Your guide to family events this weekend, including free fall festivals and a visit from Hello Kitty!

Above photo courtesy of FWD PR.

This last weekend of September is full of family-friendly events, from a visit by Hello Kitty’s truck to a celebration of Native American culture in the region. Whether you’re looking for a quick, simple outing or an all-day event, there are no shortage of activities this weekend in Kidsburgh:

Saturday, Sept. 28: Dragon Boat Race Festival, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

The 6th Annual Pittsburgh Dragon Boat Festival will take place on North Park Lake. Hosted by Pittsburgh Hearts of Steel, this event helps breast cancer survivors in Pittsburgh and surrounding areas and brings together the exciting sport of dragon boat racing, entertainment, food and fun family activities. Bring your friends and family for a great day of fun and team building. To learn more (and, if you’d like, register a team to join the dragon boat racing), find more details here.

Saturday, Sept 28: Community Day at Contemporary Craft, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Join the staff at Contemporary Craft for a day of family-friendly fun and hands-on activities based on their upcoming exhibition “芸［Gei]: The Beauty of Ephemeral and Eternal.” Check out artist demos, make some art in one of their studios, enjoy light snacks, and participate in a scavenger hunt of the exhibition. Community Day is part of RAD Days 2024 and is free and open to the public: Find more info here.

Saturday, Sept. 28: Hello Kitty Café Truck at Ross Park Mall, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. 

Have a Hello Kitty lover? This special event, which will take place between The Cheesecake Factory and L.L. Bean, will feature unique treats and merch while supplies last. Get the details here.

Saturday, Sept. 28: Skywatch at the Carnegie Science Center, 9 p.m. 

Each month, the Science Center stays open late so that guests can use its powerful telescope on Pittsburgh’s night sky. Discover the mysteries that twinkle just beyond our reach with one-on-one discussions with the Center’s astronomy experts. Admission is $12.

Saturday, Sept. 28: American Indian Heritage Weekend at Meadowcroft Shelter and Historic Village, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

Meadowcroft is part of the Heinz History Center, though most kids haven’t been there. It’s worth the drive. At this event, guests will learn about American Indian culture by talking with the visiting members of our region’s historic tribes and viewing live demonstrations on cooking, hunting, trapping and crafting. These activities are free with regular admission. Advance tickets are recommended.

Saturday, Sept. 28: Fall Harvest Fest at the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh , 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

Explore the garden, make art and learn about gardening and composting. Bring soil samples from your home garden to ACCD’s Soil Lead Screening Pop-up to be analyzed for lead via XRF and receive results the same day. Included with museum admission.

Saturday, Sept. 28: Hay Day Festival at South Park, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

Back for another year, the Hay Day Festival will take place at South Park this weekend. Festivities include free activities like hay rides, face painting, a petting zoo and more. It’s a great way to kick off the fall season for free! Find all the details here.

Saturday, Sept. 28 and Sunday, Sept. 29: City of Asylum LitFest

With events and readings for both kids and adults, this literary festival is a wonderful showcase of authors and creators from around the world. City of Asylum is commited to showcasing the work of creatives from countries that have faced opposition and political unrest. Find the full lineup here.

Sunday, Sept. 29: Penn Brewery Oktoberfest Family Day, 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. 

At the Penn Brewery Oktoberfest, Sunday means it’s a family day. New this year, they’ve expanded Sundays for the kids with— face painting, balloon animals, games, prizes, the Heritage Band, our full signature German food buffet accented with extra kid-friendly options, and complimentary horse-drawn carriage rides through the historic Deutschtown neighborhood. Secure your VIP seats now for the whole family to enjoy included perks like color-changing cups for the kids at their discounted Sunday Family VIP ticket prices, starting at just $15. General Admission is free. All info can be found here.

Sunday, Sept. 29: Band Together Autism-Friendly Open Mic at The Lindsay, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The Lindsay Theater and Cultural Center in Sewickley is partnering with Band Together Pittsburgh on another Autism-Friendly Open Mic. Everyone is welcome to come and have fun, regardless of musical experience. Feel free to sing (including karaoke), play an instrument, tell jokes, do impressions or just say hello! Instruments, snacks and soft drinks will be provided. Tickets are free, but RSVPs are requested in advance due to capacity limits.

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