This weekend is a big dill for Yinzers: We’ve got Picklesburgh, library pickle-themed events, the opening of a new play, and so much more family fun. While summer may have just passed the halfway mark, there is still plenty of time left to enjoy all the city has to offer for families.

Also, don’t forget that the Great Pittsburgh Book Crawl kicks off on Saturday! Get all the details here.

Grab your sunscreen and head to some of these great local events this weekend:

Thursday, July 16-Sunday, July 19: Picklesburgh

Picklesburgh goes beyond the dill pickle to celebrate all kinds of handcrafted food and artisan drinks featuring pickled ingredients from local chefs and restaurants. Don’t miss pickle-themed snacks and merchandise, fun contests and entertainment. This year’s festival footprint moves into Arts Landing and Market Square. Festival admission is free.

Photo courtesy of the Downtown Pittsburgh Partnership.

Friday, July 17: Picklesburgh at the Penn Hills Library, 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. 

If your family isn’t quite up for the hubbub of Downtown fun, this library event is great for kids up to grade 5. Library staff will lead guests in creating a variety of swag items and pickle-themed crafts. There will also be pickle-flavored treats to enjoy. Register here. (And if the grownups aren’t totally pickled-out by evening, don’t miss Pickle! At the Silent Disco at the Plaza at North Shore, where you can dance the night away while sipping the viral Dua Lipa Diet Coke. Details and tickets here.)

Friday, July 17: Opening of “The Tempest” at Carrie Blast Furnace, 7:30 p.m.

Is there anything more Pittsburgh than a play staged at a steel mill? Quantum Theatre brings Shakespeare’s “The Tempest” to the dramatic setting of Carrie Blast Furnaces from July 17 through Aug. 23, with performances Tuesday through Sunday at 7:30 p.m. The production marks founder and artistic director Karla Boos’ final show with the company after 36 years, making this site-specific performance a memorable summer theater experience for families with older kids and teens. Find more information here.

Friday, July 17-Sunday, July 19: Wildflower Fest at Freedom Farms

Pick a take-home bouquet of flowers, meet farm animals and treat little ones to a pony ride. Kids can swing high in the air, navigate the sunflower maze and dive into a giant corn pit. Expect local food vendors, live music and arts-and-crafts. This event also runs the following weekend, July 24-26. Admission is $20 for the first weekend, $10 for the second weekend.

Saturday, July 18: Sweetwater Blooms, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

This summer, Sweetwater Center for the Arts celebrates its third-annual Blooms Market, spotlighting and providing a platform for local artists and vendors. Don’t miss it this Saturday (and again on Aug. 15 and Sept. 19) on Bank Street between Broad and Walnut Streets in Sewickley. Families can enjoy a day of shopping, creativity and community, while supporting over 35 local sellers, including artisan, food and floral vendors. Get all the details here.

Blooms photo courtesy of Sweetwater Center for the Arts.

Saturday, July 18: Read to Dream Experience at the August Wilson African American Cultural Center, 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. 

The Read To Dream Experience invites families to explore books that encourage children to be bold, imaginative and inspired. This free afternoon event celebrates summer reading and helps kids discover stories that open up new worlds. Find more information on participating here.

Courtesy of the August Wilson African American Cultural Center.

Saturday, July 18: Brighton Heights Book Fair, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

If you miss the nostalgia of an elementary school book fair, this event is the perfect way to spend a Saturday. The Brighton Heights Citizens Federation hosts the neighborhood’s first-ever Brighton Heights Book Fair at Legion Park. Attendees can browse books, celebrate reading and enjoy a community gathering designed for book lovers of all ages. Find more information here.

Saturday, July 18-Sunday, 19: Vintage Grand Prix Race Weekend at Schenley Park

The Motorsport Festival offers races and car shows perfect for any kiddo (or adult) with a need for speed. The International Car Show will display nearly 3,000 classic, antique and exotic vehicles. Browse sponsor tents, check out new cars, grab a bite at the food court, cool off in the UPMC Cooling Tent or relax while the kids have fun at the Peoples Gas Kids’ Tent. Weekend tickets are $20, free for ages 12 and younger.

Courtesy of Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix

Sunday, July 19: Little Minnows Storytime at White Whale Books, 10:15 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.

Little ones can settle in for a cozy, themed storytime at White Whale Bookstore, offered every other Sunday. This story time is designed for kids ages 2 and up. The sessions feature engaging read-alouds centered on community, Black joy and seasonal themes. This event is free and welcomes families to  explore a gentle, low-key way to build early literacy. Find more info here.

Sunday, July 19: Shaler North Hills Library Touch-a-Truck, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Shaler North Hills Library’s annual Touch-a-Truck event rolls into its new 2026 location at Scott Primary School in Glenshaw this weekend. Kids and families will have a chance to get up close with work vehicles and celebrate the people who help keep the community moving. This event is free and no registration is required.

Sunday, July 19: World Cup Fan Zone at Acrisure Stadium, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

The Pennsylvania World Cup Fan Zone returns to Acrisure Stadium this weekend for a free, all-ages soccer celebration. Families will have a chance to  enjoy World Cup viewing with other fans for an exciting vibe. There will also be  youth soccer clinics, live music, family-friendly activities and interactive fan experiences on Pittsburgh’s North Shore. Find all the details here.

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