From a festival for pawpaws to a pool day for pups, September has tons of great family events in Pittsburgh. Escape to magical worlds at the Pittsburgh Renaissance Festival and Weekend at Hogwarts or have some tea and cakes during Britsburgh. There’s also free outdoor fun and amazing shows.
1. Children’s Weekend at the Pittsburgh Renaissance Festival: September 2-4
Go back in time to an era of magic and wonder when the Pittsburgh Renaissance Festival presents its Children’s Weekend. For three days, kids 12 and under receive free admission with the purchase of an adult ticket. Experience a host of imaginative activities including a Prince, Princess and Pirate Costume Contest, a Royal Quest, knighting ceremonies and photos with the King and Queen. For the whole family, there’s medieval rides, games of skill, live performers and jousting tournaments, as well as vendors selling food and drinks, and a marketplace featuring all kinds of fantastical wares.
Adult tickets for Children’s Weekend cost $19.50 online, $21 at the box office.
2. Dormont Doggie Dip at the Dormont Pool: September 4
Bring your four-legged family members for a day of poolside fun for the annual Dormont Doggie Dip. Presented by Humane Animal Rescue, the event invites pups of all shapes and sizes to take a swim in the Dormont Pool. Throughout the day, there will be separate swim sessions for small dogs 30 pounds and under and large dogs weighing 60 pounds or more, as well as an open session for all dogs. There will also be basket raffles and pet-related vendors for the whole family. Spectators are welcome to come and watch all the furry fun.
The small dog session runs from 3:45-5 p.m. followed by the all-dog session from 5:15-6:30 p.m. and the large dog session from 6:45-8:00 p.m. Online pre-registration costs $25 per dog, $35 on the day of the event. All proceeds benefit Humane Animal Rescue and the Borough of Dormont.
3. Britsburgh Festival: September 5-10
Have a jolly good time during the third annual Britsburgh Festival. The latest festival features more than 20 events throughout Pittsburgh dedicated to showcasing British culture and cuisine. Boots will fly during the wellie throwing competition, just one of the all-ages challenges at the family sports day, along with sack racing, three-legged races, and egg and spoon races. Take the kids to see a Beatrix Potter impersonator read about Peter Rabbit and his friends at the Millvale Community Library, don your finest for a fancy dress competition, or take in a game of cricket, rugby or football. There’s also live music and Shakespeare performances at Hartwood Acres Mansion, historical walking tours, tea parties and much more.
Admission prices vary for Britsburgh events. Many are free and open to the public.
4. Let’s Move Family Fun Day at The Frick Pittsburgh: September 9
Enjoy hours of cool activities during Let’s Move Family Fun Day at The Frick Pittsburgh. Find your way through a wacky obstacle course or play some outdoor adventure Bingo on the Frick trails. Head inside for a tour of the historic Henry Clay Frick family mansion, Clayton, one of the most intact Gilded Age homes in the country. You can also relax with some family-friendly yoga or make some memories in the photo booth.
Let’s Move Family Fun Day takes place from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.
5. Kids’ Day at Schenley Plaza: September 10
Uber visits Oakland for a special edition of Kids’ Day, an afternoon chock-full of free activities for children and families under the tent in Schenley Plaza. Experience Uber’s self-driving car, play some lawn games or take a free spin on the PNC Carousel. The event also includes free performances by WYEP Reimagination artists, Sophia Blake and Nadia Huber, Sunburst School of Music and Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, as well as other fun stuff like face painting and a balloon artist.
Kids’ Day takes place from 12-4 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. Registration is required.
