Whether you’ve gotten the first few days of school under your belt or are settling in to other new fall routines, this three-day weekend offers lots to do.

This weekend, it’s also important to take a few moments and remember the workers who have shaped our country (you can even take in a parade to honor them!). Start your Labor Day weekend planning with these family-friendly ideas:

Weekends through Oct. 4: Pittsburgh Renaissance Festival

Step into the village of Morelandshire for jousting, costumed performers, artisan vendors, medieval rides, games, food and themed weekend fun. The festival runs Saturdays, Sundays and Labor Day Monday from 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. in West Newton. Tickets are $27 for adults and $12 for kids ages 5-12 at the box office; kids under 5 get in free.

Photo courtesy of Pittsburgh Renaissance Festival.

Friday, Sept. 4-Sunday, Sept. 6: Pittsburgh Soul Food Festival in Downtown Pittsburgh

Head downtown for A Soulful Taste of the Burgh, a free Labor Day weekend festival celebrating Pittsburgh’s Black culinary history and food businesses. The festival fills Stanwix Street and Liberty Avenue with more than 100 small business vendors and soul food purveyors, plus live entertainment, cultural activities, craft vendors and a BBQ contest. Evening performances begin at 8:30 p.m. Find more info on music and vendors at Visit Pittsburgh.

Friday, Sept. 4-Sunday, Sept. 6: “Romeo & Juliet” at South Park Theatre

A group of talented young Pittsburgh-area performers will take the stage alongside professional actors to bring Shakespeare to life onstage for local audiences in South Park Theatre’s production of “Romeo & Juliet.” The production runs Sept. 4–6 (shows on Friday and Saturday begin at 7 p.m.  and Sunday’s matinee begins at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15, available at the door only. Details here.

Photo courtesy of South Park Theatre.

Friday, Sept. 4: Super Science at CLP Allegheny, 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Get curious at Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s Allegheny branch during this hands-on STEM program for kids in kindergarten through fifth grade. A read-aloud is paired with high-quality science activities designed to spark inquiry, wonder and excitement about a new science topic. Find more info on the library event page.

Friday, Sept. 4: Crows + Trinkets HOT Jam at Pittsburgh Glass Center, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Head to Pittsburgh Glass Center for a free evening of glassmaking, art and crow-inspired fun with the National Aviary. Watch artists sculpt glowing glass birds at the furnace, see a molten glass nest come to life, meet National Aviary experts and try hands-on activities, including make-your-own glass eggs or bird-themed suncatchers. (Note: Some make-it-now activities have age minimums and may cost extra.) Find the full details here.

Courtesy of Pittsburgh Glass Center.

Saturday, Sept. 5: Muddy Dash Pittsburgh, 8 a.m. 

Want to get a little bit muddy together at this untimed 5K obstacle course in Butler? There will be mud pits, slides, foam, music and a post-race party. The event runs from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., with a pre-party beginning at 7 a.m. Younger racers should run with a parent, and spectators are welcome. Find information on pricing and tickets here. Free registration is currently available, so sign up early.

Saturday, Sept. 5: Cloudy with a Chance of Chemistry at Kamin Science Center, 2:30 p.m.

Watch science come alive at the Kamin Science Center’s Live Demonstration Theaters, where experiments and shows run all day long. This 2:30 p.m. program explores weather and climate through chemistry, digging into the reactions that shape the atmosphere and influence the forecast we experience every day. Expect an up-close science experience where kids can get up close and personal. The program takes place in the Works Theater on the fourth floor and is included with general admission. Find info on this event and the day’s schedule here.

Courtesy of the Kamin Science Center.

Saturday, Sept. 5: Read to a Mystery Pal at Penn Hills Library, 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Stop by Penn Hills Library to receive a Reader Badge, then read to a surprise “Mystery Pal” stationed somewhere around the library. Choose one of the library’s grade-level books or bring a favorite from home for a cozy reading session with an unexpected listener. This event is free and details can be found here.

Monday, Sept. 7: Pittsburgh Labor Day Parade in Downtown Pittsburgh, 10 a.m.

Celebrate Labor Day at one of the country’s largest and oldest Labor Day parades, organized by the Allegheny-Fayette Central Labor Council. The parade steps off at 10 a.m. Downtown, with union members, labor groups and community supporters marching through the city. Visit Pittsburgh has all the info here.

Monday, Sept. 7: KidzStix Cardio Drumming at Penn Hills Library, 1:30 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Get moving at Penn Hills Library during this high-energy drumming and dance program led by certified fitness instructor Coleen Bortz. Designed for children in kindergarten through fifth grade, the free program blends rhythm, movement and fitness into a quick 30-minute library workout. Find info here.

There’s so much happening this fall in Pittsburgh, from events to news stories and free help for local families. Sign up for our newsletter so you’re always in the loop.