Picklesburgh Dill-Cathlon – Picklesburgh’s pickle-themed “Dill-Cathlon” contests are set to open registration at 10 a.m. Monday, June 22, with three multi-round competitions running during the festival’s July 16–19 dates in Downtown Pittsburgh and the North Shore.
If you want a shot at being crowned “Duke of Drinking,” you’ll need to move fast—registration for Picklesburgh’s “Dill-Cathlon” games opened at 10 a.m. on Monday, June 22.
Picklesburgh, voted a specialty food festival by USA TODAY 10 Best in 2026, is gearing up to celebrate its 11th anniversary in mid-July. This year’s festival also expands to new locations in Downtown Pittsburgh, where three competitions will play out across multiple rounds.
Registration for Picklesburgh 2026 contests opened at 10 a.m. on Monday, June 22 on the festival’s website. Participants must register online ahead of the competitions.
The “Dill-Cathlon” games will include three contests with multiple rounds. The pickle juice drinking contest asks participants to see who can chug a quart of Pittsburgh Pickle Company’s Picklexir the fastest. Winners advance to be crowned the Duke of Drinking.
The pickle eating contest gives contestants four minutes to eat as many pickles as possible. The winners then move on to compete to be named the Earl of Eating.
Then comes the pickle bobbing contest, a test of speed and control. Contestants will retrieve pickles using only their mouths over 90 seconds, with the most pickles by weight advancing to face off for the title of Baron of Bobbing.
Competitors must be 18 or older. Contestants are selected through the pre-registration process ahead of the event. though unregistered adults may still be able to participate if there are any forfeited or open slots on the day of the contests. Full contest rules are available on the festival’s website.
Picklesburgh 2026 runs from Thursday, July 16 through Sunday, July 19. The full schedule of events will be released on Picklesburgh’s website.
The festival spans areas of Downtown Pittsburgh and Pittsburgh’s North Shore. with new locations at Market Square and Arts Landing. Events will take place at:
PPG Plaza
Market Square
Heinz Hall Courtyard and 6th Street
Fort Duquesne Boulevard
Arts Landing
Roberto Clemente Bridge
Andy Warhol Bridge
Allegheny Landing
Finch Walker is the Pittsburgh Connect Reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Contact Walker at FWalker@usatodayco.com. Instagram: @finchwalker_. X: @_finchwalker.
Picklesburgh 2026 Dill-Cathlon Pittsburgh Pickle Company Picklexir pickle juice drinking contest pickle eating contest pickle bobbing contest registration Downtown Pittsburgh North Shore
Pickle bobbing sounds like the only sport I’ve ever been good at.
So it says 10 a.m. Monday and I totally missed it, of course. But if they “might” have open slots later?? I’m showing up anyway lol.
Wait the “Duke of Drinking” is based on chugging a quart of that Picklexir stuff? That can’t be safe… also they said retrieve pickles with only mouths over 90 seconds, so what, no hands allowed? People really do anything for a title.
They keep adding locations like Market Square and Arts Landing, like anyone knows where to go. I swear last year it was just Downtown Pittsburgh, now it’s like all over the bridges too. Also 18+ but the kids still gonna try to sneak in, come on. Picklesburgh is fun but this is kinda gross, like who thought pickle juice competitions were a good idea.