Brewing bottling plant, Velum Fermentation is a 35,000 sq ft craft brewery in Pittsburgh’s South Side Flats. Soaring ceilings, industrial character, incredible craft beer on tap — the perfect home for the city’s hottest festival.
- Craft beer on-site from Velum’s taproom
- South Side Flats — street parking and nearby lots available
- Get directions on Google Maps
Don’t Miss the Heat
After last year’s huge turnout, we’re expecting an even bigger crowd in 2026. Don’t risk it being sold out when you walk up — grab your digital tickets now and skip the line at the door.
Friday’s preview night is FREE — Saturday is ticketed access to the full main event.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know before you go.
When is the Rivers of Fire Hot Sauce Festival?
The 2nd Annual Pittsburgh’s Rivers of Fire is a two-day event at Velum Fermentation in the South Side:
Friday, October 9, 2026 — FREE Preview Night, 5:00 – 9:00 PM (no tickets required)
Saturday, October 10, 2026 — Main Event, 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM (ticketed)
Where can I buy tickets?
Tickets are available right here on YinzMart.com. We strongly recommend buying digital tickets in advance to guarantee your entry and skip the line at the door. With last year’s strong turnout and a bigger lineup this year, advance tickets are the smartest way in.
How much are tickets?
Saturday admission is just $10.61. Friday’s preview night is completely free — just walk in.
Do I need a ticket for Friday?
Nope! Friday, October 9 from 5–9 PM is a free preview night with crafters, makers, trivia, the pepper-themed escape room, and the kickoff of People’s Choice voting. No hot sauce sampling or sales on Friday — that’s Saturday’s main event.
Is this really Pittsburgh’s first hot sauce festival?
Yes. Pittsburgh’s Rivers of Fire launched in 2025 as the city’s very first hot sauce festival, organized by Lisa Ray of Hammajack Heat Co. After a wildly successful inaugural year, the 2026 edition is bigger and bolder.
How many vendors will be there?
Saturday features 22 hot sauce makers sampling and selling bottles, plus food trucks, drink vendors, and additional makers — 33 vendors total. Friday’s preview includes crafters and makers (no hot sauce vending Friday).
What else is there to do besides tasting hot sauce?
A lot. Saturday includes the League of Fire pepper eating contest, the Fire & Ice Challenge with Nervana Health (charity), Iron City Circus Arts fire & aerial show, Pittsburgh Hot Talk with the Positively Pittsburgh Podcast, a scavenger hunt with prizes, the 10-Wing Challenge (ticket add-on), DJ, pinball, pool, air hockey, food trucks, and Velum’s craft beers on tap.
Where is Velum Fermentation?
2120 Jane Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15203 — in the South Side Flats, in the historic former Duquesne Brewing bottling plant. It’s a massive 35,000 sq ft space with tons of character. Street parking and nearby lots are available.
Can I buy hot sauce at the festival?
Absolutely. All 22 hot sauce vendors will have their products available for purchase on Saturday. It’s the perfect chance to stock up on unique, craft hot sauces you won’t find anywhere else. Most vendors accept cash and card.
Is the festival family-friendly?
Velum Fermentation is a craft brewery, so adults can grab a beer on-site. The festival itself is open to all ages — bring the whole crew. The 10-Wing Challenge and pepper eating contest are 18+.
Who organizes Rivers of Fire?
The festival is organized by Hammajack Heat Co., Pittsburgh’s own craft hot sauce company founded by Lisa Ray. After attending hot sauce festivals across the country, Lisa decided Pittsburgh needed its own — and Rivers of Fire was born. Learn more at hammajack.com.