8 family-friendly events in Pittsburgh this weekend, including free concerts and festivals

You’ll find plenty of family-friendly events in Pittsburgh as this week draws to a close. Live music will be in the air during free concerts, families will be kayaking and helping with train cleanup, and the SouthSide Works will be alive with joyful color during ChalkFest. For that and much more, you’ll find all the details below.

Friday, May 27: Future Roots Concert a the Homewood-Brushton YMCA, 4-8 p.m.

Young musical artists from Homewood will showcase their skills during this free community festival. This outdoor event will feature performances by teen DJs, artists and musicians who participate in the YMCA’s Lighthouse Project. The celebration will also showcase professional artists, and you’ll find food trucks and vendors.

Friday, May 27: Concert Series at Allegheny RiverTrail Park, 7 p.m.

This free summer concert series will kick off this weekend with Beauty Slap. Also happening at Allegheny RiverTrail Park: The grand opening of the newest 3 Rivers Outdoors Co. outpost.

Saturday, May 29: Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy’s Trail Work Day, 9 a.m.- noon 

Meet at the Visitors Center in Riverview Park and join trail stewards and the Friends of Riverview Park to work on trail projects. Open to people of all ages, though children should be accompanied by an adult/guardian. Register here in advance, so the volunteer leads know how many people to expect.

Saturday, May 28: Free Yoga in the Park at Allegheny Commons West, 10 a.m.

The Counseling and Wellness Center of Pittsburgh has partnered with the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy for the sixth consecutive year to offer free yoga in the park to the community. Yoga in the Park starts this Saturday and will be happening every Saturday through August 27. Participants will gather at Allegheny Commons West near Brighton and Ridge beginning at 10:00am. All ages welcome! Participating yoga studios for 2022 include: Inhale Yoga Together, Michael Miracles Yoga, Om Lounge Yoga & Wellness, Schoolhouse Yoga, Yoga Hive, Yoga Love and Yoga Motif.

Saturday, May 28: Nature’s Amazing Machines at Carnegie Museum of Natural History, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Kids will be amazed when they check out this new CMNH exhibit. From the remarkable abilities of flying creatures to a slew of way-cool technological breakthroughs, your family will be wowed by all that nature can inspire us to achieve. Buy tickets here.

Saturday, May 28: SouthShore Riverwalk & Chalk Fest at SouthSide Works, 2-6 p.m.

This might be the most beautiful of the family-friendly events in Pittsburgh this weekend. If making with sidewalk chalk makes you smile, this unique festival happening on the South Side is for you. Watch artists draw incredible scenes (and some are participatory pieces, so you can get involved!). Pittsburgh’s “Chalking Dad” Erik Greenawalt, will be there, as will food trucks, performers and lots of art-making opportunities. 

Sunday, May 29: OpenStreetsPGH Downtown and the South Side,  10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Leave the car at home. At this BikePGH event, you can  invites you can cross the Tenth Street Bridge on foot or find out what’s really inside the Armstrong Tunnel. There’s a two-mile route with plenty of family fun, including food trucks, activity hubs, live performances and even fitness classes.

Sunday, May 29: Choderwood: A Secret City Riverfront Oasis at 7665 Lock Way West
11 a.m., 12 p.m. and 1 p.m.
Doors Open is all about making sure you can get inside Pittsburgh buildings you never thought you’d get to see.  Next up is the riverfront Choderwood, located in Highland Park. Check out the gardens, have a zen moment in the meditation hut and so much more. Buy tickets here.

Looking for more family-friendly events in Pittsburgh? Check out our guide to events happening throughout the month of May. And visit our events calendar, which gets updated with new events nearly every day.