Who doesn’t love spooky ghost stories, spending time outside in the crisp autumn air, and pumpkins galore? We have found some of the best ways to celebrate fall in Pittsburgh, so make sure to check out the following festivals this season!
Monster Pumpkin Festival
When: October 15-16, 2022
Where: The Stacks at 3 Crossings (Strip District)
What: The Monster Pumpkin Festival showcases more pumpkins than you can imagine with many of them being award-winners and weighing over 2,000 pounds. In addition to massive pumpkins, there are many different activities such as hand-blown glass demonstrations, Cinderella pumpkin carriage rides, local food vendors, craft tables for kids to create different fall-themed artwork, and a pie eating contest. You can’t miss the pumpkin-pool drop where they lift a one ton pumpkin 140 feet in the air by crane and drop it into a blow-up kiddie pool. Head on over to their website for more information.
Oktoberfest
Can't have fall without Oktoberfest. If you can’t make it to Germany to celebrate, there are plenty of places around the Pittsburgh area that offer as close to the real thing as you can get. With lots of meats, beer, and pretzels, make sure to break out your biggest pair of lederhosen and fill up! For more information on some of the Oktoberfest celebrations happening around the city, check out these websites listed below.
Source: Hofbrauhaus Pittsburgh
Halloween Cruises
When: Friday-Saturday Every Weekend of October
Where: Gateway Clipper
What: To get you in the Halloween spirit, the Gateway Clipper offers some seasonal fun. The Gateway Clipper’s Halloween Cruise offers fun for all ages, choose from a haunted experience full of historical Pittsburgh ghost stories or a fun and playful Halloween celebration with a kid’s costume party, dancing, and treats. More information is listed on their website.
Source: Only in Your State
Pumpkin Farms
One of the best ways to get into the fall spirit is by visiting some of Pittsburgh’s many pumpkin farms. Each has their own fall festival filled with pumpkin picking, fall treats, and other fun activities like games, hayrides, petting zoos, and apple picking. For more information about each farm’s festival and the dates they will be happening, check out their websites.
Source: Trax Farms
Asian Lantern Festival at the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium
When: Thursday-Sunday Nights, August 12-October 30
Where: Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium
What: The Asian Lantern Festival at the Pittsburgh Zoo is a great way to spend time outdoors looking at beautiful illuminated displays. The sculptures are hand-crafted and some even have technical elements to add movement! There are opportunities to learn about Asian culture and try some themed food and entertainment as well. This is definitely a festival you don’t want to miss. For more information and reserving tickets you can visit the Pittsburgh Zoo’s website.
Bump in the Night
When: Last Two Weekends of October
Where: Frick Environmental Center
What: Bump in the Night offers a woodsy fall adventure. The event is offered to children ages three to nine and their adults. You will be guided on a night hike through the park and will learn about various wildlife. Of course, no fall festival can be complete without some s’mores! You will get an opportunity to stop at a campfire and roast marshmallows. On your way out of the event, each child will get to pick out their own pumpkin to take home. For more info and tickets go here.
Source: Pittsburgh Parks
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