Photo by Michael Morse via Pexels

Big Fall Events Guide: 95 cool activities for fun-loving kids in Pittsburgh

The fall calendar is popping with family-friendly events throughout Pittsburgh. Kids will love outdoor adventure, playful theater and hands-on creative activities. There is no limit to entertaining and engaging kids of all ages. Ready, set, scroll!

Through Sept. 14: “Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express,” Little Lake Theatre Company. When a snowstorm halts the legendary train in its tracks, the luxurious journey quickly turns into a chilling murder investigation. Renowned detective Hercule Poirot must sift through a web of secrets and lies to uncover the killer hidden among the passengers. Best for ages 13 and older. Tickets are $25, $15 for ages 18 and younger.

Through Sept 21: Jungle Quest, Phipps Conservatory. This spectacular flower show features room after room of carefully crafted topiary animals, beautiful blooms, lush greenery and exciting interactive features. Tickets are $22.95 for grownups, $20.95 for seniors, $19.95 for students, $13.95 for ages 2-18, free for those younger than 2.

Photo courtesy of Pittsburgh Renaissance Festival.

Through Sept. 28: Pittsburgh Renaissance Festival, West Newton. Expect crowd pleasers throughout the day with sword fighting, magicians, exciting tales of adventure from heroines in disguise, plus Dragonfire, a fire-breathing comedy act. And you won’t want to miss the action-packed jousting of chivalrous knights on horseback. Tickets are available online and at the gate.

Through Oct. 5: “Pittsburgh’s Hidden History,” Heinz History Center. From scary to stunning, tiny treasures to magnificent marvels, the everyday and the extraordinary, this exhibit takes you on a journey through artifacts, photographs and documents that connect with our region’s history. “Hidden History” is included with general admission. Free for kids.

Photo courtesy of Venture Outdoors

Through Oct. 29: Tri-Anglers Lunchtime Fishing, North Shore. Venture Outdoors staff will teach basic fishing skills and provide all the equipment for catch-and-release sport. No PA Fishing license is required. Registration is free.

Photo courtesy of The National Aviary.

Through November: “Forests” Presented by Peoples, National Aviary. Unearth the magic of the forest fringe alongside a Martial Eagle that evokes the poise of a mythological Hippogriff. Travel through far-off fantasy lands of vast tree canopies and dense undergrowth. Activities included with general admission.

Sept. 9 and 23: Plants in Motion, Pittsburgh Botanical Garden. From dancing sunflowers to roots in rhythm, this program reveals how plants wiggle, sway, stretch, and react to the world around them. This drop-in program is included with garden admission.

Photo courtesy of Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh.

Sept. 9, Oct. 14, Nov. 11, Dec. 9: Sensory Friendly Afternoon, Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh. Lights and sounds in spaces throughout the museum are adjusted, and designated Quiet Areas offer spaces to take a break. Sensory Kits with noise-canceling headphones, sunglasses, an assortment of fidgets, and other items are available. Activities included with admission.

Sept. 10 and 24: Young Artists in the Garden, Pittsburgh Botanic Garden. Kids can create beautiful crafts inspired by nature. Topics will include seasonal flowers, pollinators, wildlife, and much more. This drop-in program, suitable for all ages, is free with admission.

Photo courtesy of Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy.

Sept. 10: Baby and Me Nature Walk, Frick Environmental Center. Explore nature with your little one along the new Sensory Nature Trail in Frick Park. Activities include demonstrations, a nature walk, grab-and-go lunch and giveaways. Program intended for ages 3 and younger. Registration is free, but required, through Hello Baby.

Sept. 10, Oct. 8 and Nov. 5: Seedlings: Awesome Autumn, Pittsburgh Botanic Garden. Examine the bounty of the Garden in bloom and leaf color. Your visit will include time in the Garden’s different habitats, a story reading and time for free play. Best for ages 3-6 years, accompanied by an adult. Registration included with general admission.

Sept. 12: Reptile Rendezvous, Schenley Park Visitor Center. Get up-close-and-personal with fascinating reptiles and amphibians, from exotic species like green iguanas and ball pythons to a woodland box turtle. Free. Registration is not required.

Photo courtesy of Pittsburgh Cultural Trust.

Sept. 12-18: “Clemente,” Harris Theater. The definitive documentary on the extraordinary life, career and enduring legacy of Major League Baseball icon Roberto Clemente is told through stunning archival footage, never-before-heard recordings and interviews, the film reveals the story of a man who lived by his own uncompromising code. Tickets are $10-$13.

Sept. 12-Nov. 1: Phantom Fall Fest, Kennywood Park. The annual Halloween event features over 30 rides and attractions with family fun during the day and super scary zones after dark. Admission starts at $37.49.

Sept. 13: Acorn Adventures, Pittsburgh Botanic Garden. This interactive and educational program will explore the fascinating world of seeds and how they shape forests, feed wildlife, and grow into towering trees. This drop-in program is included with daily admission.

Sept. 13: (Re)Launch Day, Carnegie Science Center. Fueled by a transformational $65 million gift, Carnegie Science Center prepares to (Re)launch as the Daniel G. and Carole L. Kamin Science Center. The free all-day party includes educational movies in The Rangos Giant Cinema, Buhl Planetarium shows, special giveaways, interactive exhibits and experiences, a sneak peek at future Science Center exhibits, DJ music and lots of surprises. Registration is required for free admission.

Sept. 13: Chinese Cultural Festival, Mellon Park. Enjoy Asian cuisine, traditional dance performances and exhibits. Admission is free.

Sept. 13-Oct. 26: Fall Fest, Soergel Orchard. Weekends will be programmed with games and activities, tractor rides, flower picking, pumpkin and apple picking, plus great food.  Friday night hayrides begin Sept. 26. Weekday afternoons include flower, pumpkin and apple picking. Admission is free with individual activities priced separately.

penny arcade cast
The Penny Arcade cast entertains their audience.

Sept. 13, Oct. 11, Nov. 8: Penny Arcade: Kids Comedy Show, Arcade Comedy Theater. This 60-minute show encourages children and their parents to unleash their imaginations and sense of humor. Best for ages 4-8 years. Tickets are $12.

Sept. 14: Sense-sational Garden, Pittsburgh Botanic Garden. This sensory-based program is designed to help kids and families experience the garden in a whole new way—by touching, smelling, seeing and hearing the beauty of the natural world. Activities included with general admission.

Sept. 17: Wild Wonders Wednesday, Pittsburgh Botanic Garden. Kids and families will dig into nature through fun activities like nature journaling, backyard BioBlitz, trivia games, and creative DIY projects. Activities included with general admission.

Sept. 18: Words & Pictures: Angie Thomas, Carnegie Library Lecture Hall. Author Angie Thomas will discuss her highly anticipated sequel to the No. 1 New York Times bestseller “Nic Blake and the Remarkables: The Manifestor Prophecy.”  Registration is free for in-person and online attendance.

Sept. 19, Oct. 3 and 17: Storytime and Crafting in the Garden, Pittsburgh Botanic Garden. Discover the wonder of nature through inspiring stories and engaging crafts. Themes will be seasonal. Stories and crafts are most suitable for ages 3-6 years old. Activities included with general admission.

“Nova’s Missing Masterpiece”
book cover.

Sept. 20: Story Saturday: “Nova’s Missing Masterpiece,” Carnegie Museum of Art. It’s Nova’s dad’s birthday and Nova made him a magnificent masterpiece as a present. But now she can’t find it and has to rely on her dog to help. Enjoy the story time, followed by a making activity. Best for ages 12 and younger. Registration is free with museum admission.

Sept. 20: Family-Friendly BioBlitz, Pittsburgh Botanic Garden. Learn about the importance of biodiversity, the definition and purpose of a BioBlitz, and participate as community scientists. Activities included with general admission.

Photo courtesy of Pittsburgh Cultural Trust.

Sept. 20: Three Stooges Festival, Harris Theater. This year’s lineup features six side-splitting shorts starring Larry, Moe and Curly — and Shemp, too! Tickets are $13.

Kids will make the most of a September afternoon at Hay Day Festivals. Photo courtesy of Allegheny County Parks and Recreation.

Sept. 20 and 27: Hay Day, Allegheny County Parks. Activities include hayrides, inflatables, puppet shows, face painters and balloon twisters, an art station, petting zoo and a sensory-friendly play area. Food and drinks will be available for purchase. Head to Hartwood Acres on Sept. 20 and South Park on Sept. 27. Admission is free.

Photo courtesy of Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium.

Sept. 21: International Red Panda Day, Pittsburgh Zoo. Red Pandas have suffered a 50-percent population decline over the past 20 years. Help the zoo’s collaboration with Red Panda Network and AZA’s SAFE Red Panda program through this fun event. Activities included with general admission.

Sept. 27: Hispanic Heritage Month Spotlight, Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh. Join creatives, Cathy Olivar in the Studio and La Vispera in MAKESHOP to learn about their art and making styles and try them out for yourself. Activities include with admission.

Sept. 27: “Dog Man: The Musical,” Byham Theater. Based on the worldwide bestselling hit series by Dav Pilkey, this hilarious and heartwarming production follows the chronicles of Dog Man who, with the head of a dog and the body of a policeman, loves to fight crime and chew on the furniture. Tickets are $28.73-$63.25.

Sept. 27: Herping 101: Discover PA’s Reptiles and Amphibians, Frick Environmental Center. Join naturalist April Claus for a crash course in Pennsylvania herpetology. The workshop will include a lecture, discussion and outdoor field exploration. Bring your own brown bag lunch and dress for outdoor weather conditions. Registration is $40.

Photo courtesy of the Richard S. Caliguiri City of Pittsburgh Great Race.

Sept. 27: The Dollar Bank Junior Great Race, Downtown. The most adorable segments of the weekend’s Pittsburgh Great Race are those involving kids in the Junior Great Race. The Family Fun Run for ages 5-12 includes parents running alongside their kids in the 1-mile race. The Tot Trot welcomes ages 4 and younger to head down a 50-yard walled chute to their own finish line. And the smallest athletes can join in the Diaper Dash. Registration is $10. Participating kids will receive a T-shirt and medallion upon completion of their event.

Photo courtesy of Dragon Boats

Sept. 27: Pittsburgh Dragon Boat Festival, North Park Lake. Support breast cancer survivors competing as dragon boat paddlers. Activities include entertainment, food trucks, a parade and vendors.

Sept. 27: Sky Watch, Kamin Science Center. Look to the night ski to spot Saturn and its spectacular rings, catch a glimpse of our nearest neighbor galaxy, the Andromeda galaxy and bid farewell to warm weather with a glimpse of the “Summer Triangle.” This event tends to sell out early. Admission is $12.

Photo curtesy of Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village.

Sept. 27-28: Frontier Heritage Weekend, Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village. Discover the essential skills that defined life on the frontier – from blacksmithing and open-hearth cooking to candle dipping and fire starting – and explore how American Indians and European settlers shared knowledge, traditions and tools to survive and thrive. Activities included with general admission.

Photo courtesy of Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh.

Sept. 28: Fall Harvest Festival, Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh. Explore the garden, paint pumpkins, learn about composting, enjoy the fresh harvest from the free produce stand and learn all about nature. Activities included with admission.

Sept. 28: Family Day Fall Festival, Schenley Plaza. Join Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy for a day of free carousel rides, musical performances, a live bird of prey meet-and-greet, and activities for the whole family. Activities are free with no registration required.

Oct. 1: Sensory-Friendly Mornings, Pittsburgh Zoo. Families with members who have sensory processing needs are invited to explore the Zoo early on these quiet mornings. Enjoy a self-guided tour with smaller-than-usual crowds. Tickets included with general admission.

Oct. 1-19: “Noises Off,” Pittsburgh Public Theater. Regarded as the ultimate theatrical farce, Noises Off is a riotous rollercoaster of slamming doors, romantic entanglements and slapstick chaos. Tickets start at $41.72.

Photo courtesy of Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership.

Oct. 2-12: Oktoberfest Pittsburgh, Downtown. Festivalgoers can immerse themselves in German-inspired activities for all ages. Highlights include the ever-popular Stein Holding, as well as an array of Karneval games. Adding to the festive atmosphere, an Oompah band and Bavarian-style musicians will fill the air with accordion melodies and lively polka tunes. Admission is free.

Oct. 2-Nov. 2: Jack-O-Lantern Extravaganza, Pittsburgh Zoo. This family-friendly event is the perfect combination of nighttime fun, the spirit of autumn and artistry with thousands of intricately carved pumpkins displayed throughout the first half of the zoo. Tickets start at $15.

Oct. 3: Riverview Park Day, Riverview Park Activities Building. Families are invited to a day of celebration, community and support for one of Pittsburgh’s beloved green spaces. This annual event is designed to generate awareness for the park and raise funds to continue its preservation. Free.

Oct. 4: Star Party, Hartwood Acres. Marvel at the night sky, learn more about the constellations and take a closer look through telescopes provided by members of the Amateur Astronomers’ Association of Pittsburgh. Bring a chair or blanket and dress for the outdoors. Enrollment is free.

Photo courtesy of Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens.

Oct. 4-26: Fall Flower Show: Visions of Japan, Phipps Conservatory and Botanic Gardens. The show celebrates the prominence of the chrysanthemum in Japanese culture. Evocative props include jewel-toned fans, a moon gate, a pagoda, foot bridges and a dragon, whose brightly colored body floats from end to end of the glasshouse’s iconic Sunken Garden. Admission is $21.95 for grownups, $19.95 for seniors and students, $13.95 for ages 2–18, free for those younger than 2. 

Photo courtesy of Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens.

Oct. 4-March 8: Garden Railroad: The Age of Dinosaurs, Phipps Conservatory and Botanica Gardens. Watch a group of dinosaurs moving through greenery while listening to a dinosaur roar. Each prehistoric period will have its own train to follow along so you can learn about their unique characteristics. Railroad activities are included with Phipps admission.

Photo courtesy of Carrie Blast Furnaces.

Oct. 4: Festival of Combustion, Carrie Blast Furnaces. Rivers of Steel hosts a celebration of industrial arts and American crafts with hands-on demonstrations, live music and tours. Tickets are $20 for grownups, free for kids.

Oct. 5: A Walk in Penn’s Woods, Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village. Experience the vibrant colors of fall as you wander through the woodlands surrounding Meadowcroft. Along the trail, discover how early peoples relied on native plants and wildlife for food, tools and survival. The walk is included in general admission.

June events for Pittsburgh kids
Mr. Messado’s Magic School for the Young and Young at Heart. Photo courtesy of Pittsburgh Cultural Trust.

Oct. 5-Nov. 30: “Mr. Messado’s School of Magic for the Young and Young at Heart,” Liberty Magic. Mr. Messado will have both teens and adults amazed from start to finish. This 60-minute spectacular, featuring a combination of stunning magic and clean comedy, is full of interactive wonder. Tickets are $32.20-$49.45.

Oct. 7-12: “Six: The Musical,” Benedum Center: From Tudor Queens to Pop Princesses, the six wives of Henry VIII take the mic to remix five hundred years of historical heartbreak into an exuberant celebration of 21st century girl power.  Best for ages 10 and older. Tickets start at $49.86.

Oct. 9: Words & Pictures: Sharon G. Flake, Carnegie Library Lecture Hall. Author Sharon G. Flake will discuss her compelling novel “The Family I’m In,” the third and final installment in the “I’m In” trilogy. This time, the boys have their say as John-John and Caleb grapple with the expectations placed upon them by their fathers and society at large. Registration is free for in-person and online attendance.

Oct. 10: Celebrate World Mental Health Day, Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh. Help support mindfulness and self-love in kids. Activities included with admission.

fun history
Photo courtesy of Fort Ligonier.

Oct. 10-12: Fort Ligonier Days, Ligonier. The three-day event features historic Battle of Fort Ligonier reenactments, crafts, food, local spirits, live music and a grand parade. Find the full schedule here. Free.

Oct. 10-19: “Dr. Experimentor and the League of Evil,” South Park Theatre. A mastermind supervillain must fight to maintain his membership in the League of Evil. But he must defeat superhero Extremo, his best friend. Tickets are $10 for grownups, $6 for kids.

These African penguins swim and play in their pool at the National Aviary. Photo by Mike Faix.

Oct. 11: International African Penguin Awareness Day, National Aviary. Celebrate all things African Penguin. Wear your best black-and-white outfit as we roll out the metaphorical black-and-white carpet for our flightless friends. Activities included with general admission.

“The Spaces In Between” book cover.

Oct. 11: Story Saturday: “The Spaces In Between,” Carnegie Museum of Art. Traffic! Road works! Ambulances! Where do you go when the hustle and bustle of the city gets too much? “The Spaces In Between” is full of ideas on how to find calming spaces to find peace and quiet. Enjoy the story time, followed by a making activity. Best for ages 12 and younger. Registration is free with museum admission.

Oct. 17, 18, 19: Guided Hike: Autumnal Changes, Allegheny County Parks. From the dazzling colors of the leaves to the fascinating behaviors of wildlife preparing for winter, autumn is a season of change and beauty. This hike will be approximately two miles with moderate elevation changes. Bring water and wear closed-toe shoes. Choose from Harrison Hills, North Park, Settlers Cabin and South Park. Enrollment is free.

Oct. 17, 18, 25 and 26: ZooBoo, Pittsburgh Zoo. Enjoy daytime trick-or-treating throughout the zoo, work on fun crafts and meet favorite costumed characters. Activities included in zoo admission.

Oct. 18: Punkin Chunkin and Bark or Treat, Hartwood Acres. Join Allegheny County Parks and SHARP Robotics from Sarah Heinz House as we launch pumpkins across the amphitheater field with a full-size trebuchet! Enjoy crafts, games, activities and family fun. Enrollment is free.

 Oct. 18: Community Campfire, Frick Park Hollow. The evening will feature live music by Norside Trio, lawn games, and pumpkin painting. We’ll provide hay bales for sitting, but feel free to bring your own blankets and additional chairs. This event is BYOR—bring your own roastables. Registration is $5, free for ages 3 and younger.

things to do with kids in Pittsburgh
Photo courtesy of Meadowcroft Rock Shelter/Heinz History Center.

Oct. 18: Archeology Day, Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village. Archaeologists will be on-site to bring history to life through engaging talks, hands-on artifact identification and live demonstrations of prehistoric tools and technology. Activities included with general admission.

Oct. 18-19 and 26-27: Owl-O-Ween, National Aviary. This owl-themed Halloween party includes crafts, bird meets and goody bags. Activities included with aviary admission.

Oct. 18-19: Pittsburgh Monster Pumpkins Festival, Strip District. From a pie-eating contest and giant pumpkin sculptures to a floating pumpkin regatta, this festival celebrates all things pumpkin. Admission is free.

Photo courtesy of Oliver Miller Homestead.

Oct: 19: Children’s Harvest Festival, Oliver Miller Homestead. Harvest time in the 18th century wasn’t all work, no play. It was an opportunity for communities to get together and enjoy each other’s company. This family-friendly event places an emphasis on children’s games, crafts, music, and a giant leaf pile. Admission is $2.

Oct. 24: Sensory-Friendly Trick or Treat, Carnegie Museum of Natural History. Kids of all ages and abilities can wear their favorite costumes to listen to Halloween stories, enjoy apple cider and other tasty treats, and get a closer look at dioramas, fossils and minerals in a relaxed setting. Tickets are $16.

Oct. 24: Boo! A Sensory Sensitive Halloween, Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh. A Halloween event designed with a focus on providing a sensory-friendly environment. Tickets to be released soon.

Oct. 24, 25, 26: Explore: Bats with Park Rangers, Allegheny County Parks. Learn about these amazing nocturnal aerial predators at ranger-led stations or relax around a campfire. A short, guided walk will provide flashlights. Enrollment is free.

 Oct. 25: Pumpkin Palooza, Kelly Strayhorn Theater. Kids can dress in their favorite costumes or just come as you are for an afternoon of tricks, treats, and groovy beats. Families can enjoy candy, crafts and fun activities. Tickets are priced at pay-what-you-want from $0-$25.

Pittsburgh weekend family fun
The monthly SkyWatch gives kids a chance to explore space on a personal level.

Oct. 25-26: “Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas” in Concert, Heinz Hall. The Pittsburgh Symphony plays the soundtrack for the film that follows the earnest but misguided adventures of Jack Skellington, Halloween Town’s beloved Pumpkin King. Tickets start at $43.

Oct. 28, 29 and 30: Creatures of the Night Hike, Schenley Park. Join Pittsburgh Park Rangers for a twilight hike on one of three hikes, including an exploration of plants, nocturnal animals and mythical cryptids. Registration is free but required.

Oct. 31-Nov. 2: Bugs Bunny at the Symphony, Heinz Hall. Celebrating Bugs Bunny’s 85th Anniversary, watch 16 beloved, classic Looney Tunes projected on the big screen while the PSO plays their iconic, classically infused original scores live. Tickets start at $32.

 Nov. 1: Fiddlesticks Festival of Music, Heinz Hall. Fiddlesticks and the Pittsburgh Symphony explore festive sounds of holidays celebrated by families in our community. From the colorful traditions of Diwali and Dia de los Muertos, to the joy of Thanksgiving, Sukkot, Yalda Night and Kwanzaa. Arrive early for pre-concert activities. Tickets are $24-$37.

Nov. 2: Twilight at Mansfield, Oliver Miller Homestead. The property will be beautifully lit by candles, lamps, lanterns and crescents, offering a rare opportunity to see the property in a quaint, traditional evening setting. Enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of fresh-baked goods during this lovely autumn event. Admission is $2.

Photo courtesy of Pittsburgh Cultural Trust.

Nov. 4-9: “Hell’s Kitchen,” Benedum Center. Ali is a 17-year-old girl full of fire – searching for freedom, passion and her place in the world. This coming-of-age story and musical from Alicia Keys, whose new songs and greatest hits about growing up in NY inspire a story made for Broadway. Tickets start at $49.86.

Nov. 6: Words & Pictures: Mac Barnett and Shawn Harris, Carnegie Library Lecture Hall. Join the authors of “The First Cat in Space and the Baby Pirate’s Revenge” for an immersive theatrical spectacular with live music, dramatic performances and thrilling adventure. Show up dressed as your favorite character from the books, you’ll get a special prize. Registration is free for in-person and online attendance.

Nov. 6-9: “Disney’s Newsies the Musical,” Byham Theater. Pittsburgh Musical Theater presents the rousing tale of Jack Kelly, a newsboy and leader of a band of teenaged “newsies.” When publishers raise distribution prices at the newsboys’ expense, Jack rallies newsies from across the city to strike. Tickets start at $32.50.

Photo courtesy of the Pittsburgh Pet Expo.

Nov. 7-9: Pittsburgh Pet Expo, David Lawrence Convention Center. Enjoy a variety of exciting activities, including agility demonstrations, grooming competitions and educational seminars led by industry experts. Tickets are $15 for grownups, $12 for seniors and vets, $6 for ages 6-12, free for ages 5 and younger.  Adult tickets are $10 on opening night.

Nov. 8: Millie’s Truck Pittsburgh Pink Party Cruise, Gateway Clipper Fleet. Kid-friendly cruise with karaoke dance party, including Millie’s ice cream bar. Tickets are $35 for grownups, $30 for ages 1-12, $5 for infants.

SkyWatch image courtesy of Carnegie Science Center.

Nov. 8: Sky Watch, Kamin Science Center. Spot giant Jupiter and the ringed planet, Saturn. Stand beneath both the Northern and Southern Taurid meteor showers and catch a glimpse of our nearest neighbor galaxy, the Andromeda galaxy. This event tends to sell out early. Admission is $12.

Nov. 9: Discovery Time: Loose Leaves, Frick Environmental Center. Make a leaf rubbing, play a leaf matching game, and go on a leaf scavenger hunt at this autumn-themed event. Registration is free.

Nov. 14-23: “Jingle Bell Jukebox: the Musical,” South Park Theatre. As diner staff decorate for Christmas and prepare holiday food, they get into the spirit with tunes from the Jingle Bell Jukebox. Tickets are $10 for grownups, $6 for kids.

Illustration courtesy of City Theatre.

Nov. 15-Dec. 7: “Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women,” City Theatre. This world premiere of a new adaptation of a beloved classic explores the parallel lives of the author’s family and the March sisters. Tickets are $35-$42.70, $24 for ages 30 and younger.

Nov. 16: Giving Thanks on the Frontier, Oliver Miller Homestead. Celebrate bounty and blessings with 18th-century traditional foods and festivities that will be presented as the Millers would have known them. Admission is $2.

Image courtesy of Pittsburgh Symphony.

Nov. 21 and 23: “Elf” in Concert, Heinz Hall. Raised by elves on the North Pole, the adult Buddy travels to New York, in full elf uniform, in search of his real father. Pittsburgh Symphony plays the soundtrack in front of the big screen. Tickets start at $41.

Nov. 22: Taffy Pull and Fall Celebration, Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village. This festive farewell to the season is filled with hands-on history and delicious discoveries. Learn how early Americans satisfied their sweet tooth with historic candy-making demonstrations. Activities included in general admission, except $5 add-on for taffy pulling.

Photo courtesy of Pittsburgh Cultural Trust.

Nov. 22: Omnium Circus: I’m Possible, Byham Theater. This world-renowned, comprehensively inclusive and accessible circus company brings excitement, thrills and joy to people of all ages as only a circus can. Tickets are $17.25-$44.85.

Nov. 22: Highmark Light Up Night, Downtown. Light Up Night returns as part of a larger 63rd-anniversary celebration. Annual festivities combine long-standing traditions and new holiday experiences with a supersized fireworks finale. The complete schedule to be announced.

Nov. 25-30: “Les Miserables,” Benedum Center. Presented with a new staging, the 19th-French classic tells the enthralling story of broken dreams and unrequited love, passion, sacrifice and redemption. Best for ages 12 and older. Tickets start at $49.86.

“The Fixer of Broken Things” book cover.

Nov. 29: Story Saturday: “The Fixer of Broken Things,” Carnegie Museum of Art. Beatrice is the finest fixer. Her friends bring her everything, from tiny sprockets to enormous rockets, to fix. But she discovers that nothing on her tool belt can help to mend a broken heart. Enjoy the story time, followed by a making activity. Best for ages 12 and younger. Registration is free with museum admission.

Photo courtesy of Pittsburgh Cultural Trust.

Nov. 30: “Elmo and Friends Say Hello,” Byham Theater. Sing, dance and play alongside your favorite furry friends, all while you follow Elmo’s puppy, Tango, in a fun game of hide & seek. So put on your dancing shoes and make your way to where the air is sweet for this all-new celebration on Sesame Street. Tickets are $63.78-$94.16.

Dec. 4-21: “A Christmas Story: The Play,” O’Reilly Theater. Back by popular demand, Ralphie and company return to Pittsburgh Public Theater for a hilarious, live theatrical production. Tickets start at $41.72.

Photo courtesy of Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh.

Dec. 6: Winter Wonderland Arts and Craft Market, Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh. Discover unique, handmade crafts perfect for gifting and create your own special gifts. The Market is free to shop.  Winter Wonderland art and making activities require museum admission.

Dec.  6: Sky Watch, Kamin Science Center. Spot giant Jupiter and the ringed planet, Saturn. Stand beneath a barrage of meteor showers and catch a glimpse of our nearest neighbor galaxy, the Andromeda galaxy. This event tends to sell out early. Admission is $12.

Dec. 7: Frontier Holiday Traditions, Oliver Miller Homestead. The Scots-Irish pioneers who carved life out of western Pennsylvania brought with them old-world traditions that included dancing, music, pomp, and ceremony. Watch Oliver Miller Homestead ring in the New Year in old-fashioned, 18th-century style. Admission is $2.

“Woven in the World” book cover.

Dec. 13: Story Saturday: “Woven of the World,” Carnegie Museum of Art. Told from the perspective of a young girl learning to weave, “Woven of the World” is a lyrical meditation on the ancient art of weaving and what this beautiful craft can teach us. Enjoy the story time, followed by a making activity. Best for ages 12 and younger. Registration is free with museum admission.

Photo at top of story by Michael Morse, via Pexels.