What to do this week in Pittsburgh, from Halloween happenings to harvest festivals

What’s going on this week in Pittsburgh, October 25-31? Find out here.

Be sure to pack your mask and visit each organization’s website and social media for updated Covid safety protocols. Know of a cool event? Email us.

Monday, Oct. 25: For The Artists: A Night of Networking at Trace Brewing
6-10 p.m.
Are you a performing artist, musician or event producer looking to connect with others? After many months of darkened stages and canceled shows, this networking event produced by Maddy Lafferty and Driving While Black Records could not be more timely. Celebrate the return to live events and get to know other musicians, artists and event industry professionals in a relaxed and welcoming setting. Bring your biz card for a chance to win prizes. Register for free.

Thursday, Oct. 28: This Sacred Thing Artist Talk at SPACE Gallery
6-8 p.m.
A new exhibition at Downtown’s SPACE Gallery is examining the multi-dimensional concept of the relic. Curators Ian Brill, Sammy D. Smith and Keith Tassick will be joined by nine of the featured artists for a free talk and Q&A in the gallery. Showcasing work by 37 Pittsburgh-based artists, the multimedia group exhibition “questions how objects, possessions, rituals and artwork can be given high importance or become irrelevant and discarded.”

Thursday, Oct. 28: Craftical: An Intense Virtual Crafting Competition
7-9 p.m.
What’s the most creative thing you could make in 30 minutes? Outfit yourself in Halloween threads and get your craft on using a mystery bag of goodies from Pittsburgh Center for Creative Reuse. Participants will vote on their favorite creation and the top finalists will vie for prizes and titles during a five-minute craft blitz. Buy tickets.

Thursday, Oct. 28: Megha Majumar with the Pittsburgh Contemporary Writers Series
7:30 p.m.
For its next virtual event, the Pittsburgh Contemporary Writers Series welcomes New York Times bestselling novelist Megha Majumar, author of the best-selling and widely-acclaimed novel, “A Burning.” Majumar — who is also Megha is editor-in-chief of Catapult magazine — read from “A Burning,” talk with Pitt professor and novelist Irina Reyn, and answer audience questions. Register for free.

Thursday, Oct. 28: Vertical Bridges: Poems & Photographs of Pittsburgh’s City Steps
7:30-9 p.m.
Pittsburgh is home to 800 sets of city steps that connect our neighborhoods. As you trudge up them, do you ever stop to think about the immigrants who built — and the steelworkers who climbed — one of the country’s most unique architectural landmarks? Discover the rich history that rests under your feet during this online talk by Paola Corso presented by the Battle of Homestead Foundation. Corso will read from her new book, and will be joined by documentary photographer Tim Fabian and steps activist Joe Balaban. Register for free.

CIRCLES: going in by Staycee Pearl dance project. Photo by Kitoko Chargois.

Thursday, Oct. 28: CIRCLES: going in at the August Wilson African American Cultural Center
8 p.m.
Immerse yourself in movement and art created by Pittsburgh-based Black artists. Premiering tonight, PearlArts’ “CIRCLES: going in,” presents “snapshots of popular culture through choreographer Staycee Pearl’s lens as a Black woman.” Featuring layered movement, an ensemble of five dancers, visuals and a soundtrack created by Herman “Soy Sos” Pearl in collaboration with a lineup of club artists, the dance work explores self-reclamation. Accompanying the production is an exhibition featuring Black visual artists Staycee Pearl, Bekezela Mguni, Kitoko Chargois and sarah huny young. Buy tickets.

Thursday, Oct. 28: Meanwhile at the New Hazlett Theater
8 p.m.
The North Side venue kicks off the ninth season of its Community Supported Art Performance Series, Meanwhile, A Spirited Exploration of American Improvised Music. Created by mandolinist and composer Bryce Rabideau, the exploration of American improvised music features a premiere of his original work performed live by an acoustic string trio. Buy tickets.

Thursday, Oct. 28: Horror Movie Trivia at Carnegie Museum of Natural History
7-8 p.m.
The creepy museum creatures come out at night for this Halloween-themed trivia night. Put your knowledge to the test as you compete head-to-head with other scary film enthusiasts for the top prize — an exclusive, behind-the-scenes tour of the museum’s Alcohol House, a 100-year-old space filled with amphibian and reptile specimens preserved in jars. Buy tickets.

Thursday, Oct. 28: Healing Nature and Self: A Meditation and Discussion
9:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
The shift into a new season is the perfect time to explore nature, healing and self-awareness. Offered both virtually and in-person, the event includes a guided meditation led by Buddhist monk Dr. Barry Kerzin — who has served as a personal physician to the 14th Dalai Lama since 1988 — and a joint presentation with Phipps President and CEO Richard Piacentini. Register for free.

Friday, Oct. 29: Traveling Beer Market at Streets of Cranberry
5-9 p.m.
Head up north for the next editions of this nomadic brew market hosted By Beers of the Burgh and the Pittsburgh Brewers Guild. The free event will showcase libations from five area breweries, grub from the Let’s Taco Food Truck and live music by the Ruff House Band.

Photo courtesy of Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum.

Friday, Oct. 29: The Silence of the Lambs at Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum
5:30-7 p.m.
It’s one of the most terrifying horror films ever made and it was filmed in the region. Celebrate the 30th anniversary of “The Silence of the Lambs” with a screening of the film and lots of spine-tingling activities. See a replica of the movie’s creepy cage in the very room where the iconic escape scene was shot, have artist Howard Bender create your caricature and sit for a tarot card reading with the Rev. Danielle Kurtz. Attend a talk by Victor Cianca about spirits, demons and angels, find out how you can rent the Perryopolis abode of fictional serial killer Buffalo Bill and more. Buy tickets.

Friday, Oct. 29: Phantom Fall Fest at Kennywood
6-11 p.m.
You’ve got three more days and nights to experience Kennywood’s revamped Halloween happenings. Spooky season will reach its peak at the city’s cherished amusement park, which has been dishing out new thrills and chills all month long for ghost lovers of all ages. Come early for the wholesome family fun, and go screaming into the night (or do a bit of both). This Halloween event boasts 30-plus rides and attractions, festive food and five haunted houses and four scare zones. Buy tickets.

Photo courtesy of Kennywood.

Friday, Oct. 29, and Saturday, Oct. 30: Classic Horror at Carrie Carpool Cinema
7 p.m.
Spend Halloween in a spooky setting watching spooky flicks outdoors? Check. Kick off your double dose of horror with the 1935 masterpiece, “The Bride of Frankenstein,” starring Boris Karloff. Return on Saturday for a chilling sci-fi adventure in as you shiver your way through John Carpenter’s “The Thing.” The long shadows of autumn and the towering remnants of the steel age create the perfect haunted backdrop. Stay after the movie for a ghost tour of the site. Buy tickets.

Saturday, Oct. 30: SARS Saturday … Chasing Covid at Carnegie Science Center
10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Have questions about Covid-19 variants? Get them answered by leading scientists and meet world-renowned virus researchers during this free event. Watch the 30-minute film, Chasing Covid in the Science Stage, join activities to learn about the structure of viruses, how disease spreads, and see what scientists who work in the Center for Vaccine Research have to wear, and more.

Saturday, Oct. 30: Howl-O-Ween at The Block Northway
11 a.m.-1 p.m.
The Block Northway is going to the dogs. Pups are invited to join this costume parade and contest between DSW and Land’s End. Emceed by WBZZ DJ Elista Hathaway and Rachael and John from Ya Jagoff Podcast, the free community event includes spooky sounds by DJ Beth, vendors, food trucks, and a photo booth. Help pets in need by bringing a donation for the Animal Friends Chow Wagon program.

Saturday, Oct. 30: Halloween Movies at the Schenley Park Visitor Center
11 a.m. & 8 p.m.
Join the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy for free al fresco films. The Halloween fun kicks off at 11 a.m. with the family-friendly supernatural dram-com, “Casper,” based on everybody’s favorite cartoon ghost. The fear factor will be amped up at 8 p.m. with Eli Roth’s film, “Cabin Fever,” which follows a group of college grads who succumb to a flesh-eating virus in the wilderness. Movie snacks will be available. Register for free.

Saturday, Oct. 30: Haunted Deceptions at Liberty Magic
5 p.m. & 8 p.m.
What better way to spend Halloween weekend than at a seance led by a magician. Join Todd Robbins as he “reaches out to the dead” via his new immersive seance experience that uses cryptic paranormal ghost hunting techniques. Find out if it’s possible to make contact with the dead during a participatory theatrical event unlike any you’ve encountered before. And no two nights are ever the same. Buy tickets.

Saturday, Oct. 30: Fall Mini-fest in Hazelwood
6-10 p.m.
Hazelwood’s Morning Star parking lot at 5540 Second Ave. will transform into a family fall fest complete with hot cider, carnival games, a costume contest, art installations, and pumpkin decorating activities. The Royal Touch Caribbean Food Truck will sell seasonal dishes and DJ Ryan Brown will provide the tunes. Register for free.

Saturday, Oct. 30: Haunted Cruise on the Gateway Clipper
6:30 p.m. & 8 p.m.
Does the Monongahela Monster really exist? Who haunts the old Allegheny County Jail? Hop aboard the Gateway Clipper to find out. Hear “true haunted tales of Pittsburgh” that center around historical areas and landmarks along the three rivers as well as under the waters — during this entertaining cruise that includes a full-service bar and snacks. Buy tickets.

Saturday, Oct. 30: ScareHouse at Pittsburgh Mills
Various times
Have you experienced what the Travel Channel calls “one of America’s scariest Halloween attractions?” This weekend is the ideal time to slither into the attraction’s bigger and better new digs at Pittsburgh Mills, where you’ll encounter more clowns, demons, mutants and frights than ever before — plus favorite characters from two decades of nightmares. Don’t delay in getting tickets — if you dare.

Saturday, Oct. 30: Halloween Rager and Costume Contest at Spirit
9 p.m.-2 a.m.
Nothing can stop this popular Halloween party from raging on. With two floors of mayhem, the event will feature a variety show hosted by local drag artists, live music by Shilpa Ray, Good Sport, Manny DiBiachi and the Moon Baby, and DJs from Hot Mass and Honcho. Completing the spooky scene will be interior art by James Side, costume contests and free pizza. Buy tickets.

Sunday, Oct. 31: Free Admission for Kids at Heinz History Center
10 a.m.-5 p.m.
It’s the final day to take advantage of this great opportunity to explore the Smithsonian’s home in Pittsburgh. Kids ages 17 and under get in for free to visit all six floors, where they can see original puppets from “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood,” score a winning goal for the Penguins, design Pop Art masterpieces in the interactive Discovery Place exhibit and much more.

Photo courtesy of Threadbare.

Sunday, Oct. 31: Harvest Tasting & Howl-O-Ween at Threadbare Cider
11 a.m.-1 p.m.
It’s not Halloween until you’re sipping cider and dressing up your dog. Four-legged friends will show off their most PAW-some costumes and during this canine costume contest in the cidery’s North Side garden. Prizes will be awarded in three categories and pups will be treated to treats. Threadbare’s kitchen will be open and the cider will flow for pet parents. Register for free.

For live music, read 17 live concerts you won’t want to miss in Pittsburgh this October.

For more things to do, check out 12 October events not to miss in Pittsburgh. 

For more Halloween ideas, read Best ways to celebrate Halloween in Pittsburgh with spooky food, drinks and activities.