17 awesome June events in Pittsburgh to kick off summer right

Photo above courtesy of Pittsburgh Cultural Trust.

June is one of Pittsburgh’s busiest months of the year. Not only do we have the Three Rivers Arts Festival, Pittsburgh Pride, and Juneteenth running days-long celebrations, there are tons of other recurring family nights, festivals, and activities to keep kids entertained (and wear them out for bedtime). Check out this list of June events in Pittsburgh and the surrounding region, and start marking your calendars:

June 2 – 11: Three Rivers Arts Festival 

It’s time for one of the most popular events in Pittsburgh: The Three Rivers Arts Festival, which fills a 14-block stretch of Downtown with artsy fun and gorgeous displays. There are so many free and accessible family activities: Check out our guide right here. 

June 2 – 4: Pittsburgh Pride Festival

Always overlapping with the arts festival, Pittsburgh Pride is back this weekend with a jam-packed schedule of events, live music and activities. The parade route runs from the Strip District to the Children’s Museum. Grab a seat early! See the schedule for events and updates. 

June 2 – June 25 (and July weekends, as well): Kennywood’s Bites and Pints

What’s better than rollercoasters and animatronic farting zebras? Rollercoasters, animatronic farting zebras AND the fun of Bites and Pints at Kennywood Park. This festival, which runs on weekends through the end of July. Taste foods from around the world and sample various craft beers as well (adults only, please — but the food is for everyone!) Check out all the details here. 

June 3 – 4: Pennsylvania Trolley Museum’s “Anything on Wheels.”

If you love the trolley museum already, this special event will make you love it even more. Check out dozens of antique and specialized wheeled vehicles. Find out all the details about this event for wheel-loving kids (and adults) here. 

June 3 – 4: Antique Skyscrapers Tour

Check out the tops of four of the city’s tallest buildings with historian Mark Houser. Pittsburgh’s skyscrapers tell an incredible story of industry and change in the region. This event is $32 per person and tickets can be purchased here. 

June 5 – 10: Mister Rogers Family Days

In his hometown of Latrobe, families of all ages are welcome to join in this free event honoring the life and legacy of Fred Rogers. There will be trolley rides, costumed characters, a magic show and more. Some events require pre-registration, even if they are free. Find out what’s happening right here. 

June 9 – 10: Mars New Year Festival

Happy New Year… on a neighboring planet! Come to Mars (the town just north of Pittsburgh) to celebrate another trip around the sun for Mars (the red planet in the sky). There will be family activities, food, STEAM projects and more. Each night ends in a drone light show. The Mars New Year Committee collaborates with NASA, Astrobotics, JPL, Aldrin Family Foundation, and many more organizations who are interested in space exploration. Find the full details right here. 

June 10: Neighborhood North Community Play Day and Car Cruise

Have you been to Pittsburgh’s newest children’s museum, Neighborhood North Museum of Play? Located in Beaver Falls, this colorful space is jam-packed with learning centers and space to get your wiggles out. Join them for Beaver Falls’ annual car cruise to check out the center — admission is free on this day! 

June 10, 17, and 24: Dollar Bank Cinema in the Park

Pittsburgh Citiparks and Dollar Bank have announced the summer movie schedule, and June is loaded with some good ones. June 10 is “Jurassic World: Dominion,” June 17 will feature “Elvis,” and June 24 will bring “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” to the outdoor screen at Riverview Park. Check the website for more info, as well as movie showings for July — including “Shrek,” “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” and “Turning Red.” (Soon to be published: Kidsburgh will have a full guide to free summer movies and concerts.)

June 10: Sensory-Friendly Screening of “The Little Mermaid” at The Lindsay Theater and Cultural Center

Come out to The Lindsay in Sewickley for a special screening of the box office hit starring Halle Bailey. This screening will have adaptations to make the film more enjoyable for guests who process sensory input in different ways. Tickets can be purchased here for just $8.75.

June 14: Buzzword Family Night

Join Buzzword, an early literacy program, at the Greater Hazelwood Family Center for an evening of family fun and activities featuring science, art and music. During this event, children ages birth to five and their caregivers will have the opportunity to come together and explore elements of our newest BUZZ Box, featuring the latest Buzzword: SENSES. Families take boxes home with them and dinner is provided. Registration prior to the event is strongly encouraged. Learn more about Buzzword right here. 

June 16 – 19: Pittsburgh Celebrates Juneteenth Freedom Day

Four days of music, art, games, and celebration will take over Point State Park and Market Square as Pittsburgh celebrates the date — June 19 — that word of emancipation finally reached the furthest enslaved people in Texas at the end of the Civil War. To celebrate this momentous occasion, families of all backgrounds are welcome to attend this free celebration. Read the history of the holiday and find out more details right here. 

June 16 – 25: “The Boxcar Children” at Prime Stage

June brings another Prime Stage Sprouts production: This time, it’s the brave, adventuresome and uplifting story of  “The Boxcar Children,” based on the beloved Boxcar Children book series by teacher/writer Gertrude Chandler Warner. Get details and tickets here. Shows include a sensory-inclusive performance June 24 and an audio-described/ASL signed performance on June 25. Recommended for third grade students, families and adults.

June 17 and 25: Inside Out at Carnegie Museum of Art

If you love the inside of the CMOA, wait until they move the experience outdoors. On Saturday afternoons through the summer from noon to 5 p.m., there will be DJ’s, food trucks, and family-friendly art activities to enjoy in the courtyard. There’s a similar event for adults on Thursday evenings. Find the details here. This event is free and does not require museum admission. 

June 18: Steel Goat Artisan Roundup

Steel Goat Marketplace invites you to browse their unique boutiques featuring hand painted items, vintage attire, and trendy styles along with fabulous jewelry to suit any taste from over 100 local artisans. Fall in love with their selection of air plants and houseplants, comical cards, and snarky t-shirts. You’ll find yourself asking, “How did they make that?” several times during your visit. RSVP here. 

June 23 – 25: Pogopalooza: The World Championship of Pogo

The 22nd Annual World Championships of Pogo happens this month in Pittsburgh. This family-friendly competition features the world’s best extreme pogo stick athletes competing on high-powered pogo sticks jumping 10 feet in the air, doing flips and more. In the Free Jump area, kids can try pogos of all sizes and learn the basics. Along with watching the pros, check out the Kids 15 and Under Bounce Off happening on the final day. Anyone 15 and younger can join this open competition to see who can stay bouncing on a pogo stick the longest. (Pogos are provided for those who don’t have their own.) The winner gets a brand new, high-end pogo stick. Details here.

June 24: Beaver County Boom!

At the confluence of the Ohio and Beaver rivers, this event is filled with games, events, music, food, and more. End the evening with a spectacular Zambelli fireworks display over the water. Check out Visit Beaver County for more details. 

Want more events in Pittsburgh? To get a kid-friendly weekend guide delivered right to your inbox each week, sign up for our free newsletter right here. Have a free day with nothing planned? Check out the Kidsburgh calendar. There’s always something going on.