8 family-friendly events in Pittsburgh this weekend (most of them free!)

Photo above courtesy of Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy.

This weekend, you’ll find plenty of family-friendly events in Pittsburgh and the surrounding region. Check out this fun lineup of outdoor entertainment:

Friday, July 8 and Saturday, July 9: Big Butler Fair in Prospect, Pa., opens each day at 9 a.m.

Have you gone yet? The 166^th annual Big Butler Fair runs through Saturday, with events including Bull Ride Mania, School Bus Demolition, Antique Tractor Pull and Giant Auto Demolition Derby. Carnival rides and games compete for attention on the midway, while 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.

Friday, July 8: The Public Theater’s “Robin Hood,” live at Hartwood Acres, 7 p.m.

A new outdoor theater program aimed at families comes from Pittsburgh Public Theater in the Parks. This summer, the players head to three county parks for a playful retelling of “Robin Hood” by playwright Greg Banks. Robin and his band of merry men bring an action-packed tale and live music to a reimagined Sherwood Forest. This weekend, you’ll find a performance happening at Hartwood Acres in Hampton Township. Pack a blanket and chairs for a free and entertaining al fresco performance.

Friday, July 8: “Still Surfin'” at the Summer Concert Series South Park Amphitheater, 7 p.m.

Rock out with your family on Friday night when the Beach Boys tribute band “Still Surfin’” comes to South Park as part of Allegheny County’s Summer Concert Series (see the full summer lineup here). The show begins at 7 p.m., but families usually arrive early to enjoy a full evening out. Bring a blanket and picnic basket or grab some dinner at the on-site food trucks.

Saturday, July 9 and Sunday, July 10 (2:30 p.m.), “Jurassic Park” in concert with the Pittsburgh Symphony at Heinz Hall, various times

This one is for true “Jurassic Park” fans. Introduce your kids to symphonic music and the magic quality a film score adds to the movie experience when Pittsburgh Symphony performs the John Williams score live during an HD screening of “Jurassic Park” on Saturday night (7 p.m.) and on Sunday (2:30 p.m.). It’s a unique treat, but a bit pricey: Tickets start at $25 each for this family outing.

Saturday, July 9 (Grandview Park and Riverview Park) and Sunday, July 10 (Schenley Park): Dollar Bank Cinema in the Park, beginning at dusk

The City of Pittsburgh hosts this free movie night, happening at several parks this weekend: On Saturday night, you’ll find “SpongeBob: Sponge on the Run” playing at Grandview Park (Bailey Avenue, Mt. Washington) and “Won’t You Be My Neighbor” playing at Riverview Park (Observatory Hill). Then on Sunday night,  you’ll find “Luca” playing at Schenley Plaza (Forbes Avenue, Oakland). Grab a blanket, a lawn chair and some snacks to enjoy a lovely evening of free cinema under the stars. Click here for more details on upcoming movies in this series.

Sunday, July 10: Allegheny County Summer Concert Series at Hartwood Acres, show begins at 7 p.m.

If you’ve seen our guide to the free summer concert series, you know this summer is packed with great performances. This Sunday night at Hartwood Acres, catch a performance by funk band Midnight Star with special guest Royce. Bring a blanket and picnic basket or grab some dinner at the on-site food trucks.