13 Pittsburgh weekend events sure to send shivers down your spine, from PetFest and Booseum to Pumpkin Palooza

Photo above by Drew Hays via Unsplash.

It’s a truly spooktacular weekend in Pittsburgh, with festivals and costume contests galore. Grab your candy bag and costume and head out to one of these not-so-scary family events this final weekend in October: 

Thursday, Oct. 26: Square Cafe Charity Pumpkin Carving Night,  5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Start the weekend early with Square Cafe’s annual Charity Pumpkin Carving Party. This event benefits Big Brothers, Big Sisters. The colorful and inviting East Liberty cafe has not hosted their time-honored tradition since the pandemic. Guests will nosh on complimentary snacks and cider. A gourmet coffee bar will also be slinging seasonal beverages for sale. There is a $10 suggested donation per pumpkin or $25 for families of 4 or more. But pumpkins are pay-what-you-can, so any amount is welcome.

Friday, Oct. 27: Sensory-Friendly Trick or Treat at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. 

The Carnegie Museum of Natural History offers a sensory-supportive Halloween trick-or-treat. Museum galleries will have reduced audio and visual elements, as well as calm spaces with support materials. Expect a story time around a faux campfire, meet a scaley live animal ambassador and trick-or-treat through the museum at this all-ages and all-abilities event. Registration is $16.

Saturday, Oct. 28: Halloween Fun Cruise, 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. 

The Gateway Clipper Fleet plays host to Halloween revelry with kid appeal. Kids on the Halloween Fun Cruise will interact with celebrity characters, dance, play games and enjoy treats. Cruise tickets are $20 for kids and $32 for grownups.

Saturday, Oct. 28: Haunted Hat Tea and Tour at Hartwood Acres, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

Don your favorite funny or frightening hat and enjoy a delicious three-course tea in Hartwood Mansion’s spookily elegant Great Hall followed by a tour of the park’s magnificent mansion on Oct. 21 or 28. Vote on the most creative chapeaus. Prizes will be given for the best hats. Best for ages 12 and older. Registration is $33 for Allegheny County residents.

Saturday, Oct. 28: Audacy Pittsburgh PetFest, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Audacy Pittsburgh‘s five radio stations are hosting PetFest ’23 at Stage AE on the North Shore. The event will have a pet costume contest, pictures with Santa, activities for dogs and humans alike, and various vendors and pet rescues. Find all the details here. The cost is $10 per person. 

Saturday, Oct. 28: Super Science Saturday presents Booseum, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. 

October’s episode of Super Science Saturday at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History returns to the seasonal favorite Booseum this weekend. Costumes are encouraged for a nature-themed Halloween celebration with seasonal activities, a scavenger hunt and goodie bags of prizes. Registration is free with museum admission.

Saturday, Oct. 28: Pumpkin Palooza at the Kelly Strayhorn Theater, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. 

Come in costume or come-as-you-are to the KST in East Liberty for an afternoon of treats, crafts and activities in the lobby. Then, head to the theater for family-friendly performances by K-Theater Dance Complex, Alumni Theater Company, Obama Marching Band and the Afro-American Music Institute’s Jazz Lab. Tickets are “pay what moves you,” from $0-$25.

Saturday, Oct. 28: Halloween Hunt at CLP Oakland, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. 

Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh in Oakland celebrates Halloween from this weekend with a trick-or-treat-inspired scavenger hunt throughout the library. Make a spooky craft while you’re there. This event is free and designed for visitors of all ages. 

Saturday, Oct. 28: Shorty’s Pins x Pints: North Shore Halloween Party, 2 p.m. 

On the North Shore, Shorty’s is serving up family-friendly pub fare, bowling, games and a whole lot of fun. This weekend will feature costume contests, tarot card readings from Charlotte the Supernatural, a dance party and more. The patio will be transformed into a graveyard. The kid costume contest is at 2 p.m., while the pet and adult contests are at 4 p.m. and midnight. 

Saturday, Oct. 28: Halloween Movies in the Park features “Hocus Pocus,” after sundown

Is it even Halloween without a viewing of “Hocus Pocus”? Allegheny County Parks presents it free this Saturday at Settlers Cabin Park Moccasin Shelter. Bring a blanket and some hot chocolate — it’s going to be a chilly, spooky night. 

Saturday, Oct. 28 and Sunday, Oct. 29: Zoo Boo, 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. 

Head to the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium for daytime trick-or-treating on the final weekend in October. Show off your costumes in the Halloween parade and compete for prizes. Check out the zoo animals who will be enjoying Halloween treats of their own. Zoo Boo activities are included in zoo admission.

Saturday, Oct. 28 and Sunday, Oct. 29: Trick or Treat Trolley, 10 a.m. to 4 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. Come in costume for loads of spooky fun. Tickets are $14 for kids, $15 for their grownups.

Sunday, Oct. 29: Little Kids Disco, Halloween edition, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. 

This free family-friendly dance party run by Joel Lindsey Entertainment first hit the stage at SouthSide Works in August. PGH Party Creations will also be on-site providing free face painting and glitter tattoos for guests of all ages. Guests are encouraged to come in their most dazzling costumes for an afternoon of dancing, games, music, and fun.

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!