11 weekend events for Pittsburgh families, from story times and art to food events and gaming fun

Above is a historic photo of Pittsburgh, which is part of the collection that will be shared by the Carnegie Library this weekend at Local History Day.

November is full of fun events for Pittsburgh families. We’ve got a guide to the whole month, which includes the kickoff to the holiday season Downtown. And below you’ll find a long list of events happening this weekend. From free library gatherings to big excursions, you’ll find a wide variety of options for families at a range of prices (including free!) this weekend.

Plan the perfect weekend here:

Friday, Nov. 1: Baby and Toddler Snugglebugs at CLP, 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

At the Oakland (Main) branch of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, adults and their infants and toddlers can explore action rhymes, songs and stories in this free program. The activities will use books to encourage play and language development in a fun and casual atmosphere. This event is for kids younger than 3 years old. Find more details here.

Friday, Nov. 1: Hazelwood First Fridays, 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.

This event will feature low-cost art activities, live music, food trucks, and more family-friendly activities, as Hazelwood celebrates art and culture. This month, there will also be a celebration of Dia De Los Muertos. Find more details about the event right here.

Friday, Nov. 1-Sunday, Nov. 3: “The Hobbit” at the O’Reilly Theater

This show opened on Oct. 23, but it runs through Nov. 10, so there’s still plenty of time to snag a ticket. This fantastical performance takes the audience right to Middle Earth without ever leaving the Steel City. Tickets begin at $40, with various times and price points still available.

Saturday, Nov. 2: Holiday Craft Market at Heritage Public Library, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Support a worthy cause (public libraries!) while shopping for your loved ones this season. The Heritage Public Library in McDonald will host 20 vendors, food trucks, have a basket raffle, and a children’s play area. All attendees will have a chance to win door prizes, too. Learn more about this event here.

Saturday, Nov. 2: Boy Scouts of America event at the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. 

This merit badge workshop is open to any student in 6th–12th grade and is designed to help BSA scouts meet requirements for the Collections merit badge. Scouts are encouraged to complete as much of the workbook and requirements ahead of time as possible. (Scouts will be required to bring in pictures, videos, and/or small pieces of their own private collection to share during this workshop.) Learn about the various collections at the museum, including the restoration and preservation practices that happen there. The cost of this event is $20, and registration is required.

Saturday, Nov. 2: Hometown Homegrown at the Heinz History Center, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

At this special event, guests will enjoy more than 25 local food and beverage vendors from the region. In addition to the tasting event, visitors can explore all of the floors of History Center exhibitions. The Detre Library & Archives will showcase its historic cookbook collection and distribute special recipe cards to visitors for this event, too. Find more details here. Kids 17 and under are free all month, too!

Saturday, Nov. 2: Family Workshop at SPACE Gallery, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The staff at the SPACE gallery welcome families to meet artist Eric Anthony Berdis and make their own medal or trophy, inspired by the work of the 110th Annual Exhibition. The gallery will provide supplies for families to decorate their own prize. Guests can take their creations home or loan them to the gallery for a future art installation. Find more details here.

Saturday, Nov. 2: Day of the Dead Festival with La Escuelita Arcoiris, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

Join La Escuelita Arcoiris in celebrating this annual celebration of life. Day of the Dead is a traditional Mexican holiday, celebrated on Nov. 1 and 2, aligning with All Saints Day. The purpose of the holiday is to honor loved ones who have died by offering them a family fiesta. This event includes live entertainment, kid-friendly crafts, face painting, life size puppets and a community altar. A neighborhood parade will be led by the musical ensemble Timbeleza. The event is free and open to all. Mexican Food trucks will be on-site. Find more details here.

Saturday, Nov. 2: Local History Day at CLP, 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

At the Main branch of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, guests of all ages can take historic tours, view artifacts, or listen to speakers. This event is free and will feature many local historical societies sharing fascinating details about the Pittsburgh region. Find more details here.

Saturdy, Nov. 2: Game Day with Game Masters PGH, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. 

For a $5 fee per table, guests are welcome to chose from over 100 board games (or bring their own). This event, located in West View, is a great way to spend an hour (or the whole five hours!) learning new games and making new friends. More details can be found here.

Sunday, Nov 3: Millie’s Pink Party aboard the Gateway Clipper, 1 p.m. 

This weekend, it’s time to climb aboard that famous riverboat and celebrate with Millie’s. An ice cream bar is included with the ticket price and a kid-friendly DJ keeps things hopping for the entire cruise. With photo booths and other entertainment, this is a great chance for kids to check out the Gateway Clipper Fleet. Tickets range from $5 to $35 and can be purchased here.

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