6 cool things to do with kids in Pittsburgh this weekend, from fairs and furries to patriotic family fun

Photo above from the Big Butler Fair by Scott Weber.

With free concerts and movies happening in so many local parks and the Big Butler Fair kicking off just north of the city, there are plenty things to do with kids in Pittsburgh and throughout the surrounding region this weekend. Check out this fun lineup:

Friday, July 1 through Sunday, July 3: Big Butler Fair in Prospect, Pa., opens each day at 9 a.m.

The 166^th annual Big Butler Fair roars back to life with nine days of festivities, including a spectacular fireworks night on July 4th. High-octane events include the Bull Ride Mania, School Bus Demolition, Antique Tractor Pull and Giant Auto Demolition Derby. Carnival rides and games compete for attention on the midway. Farm animals are a big draw with sheep, draft horses, chickens and cows on display. Smaller kids will probably enjoy things like the Agricadabra magic show that teaches them about farming, the 4-H Club’s petting zoo and the Parakeet Encounter Aviary. Tickets start at $8, free for kids 6 and younger. (The fair begins on Friday and runs through July 9.)

Friday, July 1: Northside Farmer’s Market, 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Come support local vendors at the Northside Farmers Market, one of four markets operated by the City of Pittsburgh’s Special Events Office. You’ll find plenty of delicious fresh treats. And the Fresh Access program enables shoppers to use food stamps, credit and debit cards to buy fresh, locally grown food. Food Bucks give Fresh Access food stamp shoppers extra money to spend on fruits and vegetables.

Friday, July 1: Dollar Bank Cinema in the Park: “The Mitchells vs. the Machines,” 8 p.m.

The City of Pittsburgh hosts this free movie night, happening at Arsenal Park. Grab a blanket, a lawn chair, and some snacks and enjoy a lovely evening of free cinema under the stars. This weekend, watch “The Mitchells vs. the Machines,” an animated comedy starring Maya Rudolph and Danny McBride. Click here for more details on upcoming movies in this series.

Saturday, July 2: Furry Parade and Block Party, Downtown, various times

Anthrocon returns to its favorite city with more than 10,000 of the cutest Furries coming from all around the world. Most Anthrocon events take place in the David Lawrence Convention Center from June 30-July 3, but it’s great fun to spot lovable Furries around town throughout the weekend. Kids will love the Furry Parade that heads out from the convention center at 2 p.m. on July 2. The Fursuit Parade will follow a route to the first-ever Anthrocon Block Party on Penn Avenue between Ninth and Eleventh streets. The Block Party runs through 9 p.m., allowing plenty of time for glamour shots and selfies.

Saturday, July 2 (South Park Amphitheater) and Sunday, July 3 (Hartwood Acres), Allegheny County Summer Concert Series, shows begin 8:15 p.m.

If you’ve seen our guide to the free summer concert series, you know this summer is packed with great performances that families can enjoy at Hartwood Acres in the North Hills and at South Park Amphitheater. This weekend, both concert venues will host performances by the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. Bring a blanket and picnic basket or grab some dinner at the on-site food trucks.

Sunday, July 3: Liberty Day at the Oliver Miller Homestead

Time travel to Liberty Day at Oliver Miller Homestead where you’ll find an old-fashioned party with time-period music, bells, gunfire and firecrackers. Amid the celebration activities, the Declaration of Independence will be read at 2:30 p.m. Learn more about Oliver Miller’s sons, John and William, who fought in the Revolutionary War as part of Morgan’s Rangers. These sharpshooters used rifles instead of muskets. Cheer “Huzzah!” to $2 admission. No registration is required.

Looking for more things to do in Pittsburgh with kids? We’ve got you covered. Check out our daily events calendar, and don’t miss our handy guides to: 

• Allegheny County’s free Summer Concert Series
• free spray parks for cooling off  
• local mini-golf courses
• 10 family-friendly events happening in July 
• Kidsburgh’s daily events calendar
• events celebrating baseball great Josh Gibson
• the children’s theater series at South Park Theatre