9 family-friendly events in Pittsburgh this weekend, from Earth Day parties to pop music

Photo above by Filip Urban via Unsplash.

This week kicked off with snow and icy winds, but we’re approaching a major signifier of spring: It’s Earth Day weekend, and there are plenty of celebrations planned all around town. Check out the lineup of family-friendly events in Pittsburgh this weekend, beginning in the daytime on Friday:

Friday, April 22: Wild Earth Day at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

The Pittsburgh Zoo steps up with Wild Earth Day, included with admission on April 22. Stop by the Mobile Aquaponics Lab presented by the Commonwealth Charter Academy. Tree Pittsburgh will offer free ready-to-plant saplings to Allegheny County residents. Bring a cell phone to recycle and you might win tickets to the zoo. For an additional $12, you can upgrade your experience with totally wild activities: You’ll get the full schedule to observe feedings, meet education ambassador animals, learn from discovery stations and enjoy exclusive shows. Registration is required.

Friday, April 22: Pittsburgh Earth Day in Market Square, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

Pittsburgh Earth Day was created with the mission to spread the news on improvements in innovation and technology surrounding sustainability. On Friday, head Downtown for Go Green at Market Square, a free celebration will fill Market Square with live music, eco-friendly activity booths and an educational area showcasing alternative transportation, green wellness displays and more.

Friday, April 22: Virtual Earth Day Extravaganza with Creative Reuse, 6-8 p.m.

What better way to celebrate Earth Day than with the local nonprofit that inspires creativity, conservation and community engagement: The Pittsburgh Center for Creative Reuse. Learn cool facts about Earth Day, hear reuse artists Naomi Chambers and Brad Bianchi talk about their work and create a unique piece of reuse art using plastic objects. Register here.

Saturday, April 23: Spring Artist Market at Pittsburgh Center for Arts and Media, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

The Center’s sprawling Shadyside lawn will be transformed into a spring market showcasing handmade goods and original art by 20-plus local makers. Check out works representing a wide range of media — from glass, wood and pottery, to printmaking, jewelry and home decor.

Saturday, April 23: Oakland Pop Festival in Schenley Park, 1 p.m.-9:30 p.m.

Inspired by the legendary 1967 Monterey Pop Festival, the concert aims to raise awareness for local musicians and provide Oakland students and residents with opportunities to participate in the city’s thriving music and art scene. Featuring 10 local bands, the all-day festival is supported by Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy and the Deutschtown Music Festival.

Saturday, April 23: Young Artists in the Garden at Pittsburgh Botanic Garden, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

Young Artists in the Garden launches for the season on April 23 (and will happen every other Saturday after that). You’ll find activities like coloring, reading books, making art and playing games, all focused on different types of plants, at the Weisbrod Learning Pavilion, located in the Garden of the Five Senses. The children’s sessions are free with garden admission.

Saturday, April 23: Earth Day at the National Aviary, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

This Earth Day Celebration is packed with a full schedule of activities to help visitors of all ages connect with nature. Little kids will enjoy a reading of “Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt” by Kate Messner. The Be Green Scavenger Hunt will guide kids to ways they can be green at home and protect bird habitats. The Condor Talk will delve into the critical role of condors and vultures in keeping ecosystems healthy. Take home a craft kit, too, that delivers lessons on recycling. All of the fun and games are included with general admission ($14.95 for kids, $16.95 for seniors and $17.95 for adults). Children younger than 2 are free.

Saturday, April 23 and Sunday, April 24: Allegheny County Parks volunteering, various times

Park Rangers are looking for volunteers for Earth Day Cleanups and Service Days at Deer Lakes Park, South Park and North Park on Saturday. Registration is required. Also, Hit the Trail with Park Rangers on Sunday for a two-mile scenic hike through Hartwood Acres.

Sunday, April 24: Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy’s Earth Day Concert, 1:30 p.m.-4 p.m.

Don’t miss the Earth Day Concert festivities on April 24 on the lawn of the Frick Environmental Center. Live music from local artists will be powered by solar energy from ZeroFossil.

Along with these family-friendly events in Pittsburgh, check out our April kid-friendly events guide, comb through our big guide to spring events. Also, don’t forget to explore our events calendar. And Kennywood is open — here’s the scoop on what’s new.