{"id":154528,"date":"2026-04-01T18:04:18","date_gmt":"2026-04-01T18:04:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/154528\/"},"modified":"2026-04-01T18:04:18","modified_gmt":"2026-04-01T18:04:18","slug":"12-things-to-do-in-pittsburgh-this-weekend-april-2-5-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/154528\/","title":{"rendered":"12+ things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend, April 2-5, 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

What\u2019s going on in Pittsburgh this weekend, April 2-5? Find out here. Know of a cool event?\u00a0Email us<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Thursday, April 2-Saturday, April 4: SONA Immersive Storytelling Festival at Carnegie Mellon University
Various times
After its successful debut last year, this first-of-its-kind Pittsburgh festival returns to explore cutting-edge storytelling practices and wide-ranging themes. Highlighting the work of artists, filmmakers and creators working in VR, 360\u00b0 video and immersive media, SONA<\/a> also provides a \u201cplatform for diverse voices and groundbreaking stories that redefine the boundaries of storytelling and technology.\u201d Events are free and open to the public and include VR screenings, talks, workshops, artist Q&As, networking, a gala and more. <\/p>\n

Presented by CMU\u2019s Department of Languages, Cultures and Applied Linguistics, this year\u2019s program is centered on immersive documentary, Indigenous and Afrofuturist storytelling, and work exploring heritage and memory. Featured speakers include Uju Anya, Mame-Fatou Niang, Drew Davidson and J. Dakota Powell. New this year will be the Heritage Award category, with the inaugural prize being presented to Judi Alston and Andy Campbell for their immersive work on the 1984-85 British miners\u2019 strike. Other highlights include a Gala Prize Giving event on Friday and a Saturday evening after-party at the Commonwealth Press warehouse in Allentown. Information<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Thursday, April 2: Weird Monsters Art Show Opening Reception at Get Hip Recordings
6 p.m.
The monsters are due on Columbus Avenue. See how artists channel their perceptions about current events into creativity at this multimedia happening in Chateau. Be the first to see new work by Pittsburgh native Mike Gabriel, a Carnegie Mellon University graduate who also worked as a film projectionist for Pittsburgh Filmmakers. An artist, designer and musician based in San Francisco, Gabriel will share his latest \u201cMonster series,\u201d which digitally merged 50 classic Hollywood movie monsters with \u201cnew political fiends, despots, and creeps previously unseen lurking in the shadows of a corrupt administration.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gabriel has also designed album artwork for numerous record labels and was a member of the Pittsburgh-based garage band, Mount McKinleys (Get Hip Recordings). Open to all ages, the festivities<\/a> will feature performances by Tuff Sunshine and The Count McKinleys, plus a reading by NYC-based author Peter Aaron. Information<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"\"Zachary Keller and Helen Krushinski in \u201cWater for Elephants.\u201d Photo by Matthew Murphy for MurphyMade.<\/p>\n

Thursday, April 2-Sunday, April 5: \u201cWater for Elephants\u201d at the Benedum Center
7:30 p.m., 2 p.m., 1 p.m., 6:30 p.m.
Run away with the circus and fall in love for a night. If you loved Sara Gruen\u2019s bestselling novel, \u201cWater for Elephants,\u201d or you were glued to the film adaption starring Reese Witherspoon and Robert Pattinson, then it\u2019s time to hop aboard this new musical<\/a> in the Cultural District. It will be a journey for the ears, eyes and heart when this imaginative musical brings Gruen\u2019s historical romance to life on stage. You only have six more chances to experience the spellbinding show as part of the PNC Broadway in Pittsburgh series.<\/p>\n

Set in in Depression-era America, the gripping story follows a young veterinarian who experiences unimaginable loss after a family tragedy. Grief-stricken, he jumps onto a train \u201cthat turns out to be carrying a traveling circus and needs a medic for the animals.\u201d The show features a book by four-time Tony Award-nominee Rick Elice and a soaring score by acclaimed PigPen Theatre Co. The creative team features Tony Award-nominated director Jessica Stone. Tickets<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"\"Photo courtesy of Jurassic Quest.\"\"Photo courtesy of Brick Fest.<\/p>\n

Friday, April 3-Sunday, April 5: Jurassic Quest & Brick Fest at Monroeville Convention Center
9 a.m. to 8 p.m. & 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Gigantic animatronic dinosaurs will converge with millions of iconic colorful bricks all weekend in Monroeville. North America\u2019s largest and most scientifically accurate dinosaur experience gets supersized when it teams up with Brick Fest Live for the very first time. Be transported through 165 million years of history as \u201cmoving, roaring and breathing dinosaurs come alive in a fully immersive walk-through experience.\u201d <\/p>\n

Encounter 80 life-size dinosaurs brought to life in partnership with leading paleontologists using realistic likenesses, movements and sounds. Budding paleontologists can meet adorable baby dinosaurs, roam through the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods and become junior park rangers during scavenger hunts. Be dazzled by colossal creatures that once ruled planet Earth, from the towering T-Rex to the sky-scraping Spinosaurus. Check out real fossils like T-Rex teeth and a triceratops horn, see live dinosaur shows and don\u2019t miss the raptor training experience. The event also features the largest rideable dinosaurs in North America, interactive STEAM activities and a
Triceratots soft play area.<\/p>\n

The family fun continues with hands-on stations designed to spark creativity and play at Brick Fest Live. Start building with unlimited access to millions of bricks, join a Guinness World Record challenge to help create a massive floor mosaic and unleash your creativity in LEGO-themed play zones. Build your own derby car and race it down a thrilling 35-foot-long track, meet LEGO pros and join exhilarating brick challenges. Experiment with glow-in-the-dark bricks, check out rare LEGO merchandise, and see life-size models. The event also offers a Sensory Hour on Saturday morning with adjusted sound and lighting for families who benefit from a calmer environment. Tickets<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"\"Lucy Chen. Photo by Kitoko Chargois.<\/p>\n

Friday, April 3, & Saturday, April 4: \u201cDressed in Red\u201d at KST\u2019s Alloy Studios
7:30-9 p.m.
Audiences have the chance to experience the creative process in progress via the Kelly Strayhorn Theater\u2019s innovative Freshworks Residency Program. For its next installment, the KST welcomes artist Lucy Chen<\/a>, who will present her live work in progress and host a post-show discussion. Designed to for emerging artists and collaborators based in the greater Pittsburgh region, Freshworks supports interdisciplinary work in contemporary dance, theater, music and multimedia.<\/p>\n

With \u201cDressed in Red,\u201d dancer, choreographer and designer Chen draws upon her experiences growing up Asian American and half-Asian to explore femininity and societal expectations. Inspired by Classical Chinese dance and contemporary movement, the work reflects Chen\u2019s experiences of the \u201ccomplex relationship between how we see ourselves, how we present ourselves and how others see us.\u201d Tickets are offered at a \u201cpay what moves you\u201d scale<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Saturday, April 4: Artist in Residence Gallery Show at Pittsburgh Center for Creative Reuse
6-8 p.m.
Pittsburgh Center for Creative Reuse annual Artist in Residence presents its eighth annual featuring work by Sara Jean Ruiz. Don\u2019t miss Saturday night\u2019s free opening reception where attendees can meet the artist. Be the first to see her new exhibition titled, \u201cgrief is a beautiful name for a baby girl.\u201d About her creative process, Ruiz writes: \u201cIn this body of work, I use repurposed textiles and my own childhood images along with found images printed onto recycled fabrics to stitch together the felt memory of loss in its many forms.\u201d Through the work, gallery-goers will explore questions such as \u201cWhat does it mean to lose something, to lose someone? What fills in the space in your chest?\u201d Ruiz, who grew up in South Texas and has been based in Pittsburgh since 2023, will have her work on view at the center through June. As part of its mission, the North Point Breeze <\/a>nonprofit<\/a> operates a thrift shop focusing on sustainable art and craft supplies and vintage goods, and offers hands-on creative experiences for people of all ages. .<\/p>\n

\"\"Rainbow Lorikeet feeding at The National Aviary\u2019s Eggstravaganza. Photo by Adam Wilson.<\/p>\n

Friday, April 3, & Saturday, April 4: Eggstravaganza at The National Aviary
10:30 a.m. \u2013 3 p.m.
Hop on over to the North Side for this signature springtime celebration at The National Aviary. Have an egg-traordinary\u202fday as you explore the aviary\u2019s immersive habitats with themed activations. Snap photos with the Easter Bunny, make DIY egg crafts and learn about migration season and bird-safe glass. Play trivia and match games to learn about the science behind eggs; explore biofacts and meet the \u201cegg-sperts\u201d during avian talks in the FliteZone Theater. Flock to the springtime selfie station and book nook and hand in your completed scavenger hunt for a prize. Added bonus: Visit the Southern Three-banded Armadillo \u2014 longtime National Aviary animal ambassador, Willy\u2014 who has officially taken up residence in the Grasslands Habitat. Tickets<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Saturday, April 4: Northside Community in Bloom at the New Hazlett Theater
12-4 p.m.
Help the North Side emerge from hibernation at this . The New Hazlett Theater is throwing open the doors to its historic HQ to celebrate the long-awaited change of seasons. Lifelong North Siders, visitors, weekend adventurers and neighbors alike are invited to gather to experience \u201cwhat\u2019s sprouting in community\u2019s vibrant arts scene.\u201d Build your own stunning arrangement with the pros from The Farmer\u2019s Daughter Flowers, and participate in fun outdoor activities with the Children\u2019s Museum of Pittsburgh and MuseumLab. Watch the team at Crazy Fox Balloons turn air into art right before your eyes or get a fresh spring look with face painting by Patty Ewing. Take a guided tour of the historic theater and get an exclusive sneak peek at new work \u201cgrowing in the heart of Pittsburgh\u2019s Northside.\u201d .<\/p>\n

\"\"Photo courtesy of the Senator John Heinz History Center .<\/p>\n

Saturday, April 4: Vintage Pittsburgh Retro Fair at The Senator John Heinz History Center
10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Retro goods and rich history will converge for a day of vibrant shopping and discovery in the Strip District. Surrounded by local history, more than 50 vintage vendors and creative makers from around the region will be showcasing treasures, keepsakes and gems inside the Smithsonian\u2019s home in Pittsburgh. Everyone from Rust Belt Retro, The Ardent Forager and Yintage Vintage, to Archaic Allegheny, Toysburgh, Keystone Relics and many others will be on hand selling one-of-a-kind clothing, accessories, home d\u00e9cor, vinyl records, memorabilia and more. PGH Crepes and Main Squeeze food trucks will be parked in front of the museum, and Nedal Gyro and Piebird pastry kitchen will be located on the third floor. After shopping, explore six floors of exhibitions, including rare and never-before-seen objects and contemporary art. Tickets<\/a>. Read more about the retro fair<\/a> in NEXT.<\/p>\n

\"\"Film still courtesy of the HUMP! Film Festival.<\/p>\n

Friday, April 3, & Saturday, April 4: HUMP! Film Festival at The Parkway Theater
6:30 p.m. & 9 p.m.
Sex-positive storytelling is coming to the big screen in McKees Rocks. Founded in 2005 by sex advice columnist, author and LGBTQ community activist Dan Savage, HUMP! is a one-of-a-kind independent film festival<\/a> exploring the intersection of \u201cintimacy, humor and art.\u201d Riding back into town with a brand new lineup, HUMP is all about championing diversity, communal joy and fearless curation. Remaining staunchly true to its mission, the program showcases all body shapes, ages, colors, sexualities, genders, kinks and fetishes.<\/p>\n

What began as an informal call for Seattleites to anonymously submit homemade sex tapes has become a liberating and pioneering festival that continues to tour the globe each year. Every year, five-minute shorts are submitted by creators from around the world, and the HUMP! Jury selects \u201cthe best of the best to create joyful, sex-positive and inclusive feature-length lineups.\u201d Showcasing genre-bending adult cinema and ethical adult content creation, these \u201cerotic films by real people for real people\u201d are sure to spark conversations afterward. With no censoring, films are selected for \u201ccreativity, originality and emotional impact.\u201d Audience votes help award cash prizes to filmmakers, and a share of ticket sales goes to the performers. Read more about HUMP!<\/a> in NEXT. Tickets<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Friday, April 3, & Saturday, April 4: Quantum\u2019s Theatre\u2019s \u201c10 out of 12\u201d at the Mellon Institute
7:30 p.m. & 2 p.m.
What if you could step backstage behind the red velvet curtain without leaving your seat? With Quantum\u2019s latest inventive production<\/a>, theater lovers get a rare behind-the-scenes look at the \u201crhythms, joys, and frustrations of making theatre.\u201d Always pushing the boundaries of what defines live theater, Quantum takes the show to a whole new level with \u201c10 out of 12.\u201d Wearing headsets \u2014 the \u201cone-earpiece staple of stage managers everywhere\u201d \u2014 attendees will be able to literally \u201ceavesdrop\u201d on all the backstage drama. Written by acclaimed playwright Anne Washburn, the drama unfolds inside the Art Deco auditorium nestled below ground level in the foreboding Mellon Institute. Inside this local landmark, attendees will experience \u201cthe magical chaos of a tech rehearsal when lights, sound and costumes collide with nerves (and personalities) in anticipation of opening night.\u201d<\/p>\n

The play is directed by Andrew William Smith; its title refers to the Actors\u2019 Equity Association rule allowing members to work 10 hours within an intense 12-hour period during tech rehearsals. Quantum writes that \u201cWashburn\u2019s clever comedy is an ultimately moving love letter to the theater and to the people who work to create the beautiful, funny, unexpected worlds that live on the stage.\u201d During Saturday\u2019s Behind the Curtain preshow event, Mellon Institute Building and Facilities Manager Walter Pitts will share the site\u2019s history during a VIP tour. Tickets<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"\"Nois Saxophone Quartet. Photo Nick Zoulek.<\/p>\n

Saturday, April 4: Music on the Edge presents Nois Saxophone Quartet at the Andy Warhol Museum
8 p.m.
Take your ears to cutting-edge sonic terrains when Music on the Edge presents the culminating concert in its 2026 season. Fans of classical and contemporary music alike won\u2019t want to miss this special Pittsburgh debut of the Nois Saxophone Quartet. Celebrated for its \u201cprecision, adventurous programming and commitment to new music,\u201d the acclaimed Chicago-based ensemble will fill the intimate Warhol Theater with its dynamic sounds.<\/p>\n

Marking their first appearance with the MOTE series, the quartet is known for \u201cchampioning emerging and established composers through thoughtfully curated performances.\u201d Showcasing a diverse exploration of contemporary sounds, the program features works by Elijah Daniel Smith, Kelly Sheehan, Bobby Ge, Ethan Isaac, Luis Delgado and Danny Fratina. Co-directed by Eric Moe, Mathew Rosenblum and Amy Williams, MOTE is the only presenting organization in Pittsburgh dedicated exclusively to contemporary chamber music. Tickets<\/a>.<\/p>\n

7 more things to do this weekend<\/p>\n

Friday, April 3: Cod Have Mercy Nied\u2019s Fish Fry<\/a> with Slim Forsythe & The Boss Stingrays at Spirit, 11 a.m. until sold-out (vegan options available)<\/p>\n

Friday, April 3: Unblurred: First Fridays Art Crawl<\/a> on Penn Avenue, 4-10 p.m.<\/p>\n

Saturday, April 4: Bunny Fun Cruise<\/a> on the Gateway Clipper, 9:45 a.m. & 12:45 p.m. <\/p>\n

Saturday, April 4: Picture Mixer: Discover Emerging Artists<\/a> at Silver Eye Center for Photography, 1-3:30 p.m.<\/p>\n

Saturday, April 4: Bill\u00a0Boichel: Pittsburgh Film-Makers Fliers, Posters & Calendars, 1982-1984<\/a> opening reception at Bottom Feeder Books, 6-8 p.m.<\/p>\n

Saturday, April 4: On Cinema: The Certified Five Bags of Popcorn Tour<\/a> with Tim Heidecker and Gregg Turkington at Stage AE, 7 p.m.<\/p>\n

Saturday, April 4: Title Town Soul & Funk Party<\/a> at Spirit Lodge, 9 p.m.-2 a.m.<\/p>\n

For more\u00a0things to do<\/a>\u00a0with NEXT, don\u2019t miss our April Event Guide<\/a>,\u00a0NEXT in the Gallery<\/a>\u00a0feature and\u00a0Dates under $40<\/a>\u00a0series.<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\tMarch 19, 2026March 20, 2026\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"What\u2019s going on in Pittsburgh this weekend, April 2-5? Find out here. Know of a cool event?\u00a0Email us.…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":154529,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[69695,73,1916,75,74,67364,1477,1917,1918],"class_list":["post-154528","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-pittsburgh","tag-april-events","tag-pittsburgh","tag-pittsburgh-events","tag-pittsburgh-headlines","tag-pittsburgh-news","tag-spring-events","tag-things-to-do-in-pittsburgh","tag-weekend-event-guide","tag-weekend-events"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/154528","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=154528"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/154528\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/154529"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=154528"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=154528"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=154528"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}