Fall Activities in Pittsburgh: Guide to the Best Festivals (2024)

Discover the best fall things to do in Pittsburgh for all ages

As leaves turn to shades of gold and crimson, Pittsburgh transforms into a picturesque canvas that captures the essence of fall, with spooky vibes covering the city! This season in Pittsburgh offers an abundance of activities, from festive pumpkin patches and haunted attractions to cultural festivals and culinary delights. Whether you prefer trick or treat, there's something for everyone!

Fall Festivals and Events

Kennywood Phantom Fall Fest: Play all day, fright all night!

Are you looking to celebrate Halloween in a fright-full atmosphere? Why not have a look at Kennywood’s event calendar to see what we’ve got prepared for September and October? Whether you want a friendly and spooky Halloween celebration for your kids or true horror for your teens, Phantom Fall Fest has it all! 

During the daytime, Kennywood elevates the Halloween spirit with an array of themed activities for children to enjoy the date. With a park-wide scavenger hunt and family-friendly entertainment, mummies and witches can have the scare of their lives.

For grown-ups looking for real adrenaline, the park turns into a truly horrifying scenario once the sun comes down. Terrifying creatures start crawling around the park and invite you to join the six haunts, mALICE in Wonderland, Kennyville Cemetery, Dark Shadows, Shady Grove, Villa of the Vampire and Voodoo Bayou. If you dare, you can enter our four Scare zones, interactive experiences where horror will take over your senses. Enter Dead Light District, The Welcoming, Fear Fest and Hellbilly Hollow to see your nightmares come to life. 

The best part is that the park is open until 11 pm during this season, allowing you to have spooktacular fun until just before your chariot turns into a jack-o’lantern! Ready for goosebumps?

• Location: Kennywood. 4800 Kennywood Boulevard, West Mifflin, PA 15122

• Date and hours: Select dates from Sept. 20 to Oct. 27, during park hours. Check our event calendar for more details. Special opening hours are available to welcome you long past twilight. Visit after 6 p.m. … If you dare! We advise visitors with kids to visit before the creatures start coming out of their hiding spots.

Celebrate culture at the Pittsburgh Irish Festival

Celebrate Irish culture at the Pittsburgh Irish Festival, an annual event that brings the rich traditions of Ireland to the heart of Pittsburgh. This vibrant festival showcases a wide array of Irish music performances from both local and international bands, traditional Irish dance, and an extensive selection of culinary delights. 

Attendees can explore cultural exhibits, participate in workshops, and even trace their genealogy. With activities for all ages, the festival is a perfect family outing that offers a deeper appreciation of Irish heritage and community spirit.

• Location: 801 Carrie Furnace Blvd. Pittsburgh, PA 15218

• Date and hours: First weekend in September each year.

Enjoy Spooky Fun at Zoo Boo

Experience Halloween thrills at the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium's Zoo Boo, a family-friendly event that combines the excitement of the zoo with festive fall activities. Held annually, Zoo Boo features trick-or-treating throughout the zoo, Halloween-themed decorations, and various activities for children, such as a hay maze, costume contests, and more.

• Location: Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium, 7370 Baker St, Pittsburgh, PA 15206

• Date and hours: Select dates in October. Check the event's calendar for specific dates and times.

Scenic Fall Foliage Spots

Enjoy hiking and biking trails at Schenley Park

Offering more than just stunning foliage, Schenley Park features miles of hiking and biking trails perfect for feeling the crisp fall air and appreciating the scenic beauty. It's an essential Pittsburgh destination for those who love to experience the seasonal shifts up close.

• Location: In the limits between Oakland, Greenfield & Squirrel Hill

Discover scenic walking trails and historic sites at Frick Park

During the autumn months, Frick Park transforms into a picturesque landscape with vibrant fall colors, making it a favorite spot for leaf peeping and seasonal photography. The park's extensive network of trails becomes especially enchanting, offering peaceful walks under canopies of red, orange, and yellow leaves.

Take a leisurely stroll or rent a kayak at North Park

North Park, the largest in Allegheny County, offers an expansive outdoor escape with activities to satisfy any nature enthusiast. The park's lake is a popular spot for boating and fishing, while its extensive network of trails invites visitors to hike, bike, and explore the natural beauty. 

• Location: 303 Pearce Mill Rd, Allison Park, PA 15101

Fall Harvest and Food Experiences

Enjoy apple picking and homemade cider at Soergel Orchards

Step into the rustic charm of Soergel Orchards during the fall for an authentic apple-picking experience. Wander through their expansive orchards, where you can handpick a variety of apples right from the trees. After gathering your apples, visit the cider mill where fresh cider is made. Watch as apples are pressed into delicious, fresh cider, a true taste of autumn. 

• Location: 2573 Brandt School Road, Wexford, PA 15090    

Explore corn mazes and pick pumpkins at Simmons Farm

Experience the heart of autumn at Simmons Farms, where visitors can navigate through elaborate corn mazes designed to challenge and entertain. After conquering the maze, enjoy the quintessential fall activity of pumpkin picking. The farm offers a vast selection of pumpkins, from giant ones perfect for carving to smaller varieties ideal for pie-making.

• Location: 170 Simmons Rd, McMurray, PA 15317

Taste freshly baked pies at Trax Farms

Trax Farms beckons visitors with the warm, inviting aroma of freshly baked pies during their annual Fall Festival. As autumn colors drape the landscape, the farm becomes a bustling hub of activity, where you can indulge in a variety of homemade pies featuring seasonal ingredients like apple, pumpkin, and pecan. 

But that’s not all, this farm offers an entire day of family fun with activities ranging from hayrides and craft stalls to live music and a pumpkin patch. This long-standing tradition makes Trax Farms a must-visit destination each fall to savor the season’s best flavors and festivities.

• Location: 528 Trax Rd, Finleyville, PA 15332

More fall festivals in Pittsburgh you might enjoy

• Triple B Fall Festival: Trax Farms’ Beers, Blues, and BBQ Festival

• Pittsburgh Monster Pumpkin Festival: Pumpkin carving, pie-eating contests, and family-friendly entertainment along the riverfront

• Lawrenceville: Harvest Festival local food, crafts, and live music in a vibrant neighborhood setting.

Ready to uncover the haunted secrets of Pittsburgh this spooky season?

If you want a kid-friendly Halloween…

Celebrate a family-friendly Halloween at Kennywood's Phantom Fall Fest, where the fun meets the festive without too much fright. Enjoy daytime activities like pumpkin painting and trick-or-treating, perfect for younger guests. The park's whimsical decorations and child-friendly haunted zones ensure a delightful Halloween that’s just spooky enough for little ones.

If you are looking for a spooky Halloween…

For those seeking a thrill, Kennywood's Phantom Fall Fest transforms at night into a haven of horror. Brave the eerie "mALICE in Wonderland" haunted house or venture through the "Dead Light District” scare zone. With more intense haunted attractions and spooky surprises around every corner, it's the perfect Pittsburgh destination for adults and teens to embrace the spirit of a truly scary Halloween.

We (and some friendly ghosts) will be waiting for you at our Phantom Fall Fest! 

Join us at Kennywood for the Phantom Fall Fest, where unforgettable Halloween thrills await you this season. Whether you're seeking family-friendly fun or spine-tingling scares, our fest has something for everyone. Don’t miss the chance to create lasting memories with loved ones. 

Mark your calendars, grab your costumes, and prepare for an exhilarating Halloween experience. Visit Kennywood this fall—where the fun never stops and the frights are just right. Buy your tickets for the event here!