10 cool Pittsburgh events this weekend, including outdoor fun, early holiday shopping and more

Image above courtesy of Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh.

If you can emerge from your candy coma by the weekend, there’s so much going on around Pittsburgh worth checking out. From a new play aimed at teaching kids about Helen Keller to a good old-fashioned TV marathon (grab some blankets and snacks and snuggle in with your family for the afternoon), it’s a great weekend to be in Kidsburgh:

Friday through Sunday, Nov. 3-5: “The Miracle Worker” at the New Hazlett Theater

It’s opening weekend at the New Hazlett Theater! Prime Stage Theatre Company opens its season with the Tony Award-winning play about Helen Keller and her teacher Annie Sullivan. Best for ages 11 and older. Tickets include pay-what-you-can dates, sensory inclusive, ASL and audio-described dates. This show also runs the following weekend. 

Saturday, Nov. 4: Heritage Public Library Holiday Craft Market, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

With more than 20 crafters and vendors, food trucks, a coffee shop, a bake sale and a free children’s activity area where parents can drop their kids off (for free!) while they shop and eat, this event is the place to be this weekend. There will also be 15 basket raffles and a door prize! Find all the details here.

Saturday, Nov. 4: Song Shop Concert: Violins of Hope at Bitz Opera Factory, 12 p.m. 

Pittsburgh Opera partners with Violins of Hope for a powerful concert. Bring a bag lunch or snack for this lunchtime concert. Registration is free. 

Saturday, Nov. 4: Create and Learn with Center for Creative Reuse at CLP Downtown, 2 p.m.

What can be built with the scraps others leave behind? So many creative and amazing things! Come to this free workship with the Center for Creative Reuse at the Downtown location of the Carnegie Library. This class is free.

Saturday, Nov. 4: Family Nature Walk at Powdermill Nature Center, 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. 

The Carnegie Museum of Natural History will be leading this family nature walk from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Reservations are strongly recommended, and folks who show up ahead of time will be taken on a first-come, first-serve basis. Find the details here.

Saturday, Nov. 4: The Nightmare Before Christmas at the Rangos Cinema, 5:30 p.m.

Sure, you’ve seen Jack and Sally, but have you seen them on the big screen? Come to the Carnegie Science Center’s Rangos Cinema to view this classic film that is perfectly timed between Halloween and Christmas. Tickets are $12 for non-members and $10 for members.

Saturday, Nov. 4 and Sunday, Nov. 5: Steel Goat Marketplace Holiday Open House

Come out to Steel Goat Market for craft demos, live entertainment, raffles, food and more. There will even be homemade pierogies. The Grinch will be present on Saturday and Santa himself will drop by on Sunday. There will also be craft workshops and activities. Please register, so the team can plan for craft supplies. This event is free!

Sunday, Nov. 5: Playdate at CLP Allegheny Library, 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.

This free, interactive play time is best for kids 5 and under — but this branch of the Carnegie Library system has tons of toys and games geared for older kids, so bring the siblings along. Registration is not required. 

Sunday, Nov. 5: WQED Kid-Focused TV Marathon, 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.

While streaming reigns king, our local WQED station still has plenty of quality family programming. Tune in Sunday for a lineup packed with fun and educational shows. Give YouTube a break for the day: 

• “TEAMology: Bounding Back and Being Happy,” 12 p.m. — TEAMology’s mission is to understand and improve emotional health to enhance every child’s ability to succeed in school, career, and life. The “TEAM” is led by a charming cast of puppets – Amelia, Harper, Lamar, Paco, Philo and Ruby. This episode explores three themes: “Coping with Stress,” “How to Ask for Help” and “Big Problems vs. Small Problems.”
•  “Cartoon Academy with Joe Wos: Outer Space,”  12:30 p.m. — Joe draws an astronaut and his robotic friend, and planets with human characteristics. Viewers will also have an alien encounter! Along the way, Joe shares educational facts about space, while explaining the importance of motion, movement and imagination.
•  “Dinosaurs!” 1 p.m. — Joe takes viewers back to prehistoric times. As he draws a Tyrannosaurus Rex, a Triceratops, and a Pterodactyl, Joe shares educational facts about the creatures and the time period during which they lived. Students will also learn the importance of artistic terms including setting, composition and texture.
•  “Under the Sea,” 1:30pm — Among the “toons” in this episode are an octopus, seahorse crab, blobfish, a pirate and sea monster. Joe shares educational facts about these ocean-themed characters, while showing the importance of depth, dimension, texture, and costumes in his drawings.
•  “Playful Pets,” 2 p.m. — In this episode, sketch along with Joe as he draws a happy dog, a fancy hamster and a wary fish. Viewers will learn artistic terms during each lesson and the use of props and character relationships.
•  “Down on the Farm,” 2:30 p.m. —This episode features a cow, rooster, duck, and pig. Joe also explains the importance of symmetry and conveying emotion through facial expressions.

Sunday, Nov. 5: Twilight at Mansfield, Oliver Miller Homestead, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. 

The Oliver Miller property will be beautifully lit by candle, lamp, lantern and crescent, offering a rare opportunity to see this historic place in a quaint, traditional evening setting. Enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of fresh baked goods during this lovely autumn event. Admission is $2.

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