
20 family-friendly June events perfect for kicking off summer
Above photo courtesy of Fred Rogers Productions.
Dust off that pool bag, check the expiration date on your sunscreen, and get ready for summer. We’ve got a great big guide to events all summer long, a list of the top local pools, and a whole calendar that’s updated weekly with new family fun. There’s no reason to hear, “I’m bored!” this summer, thanks to Kidsburgh.
So put those backpacks away for a few months and start filling up your calendar with these summer family events:
May 30-June 1: Pittsburgh Pride
The first weekend in June will kick off summer with a three-day celebration for Pride 2025, including a parade on June 1. The parade will begin Downtown and end in Allegheny Commons West, where there will be a celebration. Registering for the parade is unnecessary. Any family can choose to walk in it or spectate. There will also be food, family-friendly activities and musical acts as well. Find all of the details here about this event, as well as smaller local Pride events all month long across the region.
June 2 and June 7: Mister Rogers Family Days at the Fred Rogers Institute
Join the Fred Rogers Institute for an open-house family event as part of Mister Rogers Family Days. This event will take place over two days — feel free to come to one or both! Enjoy a banana split bar, puppet-making and other family-friendly activities from local organizations including Latrobe Art Center. This free event will be held at the Fred M. Rogers Center building in Latrobe. Find more info here.
June 3: CLP Kids Club on “Love” by Robert Indiana
As part of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s Pride programming, kids in grades K-5th are invited to the Sheraden location of the CLP to learn about notable LGBTQ+ artist Robert Indiana. They will also create art based on his most famous piece, “Love.” This event runs from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and is free.
June 5-8: Three Rivers Arts Festival
While Pittsburgh works to complete the new Arts Landing for the NFL Draft and future city events, the Three Rivers Arts Festival will have a new (temporary) location this year: the Strip District. With hundreds of vendors, stage performances, food, activities, and gorgeous art for blocks and blocks, this is one of the city’s can’t-miss events every year. Find the full lineup of musical guests and other activities here.
June 6-7: Mars New Year
While humans haven’t quite made it to Mars just yet, Pittsburghers can travel to our own Mars for this fun festival that celebrates the red planet making a trip around the sun. Enjoy food, entertainment and lots of outer space jokes. This event is free, and more info can be found here.
June 7: Story Hike with“Sparrow Loves Birds” at the Frick Environmental Center
Enjoy a reading of “Sparrow Loves Birds” by Murry Burgess at the new Meadow View Pavilion, then take a hike on the new Sensory Nature Trail to search for birds. Best for ages 3-8 years old. Registration is free.
June 7: Autism-Friendly Touch-a-Truck at Tour Ed Mine
This event is open to all families and kids of all abilities, but is designed to be an autism-friendly event where kids can explore rescue vehicles, heavy machinery and other pieces of equipment up close. There will also be activities, food trucks, music, pony rides and more. Find the whole lineup of events and vendors here.
June 7: Squonk’s Brouhaha Live Show
At this lively event, guests will learn about how Squonk creates boisterous outdoor spectacles by fusing fantastical visual design, playful staging and high-energy original music. At the center of this riotous romp is the Squonkcordion, an enormous musical instrument the audience gets to play. Brouhaha combines the joy of community with Squonk’s signature music and flamboyant visual pageantry. The show is at 3 p.m. and is free to all.
June 7-8: Pittsburgh Comicon
For two days, the David L. Lawrence Convention Center will transform into a comic-lover’s dream. There will be a cosplay contest, vendors, beloved characters and so much more. Kids ages 9 and under are free, and tickets begin at $6 for ages 10 and up. Purchase tickets and find the full schedule right here.
June 14: Pickleball Clinic with Kids of Steel
Many little Yinzers have run the Kids of Steel Marathon, but the team at P3R is about so much more than running. This pickleball clinic at the Sewickley YMCA will have two sessions on June 14. Whether your child is a new fan of the sport or just wants to try something new, this clinic is the perfect way to learn the basics of one of the fastest-growing games in the country. Discover pickleball in a supportive, high-energy environment led by experienced instructors. The first session, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m., is for kids ages 8-12. The second session, from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m., is for kids 10-14. Register here.
June 14: Meadowcroft Rockshelter Tour
At the Heinz History Center’s Meadowcroft location, Dr. Diane Landers will lead a tour and lecture of the historic rockshelter, which is an archaeological site that is both a National Historic Landmark and the oldest known site of human habitation in North America. This lecture is open to anyone, but is likely best suited to teens and older children. It’s free for members and $20 for everyone else. Purchase tickets and register here.
June 14: DinoFest at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History
Join Carnegie Museum of Natural History’s researchers, educators, and community partners for DinoFest. Whether you’re looking for family-friendly fossil fun or a deep dive into new discoveries in paleontology, there’s programming for dinosaur lovers of all ages. Find the full schedule of presentations and activities here. This event is included with museum admission from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
June 19: Bellevue Night Market
From 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., families can enjoy food trucks, live music, vendors and local artisans, plus sweet treats at the Bellevue Night Market. And don’t miss Bayne Park (just two blocks from the market) to burn off that extra energy. Find more details about vendors, activities and entertainment here.
June 19-21: Western Pa Juneteenth Celebration
This year, Juneteenth will be celebrated in Mellon Park. With musical guests, family-friendly activities, speakers and tons of great food, this is the perfect way to teach kids about the history of Juneteenth. The holiday commemorates the day that slaves in Texas were freed, once word of the Emancipation Proclamation reached their state. Find more details about this event here.
June 21: Summer Splash with ALCOSAN at the Carnegie Science Center
Families are invited to celebrate the beginning of summer at Summer Splash. Soak in the sun with hands-on activities, interactive science experiments and fun for the whole family. Enjoy outdoor games and activities like giant bubbles, playing with “snow,” tours of the rain garden and a photo scavenger hunt. Kids will also learn about the science of our rivers and the water cycle from the experts at ALCOSAN. This event is included with Science Center admission.
June 22: Butler County History Day
Butler County, located north of Pittsburgh. has been an important part of local history for over two centuries. Learn about George Washington’s near-death experience in Butler and lots more! The county’s museums will be free all day on June 22 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Find the full schedule of events here.
June 27: Summer Fridays at the Frick
If you haven’t taken your kids to The Frick Museum, their Summer Fridays events are the perfect introduction. Live music, lawn games and food vendors get the party started, and there are hands-on activities to keep kids interested all evening long. This event is free, and runs from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
June 28: Squirrel Hill Night Market
From 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., enjoy a summer evening with your family packed with food, music, vendors, and activities. This market will take place on Murray Avenue. Find more info about food trucks, vendors, and other details here.
June 29: OpenStreetsPGH East End
A few times each summer, OpenStreetsPGH closes down a path in a neighborhood — which then becomes the site of an outdoor party. Bring your scooters, wagons, bikes, pogo sticks and heelies to the East End for the first Open Streets of the season. All the details are right here.
June 29: Summer Seranades with Azure
Come celebrate the start of summer and let Azure, a local autism advocacy group, serenade you into the new season. Cozy up in your camp chairs or lounge across your picnic blankets for an afternoon of songs old and new, featuring artists on the autism spectrum from Band Together Pittsburgh. All behaviors are welcome. Details can be found here.
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