Animal Friends’ Muttster Mash at Edgebrook Field: October 16
Families and their four-legged friends can don their best Halloween disguises and have a spooky good time at the Animal Friends Muttster Mash. The event kicks off at 10 a.m. with the all-ages Hike for Hounds 5K walk led by DJ Cris Winter of WISH 99.7 FM. Pups can enjoy treats in the vendor village, scare up some attention at the Too Cute to Spook costume parade or dive into seasonal activities like bobbing for hot dogs and the pumpkin roll. There will also be a 5K run and a food truck alley for hungry human attendees.
Muttster Mash will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Edgebrook Field, 2372 Corrigan Dr., South Park Township, PA 15129. For 5K information and fees, visit the event page. Pet owners can register online or at the event. There will also be awards given out for best costume and for race winners.
Finding Neverland at the Benedum Center: October 18-23
The PNC Broadway in Pittsburgh series presents the fall tour of the enchanting musical Finding Neverland at the Benedum Center. Based on the Academy Award-winning film and the play, The Man Who Was Peter Pan, the family-friendly production follows the relationship between real-life playwright J.M. Barrie and the family that inspired his iconic work Peter Pan, or The Boy Who Wouldn’t Grow Up.
Finding Neverland takes flight from October 18 through October 23 at the Benedum Center. Check the website for showtimes. Tickets start at $26 at the Trust Arts website, over the phone at 412-456-4800 or in person at the Theater Square Box Office.
Boo-seum Trick-or-Treat at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History: October 22
The Carnegie Museum of Natural History welcomes trick-or-treaters for a night of candy collecting among mummies, dinosaurs, and other creepy inhabitants. Kids can dress in costume—there will be prizes!—while they meet live animals, see amazing specimens and participate in fun, hands-on activities.
Boo-seum takes place from 12 to 4 p.m. All activities are free with regular museum admission. While guests are encouraged to wear costumes, masks, weapons and backpacks are prohibited.
Halloween Family Fun Day and Vendor Show at Monroeville Mall: October 22
Monroeville Mall will become a haven for little ghouls and goblins during the first Halloween Family Fun Day and Vendor Show. From 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., the mall’s second level will feature more than 30 vendors selling horror and Halloween-themed jewelry, art, baked goods and other items. From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., the whole family can enjoy activities like a DJ, photo ops with costumed characters, and an all-ages costume contest hosted by Professor Emcee Square of the Pittsburgh midnight movie program The It’s Alive Show. For the kids, there’s story time, face painting, crafts, a coloring contest and more. There’s also a charity auction to benefit the Monroeville-based nonprofit, the Community & Wildlife Foundation. The event is free to attend and open to the public.
ZooBoo at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium: October 22-23 and 29 -30
Lions and tigers and bears, oh my! Don’t worry, it’s just ZooBoo at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium. Kids and parents can put on their costumes and view all the furry, fanged and winged beasts as they collect treats along the way. They can also brave the not-so-haunted house, and take part in the Halloween parade and costume contest.
ZooBoo will take place from at 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on October 22, 23, 29 and 30. All activities are included with general admission. Visitors are encouraged to go green by bringing a reusable bag to fill with treats.
Owl-o-ween and Valentino’s Birthday at the National Aviary: October 22-23 and 30-31
Halloween is a hoot at the National Aviary‘s Owl-o-Ween event. On October 22 and 29, don a costume and come prepared for candy, crafts and a bug race. The whole family can learn about birds of prey and get up close and personal with raptors, owls and other creatures of the night.
On October 30 and 31, everyone is invited to a special party for Valentino the baby sloth as he celebrates his first birthday. Kids can learn all about Valentino’s time at the Aviary, make him a birthday card, and enjoy a cupcake or two.
The Owl-o-Ween and Valentino birthday events take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. All activities are free with regular admission.
Honorable mentions:
Phantom Fright Nights at Kennywood: September 30 – October 29th
Dogtober Fest at The Waterfront: October 1
Ghost Stories with Alison Babusci at the Trust Arts Education Center: October 1
Cereal Cinema: Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory at Row House Cinema: October 8
Trunk ‘n Treat at Riverside Drive-In: October 14 & 15
Maker Faire at Buhl Community Park: October 15 & 16
Lawrenceville United’s Kids Halloween Party at Arsenal Park: October 29
