The month of October has become a season in itself, brimming with Halloween events for Pittsburgh kids. You can visit farms to hop on a tractor to the pumpkin fields, head to a Jack-o-Lantern Extravanganza or enjoy outdoor movie screenings. Or dress up in costume for a themed afternoon tea, Halloween parties and more seasonal celebrations.
We’ve gathered a list of all the Halloween-related events that tone down the frightening bits to keep the fun kid-friendly. Scroll on to find the most exciting (but not-so-spooky!) activities for your little monsters!
Through Oct. 4: Laser K-Pop Demon Hunters, Kamin Science Center. Dazzling lasers, harmonic melodies, and catchy lyrics you can’t help but sing along to. Tickets are $7, separate from Science Center admission.
Through Oct. 25: Trax Farms Fall Festival. The festival operates on weekends with hayrides, pumpkin picking, a three-acre maze, yard games and farm animals. Festival admission is free. Hayrides are $12 online, $14 onsite, free for ages 2 and younger.
Photo courtesy of Harvest Farm.
Through Oct. 30: Harvest Valley Farms Fall Festival. October weekends transform the working farm into a pick-your-own pumpkin festival with a straw tunnel, hayrides, cornstalk maze and corn pit. Live music, food and craft beer will keep the grownups entertained. Admission is free with activities individually priced.
Through Oct. 31: Miniature Railroad & Village Scavenger Hunt, Kamin Science Center. Miniature Jack-o’-lanterns will be hidden throughout the Miniature Railroad display. How many can your family find? The scavenger hunt is included with general admission.
Through Oct. 31: Freedom Farms Fall Festival. Visit the farm on October weekends (plus Columbus/Indigenous Peoples Day) for tractor rides, a challenging corn maze, corn pit, hay mountain, petting zoo and pick-your-own sunflowers, with a Trunk-or-Treat planned for Oct. 25. Military Appreciation Day takes place on Oct. 24, with free admission for military, vets, police, fighters and EMS workers and their families. On Oct. 25, moms are admitted free for Moms Appreciation Day. Festival admission is $10, free for ages 3 and younger. The Pumpkin Patch, pony rides and face painting are priced separately.
Photo courtesy of Idlewild Park.
Through Oct. 31: HalloBoo!, Idlewild Park. Come in costume to trick-or-treat through Story Book Forest, hop on your favorite rides, and enjoy special seasonal entertainment like the Castle Creatures Monster Party, plus Foam Parties and Bubble Blasts. More than 40 rides will be operating during HalloBoo! Have a giggle with daily meet-and-greets and story time with Spookley the Square Pumpkin. Experience fun surprises wandering through the Mystic Wilds Jungle Maze or find your way through the more traditional Corn Maze. HalloBoo! operates on Saturdays and Sundays. Admission starts at $34.99.
Photo courtesy of Fun Fore All.
Through Oct. 31: Trick-or-Treat Mini Golf, Fun Fore All. Combine trick-or-treat with a Halloween-themed round of mini-golf. Kids can show off their costumes and golf skills on the creepy course and receive a trick-or-treat bag of goodies. Admission is $13 for grownups and older kids, $10 for kids ages 3-12, ages 2 and younger are free with a paying adult. Ten percent of admissions go to Rowan Elementary PTA.
Through Nov. 1: Simmons Farms Fall Festival, Simmons Farms. Activities include pumpkin, apple and flower picking, a 100-foot mega slide, petting zoo, hayrides, duck races and human hamster wheels. Activity wristbands are $19-$24, free for kids measuring less than 33 inches.
Photo by Sally Quinn.
Through Nov. 1: Phantom Fall Fest, Kennywood Park. The annual Halloween event features over 30 rides and attractions with family fun during the day and super-scary zones after dark. Admission starts at $30.
Through Nov. 1: Fall Fest, Soergel Orchard. Weekends will be programmed with games and activities, tractor rides, flower picking, pumpkin and apple picking, plus great food. Friday night hayrides begin Oct. 2. Weekday afternoons include flower, pumpkin and apple picking. Admission is free with individual activities priced separately.
Through Nov. 1: Triple B Farms Fall Festival, Triple B Farms. Explore the Big Boo Barn, ride Scootin’ Scooters and play a game of Grain Bin Basketball. Other entertainment includes the Singing Chicken Show, hayrides and two corn mazes. Activity wristbands are $18.
Photo courtesy of Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership.
Oct. 1-11: Oktoberfest Pittsburgh, Downtown. Oktoberfest returns for its third year with new and returning attractions, including the Ferris Wheel on the Clemente Bridge, Weiner Dog Races and Kinderplay activities for the kiddies. Find the complete schedule here.
Oct. 2-Nov. 1: Jack O’Lantern Extravaganza, Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium. This family-friendly night-time event is the perfect combination of fun, the spirit of autumn and artistry. Over 3,500 hand-carved pumpkins offer a dazzling walk-through display. Tickets are $24-$26 for grownups, $18-$20 for ages 2-13.
Photo courtesy of Omni William Penn Hotel.
Oct. 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 24, 25: Trick or Tea – Halloween Afternoon Tea, Omni William Penn Hotel. The Terrace Room is transformed in a spooky makeover for Trick or Tea. Guests will enjoy a themed selection of tea sandwiches and decadent desserts. Costumes and festive attire are encouraged. Reservations are $65 for grownups, $35 for kids.
Oct. 3-4, 10-11, 17-18: Autumnfest, Seven Springs. Family fun includes live musical entertainment, chairlift rides, the alpine slide, pumpkin patch and the Kids Zone of activities. Admission is free, with fees for individual activities.
Photo courtesy of Freedom Farms.
Oct. 3-4, 10-12, 17-18, 24-25: Freedom Farms Fall Fest, Valencia. The fall fun includes tractor rides, a challenging corn maze, corn pit, hay mountain, the graveyard, petting zoo and pick-your-own sunflowers. Additional fees are required for activities like pony rides and face painting. Admission is $10, free for ages 3 and younger. Military Appreciation Day is Oct. 24, moms are free on Oct. 25, when the Trunk-or-Treat is planned.
Oct. 4: Game Show Halloween Bash, Oaks Theater. Join O’Ryan the O’Mazing, Weird Eric and the hilarious Harmon Bros. for an interactive, family-friendly Halloween experience packed with entertainment from start to finish. Kids are encouraged to come dressed in their Halloween costumes and get ready to participate in the games. Tickets are $20, free for ages 2 and younger.
Oct. 4 and 18, Nov. 1: Kids Days, Haunted Acres Manor. The super scary Haunted Acres Manor offers special afternoon Kids Days with a lights-on, scare-free haunted house walk-through, maze admission, touch-a-trucks, meet and greets with special characters and midway photo-ops. Admission is $15, which includes a craft, a game ticket and special treats.
Image courtesy of Kamin Science Center.
Oct. 5-31: Laser Family Halloween, Kamin Science Center. You’re in for a ghoulish good time with the whole family. Do the Monster Mash and the Time Warp and enjoy eerie classics such as “Thriller” and “Superstition” under the lasers. Tickets are $7.
Image courtesy of Kamin Science Center.
Oct. 5-31: Laser “Stranger Things,” Kamin Science Center. Take a trip to the upside-down in the safety of the dome. Experience the ’80s tunes and soundscapes from the entire series reinterpreted in vibrant laser light. Tickets are $7.
Oct. 8-25: “Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors,” Little Lake Theatre Company. Bram Stoker meets Mel Brooks in this hysterical fast-paced farce full of wordplay, quick changes and absurd antics. Whether your kids love spooky stories or silly comedy, this fang-tastic spoof will have you howling. Best for age 13 and older. Tickets are $25 for grownups, $15 for ages 18 and younger.
Image courtesy of Columbia Pictures.
Oct. 9, 10, 16 and 17: Halloween Movies in the Park, Allegheny County Parks. “Monster House” (PG) and “Sixth Sense” (PG-13) will play as double features at 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. at Hartwood Acres (Oct. 9), White Oak Park (Oct. 10), Round Hill Park (Oct.16), and Deer Lakes Park (Oct. 17). Pack chairs, blankets and snacks for these free admission screenings.
Photo courtesy of the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum.
Oct. 9-11, 16-18: Magic Pumpkin Trolley, Pennsylvania Trolley Museum. Plant a magic pumpkin seed, and then, after a trolley ride through beautiful fall scenery, your pumpkin seed will have magically grown to its full pumpkin size. Other activities include pumpkin decorating, complimentary refreshments and interactive exhibits. A sensory-sensitive session is planned for Oct. 9. Tickets are $23 for grownups, $22 for seniors and kids free for ages 2 and younger.
Oct. 10: Special Effects Makeup, MuseumLab. Learn tips and tricks the professionals use in this hands-on, special effects makeup crash course. Get started on your Halloween transformation into a gruesome creature or magical beauty in this two-hour workshop. Participants must be 9 years or older. Registration is $15.
Oct. 11: Monster Brass Bash, New Hazlett Theater. River City Brass Band and the Children’s Museum present a special, family-friendly afternoon packed with music and creativity. Free, hands-on activities run from noon-5 p.m. The 3 p.m. concert features spooky, familiar favorites from “Ghostbusters,” “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” “Harry Potter” and “Jaws.” Concert tickets are $35 for grownups, $25 for kids.
Photo courtesy of Disney.
Oct. 11: “Hocus Pocus” Cinebrunch, Oaks Theater. The Halloween classic screening includes a pre-movie brunch of a breakfast sandwich, bacon or sausage, hash browns, a donut from Oakmont Bakery and beverage. Advance tickets are $25. Deadline is Oct. 9.
Oct. 15: Little Historians Storytime: Halloween, Heinz History Center. Tiny witches and wizards are invited to get into the Halloween spirit. Enjoy spell-binding tales, sweet treats, and spooky crafts designed especially for little learners. Costumes are encouraged. Admission is $20 for grownups, $18 for seniors, free for ages 17 and younger.
Image courtesy of The Frick Pittsburgh.
Oct. 15 and 16: Spooky Spirits Walk, Frick Pittsburgh. Explore the macabre, haunting history of Pittsburgh’s East End on a guided walk of the Frick grounds. From the city’s link to the “crime of the century” to the real-life origins of the city’s most enduring urban legends, discover the darker side of the East End. Two drink vouchers and a sweet treat are included in the cost of the ticket. Registration for the Oct. 15 or Oct. 16 session. Tickets are $55 for grownups and $25 for students.
Oct. 16: Monster Mystery Family Night, Kamin Science Center. A mischievous monster stole all the Halloween candy. Help solve this mystery together with your family and friends using real forensic techniques to find the culprit. Come dressed in costume and explore all five floors after hours. Tickets are $20 for teens and grownups, $10 for kids.
Oct. 16-17, 23-24: Creatures of the Night, Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve. The Audubon Society’s annual Halloween event, running on Fridays and Saturdays, invites families to come in costume to learn about nocturnal creatures while led along a wooded path by a larger-than-life costumed firefly. Along the way, you’ll meet a great horned owl, flying squirrel and little brown bat. Expect treats, too. Online registration is $15, free for those younger than 2.
Oct. 16, 19-22: “Beetlejuice,” Row House Lawrenceville. You remember the story: A newly dead New England couple seeks help from a deranged demon exorcist to scare an affluent New York family out of their home. Catch it again on the big screen. Rated PG. Tickets are $12.50.
Oct. 17: Community Campfire, Lower Frick Park. Campfire and sticks will be provided for your own roast-ables and toast-ables. Bring blankets and chairs, as seating is limited. The evening will feature lawn games, pumpkin painting for kids and live music. Registration is $5 for ages 4 and older.
Photo courtesy of Allegheny County Parks.
Oct. 17: Punkin Chunkin and Bark-or-Treat, Hartwood Acres. Join the Allegheny County Parks Department and SHARP Robotics from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. to watch as pumpkins are launched across the amphitheater field at Hartwood Acres Park by a full-size trebuchet. Bring pups in their best costumes to celebrate Howl-o-Ween at the free Bark or Treat event, noon-2 p.m. at the Hartwood Acres dog park. Expect treats, tricks and tennis balls. Registration is recommended for Punkin Chunkin and Bark or Treat to ensure there are enough supplies.
Photo courtesy of Pittsburgh Glass Center.
Oct. 17: Great Glass Pumpkin Make-It-Now, Pittsburgh Glass Center. Make a glass pumpkin ($45 for ages 5 and older) in any color or create a fused suncatcher ($35 for ages 8 and older) or flame-worked glass candy ($30 for ages 8 and older). The experience is an opportunity to try glassmaking with the assistance of a local artist. Activities range from 20 minutes for glassblowing, flame-working and sandblasting to up to an hour for fusing. Registration is required.
Oct. 17: “King Kong,” Rangos Giant Cinema. Explore the mysterious Skull Island with Carl Denham and his crew as they discover the terrifying beast that resides there. The 1933 film is rated PG. Admission is $12.
Oct. 17: Haunted Trail at Camp Guyasuta, Sharpsburg. Gather around a bonfire, stroll the haunted trail and hop on a hayride. The no-scare session runs from 3-6 p.m. Advance tickets are $25, $30 at the gate.
Oct. 17-18: Mask Making Workshop, MuseumLab. Make a custom mask using cosplay techniques, including heat-shaping EVA foam. Get ready for Halloween, your next Con, or your top-secret superhero alter-ego. Participants must be 9 years or older. Registration is $15.
Photo courtesy of Pittsburgh Monster Pumpkins Festival.
Oct. 17-18: Pittsburgh Monster Pumpkins Festival, Strip District. From a pie-eating contest and giant pumpkin sculptures to a floating pumpkin regatta, this festival celebrates all things pumpkin. Admission is free.
Oct. 17-18 and 24-25: Owl-O-Ween, National Aviary. This owl-themed Halloween party includes crafts, bird meets and goody bags. Wear a costume and pick up treats throughout the day. Activities included with aviary admission.
Photo courtesy of Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium.
Oct. 17-18, 24-25: ZooBoo, Pittsburgh Zoo. Enjoy daytime trick-or-treating throughout the zoo, work on fun crafts and meet favorite costumed characters. Activities included in zoo admission.
Oct: 18: Children’s Harvest Festival, Oliver Miller Homestead. Harvest time in the 18th century wasn’t all work, no play. It was an opportunity for communities to get together and enjoy each other’s company. This family-friendly event places an emphasis on children’s games, crafts, music and a giant leaf pile. Admission is $2.
Image courtesy of Universal Pictures.
Oct. 22: “Casper,” Row House Lawrenceville. Casper is a kind young ghost who peacefully haunts a mansion in Maine. When specialist James Harvey arrives to communicate with Casper and his fellow spirits, he brings along his teenage daughter, Kat. Rated PG. Admission is $12.50.
Oct. 22-25: Campfire Ghost Stories, Allegheny County Parks. Fall nights and spooky season set the scene for family-friendly ghost stories and songs by the glow of a roaring campfire. Halloween costumes are encouraged. Head to North Park, Settlers Cabin Park, Boyce Park or Harrison Hills Park. No registration required.
Courtesy of the Carnegie Museum of Natural History.
Oct. 23: Sensory-Friendly Trick or Treat, Carnegie Museum of Natural History. Kids of all ages and abilities can wear their favorite costumes to listen to Halloween stories, enjoy apple cider and other tasty treats, and get a closer look at dioramas, fossils and minerals in a relaxed setting. Tickets are $16.
Oct. 23: Boo! A Sensory-Friendly Halloween, Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh. This special Halloween event is designed with a focus on providing a sensory-friendly environment. Registration is $8, free for ages 2 and younger.
Oct. 23: A Boo-tanical Bash, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. Little ghosts and goblins can come to the conservatory in costume for an evening of festive activities. Free with regular admission.
Oct. 23: Candlelight: A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics, Trinity Episcopal Cathedral. Pieces include “Tubular Bells,” “Stranger Things” theme, “Night on Bald Mountain” and the “Ghostbusters” theme. Tickets start at $36.
Photo courtesy of Point Park University.
Oct. 23-Nov. 1: Fall Fest, Point Park University. This community street festival includes food, crafts, and games. Grab a bite or a drink, paint a pumpkin, and win prizes at this fun-filled fall outing perfect for all ages. Admission is free.
Oct. 23-Nov. 1: “Boo’s Halloween House Party,” Pittsburgh Playhouse. This frightfully fun family musical is filled with music, dancing, laughter and Halloween thrills for little monsters, grown-up ghouls, and everyone in between. Tickets start at $23.
Photo courtesy of Carnegie Library.
Oct. 24: Something Wicked on Wabash, Carnegie Library—West End. Kids are invited to wear costumes and join the library to celebrate Halloween with spooky crafts, snacks and music. Free for all ages. Details here.
Oct. 24: Halloween Fun Cruise, Gateway Clipper Fleet. Calling all ghosts, ghouls, and goblins to come aboard for an afternoon river cruise and a ghostly good time. Admission is $37 for grownups, $26 for ages 3-12, free for ages 2 and younger.
Photo courtesy of Carnegie Science Center.
Oct. 24: “Ghostbusters” CerealCinema, Row House Lawrenceville. Enjoy a seasonal cereal bar of sugary, Halloween-y cereals prior to the screening. Rated PG. Tickets are $18.50.
Oct. 24: Monster Mash Bash: Family Halloween Party, Carnegie Library—Lawrenceville. Join the library for dancing, tricks, treats and spooky fun. Planned for grades K-5. Free. Details here.
Oct. 24: Track and Treat for Kids, Bud Harris Cycling Track. This free annual Citiparks event combines family fun with a focus on a healthy lifestyle. Bring bicycles or borrow a bike on-site to pedal around the track. Track and Treat includes bike safety lessons, a bike decorating station, games and a costume contest. Keep the energy up with refreshments and great eats from food trucks.
Photo courtesy of Pennsylvania Trolley Museum.
Oct. 24 and 25: Trick or Trolley, Pennsylvania Trolley Museum. Costumed kids are invited to trick-or-treat among the antique streetcars in the Trolley Display Building. Admission is $23 for grownups, $22 for seniors and free for ages 17 and younger.
Oct. 24 and 25: Screen-Printed Treat Bags, MuseumLab. Kids can collect Halloween treats in style with a special bag. They will use screen-printing techniques and fabric paint to design a tote bag. Participants must be 9 years or older. Registration is $15.
Photo courtesy of Allegheny County Parks.
Oct. 24 and 25: Trunk-or-Treat, Allegheny County Parks. Join the annual Halloween candy and car cruise revelry from 2-4 p.m. at South Park on Oct. 24 and Hartwood Acres on Oct. 25. All participants are encouraged to wear costumes and decorate their vehicles in the spirit of Halloween. Those interested in passing out candy can register here. Trick-or-treaters do not require registration.
Oct. 25: Haunted History Center Halloween, Heinz History Center. Families can celebrate Halloween with a day of tricks, treats, and frightful fun throughout all six floors of the History Center. Haunted History Center Halloween will feature a Spooky Slime Lab with the Steel City Ghostbusters, complimentary sweet treats from Grandpa Joe’s Candy Shop, a haunted scavenger hunt, a Monster Mash dance party and eerie archival materials, and more. Admission is $20 for grownups, $18 for seniors, free for ages 17 and younger.
Oct. 27: Costume Props 101, MuseumLab. Explore techniques for making costume props using tape and recycled materials, then paint your prop to bring it to life. The 101 sessions are intended for middle schoolers (grades 6-8) to try new tools, materials and processes. Registration is $7.
Oct. 28: HallowZINE, Carnegie Library Main. Drawing on Halloween themes like fear, folklore, monsters, and dark imagination, this session invites creative exploration through art, collage and words to create the third HallowZINE. This free program is designed for teens.
Photo courtesy of Disney Music.
Oct. 28: Disney Descendants, ZOMBIES & Camp Rock: Worlds Collide Concert Tour, PPG Arena. Fans will experience a night packed with hit songs from all three franchises, brought together in a brand-new production with fresh mashups and fan-favorite songs. Come dressed as your favorite character and sing along all night. Tickets start at $53.
Oct. 30: Halloween Storytime and Costume Party, Pittsburgh Botanic Garden. Celebrate the spooky season with festive stories, crafts and a costume party. Come dressed in your costume for a Halloween-related read aloud and activities. Crafts and stories will begin promptly at 10am, followed by the parade. This program is free with admission, but registration is required.
Oct. 30: Not-So-Spooky Family Halloween, Pittsburgh Botanic Garden. Dress up in your favorite costume and join us to create thematic arts and crafts, learn about creepy critters and plants, and go trick or tree-ting at the various activity tables stationed throughout the Peirce Education Room and Garden of the Five Senses. Stop by the Canopy Café for delicious refreshments during extended hours. Activities included with general admission.
Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures.
Oct. 30-Nov. 1: “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1”: In Concert, Heinz Hall. With the full film shown on the big screen, the Pittsburgh Symphony performs the iconic score live. Rated PG-13. Tickets start at $43.
Oct. 31: Halloween Party, Carnegie Library – Knoxville. Kids and teens can celebrate the season with festive games, creative crafts and Halloween-themed activities in a fun, family-friendly environment. Costumes are encouraged. Details here.
Image courtesy of Kelly Strayhorn Theater.
Oct. 31: Pumpkin Palooza: An East Liberty Halloween Adventure, Kelly Strayhorn Theater. Kids can dress in their favorite costumes or just come as you are for an afternoon of tricks, treats and groovy beats. Families can enjoy candy, crafts and fun activities. Tickets are priced at pay-what-you-want from $0-$25.
Oct. 31: Attack Theatre presents Monster Machinery & Spooky Shapes: A Creative Movement Adventure for Grades K-5, Carnegie Library – Brookline. This high-energy Halloween workshop that explores the “scary” through the lens of movement and engineering. Free. Details here.
Image courtesy of Touchstone Pictures.
Oct. 31: Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare before Christmas” 3D, Rangos Giant Cinema. Take a trip to Halloween Town to visit Jack Skellington and his fright-inducing neighbors. Rated PG. Tickets are $12.