Your Sept. 5-7 weekend guide has festivals, workshops, a classic car cruise and more

If you didn’t manage to squeeze in enough fun and recreation during the three-day weekend, you’ll find plenty of opportunities for fun this first full weekend in September. The Renaissance festival is happening every weekend this month, as well as Britsburgh, the Irish Festival and tons of smaller events across the city, too.

Whether you’re looking for activities to engage teens or ways to burn off toddler energy, there is something to meet every need:

Through Sept. 7: Britsburgh

During Britsburgh week, there will be a slew of British-themed events, including an afternoon tea at Mansions on Fifth, Britsburgh Ale keg tapping, a Churchill Dinner and WWI music night, British comedy and music nights, and more family fun. Find information about vendors, entertainment, and more right here.

Thursday, Sept. 4- Sunday, Sept. 7: Play It Again Sports Grand Opening

Got a sporty kid and a small budget? Play It Again Sports, a new athletic resale store, is opening in Cranberry Township and kicking off with some great activities to introduce itself to the community. The new store is owned and operated by a local couple, Aaron and Rebecca Jaynes. As parents of a 10-year-old son who has tried nearly every sport, they found themselves constantly buying expensive gear that he only used for a short time. By the time their daughter started playing soccer, they knew there had to be a better way. During a visit to Ohio, they stopped by a Play It Again Sports location and were able to find everything they needed at a reasonable price. That experience inspired them to bring the concept to their own community. Find the schedule of giveaways, prizes, and more right here.

Friday, Sept. 5-Sunday, Sept. 7: Pittsburgh Irish Festival

At the Carrie Blast Furnace, guests will enjoy three days of classic Irish entertainment, music and food. From bagpipes to Irish dancing, there is something for everyone (whether Irish or just Irish-at-heart) to enjoy. And to celebrate the Pittsburgh Steelers playing in Ireland, there will also be football-themed activities and prizes on Sept. 6. Tickets are date-specific, so be sure to purchase tickets for the day you plan to attend. Tickets are $20, with discounts for early birds, students, nurses and other special groups. Children under 12 are free.

Saturday, Sept. 6 and Sunday, Sept. 7:  Pittsburgh Renaissance Festival

This weekend is the third of SIX weekends for the Renaissance Festival, which runs through Sept. 28. 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 here.

Saturday, Sept. 6: Storytime at the Museum, 10 a.m.

Join staff at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History for an interactive story time. Hear nature and science stories read by natural history interpreters and get a chance to touch museum specimens. Stop by for one page, one book or stay for the whole 45 minutes. This event meets at the bench in the entrance of Dinosaurs in Their Time, and registration is not required.

Saturday, Sept. 6: Kids Club at Cookie Cookie Ice Cream Company, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. 

Back-to-school time means it’s also time for this culinary kids’ class to return on the first Saturday of every month through May. Kids will create an edible craft highlighting the season. This month, the group will be talking about Fondant backpacks. The cost is $10 for the kid (which includes a cup of coffee for their grownup), and there are two one-hour sessions available. Sign up online, by calling, or just stop in.

Saturday, Sept. 6: The Mobile Cartoon Museum at CLP, 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

This free event at the Downtown location of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh is designed for all ages. Enter into a self-paced learning space filled with original art, lesson books, cartooning artifacts, convention table demo, cartooning materials, and a professional cartoonist on-site for critique and guidance. This event is free and no registration is needed.

Saturday, Sept. 6: Freedom Harvest at the Frick Environmental Center, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. 

Freedom Harvest celebrates the powerful legacy of the “From Slavery to Freedom Garden,” which features crops that were essential to people seeking freedom, and honors how food, resilience, and community have long been intertwined. Held during International Underground Railroad Month, the event pays tribute to the courageous journeys of freedom seekers while bringing Pittsburghers together in the city’s largest regional park — Frick. This year’s celebration also shines a light on the Parks Conservancy’s continued commitment to making the Frick Environmental Center more accessible and welcoming for all. There will be educational opportunities, live music, and some insight to what’s coming next for the environmental center. This event is free. Find more info here.

Saturday, Sept. 6: Fern Hollow Nature Center Fall Music Festival, 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.

This family-friendly event, presented by First National Bank, will feature music by Sweetwater Cottage Band and Dad Band, as well as a dance party with DJ Sly Williams. PittsBurgers and Aviva Brick Oven Pizza food trucks will be on-site. Ticket holders are invited to bring their own chairs, blankets, and food and drink. (In the past, guests have adorned their tables with linen tablecloths, centerpieces, and elaborate food and drink arrangements. So that’s an option.) In addition to the live music, yard games and activities will be set up in the meadow for all to enjoy. Guests are welcome to explore the trail and grounds throughout the evening. Tickets range from $15 to $35, and kids 5 and under are free.

Sunday, Sept. 7: Car Cruise at Boyce Park, 10 a.m. t0 2 p.m.

If you didn’t get to attend one of summer’s earlier car cruises, you’re in luck! The July cruise was rescheduled for this weekend. These free events have music, local food trucks, local radio personalities such as Mike Frazer from 3WS radio, John Hohman from MetroMix, and plenty of unique cars and antique vehicles. Dashboard plaques will be given to the first 100 cruise cars. This event is free, and details can be found here.

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Photo at top of story of Irish Step Dancers by All Points Images and Jim Hambrick courtesy of the Pittsburgh Irish Festival.