16 January events for families in the Pittsburgh area: Kick of the year with kid-friendly fun!

A fresh year always feels full of possibilities and resolutions — like spending more time together as a family or enjoying more of Pittsburgh’s events and offerings. That’s why this guide to the whole month of January is the perfect read for early 2026.

How will you kick the year off with your family? These are a few of the many great options:

Jan. 3: Animal Friends University

With two time slots (10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.), Animal Friends is offering four workshops for kids who love animals. There are classes available for kids in grades 1 through 12, and the cost is $40. Sign up here.

Jan. 3-4: Greenberg’s Great Train and Toy Show

Enjoy model trains, toys, exhibits and more at the Monroeville Convention Center from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Although this event is great for those who want to purchase toys, it’s also tons of fun to just look. Kids 11 and under are free, and general admission for older kids and grownups is just $6. Purchase tickets and find more information here.

Jan. 7: Guided hike at Hartwood Acres with Allegheny County Park Rangers

Looking to get outdoors despite the chilly temps? Join the Park Rangers to explore scenic hiking trails and learn about the wildlife that lives in the park. This hike will be approximately two miles with moderate elevation changes. It’s free and open to all ages, but registration is required. (Want to spend more time outdoors? Check out our guide to family hiking.)

Jan. 10: Chatham Baroque presents Music for Neighborhood Kids at CLP South Side

Chatham Baroque takes you on a musical adventure that is lively, educational and fun in your own neighborhood, with concerts specifically for children and their grown-ups. Using music as the vehicle, the musicians share knowledge of their instruments, music, and culture. Everyone is encouraged to become active and enthusiastic listeners through music and movement. Find more details about this free event here.

Jan. 13: Incubator Productions presents The Mobile Cartoon Museum

This free class at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s Allegheny location is an immersive self-paced learning space with original art, lesson books, cartooning artifacts, a convention table demo, cartooning materials and a professional cartoonist on-site for critique and guidance. This event is open to all ages. Find more info here.

Jan. 15: Super Science with Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh

This free event at the Sheraden location of the Carnegie Library, from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., is a great way to engage kids in curious exploration. At Super Science, kids in K-5th grade will have a chance to get excited about a science topic. A read-aloud is paired with hands-on, high-quality STEM activities promoting scientific inquiry and wonder about science. No registration is required; find more details here.

Jan. 16: Owl Prowl at Audubon Greenway

Come out to the Audubon Greenway in Sewickley at 5 p.m. for a chance to see or hear an owl. Learn about some of the fascinating biology and folklore of owls and learn why folks are looking for them in the dead of winter. While the Allegheny Land Trust educators cannot guarantee you’ll see or hear an owl, they will do their best to call in our feathered friends. This event is $5, and registration is required.

Jan. 17: Snake Encounter with Allegheny County Park Rangers at Harrison Hills Environmental Learning Center

Meet the Park Rangers’ educational animal, an Eastern Black Rat Snake named Mr. McSlithers. Learn about his habitat and diet, and get up close to learn about his unique adaptations. This event, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., is totally free and is open to all ages. Registration is required.

Jan. 17-18: Frick Winterfest

For two days, families are invited to The Frick to experience the history, engage in craft activities, and learn from local artisans. This event is free and open to all. Find the full schedule of events for both days here.

Jan. 17: BRIGID: A Musical Celebration of the Celtic Goddess & Patron Saint of Ireland

Come out to the New Hazlett Theater to celebrate this unique cultural event, which is a musical celebration of so many things: Brigid the Saint, Brigid the Goddess, Irish and Celtic Women, light and Springtime, and Irish and Celtic culture and history. New in 2026, BRIGID will be a two-week-long celebration of all things St. Brigid and Celtic women, featuring a poetry night, Imbolc bonfire, Women & Whiskey tasting event, St. Brigid’s Cross making, a Ceili night, and more! Tickets begin at $50. Find details about the Jan. 17 event and future performances here.

Jan. 19: The Beloved Community: East Liberty’s Celebration of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Kelly Strayhorn Theater invites all ages to join in honoring the enduring vision of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through The Beloved Community — a day of unity, reflection and creative expression. This annual celebration brings together artists, neighbors, and changemakers to uplift Dr. King’s dream of justice, compassion and shared humanity. Begin the day with activities in KST’s lobby with community partners. Check out “After the Dream,” an exhibition of portraits celebrating past and future freedom fighters, created by Morgan Overton in the KST Gallery. Then gather in the theater for inspiring performances that celebrate Dr. King’s legacy while imagining a more equitable future for Pittsburgh and beyond. Find all of the information here. Admission is pay-what-moves-you. This event begins at 1 p.m. and runs until 4 p.m., with a separate concert in the evening.

Jan. 19: Day off at the Museum

Young artists ages 6 to 10 are invited to spend their day off from school for MLK Day immersed in art, learning and fun at the Carnegie Museum of Art. Participants will experiment with a variety of materials, make new discoveries and explore techniques to help them grow as artists. During Day Off at the Museum, kids will find inspiration in the galleries and create original artworks through painting, printing, sculpting and mixed media. They’ll also engage in playful art and sensory challenges while diving deeper into creative exploration. This camp costs $85 and registration is required.

Jan. 23-25: World of Wheels at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center

The 65th annual Pittsburgh World of Wheels will take place at the David Lawrence Convention Center, showcasing Pittsburgh’s hot rods, custom cars, trucks and motorcycles. Kids can get an up-close look, ask experts all of their questions, and learn about the history of vehicles. Tickets range from $6 to $28.

Jan. 24: Phil-a-Palooza Meet and Greet

Punxsutawney Phil is back at Wigle Whiskey, ready to meet his youngest fans! Join Wigle for a family-friendly happy hour from 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Kids attend free with a paid adult ticket, and tickets are $12. Find more details about the food and beverage options here.

Jan. 24: Curtain Call: Celebration of Super Bowl X

On January 18, 1976, the Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Dallas Cowboys 21–17 in Super Bowl X to claim their second consecutive world championship and solidify the start of a dynasty. Fifty years later, relive the magic of that historic game with “Curtain Call: A 50-Year Celebration of Super Bowl X.” Join legends from the 1975 Steelers championship team for an evening of stories, game highlights with live commentary from the players themselves, and an on-stage panel discussion. This event is open to all ages, and tickets are $125.

Jan. 31: NFL PLAY 60 Training Day at the Heinz History Center

Get your body moving and your brain buzzing at the newly-renamed Franco Harris Sports Museum. Kids of all ages are invited to gear up and go long at the NFL PLAY 60 Training Day, sponsored by Dick’S Sporting Goods. Each floor will have activities. Train like a pro in the mini-NFL Combine with a series of quick-hitting drills facilitated by the Pittsburgh Flag Football League. Discover the region’s incredible sports history while completing physical challenges throughout the Sports Museum, and show off your best touchdown dance. Kids enjoy free admission to the Heinz History Center, and this event is included in adult admission. Find details here.

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Photo of NFL PLAY 60 at top of guide courtesy of the Heinz History Center.