With summer in full swing and long days to fill, we at Kidsburgh are thankful that July is always a bustling, busy month in and around the city. Festivals, library events, concerts and more family-friendly activities provide options for kids of every age (and at every price point!).
The next time you hear, “I’m bored!!,” grab this list and get planning:
Through Aug. 13: Movies in the Parks, Allegheny County Parks. Bring lawn chairs, blankets and snacks for family movies under the stars. Free. Check here for weather updates.
- July 9: “The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants,” Round Hill Park Visitors Center
- July 16: “Lilo and Stitch,” Settlers Cabin Park Moccasin Shelter
- July 23: “The Bad Guys 2,” White Oak Park Chestnut Shelter
- July 30: “Goat,” Boyce Park Four Seasons Center
Through Aug. 14: Dollar Bank Cinema in the Parks, CitiParks locations. The City of Pittsburgh’s free summer movie series runs throughout the summer in 15 neighborhoods. Catch films like “F1: The Movie,” “Mission Impossible: Final Reckoning,” “Hamilton” and “The Bad Guys 2.” Find the complete schedule here.
Through July 30: Roving Art Cart at various Pittsburgh CitiParks
The Roving Art cart brings a free Arts in the Parks experience to neighborhood parks every Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Kids can paint, bead and sculpt in an outdoor setting and enjoy special guest artists and entertainers. Activities are best suited for ages 5 to 12. Find the complete schedule here.
July 1-5: Piatt Companies Salute to Service Ferris Wheel, Art Rooney Avenue
Did you know Ferris Wheel inventor, George Ferris, was from Pittsburgh? In honor of that legacy, come ride a 90-foot wheel offering breathtaking views of the Pittsburgh skyline, the Three Rivers, and the City’s Independence Day Celebration. Tickets are $10, with 50 percent of proceeds benefiting Veterans Leadership Program.
July 2, 9, 16, 18, 23: Art Explorers at Penn Hills Library
There are five chances in July to let your kids make a mess somewhere other than at home (like the library!). Join Penn Hills Library staff for five independent creative sessions, which means you can come to one or all of them. There is no cost, and families can register here. These events are for kids in grades kindergarten through 5th.
July 3-11: Big Butler Fair
Always held over the Fourth of July, this long-running fair is classic summer fun. Kids will love seeing the animals at the petting zoo, as well as the competing livestock. The School Bus Demolition Derby, harness racing, and truck and tractor pulls are favorites among the grandstand events. There’s lots more – fireworks, country music concerts and all the delicious carnival food you crave. Admission is $9, free for ages 6 and younger. Ride-all-day carnival wristbands are $32.
July 4: City of Pittsburgh Independence Day Celebration
The celebration will feature local food vendors, family-friendly activities, a veterans wellness space, stages with entertainment, a hot-air balloon and a vendor marketplace. As part of the National Flag Foundation’s Light to Unite, the city’s skyscrapers will be illuminated in red, white and blue at 9 p.m. A drone performance will take place prior to the fireworks spectacular at 9:35 p.m. Find more details here.
July 9: Steeples & Stacks Heritage Weekend
Celebrate local history, art and community during Downtown Butler’s inaugural Steeples & Stacks Heritage Weekend. Inspired by the photography of Ben Hughes and held as part of the America 250 celebration, this free event brings together artists, performers, creators and neighbors to honor the stories, landmarks and industrial heritage that shaped the region. Explore downtown Butler, enjoy creative programming and experience a community-wide celebration of the people and places that make Western Pennsylvania unique. Find more info here.
July 11 and 25: Inside Out at the Carnegie Museum of Art
Carnegie Museum of Art’s Inside Out series turns the museum’s Sculpture Court into a lively outdoor gathering space with music, art and community activities. Running on select Thursdays and Saturdays throughout July and August, these events invite families to spend an afternoon enjoying creative programming in a relaxed museum setting. Inside Out is free and more info can be found here.
July 11: Sensory-friendly “Minions & Monsters” at The Lindsay Theater
Bring your wiggly ones to a sensory-friendly screening of “Minions & Monsters,” giving families a more comfortable way to enjoy a trip to the movies. The screening is designed with a gentler theater environment for kids and guests who benefit from adjusted sound, lighting and a more relaxed atmosphere. Find ticketing info and details here. (Click here for more summer movie info from the Lindsay.)
July 14: Science at Play at PPG Paints Arena
PPG and the Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation host the sixth annual Science at Play event at PPG Paints Arena from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Families will get a chance to explore hands-on STEM activities in a fun, hockey-inspired setting designed to spark curiosity and connect kids with science through play. This event is free and no registration is required.
July 16-19: Picklesburgh, Downtown.
Picklesburgh goes beyond the dill pickle to feature handcrafted food and artisan drinks featuring all kinds of pickled ingredients from local chefs and restaurants. Don’t miss pickle-themed snacks and merchandise, fun contests and entertainment. This year’s festival footprint moves into Arts Landing and Market Square. To add to the fermented fun this year, the city has also added pickleball at Arts Landing during the festival. Find info on playing here. Festival admission is free.
July 18-19: Vintage Grand Prix Race Weekend at Schenley Park
There is lots of automotive fun planned: Motorsport Festival offers races and car shows. The International Car Show will display nearly 3,000 classic, antique and exotic vehicles. Browse sponsor tents, check out new cars, grab a bite at the food court, cool off in the UPMC Cooling Tent or relax while the kids have fun at the Peoples Gas Kids’ Tent. Weekend tickets are $20, and this event is free for ages 12 and younger.
July 18: Read to Dream at the August Wilson African American Cultural Center
The Read To Dream Experience invites families to explore books that encourage children to be bold, imaginative and inspired. This free afternoon event celebrates summer reading and helps kids discover stories that open up new worlds. Find more information on participating here.
July 18: Brighton Heights Book Fair
If you miss the nostalgia of an elementary school book fair, this event is the perfect way to spend a Saturday. The Brighton Heights Citizens Federation hosts the neighborhood’s first-ever Brighton Heights Book Fair at Legion Park. Attendees can browse books, celebrate reading and enjoy a community gathering designed for book lovers of all ages. Find more information here.
July 24: Summer Fridays at The Frick Pittsburgh
Enjoy live music, food trucks, artmaking, and family fun on the beautiful Frick lawns. Admission is $5 and all kids are now free. This event will also occur the final Friday in August.
July 25: Family Fest at Arts Landing
In celebration of the new Arts Landing (and Downtown’s first ever playground), come down to enjoy a free family fun day. This event features live performances, story time, family pickleball, mascot meet-and-greet and a family dance party. Other activities include face painting, food trucks, lawn games and hands-on arts activities. This event is best for kids ages 13 and under. Find details right here.
July 26: OpenStreetsPGH
Open Streets invites people of all ages and abilities to experience the city by biking, walking, skating and rolling through neighborhoods without car traffic. July’s event will encompass the Strip District and Lawrenceville. The event creates space for connection, movement and community while showcasing local businesses, organizations, and culture along the route. See routes and activities here. This activity is free and requires no registration (just show up anywhere along the route!)
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‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.kidsburgh.org ’
