12 Pittsburgh weekend events, including a sweet 100th birthday party for Klavon’s Ice Cream Parlor

Photo above by Patrick Fore via Unsplash.

It’s hard to believe we are already halfway through July. Time flies when you’re having fun in Kidsburgh! All around Pittsburgh, there are so many weekend events on tap, including multiple community festivals and music events. There are also historical tours, a birthday party for an ice cream shop and more! Read on to make your weekend plans, and be sure to check out our daily events calendar and our guide to summer movie screenings for more weekend events in and around Pittsburgh. 

Wednesday, July 12 – Sunday, July 16: “The Sound of Music,” Benedum Center

High-spirited Maria transforms the Von Trapp family home from a place of strict rules and regulations to one filled with joy, laughter and music. Pittsburgh CLO presents one of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s most beloved musicals. Tickets start at $29.

Thursday, July 13 – Saturday, July 15: Cranberry Township Community Days

Start the weekend early with this three-day event jam packed with carnival rides, kids activities, food vendors, and so much family fun. There’s a 5K race, a dog show, a car cruise, and Zambelli fireworks on the 15th following a performance by the family-friendly band Dancing Queen. Cranberry Township Park, where the festival occurs, also has a really unique playground with sound features and sculptural climbers. Find out all the details here. 

Friday, July 14: Story Time at Schenley Plaza, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Kids ages 5 and younger will enjoy a story reading, followed by free rides on the PNC Carousel. Registration is required.

Friday, July 14: Plant Walks at Allegheny Commons West, 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. 

Join community herbalist Annie Fox on a slow, 1-mile walk to learn how to identify local edible and medicinal plants, review safe and ethical foraging practices, and connect with the plant life of our region. Registration is free.

Friday, July 14: Family Fun Night at Carnegie Park, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Join this hopping community party at Carnegie Park, with inflatables, popcorn, games, and more. This event is totally free and is sponsored by Traveler’s Church. Find details here. 

Friday, July 14 – Sunday, July 16: Northside Music Festival

The former Deutschtown Music Festival has had a name change to more broadly reflect the community it is in, but look for the same great features everyone’s come to love — food, music, and fun. Check the schedule for the full list of vendors and activities. There are inflatables, a stilt-walker/juggler, face painters and other things to engage kids so adults can enjoy the music. 

Saturday, July 15: Alphabet City Kids presents “Molly’s Tuxedo,” 10 a.m.

If you haven’t checked out the City of Asylum bookstore yet on the North Side, this author event with Vicki Johnson is a great place to start. This book is about a girl who doesn’t like dresses and her journey to find a formal outfit that feels right for her. After a book reading by the author, attendees will make their very own bow ties. This event is free. Register here. 

Saturday, July 15: AWCommunity Day: S.T.E.A.M. Edition, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. 

This free, family-friendly celebration at the August Wilson African American Cultural Center includes science, technology, engineering, arts and math activities for all ages. Enjoy hands-on workshops and catch live performances by AWAACC’s hip-hop music and dance camp students and by singer/rapper/creative Nairobi, rapper Yusef Shelton and violinist Tomilola Adebayo. The folks from Assemble will be there providing fun activities and Beanie Paints will be on hand doing face-painting. Cool off with water ice from Happy Day Dessert Factory and check out the food options available for purchase from Fry Bar, LLC.

Saturday, July 15 : Vibes Under the Bridge concert at the Waterfront,  5 p.m. – 9 p.m.

This free, all-ages concert event will feature kids activities and games, including face painting, balloon twisting and a Dave & Buster’s prize wheel, plus henna body art, sweet treats by Fudge Farm and more. Partnering organization Kaleidoscope Family Solutions will be collecting optional donations for the free activities. The opening band, Say Ahh, will play from 5 – 6:15 p.m., and the headliner, Ruff House, will play from 7-9 p.m. Get all the details here. And go early to check out the Waterfront’s new musical playground.

Saturday, July 15 and Sunday, July 16: Fiddlesticks in Your Neighborhood

The Pittsburgh Symphony’s musical ambassador, Fiddlesticks, is visiting neighborhoods to share his favorite things in these summertime family concerts. Fiddlesticks visits Moon Area High School on July 15, Penn Hills High School on July 16, Mars Area High School on July 22 and Bethel Park High School on July 23. Tickets are $15, $10 for kids.

Sunday, July 16: Birthday Toy Drive Party for Children’s Home of Pittsburgh, 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.

A local family has hosted a toy drive for the past six years that benefits the Children’s Home of Pittsburgh. They are accepting donations currently, and will end this year’s drive with a blowout family event at Trace Brewing featuring food and beverages, face painting, games and music. Trace Brewing will donate $1 to the cause for every beer sold. Drop off some toys beforehand or at the event, and join the party! 

Sunday, July 16: Klavon’s Ice Cream Parlor turns 100, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

The iconic Pittsburgh ice cream spot, Klavon’s in the Strip District, is celebrating 100 years this weekend. There will be balloon artists and face paint artists at the event, and a Pittsburgh fire truck will be present from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. 

Sunday, July 16: Whiskey Rebellion Day at Oliver Miller Homestead, 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Hear the true tales of the Whiskey Rebellion from the source: the Miller family. This historic stone farmhouse in South Park on a plot of land first settled by the Miller family in 1772. It’s a perfectly preserved piece of living history. Admission is $2.

The fun doesn’t stop here! We’ve also got a list of nearly 100 summer events and a guide to the best pools around the region (some with free admission!). Don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter so you never miss a thing in Kidsburgh.