Halloween events are gearing up all around Pittsburgh. Whether you’re ready to dive headfirst into the season or you want a night away from pumpkins and ghosts, there’s something to do this weekend.

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus

Have an old-fashioned good time with the whole family at the high-flying, gasp-worthy circus this weekend. The circus is in town for three days at PPG Paints Arena.

Full of hilarious clowns, memorable performances and awe-inspiring moments, the circus is all about entertaining the next generation. The Greatest Show on Earth spans two hours and includes more than 85 performers showcasing amazing feats.

Shows will be held at 6 p.m. Friday; at 11 a.m., 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday; and at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Sunday, all at PPG Paints Arena. To learn more and get tickets, visit ppgpaintsarena.com.

Pumpkin Patch with a Purpose

For even more gourd-oriented fun, head to The Plaza at North Shore for the Pumpkin Patch with a Purpose. As part of its month-long Halloween series of events, the family-oriented, charitable event is for everyone to enjoy — and to do good this season.

Come out to pick the perfect pumpkin to carve and put on your porch. Proceeds from pumpkin sales go to the Women’s Center and Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh. It’s also a chance for great family and friend photos and fun activities like face painting for all ages.

The patch will be open from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday at The Plaza at North Shore. To learn more about its full schedule of spooky events, visit plazaatnorthshore.com.

Young Playwrights Festival

Enjoy an evening of plays and support young artists at the Young Playwrights Festival. The 27th annual festival contains six world premiere plays from young artists who are just getting started in theater.

Nearly 300 young writers submitted their plays, and these six were chosen to be produced at City Theatre Company on the South Side. The high school performances will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday and 6 p.m. Sunday, and the middle school performances will be held at 6 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday, all at the Lillie Theater. To learn more and get tickets or festival passes, visit citytheatrecompany.org.

Coffee and Chocolate Festival

Treat yourself to delicious food and decadent beverages at a festival that centers around coffee and chocolate.

The festival will be chock-full of chocolatiers, roasters, cafes, bakeries and other purveyors of these delicious treats. For even more indulgence, wineries and distilleries will also be selling their wares. Taste samples and don’t forget to buy treats to take home. There will also be celebrity appearances and non-food vendors.

The festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m Saturday at the Monroeville Convention Center. Get tickets at eventbrite.com.

Recession Party

Are you feeling like your paycheck isn’t buying as many groceries as it used to? Are gas prices getting you down? There’s not much to do about it but dance — which is what the crew at Bottlerocket Social Hall will be doing this weekend.

Party like it’s 2009 with $1 hot dogs and $3 shot specials, and dance the night away to “recession pop” — the lighthearted party bangers of the late 2000s, featuring Lady Gaga, Ke$ha, Rihanna and more, plus modern superstars like Bad Bunny and Sabrina Carpenter.

The event is free, and donations of canned goods are being accepted for local food banks. The party will be held at Bottlerocket Social Hall in Pittsburgh’s Allentown neighborhood starting at 9:30 p.m. on Saturday. To learn more, visit bottlerocketpgh.com.