10 weekend events around the Pittsburgh region, including farm tours, lessons in falconry and Bluey

Photo above courtesy of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust.

Chilly mornings and a slight change to the leaves mean everyone’s got fall events on their mind this weekend. There’s a host of activities going on, including dairy farm tours and urban farm tours. Also, Bluey is in town! Check out the weekend events coming up around the Pittsburgh region: 

Saturday, Sept. 23: Powdermill Avian Research Center Open House, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

The Carnegie Museum of Natural History is excited to host this “pay what you wish” event at their Powdermill facility. Learn about bird banding, how to reduce the risk of birds flying into windows, and many more tips about conservation and bird populations locally. Register here. 

Saturday, Sept. 23: The Dollar Bank Junior Great Race, various times

The most adorable segments of The Great Race are those involving kids in the Junior Great Race. The Family Fun Run for ages 5-12 includes parents running alongside their kids in the 1-mile race. The Tot Trot welcomes ages 4 and younger to head down a 50-yard walled chute to their own finish line. And the smallest athletes can join in the Diaper Dash. Registration is $10. Participating kids will receive a t-shirt and medallion upon completion of their event.

Saturday, Sept. 23: Franklin Fall Farm Fun Fest at Oakleigh Dairy Farm, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

Franklin, a rural city north of Pittsburgh, is gearing up for fall festivities again. This year Oakleigh Dairy Farm is hosting their fall festival, which will feature farm wagon tours, milk and ice cream, and all sorts of fun chilly-weather activities. Check out their Facebook page for all the details. 

Saturday, Sept. 23 – Sunday, Sept. 24: “Bluey’s Big Play” at the Benedum Center, various times (earliest show 10 a.m.)

This live theatrical adaptation of the popular “Bluey” television series is brought to life by colorful puppets, along with an original story and music. Tickets start at $36.50 and there are VIP Meet & Greet tickets for $75.

Saturday, Sept. 23: Pittsburgh Urban Farm Tour, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

Get to know Pittsburgh’s urban farm sites and see the vital work they do: teaching community members how to grow food, remediating pollution, ensuring access to fresh local food, and converting disinvested areas into productive and safe green spaces. This exciting event is a self-guided tour of multiple locations. Tickets are based on a sliding scale.

Saturday, Sept. 23: Falconry: The Sport of Kings, The National Aviary, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. 

Discover the rich history of falconry and how it is practiced and regulated today. Learn about the qualities falconers seek in the birds they use for hunting and the variety of species trained for falconry. This program is open to participants 10 years or older. Those under 16 must be accompanied by a registered adult. Registration is $25.

Saturday, Sept. 23: Story Saturday: “A Dress with Pockets,” Carnegie Museum of Art, 11 a.m.

This Story Saturday deals with that dream garment: “A Dress with Pockets.” That’s the goal of Lucy, a girl in search of the ultimate dress. The story is followed by an art project appropriate for ages 12 and younger. Registration is free with museum admission.

Saturday, Sept. 23: Mission to the Moon at CLP Beechview, 11 a.m. 

The Moonshot Museum has been partnering with the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh to bring their programming to the community for free, and this weekend it’s at Beechview. Kids will meet the rovers and robots being built right here in Pittsburgh that will explore the moon. Find all the details here. 

Saturday, Sept. 23: SkyWatch at the Carnegie Science Center, 9 p.m.

Connect with the night sky through a featured planetarium performance and, weather-permitting, live views of night sky objects in stunning telescopic detail. Registration is $12.

Saturday, Sept. 23 – Sunday, Sept. 24: American Indian Heritage Weekend, Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

Learn about the region’s American Indian with visiting members of the region’s historic tribes, who will demonstrate the daily life skills of their ancestors in 18th century and prehistoric Western Pa. Admission is $15 for adults, $14 for seniors, free for ages 17 and younger.

Looking for more fun fall events? Check out our guide to apple picking and our big fall events guide. Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram and sign up for our newsletter, too!