11 weekend events and free fun around Pittsburgh, including the circus and plenty of costumed festivities

Photo above courtesy of Pennsylvania Trolley Museum.

With just two weekends left in October, the spooky events are piling up in and around Pittsburgh. You’ll find Halloween movies, birdwatching events, trunk-or-treats, and fall festivals. There’s even a pumpkin-throwing event in the city! Check out just a few of the happenings this weekend: 

Friday, Oct. 20: Halloween Movies in the Park: “Hocus Pocus,” Round Hill Park, sunset

What’s better than a fun and slightly spooky movie on a chilly October night? The fact that it’s free. Grab a blanket and a Thermos of hot chocolate and come see this cult classic at Round Hill Park Visitors Center. The screening begins at sunset (around 6:30 p.m.). Come a bit early and tour the farm and meet some of the animals — including retired police horses! Details here. 

Friday, Oct. 20: Creatures of the Night at Buffalo Creek Nature Reserve, 6:30 p.m. 

The Audubon Society’s annual Halloween program invites families to come in costume to learn about nocturnal creatures while led along a wooded path by a costumed firefly. Along the way, you’ll meet a great horned owl, flying squirrel and little brown bat. Expect treats, too. Registration for grownups and kids is $10, free for little ones younger than 2 years.

Friday, Oct. 20 – Sunday, Oct. 22: Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey presents The Greatest Show on Earth, various times

Come see the show “under the big top” — aka PPG Paints Arena. The reimagined Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey offers a spectacle of superhuman feats with an immersive, 360-degree environment and new technology. Tickets start at $16.

Friday, Oct. 20 – Sunday, Oct. 22: Pumpkin Patch Trolley, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Why ride a wagon to the pumpkin patch when you can zip along on a trolley? The Pennsylvania Trolley Museum in Washington, Pa., offers round-trip rides on its historic railroad to collect the pumpkins. After the Pumpkin Patch excursion, kids can decorate their pumpkins in the craft room, where refreshments will be served. Tickets are $14 for kids, $15 for their grownups.

Saturday, Oct. 21: Haunted Guyasuta, 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. 

This Boy Scout camp event is perfect for kids of every bravery level. From 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., the trail will be scare-free. From 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., the ghouls will come out to haunt this historic camp. Other activities include a hayride, climbing, bonfire, trading post, concessions and a zipline for guests age 11 and older. Tickets are $25

Saturday, Oct. 21: Punkin Chunkin, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

Watch pumpkins being launched across the field at Hartwood Acres with a full-sized trebuchet on Oct. 21. The family day of fun includes crafts, games, face painting, balloon art and sword fighting. Free, no registration required.

Saturday, Oct. 21: Track and Treat, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

This free annual Citiparks event on Oct. 21 combines family fun with a focus on a healthy lifestyle. Bring bicycles or borrow a bike on-site to pedal around the Bud Harris Cycling Track. Track and Treat includes bike safety lessons, a bike decorating station, games and a costume contest. Keep the energy up with refreshments and great eats from food trucks. 

Saturday, Oct. 21: Pumpkin Party at CLP Carrick, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. 

Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s Carrick branch is throwing a free Pumpkin Party! Stop by the library for Halloween-themed crafts, candy, spooky books, scary movies and more! Halloween costumes are encouraged. 

Saturday, Oct. 21 and Sunday, Oct. 22: Allegheny County Parks Trunk-or-Treat Car Cruise, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. 

Allegheny County Parks continues its Halloween programming at Trunk or Treat Car Cruises. Kids can wear their Halloween costumes to trick-or-treat for candy from car cruisers. Trunk-or-treat is planned for Oct. 21 at South Park Pool Parking Lot and Oct. 22 at Hartwood Acres Park Amphitheater. These events are free with no registration required.

Saturday, Oct. 21 and Sunday, Oct. 22: Owl-o-Ween at the National Aviary, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

The National Aviary presents Halloween fun for costumed kids. Kids can expect to create an Owl-O-Ween craft, march in a Halloween parade and have a meet-and-greet with owls. Included in aviary admission.

Sunday Oct. 22: YMCA Camp Kon-o-Kwee Camp Spencer Fall Fest, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

If you’ve never been to these YMCA camps in Beaver County, this free family event is the perfect time to check them out and see if one of their summer camps might be a good fit in 2024. This fall fest, which runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., will feature archery, bb guns, guided nature hikes, face painting, fishing and more. This event is free, but please register here. 

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For more weekend events and fun all month long around, check out our October events guide and Not-So-Scary Halloween Events guide. And try apple picking or a day at of pumpkin picking and fun at a local farm before the fall season ends!