For students around the city, it’s time to head back to the classroom for another school year. Whether you’re a parent who’s celebrating or mourning the end of summer vacation, this weekend is a chance to spend some free time with family — or get a break for yourself. Here are some things to do.
Squirrel Hill Night Market
Come to Squirrel Hill for a fun-filled night Saturday, the second of this year’s three Squirrel Hill Night Markets, now in their 11th season.
The street festival will include food trucks and delicious eats from neighborhood restaurants, more than 100 crafters from the I Made It! Market, a full schedule of live music and entertainment, and a chance to connect with neighbors, community members, local clubs and organizations.
The event shuts down Murray Avenue between Forbes and Beacon avenues so attendees can roam free through the business district. The event is from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday. Learn more at imadeitmarket.com. (The last night market is Sept. 26, if you’re a planner.)
Zoo Brew
Take a trip back in time for this prehistoric-themed 21+ event at the Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium in Highland Park.
The event includes a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages on sample throughout the Zoo, from beer to wine to cider to spirits and beyond. As attendees wander the nighttime Zoo, they’ll see both live animals and animatronic dinosaurs in what one can assume to be their natural habitat.
The night will also include yard games, animal ambassador encounters and live music. Food trucks will be there with food for purchase to supplement your samples. Tickets for zoo members are $60, and $65 for non-members. The event is 6:30 to 10 p.m. Saturday, with last entry at 8 p.m., all at the Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium. To learn more and get tickets, visit pittsburghzoo.org.
Koe Wetzel
Country-rock star Koe Wetzel returns to Pittsburgh this weekend to perform at the Petersen Events Center in Oakland.
Wetzel has released seven studio albums since 2015, including “The Night Champion,” which was released in June and lends its name to this tour. Just this year, he’s charted three singles on the Billboard Country charts, including “Jaded” featuring current radio it-girl Ella Langley.
The show is 6:45 p.m. Friday at the Petersen Events Center. To learn more and get tickets, visit axs.com.
‘Assassins’
Experience one of Stephen Sondheim’s most controversial and underrated musicals at the Greer Cabaret Theater this weekend.
Produced by Rogue Artists Theatre of Pittsburgh, the show explores the histories and minds of America’s assassins. From John Wilkes Booth to Lee Harvey Oswald to Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme, this show explores the depths of these high-profile killers and attempted killers.
Performances are 7:30 p.m. Friday; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday; and 2 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday at the Greer Cabaret Theater in Downtown Pittsburgh. To get tickets, visit trustarts.org.
Garlic Festival
It’s pretty unbelievable that we haven’t had a garlic festival in Pittsburgh until now, but fortunately, that oversight will be corrected this weekend. The first-ever Pittsburgh Garlic Festival, benefiting the South Hills Interfaith Movement, is Sunday.
Included in the festival will be garlic for sale, both in seed form for planting and in several delicious bulb varieties, educational talks on how to plant and harvest the pungent aromatic, homemade ultimate garlic alfredo pasta, and, for dessert, honey-roasted garlic ice cream with balsamic glaze. There will also be live music, raffles and other fun festival activities.
Follow the garlicky scent to Flora Park in Bethel Park from noon to 3 p.m. Sunday. The festival is free, but attendees are encouraged to bring goods such as shelf-stable foods, cat food, diapers and more to donate to SHIM. To learn more, visit dougoster.com.