RAD Days are here: Details on all the free fun happening Sept. 6 thru Oct. 6

RAD Days photo above courtesy of Contemporary Craft.

Beginning on Saturday, Sept. 6, Allegheny County will host more than 60 free events and experiences during the annual RAD Days celebration. Happening through Oct. 6, RAD Days are designed to thank taxpayers for supporting the libraries, parks and trails, arts and cultural organizations, regional attractions and more, all with the county’s Regional Asset District (that’s the “RAD” that’s being celebrated).

“There is something for everyone during RAD Days,” said RAD’s board chair Dusty Elias Kirk, in an announcement about the event. “We invite families to explore these opportunities and enjoy a day or an evening out, at a venue where they might not have been before and where they don’t have to worry about the ticket price.”

You can find the full schedule right here. Though all events are free, some do require advance registration.

The free fun will be happening at Heinz Hall, the newly updated Pittsburgh Glass Center, many branches of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, and the August Wilson African American Cultural Center and more. There are outdoor nature walks planned, and you can take a free tour of PNC Park on Sept. 17 and Acrisure Stadium on Sept. 18 (pre-registration required) or go skating at PPG Paints Arena on Sept. 21 (note: skates aren’t provided).

“RAD Days are the best time to visit some amazing places, especially our Allegheny County Parks,” said Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato. “I can’t wait to see people bring their lawn chairs to our Fall Concert Series and enjoy family fun at the Hay Day festivals.”

RAD’s summertime program will also continue into the month of September.

This extended summertime event lets families with an Allegheny County library card (get a library card for free here — anyone 18 or over can get a card online) to reserve tickets to The Andy Warhol Museum, Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History, Carnegie Science Center, Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, Heinz History Center, The Frick Pittsburgh, Mattress Factory Contemporary Art Museum and Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium.

You can reserve these tickets in advance at RADPass.org for any date all month long, rather than just for a single “RAD Day.” (Reserve online with your library card info, then bring proof of reservation to the venue.)

“We’ve heard from visitors and workers at these attractions: RAD Pass has been the ticket to a better experience with free admission,” said Rich Hudic, RAD’s executive director. “Instead of being packed into a busy single day, tens of thousands of visitors have been able to explore their regional assets in a much calmer environment spread out over the summer – and now into September.”