Fun Things to Do with Kids in Pittsburgh for Labor Day Weekend
by Janet Jonus
It is the traditional “end of summer”. The kids are back to school, fall is just around the corner, and it is time for one last FamilyFun Fling!
There is a lot going on in and around Pittsburgh this weekend. So let’s get started …
Friday, August 31st through Monday September 3rd
Head on over to the North Shore for the Heinz Field Ribfest& Kickoff. Sample the award-winning ribs from fourteen BBQ experts. Settle in for a concert. Catch Tim Litvin at 730PM Granger Smith featuring Earl Dibbles Jr. at 900PM on Friday, August 31st. Milly plays the Ribfest at 730PM on Saturday, September 1st followed by The Clarks at 900PM. Acts on Sunday September 2nd are Dylan Schneider at 730PM and Lonestar at 900PM. On Labor Day, Monday September 3rd Saddle Up performs at 400PM, Tim Vitullo takes the stage at 530PM, and Parmalee closes out the Ribfest at 700PM.
Entry to the Ribfest is FREE. Gates are open from 1200PM-1100PM daily. For more information, check out our calendar https://familyfunpittsburgh.com/event/ribfest-heinz-field-ribfest-kickoff/
August 31st through September 9th
Aladdin is playing at the Benedum. Catch the hit Broadway Musical Aladdin at the Benedum Theater in the Cultural District. Tickets range in price from $25.00 to $150.00. Performances are at 800PM on Friday, 200PM and 800PM on Saturday, and 100PM on Sunday. There are no performances on Monday. (There are additional showtimes during the week.)
The Benedum Center is located at 237 7th Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. Parking is in Theater District and Downtown lots. Check out http://parkpgh.org/ for available parking. Read our article here: https://familyfunpittsburgh.com/take-a-magic-carpet-ride-with-aladdin-at-the-benedum/
August 31st
The Summer Concert Series at South Park features Paul Luc and Kayla Schureman at 730PM. Bring a picnic or buy food from the on-site food trucks and Hop Farm Brewing Company and enjoy the free concert in the beautiful surroundings of South Park. The concert is FREE. More information can be found here: https://familyfunpittsburgh.com/event/summer-concert-series-south-park-8/
August 31st through September 3rd
The Pennsylvania Arts and Crafts Labor Day Festival is at the Westmoreland County Fairgrounds all weekend. With over 200 vendors from 15 states, music, food, face painting, a petting zoo, and more, the Festival has something for everyone in the family. There is entrance fee of $6.00 for adults, $1.00 for children 6-12, $5.50 for seniors 65+. Children under 6 are free. The Festival is open daily from 900AM through 600PM. Check here for more information: https://familyfunpittsburgh.com/event/pennsylvania-arts-and-crafts-labor-day-festival/
September 1st through September 3rd (additional weekends through September)
It is Children’s Weekend at the Pittsburgh Renaissance Festival. Children 12 and younger get in FREE with a paying adult. Pick up the free children’s ticket at the Festival Box Office. The Renaissance Festival has shows for everyone and several specialty shows just for kids at the Gingerbread Stage. There are human-powered rides, games, face painting, shoppes, food and more every weekend. Look for the Royal Quest, the Prince, Princess, and Pirate Contest, Knighting Ceremonies, and pictures with the King and Queen all weekend long.
Tickets are $22.00 for adults, $11.00 for children 6-12, and free for children under 5. The Festival is held at the Renaissance Festival grounds off of Route 70 near West Newton. Read the FamilyFunPittsburgh Know Before You Go Guide here: https://familyfunpittsburgh.com/go-back-in-time-at-the-pittsburgh-renaissance-festival/
September 1st and September 2nd
Enjoy some Shakespeare in the Park at Frick Park at 200PM. The players will be presenting The Two Gentleman of Verona. Admission is FREE. More information can be found here: https://familyfunpittsburgh.com/event/shakespeare-in-the-park-frick-park/
September 1st
The Pitt Panthers play against the Albany Great Danes at Heinz Field at 300PM.
September 1st through September 3rd
Kennywood Park is open all weekend long although some rides may be closed for the season*. Kennywood has rides, food, and tons of FamilyFun for everyone. The Park opens daily at 1030AM with rides, games, and food opening from 1100AM on. The Park closes at 1000PM, weather-permitting.
Check out the new Thomas Town with four new rides and a new Thomas show. (Thomas himself is not riding the rails at this time. There was a problem with the new track that needs to be fixed.)
Read the FamilyFunPittsburgh Know Before You Go Guides here: https://familyfunpittsburgh.com/thomas-town-is-open-at-kennywood-a-know-before-you-go-guide/ and here: https://familyfunpittsburgh.com/quick-guide-to-kennywood
*As of this writing the Sky Rocket, Sky Coaster, Pirate, Journey with Thomas, Raging Rapids, and the Paddleboats are closed. (The Lagoon is currently drained for construction of the new Steel Curtain coaster.) Ghostwood Estates, Aero 360, Swing Shot, Musik Express, Pittsburg Plunge, Whip, Volcano, and some Kiddieland Rides are under limited operation due to staffing shortages.
September 1st through September 3rd
Idlewild Park and Soak Zone is open all weekend long. The Park and Storybook Forest open at 1030AM. Jumping Jungle opens at 1100AM. Soak Zone and all of the other rides open at 1130AM. The Park closes at 800PM but some of the areas close sooner with Soak Zone closing at 600PM. Idlewild is a small, FamilyFun friendly park nestled in the Laurel Highlands near Latrobe. It has rides, shows, Storybook Forest, a large play area (Jumping Jungle) and a large water park (Soak Zone) all for one admission price. Younger children love Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood.
Find out all about Idlewild on their website here: https://www.idlewild.com/
September 1st through September 3rd
Swimming Pools and Spray Parks are still open through the Labor Day weekend. (The City announced the Spray Parks will stay open through September 9th due to the excessive heat.) Cool off with the family at your local pool or try out a new pool for one last summer plunge.
Read the many FamilyFunPittsburgh articles about cool summer fun: https://familyfunpittsburgh.com/summer-swim-pool-east-pittsburgh/ and https://familyfunpittsburgh.com/summer-swimming-2018/ and https://familyfunpittsburgh.com/swimming-pool-pittsburgh-north/ and https://familyfunpittsburgh.com/summer-swim-south-pittsburgh/ and https://familyfunpittsburgh.com/summer-swim-west-pittsburgh/
September 2nd
The Allegheny County Music Festival is held at Hartwood Acres at 500PM. Bring a blanket and enjoy the music of Uprooted, Meeting of Important People, Starship Mantis, and The Living Street. Food trucks and Hop Farm Brewing Company will be on-site or bring your own picnic. A $20 per car donation is requested at the gate. Parking is free.
For more information, check here: https://familyfunpittsburgh.com/event/allegheny-county-music-festival/
September 3rd
The Allegheny County Labor Day Parade marches through downtown starting at 1000AM. Head on out and enjoy one of the largest Labor Day Parades in the country with thousands of participants. Former Vice President Joe Biden is this year’s special guest. For more information see the calendar here: https://familyfunpittsburgh.com/event/allegheny-county-labor-day-parade/
