Your Pittsburgh weekend guide is here: 11 things to do — most of them free!

Above image courtesy of Powdermill Nature Reserve.

This weekend is filled with everything from small, simple events to ongoing extravaganzas. With most families settling into a fall routine, weekends are the perfect time for rest and family connection. Whether you’re looking to blow off some steam or enjoy a few simple hours, we’ve got a weekend guide full of options:

Through Sept. 29: Pittsburgh Renaissance Festival

Every weekend in September, this festival will showcase medieval fun from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day. Enjoy costumes, food, jousting, vendors and more. Tickets range from $11 to $25, and kids under 5 are free. Find the full lineup and purchase advanced discounted tickets here.

Friday Sept. 13 through Jan. 5: Spontaneous Order – the rhythm of fireflies at the Children’s Museum

This immersive new exhibit at the Children’s Museum is inspired by the wonder of watching fireflies in nature. Created in collaboration with the folks from California’s Resonance Studio, the exhibit includes 200 jars suspended from the ceiling which blink randomly with a golden glow like individual fireflies. When the light from one jar recognizes one glowing nearby through photo sensors, their blinking gradually synchronizes and the lights turn blue. Watch in wonder as the light shifts from blue to gold along a 50-foot stretch of ceiling and back again, creating luminous patterns. The experience includes a custom summer soundscape and resources on how to be firefly “friendly” in our daily lives. Details here. (Note: The museum is closed until Sept. 12 for the annual deep cleaning and prep of new exhibits.)

Saturday, Sept. 14: Birdwatching Kayak Tours with L.L.Bean, 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. 

Join a National Aviary expert to learn more about birds at North Park. Guides will provide instruction for first-time kayakers and supply all equipment. This activity is for children 8 years and older with an adult. Note that the cost is higher than most events we post about: It’s $75 per person. Registration can be completed through the National Aviary website.

Saturday, Sept. 14: Pittsburgh Urban Farm Tour, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

This self-guided tour allows participants to get to know Pittsburgh’s urban farm sites and demonstrates the vital work they do: teaching community members how to grow food, remediating pollution, ensuring access to fresh local food, and converting disinvested areas into productive and safe green spaces. The Farm Tour is a fundraiser with sliding-scale tickets. This event is presented by The Pittsburgh Food Policy Council, Grow Pittsburgh, and Pasa Sustainable Agriculture. Register here.

Saturday, Sept. 14: Speed Puzzle Competition, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

It’s a Pittsburgh puzzle contest! Teams of four will compete for prizes to see who can finish the provided 500-piece puzzle the fastest. Ticket price includes continental breakfast and the puzzle. The cost is $15. Register as a team of four or as an individual and they will create a team for you. This event will be at Saint John Lutheran Church in Carnegie. Find more info here.

Saturday, Sept. 14: Barbie Truck at Ross Park Mall, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Barbie is living the dream and cruising to Ross Park Mall. Come check out the new Dreamhouse Living Tour when the Barbie Truck Tour comes to town. You’ll find it parked near Cheesecake Factory and L.L. Bean. Get more details here.

Saturday, Sept. 14: Touch-a-Truck at Ross Park Mall, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Do you have little kids who love big vehicles? Join Jamie’s Dream Team, in partnership with Ross Township Police and Ross Park Mall, for the Touch-a-Truck event. Kids of all ages can explore a variety of vehicles and meet the heroes who keep our community safe. This free event will be held near entrance #2 at Macy’s upper lot. Donations and raffle proceeds will benefit Jamie’s Dream Team.

Saturday, Sept. 14: Free Drawing and Painting Workshop at the Lohr Gallery, 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Join artist Naomi Chambers for a free, family-friendly hands-on workshop in conjunction with painter Olga Mendenhall’s solo exhibition. Taking inspiration from Olga’s cityscape paintings, Naomi will lead participants in creating city skylines using paper cutout, drawing, and watercolor painting. Supplies will be provided. RSVP when you can, as there are limited seats. Find more details here.

Saturday, Sept. 14: Tree Time at Powdermill, 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

What tree is this? How healthy are our forests? Join Powdermill scientists Rose-Marie Muzika and Andrea Kautz for quarterly talks all about trees, forests and current issues they face. Build your family’s tree identification skills and discover the natural history of Powdermill Nature Reserve. Get facts about insects and learn about forest health in our area and region. Bring your questions and curiosity. Register here.

Saturday, Sept. 14: Penny Arcade Show, 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

This watch-and-play comedy show is designed for kids! The Arcade Comedy Theater brings together talented improvisers, actors and comedians to provide family-friendly content on the second Saturday of every month. This experience is especially great for children ages 4 to 8, but everyone can enjoy the interactive improv, uncontrollable giggles and free vintage arcade games. The cost is $12.

Sunday, Sept. 15: Pittsburgh County Fair, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

This event, happening at Allegheny Commons Park West on the North Side, will feature a unique lineup of activities such as grape stomping, worm composting and natural paper making. There will also be vendors and food/beverage stands with items available for purchase. The full lineup of details can be found here.

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