Weekend events guide: Outdoor adventures, free family photos, free Remake Learning Days fun and more

Above image courtesy of Fern Hollow Nature Center.

This weekend is filled with so many fun outdoor activities around the Pittsburgh area, from a home Pirates game and celebration of outdoor dining to several nature education events.

It’s also Mother’s Day weekend and many restaurants across the city are hosting special brunches. So check in with your favorite spot and give mom the day off. Eat N’ Park is even giving moms a Smiley cookie this weekend.

Start planning your epic family weekend right here:

Friday through Sunday (and running through May 22): Remake Learning Days

Pittsburgh’s annual festival of hands-on learning is in full swing. Get all the details here and search among hundreds of awesome, free, family events.

Friday, May 10 – Sunday, May 12: “Witness for the Prosecution” at New Hazlett Theater

This classic Agatha Christie play is sure to engage kids as they become involved in a lively trial. Be one of the jurors and experience the shocking testimony and impassioned outbursts from witnesses as a young man and his attorney fight to escape a final verdict. This play runs this weekend and next, with a variety of performances designed for sensory needs and audio and visual impairments. Tickets begin at $19. Find all the details here.

Friday, May 10: Sink or Float Creek Day at Fern Hollow Nature Center, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Join the educators from the Fern Hollow Nature Center at Walker Park in Sewickley for two hours of hands-on STEM fun. This event is for children ages 5 through 10, and the cost ranges between $16 and $22. Make a reservation here, as spots are limited.

Friday, May 10: Downtown Pittsburgh Outdoor Dining Kickoff, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Now that warm weather is (mostly) here to stay, its time for restaurants to begin dragging those tables back outside for some al fresco meals. The Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership is celebrating outdoor dining this week with live music and food along 6th Street this Friday. New streetscape enhancements have transformed the area, so come check it out! This dining event coincides with a Pirates home game (it’s Oneil Cruz free t-shirt night!), so the Clemente Bridge will be closed to cars.

Saturday, May 11: Celebrate World Migratory Bird Day, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy has put together an inclusive and family-friendly event to celebrate the world’s migratory birds at the Frick Environmental Center. The theme this year is “Protect Insects. Protect Birds.” Local naturalist educators have curated an extensive lineup of free events honoring our migrating friends, such as intersectional and accessible birding, discovery time, planting in the From Slavery to Freedom Garden, a birds and insect stream study, and various family-friendly activities with the Pittsburgh Park Rangers, the National Aviary and the Allegheny Land Trust. Find all the details about this free family event here.

Saturday, May 11: Open Streets Pittsburgh, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

From Market Square to the East Carson Street business district, roads will be closed for the first Open Streets Pittsburgh of 2024. Bike, walk, roll, stroll, or scooter along two miles of city streets. There will be activities and vendors along the path. This is the first of several events throughout the summer. Find all the details here.

Saturday, May 11: Northside Walk-In Food Distribution, 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

The Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank is hosting a walk-in food event. Participants walk through and choose items that work for their family at no cost. There will be fresh produce, shelf stable food and frozen protein. This event will be at King PreK-8 elementary school, located at 50 Montgomery Place.

Saturday, May 11: The Greater Pittsburgh Festival of Books, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

It’s back! Pittsburgh’s homegrown festival of all things literary is happening on the campus of the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary on Highland Avenue. Get all the details here.

Saturday, May 11: Day of Magic at Bella Terra Stables, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

This is a jam-packed day of family fun. Dance the day away with Tiana and her friends at a Princesses and Superheroes Ball in a beautiful barn ballroom. Listen to Belle and Philippe’s favorite story while learning more about Bella Terra Stables’ Stories in the Stable, a program created to promote literacy and little one’s confidence by reading to a therapy horse. Explore rescue vehicles, and collect Real-Life Hero’s signatures in an autograph book provided by Bella Terra Stables. There will also be food trucks on site. There are three sessions throughout the day. Tickets range from $15 to $35. Register here.

Saturday, May 11: Community Day at Contemporary Craft, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

At this Remake Learning Days event, families will find creative, hands-on activities and artist demos, along with a special “art handler” activity which shows what goes into putting together an art exhibition. The celebration also showcases the capstone projects of this year’s TACT (Teen Apprentice in Craft and Technology) participants. Details here.

Saturday, May 11: Penny Arcade Kids Comedy Show, 2 p.m.

This watch-and-play comedy show is designed for kids! The Arcade Comedy Theater brings together talented improvisers, actors, and comedians to provide family-friendly content on the second Saturday of every month. This experience is great for children ages 4 through 8, but everyone can enjoy the interactive improv, uncontrollable giggles, and free vintage arcade games. Tickets are $12.

Saturday, May 11: “Super Mario Bros.” at Hartwood Acres, dusk

It’s time for a viewing of “Super Mario Bros.” on May 11, during the Allegheny County Drive-in Movies Series. Parking opens at 6 p.m. and the movie screening begins at dusk. These events have free admission all summer long.

Sunday, May 12: Free family portraits at the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. 

The folks at the Children’s Museum believe in the importance of commemorating family memories, so they are offering free family portraits on a first-come, first-serve basis this Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and Parents’ Day (July 28). After you purchase your museum tickets, you can reserve a time slot for your photo. Contact the museum with any questions.

Want more family fun? Check out our public events calendar and sign up for our newsletter so you don’t miss a thing!