Top 10 events for Pittsburgh kids in November

This article first appeared in NEXTpittsburgh, a media partner that focuses on the people advancing the Pittsburgh region. Troupe Vertigo photo above courtesy of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.

As the weather cools down, the entertainment scene heats up with so many events for Pittsburgh kids in November. Family-focused musicals take the stage, maker activities challenge hands and minds, and holiday programming begins to fill the calendar. Check out these 10 special events and don’t miss our weekly “free things to do this weekend” stories.

(To stay healthy, remember to pack your masks and visit each organization’s website or social media to stay updated about COVID safety guidelines).

1. Nov. 4-7: “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” Pittsburgh Musical Theater
Anyone who is fascinated by the display of smarts in the Scripps National Spelling Bee will love “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.” Kids in the audience will relate to the hilarious Broadway musical that includes six awkward kids in competition for the championship title. The Young Artist production includes PMT Conservatory students as actors and tech crew. Tickets are $15 to $20 for performances under the West End Canopy.

2. Nov. 5-7: Troupe Vertigo, Heinz Hall
What a great way to experience the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. The acrobatic Troupe Vertigo will defy gravity with incredible moves choreographed to live music and visual projections. Conductor Daniel Meyer waves the baton to produce a stunning show the whole family will enjoy. Tickets start at $22.

3. Nov. 5, 11, 19 and 20: Programs inspired by Emotions at Play with Pixar’s Inside Out, Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh
The Children’s Museum partnership with Pixar has brought kids the popular Emotions at Play exhibit and a bunch of cool programming related to characters and themes from “Inside Out.” First up is Sewing Imaginary Friends on Nov. 5. Kids can create crazy creatures like Bing Bong using sewing skills, fabric and repurposed stuffed animals. Emotional Charades takes the stage on Nov. 11, when kids act out emotions for others to identify. On Nov. 19, participants will create Islands of Personality from recycled materials. And The Music in Me, on Nov. 20, explores the relationship between music and emotions with DJ Shoe. The programs are included in general admission of $14 for kids, $16 for their grownups. Admission is $2 for people with Access Cards.

4. Nov. 6-7: Crash the Carnegie, Carnegie Museums and Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh
It’s a two-day birthday party that your family won’t be able to resist crashing. Carnegie Museums and Carnegie Library will celebrate their shared 125th anniversary with a blowout bash that includes live performances, historic tours, storytimes and hands-on maker fun. A sensory-friendly space and activities for teens are also on the weekend schedule. And it’s all free! Just RSVP with timed tickets.

5. Nov. 12-21: “Disney’s Descendants: The Musical,” Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center
Kids are in love with “Descendants,” the Disney Channel phenom about the offspring of infamous villains like Cruella, Maleficent and Jafar. You can be the hero by ordering tickets to “Disney’s Descendants: The Musical,” a new stage show that includes villainous songs such as “Rotten to the Core” and “Chillin’ Like a Villain.” Tickets are $18-$25 for performances that run Fridays through Sundays.

6. Nov. 13: Creative Workshops, Trust Arts Education Center
Pittsburgh Cultural Trust hosts creative workshops this month. Youth in grades 6-8 can learn to tell stories through onstage scenes in the Playwriting Workshop. At the Music Production Workshop, high school kids can gain experience in studio engineering, mixing and mastering music. And kids in grades 6 to 10 can learn all about techniques of applying wax and dye to fabric during the Batik Art Workshop. Each workshop session is priced at $25.

7. Nov. 20: Highmark Light Up Night, Downtown
Light Up Night returns this year — its 60th anniversary — on a new day. The Saturday launch of the Pittsburgh holiday season will help eliminate some of the parking and traffic congestion from previous Friday night celebrations. Plan to participate in all the family-focused activities: musical performances, tree lightings, food and an exciting fireworks finale.

8. Nov. 20-21: Space Out! Astronomy Weekend, Carnegie Science Center
Prepare for a program that’s out of this world. Carnegie Science Center launches Space Out! Astronomy Weekend with space activities happening on every floor. Learn about the interconnections between the Sun and Earth, fly over Mars and Saturn’s rings, and be an eyewitness to meteorites. Plus, kids can make a star clock to track the night sky from their own backyards. All activities are included with general admission. Buy tickets here.

9. Nov. 21: Hot Cocoa Hike, Schenley Park
Take a hike through Schenley Park with guides from Venture Outdoors. The 2- to 3-mile walk, paced for all ages, will make the most of a brisk fall afternoon. At the hike’s end, participants will be rewarded with hot cocoa and cookies. Registration is $5 for kids and $8 for their grownups.

10. Nov. 26-Dec. 30: Zoo Lights Drive-Thru, Pittsburgh Zoo
Stay snug and warm in the family vehicle as you slowly cruise through the Zoo Lights Drive-Thru. While driving along the zoo path, be entertained by a podcast packed with animal facts and holiday music. Thirty new displays are included among the more than 80 lighted animals. Timed tickets, priced at $50 per vehicle, go on sale Nov. 6.