10 weekend events in Pittsburgh, from the Great Backyard Bird Count to the International Auto Show and more

Image above courtesy of Joshua J. Cotten on Unsplash. 

With Valentine’s Day behind us, there are still plenty of sweet events in Pittsburgh and surrounding communities this weekend. Count some birds, catch a lecture at the Heinz History Center, or attend a ball with a princess.

Check out what’s happening this weekend around the city: 

Friday, Feb. 17: Legomation Half-Day Camp at Assemble, 1-4 p.m.

Do you love legos? Are you always watching cartoons or making your own animations? If your child’s school is closed or has a half-day Friday, join the folks at Assemble for a camp devoted to Legomation, or the process of animating with Legos. This camp is open to students in grades 3-5 and runs from 1-4 p.m. with aftercare available until 5 p.m. Camp is free for Garfield residents, and the cost is $25 for anyone else. Check out Assemble’s website for more information. 

Friday, Feb. 17: The Black Fives: The Epic Story of Basketball’s Forgotten Era, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

For older children with an interest in basketball, this lecture — which is part of the Heinz History Center’s African American program — features author and sports historian Claude Johnson as he delves into the history of Black basketball in the United States before the NBA was integrated. This event is free, but you must register. 

Friday, Feb. 17 through Sunday, Feb. 19: Pittsburgh International Auto Show, various times

Come down to the David Lawrence Convention Center for the auto show, which is in its 78th year — wow! With craft activities, Matchbox car races, and a chance to ride in a fully electronic vehicle, the show is packed with events all four days. Kids 6 and under are free, big kids are just $6, and adults are $12. If you can’t make it over the weekend, Monday, Feb. 20th is also half-price day as the show wraps up. Find tickets and more information here. 

Saturday, Feb. 18: College Application Workshop 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Join the team from Tricycle Learning Company at the  Rose E. Schneider YMCA in Cranberry Township to learn all about applying to college. This class, which is for kids ages 13-18, will teach families how to apply to college, navigate financial aid, and provide ongoing 1:1 support for students after the initial workshop. The cost is $150 and includes a membership to the College Aid Pro software. Find more information here.

Saturday, Feb. 18: Fiddlesticks at Heinz Hall, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Pittsburgh is full of amazing arts and artists. Turn on your imagination and immerse yourself in dance, poetry, visual arts, and music performed by the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. Special guests will take the stage for an exploration of the arts all around the ‘Burgh! Designed for families with children ages 3-8. The Fiddlesticks folks want to make sure everyone feels welcome at these concerts. With that in mind, a family restroom plus Braille programs, a quiet room, fidgets, and noise-canceling headphones are available at all Fiddlesticks concerts.

Saturday, Feb. 18: Animal Friends Therapet Event, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.

At the Hazelwood location of the Carnegie Library, Animal Friends will have a trained pet in attendance to love on, snuggle and learn about. Therapets are certified to help people with their emotions, and guests of all ages can learn just what their job is. More information can be found here. 

Saturday, Feb. 18: Ever After Events Valentine’s Princess Ball, 12:30 p.m. 

Join six fairytale characters for an enchanted Valentine’s Ball at The Camelot. This event will be filled with story-telling, sing-alongs, interactive activities, performances, dancing, and wonderful family memories! You’ll also have opportunities for one-on-one character interactions, autographs, and photos. Tickets begin at $25, and children under one year of age do not need a ticket. 

Saturday, Feb. 18: The Great Backyard Bird Count, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Across the world, people are counting birds as part of Cornell University’s monumental undertaking, The Great Backyard Bird Count. Locally, families can come to St. Joseph’s Spirituality Center in Baden to learn more about backyard birds and help scientists track them. Information on the event can be found here, and on the Bird Count program here. You can participate from your own backyard, too! The program will be counting birds worldwide from Feb. 17 through Feb. 20. 

Saturday, Feb. 18: “Black Panther” Movie Matinee, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Wakanda forever! As part of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s Black History Month programming, the West End branch will be hosting a screening of this iconic film. This event is free to all who attend, and more information can be found on their website. 

Saturday, Feb. 18, and Sunday, Feb. 19: Immersive Bird Show at the National Aviary, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

This free event is included with admission to the National Aviary and is sponsored by AAA Travel. This show is perfect for kids who want to see birds fly freely while learning about their unique skills and talents. From an impressive six-foot wingspan to curious little birds that waddle over to say hello, this encounter gives families a close-up look at the birds that inhabit the aviary. 

Want more family events in Pittsburgh and the surrounding region? Don’t miss our February events roundup, our big guide to events happening all winter long, our guide to outdoor winter fun and our roundup of maple syrup season events happening February through April.

And visit our daily events calendar for even more family events in Pittsburgh and beyond.