11 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend, from a farm tour to a celebration of kites and more

Photo above courtesy of Remake Learning Days. 

This weekend in the ‘Burgh is packed with fun things to do — and the fun begins even before the weekend! Market Square kicks off the summer season on Thursday with its first farmers’ market of the year. Remake Learning Days continue to offer free events around the region, and there’s so many more things to do in Pittsburgh and the surrounding region.

Read on to plan your weekend right: 

Thursday, May 11: Opening Day for Market Square Farmers Market, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

Start your weekend a day early by checking out this weekly market featuring local vendors, live music, fitness classes, and more. Free daffodil bulbs will be distributed at the first market of the season. Food stamps and WIC farmers market vouchers will be accepted. (For every $5 spent with food stamps, shoppers will get an additional $2 to spend at the market.) Find all the details here. 

Friday, May 12: Farmer Friday: Tour Oakleigh Farm, a robotic dairy farm with Matt, 10 a.m. 

After a fire in 2019, Matt and his family decided to rebuild their barn with a focus on robotic technology that increases efficiency and cow comfort at the dairy farm. During the tour, kids ages 5 through 10 are invited to learn where calves and cows live, and how cows are milked. Find all the details here. 

Friday, May 12: “Madagascar The Musical” at the Benedum Center, 7 p.m. 

Join Alex, Marty, Melman and Gloria as they bound out of the zoo and onto the stage in this live musical spectacular. This smash hit musical features all of your favorite crack-a-lackin’ friends as they escape from their home in New York’s Central Park Zoo and find themselves on an unexpected journey to the madcap world of King Julien’s Madagascar. Tickets begin at $39. 

Saturday, May 13: World Migratory Bird Day, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. 

Visit the Frick Environmental Center to celebrate the diversity of birds that live among us with hikes, crafts, and other activities for learners of all ages in this collaborative event from the Allegheny Bird Conservation Alliance, Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, Pittsburgh Park Rangers, and the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy. Activities for learners of all ages, from fledgling to adult, will teach ways to appreciate and help the birds in our backyards. 

Saturday, May 13: Greater Pittsburgh Festival of Books, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

The second annual Greater Pittsburgh Festival of Books (GPFB)  is a free event happening on the campus of the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary in East Liberty. This day of literary fun includes an expanded roster of programming designed for kids and families. Get all the details here!

Saturday, May 13: Fam Jam at the Trust Arts Education Center, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. 

Join the creative folks at the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust for a sing, dance, jam and make-a-long jamboree! There will be loads of singing, dancing, moving, and participants can even create their own original music! For families with babies and young children who love music and having fun together. Find out more here. 

Saturday, May 13: Kites for Kids, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

Carnegie Science Center teams up with KidsVoice, an Allegheny County child advocacy organization, to celebrate Kites for Kids with hands-on activity stations, kite-themed games and crafts and lessons on the science of flight. Free with general admission.

Saturday, May 13:  Science in the City, 10:30 a.m. 

Visit the Carnegie Science Center to get the 4-1-2 on how science fuels the ‘Burgh! Enjoy interactive floor demonstrations on pH, civil engineering, and space technology. Find all the details here. Remember, the museum participates in Museums For All and offers many discounts for admission. 

Saturday, May 13: YMCA Healthy Kids Day with the Riverhounds, 3 p.m.

Spend the afternoon and evening at Highmark Stadium with superheroes and princesses, Y on the Fly, bounce houses, and a soccer game. There will be obstacle courses and other activities to get your body moving. There are separate tickets for the activities and the game, so check out the pricing here. 

Saturday, May 13: Choreography Workshop at the Trust Arts Education Center, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. 

Through mentoring and guidance from the instructor, students will develop their own unique style of dance and create their own original dance routine. They will provide a variety of music to choose from and students are encouraged to bring their own movements that they would like to incorporate into their choreography. The cost is $25.

Saturday, May 13: Open Mic Night at the Trust Arts Education Center, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. 

This session is for anyone who identifies as a writer – including performers, rappers, poets, and closet writers – and want to share what they’re working on in a creative, supportive environment. Participants will spend the first half workshopping material and getting feedback from one another and the facilitator. The second half is Open Mic time! This is a chance for you to invite friends and family or keep it on the down low and gain experience sharing your work in public. Find out more here. 

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Looking for more May events for Pittsburgh families? Don’t miss our big spring events guide, as well as our summer camp guide. And check out our daily events calendar for even more fun.