Your weekend plans start here! Check out these 10 fun (and mostly free) family events in Pittsburgh.

Photo courtesy of Pittsburgh Irish Festival.

With the long weekend behind us, many families are settling into fall routines. We’ve got a new guide out to the whole month of September, so be sure to check out all the great things happening all month long. This weekend calls for cooler temperatures perfect for apple picking or some of these great family events in Pittsburgh:

Friday, Sept. 6 – Sunday, Sept. 8: Pittsburgh Irish Festival

Pittsburgh’s Irish heritage runs deep, with many immigrants from The Emerald Isle settling in this region for jobs in industry. This three-day festival aims to celebrate that rich history with music, food, Irish dancing, demonstrations, and more. Tickets begin at $20, but kids 12 and under are free. Check out the whole lineup (and save money on early bird tickets!) here.

Friday, Sept. 6: Powdermill Avian Research Center Free Guided Tour, 8 a.m.

Enjoy a free guided tour of the bird banding lab and research facility, including the flight tunnel. Your family can see up-close how researchers safely capture and band birds, and learn about the data they gather. Hear about how they study avian perception of glass to help reduce bird-window collisions. This event takes place in an area typically closed to the public, so make sure you don’t miss it. Registration is required.

Saturday, Sept. 7: Baby and Me with Los Sabrosos, 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.

This fun and relaxed dance and musicality class is made to promote bonding between babies and their cherished grown-ups. Hold your baby, wear them in a carrier, or just have them next to you and get ready to jam to music both you and baby can enjoy! Learn more and register at LSPGH.com

Saturday, Sept. 7: Family House Polo Match at Hartwood Acres, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The 41st Annual Family House Polo Match will be held this weekend. For 40 years, Family House Polo has been a beloved tradition that raises critical funds to provide a “home away from home” for thousands of families who travel to Pittsburgh for medical care annually. Each year, this family-friendly event draws over 3,000 spectators for a fun-for-the-whole-family event, complete with a professional polo match, tailgating, food and drink, live music, shopping, children’s activities and more. Purchase tickets and find details here.

Saturday, Sept. 7: Sewickley Harvest Festival, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

This weekend, the village of Sewickley will kick off fall with so many free family activities — including food trucks, live entertainment and craft activities for kids. This event will take place on Broad Street and Thorn Street. Find more details right here.

Saturday, Sept. 7: Mad Science Presents Dinosaurs at Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. 

This free event brings the wonder of dinosaurs to life. Come to the South Side CLP branch to learn about the fossilization process and make a cast of a dinosaur tooth. This event does not require registration. It’s geared for school-aged children, but all are welcome.

Saturday, Sept 7: Cue Perry’s Arts Workshop at Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

This fun and free event at the West End branch of the CLP is geared towards kids in grades K-5th. Library card artist Cue Perry will teach participants about drawing, painting, color theory and other important art skills. Find more information here. No registration is required.

Saturday, Sept. 7: Market Square Night Market, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Come out to Market Square for an evening of food, shopping and music. This weekend features entertainment by Kinselland Radio. It’s the perfect way to enjoy an evening Downtown. Find a list of vendors as well as the weekly entertainment schedule here.

Saturday, Sept. 7 – Sunday, Sept. 8: Movie Night with a Sleepover in the Park, 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. 

Edgewood Borough presents “Wonka” for their final movie night of the year. After the movie, stick around for the Edgewood Foundation’s Sleepover in the Park. Starting at 7 p.m., set up your tents and watch the movie at dusk. There will be water and snacks available in the evening, as well as donuts, juice and coffee in the morning for those who stay. Please check out the event page for rules and more information.

Sunday, Sept. 8: Grandparents Day at the Pittsburgh Zoo, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Courtesy of UPMC, all grandparents who visit the zoo with a child this day will receive free admission. In addition, any adult (with or without a child) who presents their UPMC for Life card will receive free admission. It’s a great chance to enjoy the zoo with extended family. No prior registration is necessary.

Looking for more family fun this fall? Sign up for our newsletter so you’re always in the loop. And it’s apple picking season! Check out our guide to nearby farms where families can pick apples.