Thank you to Sponsors & Guests for a wonderful night! We hope you’ll join us for 2025’s celebration; stay tuned for details.
Click here to download photos from the evening, courtesy of Elliott Cramer!
Spend the last July weekend on the North Shore! Journey to an Island Oasis on Fri., July 26, 2024 during the National Aviary’s hottest party: Night in the Tropics Presented by UPMC Health Plan! Step under the papel picado and transport yourself to a tropical celebration with show-stopping live entertainment, delicious signature island cocktails, and a spread of mouth-watering bites from more than a dozen (and counting!) local restaurants.
Upgrade for a first-class VIP experience including early party access, FREE valet parking, exclusive Ambassador Animals and National Aviary experiences, full bar services with premium spirits, and more!
All guests are able to explore habitats full of lush greenery after dark, where beautiful birds fly overhead and roost in tree canopies.
Stay tuned for details on up-to-the-minute live entertainment, Silent Auction and raffle prizes, and delectable restaurant additions for this top-shelf event!
This event supports the National Aviary’s avian care and conservation!
Let Us Entertain You:
It’s going to be a fiesta! Go on the ultimate Island Oasis adventure with entertainment that will blow your mind:
- No Bad JuJu
- Mariachi by Miguel
- Guaracha
- Music by Elias Khouri
- Dance Lessons with Marlon Silva
- Steel Drums by Dan Meunier
- LIVE mural painting by Maria DeSimone Prascak of Maria’s Ideas
Drink, Dine, and UnWIND:
All guests will enjoy delectable food, signature cocktails, wine, and beer.
- Angkor Restaurant
- Atria’s Specialty Catering
- Bistro To Go
- Betsy Ann Chocolates
- Braddock’s Rebellion
- Breadworks
- Eat’n Park
- Gianna Via’s Restaurant and Bar
- Graeters Ice Cream
- Il Pizzaiolo
- Industry Public House
- Juniper Grill
- Moe’s Southwest Grill
- My Favorite Sweet Shoppe
- Piada Italian Street Food
- Pittsburgh Barbecue Company
- Potomac Bakery
- Press House Coffee
- Sarris Candies
- The Porch
- Two Ugly Mugs Salsa
- Vallozzi Pittsburgh
- 5 Generations Bakers
Beer provided by Frank Fuhrer Wholesale Co.
Night in the Tropics: Island Oasis Passport
This year’s signature cocktails are not only tasty; they’re your flight path around this 21+ party, courtesy of the Pittsburgh International Airport!
Tropical destinations require a passport! At every Night in the Tropics bar, you’ll find a signature cocktail linked to an airline, a stop, and of course, a popular drink found there.
- Northern Lights: Fly nonstop to Reykjavik, Iceland, on Icelandair from Pittsburgh through October 27! A 5.5-hour flight will take you to the majestic landscapes and breathtaking nature of Iceland – book now at icelandair.com.
- Pennsylvania Punch: Fly – don’t drive – to Philadelphia! Frontier Airlines now offers 2x daily nonstop flights between Pittsburgh and Philly. Take in the Philly art museum, Independence Hall, or grab some cheesesteaks! More at flyfrontier.com.
- Cosmopolitan: New York City is expensive – but your flight doesn’t have to be! Fly nonstop to New York’s LaGuardia Airport on Spirit Airlines – and be in downtown Manhattan in 45 minutes!
Want the chance to win a flight? Stamp your passport one signature drink at a time!
Drawing has now closed; congratulations to the winners!
After collecting all three passport stamps, you may drop your passport off at the Silent Auction area by 9 pm for a chance to win flight vouchers courtesy of Frontier Airlines! Winner must be 21 years or older.
Not interested in sampling a signature cocktail, but want to enter the drawing? No worries! Simply travel to each bar and ask the bartender to stamp your passport.
Remember: Upgrade to VIP for Even More Amazing Perks:
- Early access to the party
- Full bar service with premium spirits
- Up-close experiences with National Aviary Ambassador Animals
- FREE valet parking
Pro tip: Bring cash to purchase raffle tickets to win a trip for two to Maui, sponsored by AAA Travel! Tickets are one for $10 or three for $25; learn more below!
Silent Auction:
Bidding has closed. Thank you to all bidders and congratulations to each and every winner!
Get a chance to win amazing auction items while you’re at the party, or from the comfort of home during the Night in the Tropics Silent Auction. Bid on prizes including:
- Show you’re the ultimate football (and movie) fan by snagging an autographed, framed Rudy Ruettiger jersey – complete with a mini LED screen that shows highlights from the classic film, “Rudy!”
- Win autographed, framed sports memorabilia packages, perfect decorations for your home’s rec room!
- “Get outta ‘tahn” with the family during a weekend Erie trip that takes care of everything: tickets to the Erie Zoo, expERIEnce Children’s Museum, a one-night stay at the Sheraton Erie Bayfront Hotel, gift cards to Sara’s Restaurant & Ice Cream Pub and for fuel!
- Plenty of summer fun featuring Aviary must-haves and must-dos, Kennywood tickets, Sandcastle tickets, golf outings, museum trips, and more!
Enjoy the convenience of bidding on your favorite items from your phone by texting tropics2024 to 843-606-5995. Don’t worry about having to say near the prize(s) you’ve been coveting: the auction app will send you a text if you’ve been outbid. Stay tuned for new prizes added weekly!
Raffle:
Raffle now closed; congratulations to the winner!
Enjoy an island oasis getaway for two to Maui, sponsored by AAA Travel! The prize includes round-trip economy airfare from any United States city to Maui, Hawaii, and six nights hotel accommodations. Purchase tickets at the National Aviary! Call 412-258-9465 or email [email protected] with any questions.
Attire:
Dress in your best tropical attire for this indoor/outdoor party! Bright colors are encouraged; leave your black tie outfits at home! Let loose with your best beachy sundress, or island-inspired ensemble. Comfortable shoes are recommended.
Parking:
VIP guests will arrive in style with FREE valet parking! Head to VIP check-in located at the National Aviary entrance at 700 Arch Street.
General Admission ticket holders have the option to add on valet parking for $35.
Convenient parking is available at Nova Place for $20, or for just $15 more, you can add valet parking to your General Admission Night in the Tropics ticket! Nova Place is located at 100 South Commons, Pittsburgh, PA 15212.
ADA-accessible drop-off will be available at the entrance of the National Aviary.
Please note: The Rivers Casino Shuttle is not available this year.
Need a Ride?
Consider contacting the following local rideshare services:
Please drink responsibly.
Proceeds from this 21+ event benefit the National Aviary’s work to save birds and protect their habitats.
Thank You to Our Sponsors!
Presenting Sponsor
Diamond Sponsors
Platinum Sponsors
Gold Sponsors
Federated Investors Foundation, Inc.
Silver Sponsors
BranchPattern
Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC
Cintas
CJL Engineering
Fairfield Landscaping
The Gateway Engineers, Inc.
Harmelin Media
HBK CPAs & Consultants
Jones Day
Koppers Inc.
Maher Duessel
McKamish, Inc.
Oxford Development Company
Priory Hospitality Group
Rivers Veterinary Urgent Care
Trust-Franklin Press Co.
Raffle Sponsor
Printing Partner
Printscape Imaging & Graphics
By purchasing Night in the Tropics tickets and completing our Signature Cocktails Passport, you are giving the
National Aviary permission to send you emails.