10 great family events in the Pittsburgh region this weekend, most of them free!

Photo above by Timothy Eberly used by permission via Unsplash.

It’s officially the height of fall festival season, giving families several great events (so many of them free) to choose from any given weekend for the remainder of October. So put on some fuzzy boots, grab a sweater and enjoy this gorgeous crisp fall weather as you explore these family events in the Pittsburgh region. 

Friday, Oct. 14 through Sunday, Oct. 16: Fort Ligonier Days, various times

Fort Ligonier Days is a free, three-day festival that commemorates the Battle of Fort Ligonier, a critical engagement of the French and Indian War. The festival features historic battle reenactments, live music, authentic crafts, delicious food and more. The full schedule and details can be found here. 

Saturday, Oct. 15: Haunted Guyasuta, various times

At this Boy Scouts of America camp in Sharpsburg, one fall day becomes haunted. Portions of the haunted trail are labeled as “no scare” time zones, so check the full schedule to find the best time for your family. There’s also lots of other fall fun at Camp Guyasuta. Tickets are $20 now through Oct. 14, and $25 at the gate on Oct. 15. 

Saturday, Oct. 15: Grand Opening of the Moonshot Museum, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

It’s finally here! While those with a Northside ZIP code can get a free sneak peak on Oct. 13, Pittsburgh’s first space museum opens to the public this weekend on the Northside. Kids will see a lunar lander being built by Astrobotic, participate in a lunar colony mission, and can even write or draw a message to send to the moon. Learn all about the museum here and check this page for details about the grand opening festivities. 

Saturday, Oct. 15: Health, Wellness, and Sports Expo, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Come to the North Park Sports complex for a day jam-packed with wellness activities. Join this free family-friendly weekend packed with KidZone activities, group wellness/fitness classes and demonstrations, plus Steelers tickets and sports memorabilia giveaways, a trade show with 75+ local businesses, food trucks and more. The expo is free, though pre-registration is suggested.

Saturday, Oct. 15 to Sunday, Oct. 16: Pittsburgh Monster Pumpkin Festival, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Come down to the Strip District for the biggest (literally!) pumpkin fest in the city. From prehistoric pumpkin carvings to hay bale graffiti contests, everything about this event screams Halloween – but in a family-friendly way. The celebration is free, though some events require pre-registration. 

Saturday, Oct. 15: Latin American and Caribbean Festival, 2 p.m. – 8 p.m.

The 40th Annual Latin American festival is a celebration of Latin American culture featuring food vendors, musicians, performers, arts and crafts and more! Since 1979, the mission of the festival is to showcase Latin American cultures in Pittsburgh to both Pitt students and the Pittsburgh community. Get all the details here for this free event. 

Saturday, Oct. 15: Family Fall Fest at the Pittsburgh Riverhounds, event begins 5 p.m./game starts 7 p.m.

Are you ready for the First Annual Family Fall Fest presented by Kidsburgh? Join Kidsburgh and the Pittsburgh Riverhounds on Saturday for a night full of games, giveaways, good food, family fun and professional soccer. Admission to Family Fall Fest includes a ticket to the Pittsburgh Riverhounds game and starts at just $15.

Saturday, Oct. 15 and Sunday, Oct. 16: Zelienople & Harmony Country and Fall Festival, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Head north for this joint community fall festival that is free to the public. There will be food, games, kids’ activities, live music and more. Kids can visit a petting zoo or take a horse-drawn wagon ride through town. Check out the full details here. 

Saturday, Oct. 15 and Sunday, Oct. 16: Harmony Ridge Fall Festival, 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.

This free event is for families, couples and singles! The organizers have planned a wine and craft beer tasting, hayrides every half hour until 5:30 p.m., food trucks, live music, and kids’ activities. See the full schedule at the event page here.

Sunday, Oct. 16: Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh Makeshop: Papermaking, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

How do you use paper? How is it made? Join museum staff for this workshop that looks at just how paper is made and allows kids to make some themselves. This event is included with museum admission. Remember, if your family receives public assistance or are a military family in Pennsylvania, you may receive discounted admission to this museum and many others. 

Don’t miss our giant pumpkin patch roundup, our full fall list of things to do, or our latest craft project – pop-up cards!