Your Pittsburgh weekend fun guide (Elmo’s in town!), including lots of free family events

Above image courtesy of Sesame Street Live!

This weekend, it’s time again for our favorite Sesame Street characters to return to the ‘Burgh! If you’re not into that, there is so much more going on this weekend. From learning how to band a bird’s leg to Yinzerfest, it’s a busy and fun-filled spring weekend in Kidsburgh.

Your weekend guide is right here:

Thursday, April 25 through Sunday, April 28: Yinzerfest at the David Lawrence Convention Center

Start your weekend off early with this ode to our local accent and culture. This family-focused event will offer local bites, vendor booths, live music, a cooking stage featuring local chefs and a comedy stage with local and national comedians. Tickets are $18 per day or $60 for a four-day pass.

Friday, April 26: Powdermill Avian Research Center guided tours, 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

Enjoy a free guided tour of the Carnegie Museum of Natural History’s program at Powdermill, which will teach about the bird banding lab and research facility including the flight tunnel. Visit the lab and see up-close how researchers safely capture and band birds, and learn about the data they gather. Hear about how they are studying avian perception of glass so that glass manufacturers and building designers can help reduce bird-window collisions. Guests must pre-register for the tour and arrive at PARC by 8:00 a.m.

Friday, April 26 and Saturday, April 27: Sesame Street Live! Say Hello at the Benedum Center

Elmo, Abby Cadabby, Cookie Monster, and their friends from Sesame Street are coming to our neighborhood to say hello. At “Sesame Street Live! Say Hello” you can sing and dance with your favorite furry friends while enjoying fun surprises along the way. Tickets begin at $33.

Saturday, April 27: Little Kid Dance Fusion at Los Sabrosos, 10 a.m. 

The Little Kids Dance Fusion class at Los Sabrosos is designed for kids ages 3-6. This fun, friendly, inspirational dance class designed to help kids feel beautiful, find their rhythm, work together. They will learn dance basics of ballet, classical, modern, world, and folk dances. Learn more and register at LSPGH.com

Saturday, April 27: Bark and Brunch on the Hazelwood Green, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

This free, family-friendly event features tons of activities and entertainment for two-legged and four-legged members of your family. From a doggy costume competition (please register by April 24) to a frisbee show, this is the third year for this event and it just keeps growing. Find information here.

Saturday, April 27: Free Diaper Drive-Up Distribution, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Diapers are expensive, and babies can go through up to a dozen per day. This weekend at McKeesport Area High School, Global Links and the Wester PA Diaper Bank are giving away diapers, rain or shine, to families in need. Families will receive a one month supply of diapers. Please reach out to Global Links with any questions.

Saturday, April 27: You’ve Earned a (Brain) Break at CLP, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For kids stressed out by PSSA testing, academic and sports pressure or just daily life, the librarians at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s Main branch in Oakland have the solution. For kids in grades K through 6, these hours will be filled with crafts, quiet moments,  books, and more. Find all the details here.

Saturday, April 27: Township of Pine Earth Day Celebration,  11 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

Pine’s first Earth Day Event will provide free fun and educational workshops and activities for all ages and abilities. Learn about the Township’s ongoing environmental and sustainability efforts while you enjoy all-day entertainment, including a local vendor market, food trucks, a “refill your own candle” activity by Chez Lapin, plus other activity and information booths, recycling opportunities, free hourly workshops and more. Catch a recycled art show and recycled/upcycled fashion show from Pine-Richland School District, along with giveaways and more. Visitors can recycle scrap metal, e-waste (excluding TVs), glass, Christmas/holiday lights, cardboard, gently used clothing/shoes/bedding/sleeping bags, and books. Find out more here.

Saturday, April 27: Pittsburgh Adaptive Recreation Expo, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. 

At the Kingsley Association, come meet with local adaptive recreation organizations and learn about the many ways sports and recreation in the region have been made accessible for all families. There will be adaptive yoga sessions, plus concessions and a chance to look at the latest adaptive technology.

Saturday, April 27: Pittsburgh LGBTQ+ Hockey Open Friends and Family Skate, 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. 

Friends, family, kids, beginner skaters and all others welcome! This event is free. Donations support Pittsburgh LGBTQ+ Hockey. Contact info@pittsburghlgbtq.hockey for more information. This event is generously sponsored by PFLAG Pittsburgh. More details can be found here.

Saturday, April 27: “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem” at Hartwood Acres, dusk

It’s time once again for the Allegheny County Drive-in Movies Series. This weekend at Hartwood Acres, find out what these four famous reptiles have been up to.  Parking opens at 6 p.m. and movie screening begins at dusk. This event, and all of the parks’ upcoming summer movies, have free admission.

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