Fall Festival Fever!—Cranberry

As Autumn approaches, let the fall fun begin! Pumpkins, corn mazes, hayrides, applefests and more await.

Down on the Farm

Cheeseman Pumpkin Festival and Fright Farm

Where: 147 Kennedy Road, Portersville

For more info: cheesemanfarm.com

Take a hayride, pick a pumpkin, run and jump in the hay maze, enjoy the petting zoo, and browse seasonal items and gifts. Visit the website for information on fees, schedules, and other details.

Harvest Valley Farms Fall Festival

Where: 125 Ida Lane, Valencia

For more info: harvestvalleyfarms.com

In the fall, the entire valley is transformed from a full-time working produce farm into a fun-filled, pick-your-own-pumpkin festival. Enjoy a hayride, go through a cornstalk maze or straw tunnel, roam the pumpkin patch, view farm animals, and much more.

Soergel Orchards Fall Festival Weekends

Where: 2573 Brandt School Road, Wexford

For more info: soergels.com

Don’t miss these popular weekends on the farm, with pumpkin picking, tractor rides, hayrides, games, apple picking (determined by availability), horse-drawn wagon rides, drinks from Arsenal Cider and Arrowhead Wine, and great food from the food barn and Back 40 BBQ. Visit the website for details.

Fall Fairs and Festivals

Ascension Lutheran Church Annual Pumpkin Fest and Flea Market

When: October 11

Where: 8225 Peebles Road, McCandless

For more info: Call Vicki at 724.816.0413 or send email to vickig@zoominternet.net.

Spend a crisp fall morning at this annual event! Homemade apple and pumpkin pies will be for sale as well as hot dogs, homemade soups, beverages, pumpkins, and various other goodies. Lots of vendors will be selling crafts and other treasures at the flea market. 

Freedom Farms Fall Festival

When: October 11-13, 18 & 19, and 25 & 26

Where: Freedom Farms Event Center, 34 Overbrook Road, Valencia

For more info: freedomfarmspa.com

The fall festival is Freedom Farms’ biggest event of the year. It features hayrides, a petting zoo, a pumpkin patch, farm-fresh food, face painting, a corn pit, hay mountain, and pick-your-own sunflowers, plus drinks from local breweries for the adults.

Great Pumpkin Festival

When: October 24

Where: Cranberry Municipal Center, 2525 Rochester Road, Cranberry Township

For more info: cranberrytownship.org

Register your kids for Halloween fun at the Great Pumpkin Festival! Enjoy the pumpkin patch, crafts, and family-friendly games.

Sleepy Hollow Festival

When: October 11

Where: The Center of Harmony, 253 Mercer Street, Harmony

For more info: visitpa.com

The Sleepy Hollow Festival has something for the whole family. Live music, trick-or-treating, children’s activities, a pet fair, feely boxes, face painting, costume contests, and carriage rides will be part of the fall fun.

Zelienople Fall Festival

When: October 11 & 12

Where: Downtown Zelienople  

For more info: zeliefallfestival.com

Craft and food vendors, a chili cookoff, tractor-pulled wagon rides, a car cruise and much more will make Zelienople the place to be.

Halloween Activities and Events

The Firefighters Costume Parade

When: October 31

Where: Aspinwall Borough Building, 217 Commercial Avenue, Aspinwall

For more info: aspinwallpa.com

Get a terrific view of all the costumes from the front of the Aspinwall Borough Building during the parade! Music, prizes, and a giant trick-or-treat bag donated by the borough and the Aspinwall Volunteer Fire Department will add to the fun.

Hampton Township Halloween Event & Parade

When: October 25

Where: Hampton Community Park, 3101 McCully Road, Allison Park

For more info: hampton-pa.org/302/Halloween-Event-Parade

This special event will include costume contests for children 10 and under, a parade, a haunted hayride through the upper orchard of the park, a Build-a-Bear raffle, and a photo booth. Pre-registration is required.

Haunted Guyasuta

When: October 18

Where: Camp Guyasuta, 300 23rd Street, Sharpsburg

For more info: campguyasuta.org/seasonal-events

Whether you’re looking for good family fun or the fright of your life, Camp Guyasuta is the place to be this Halloween season. There are designated scare times and plenty to do. The event also features a hayride, climbing, 600' zipline (ages 11 and up), a trading post, concessions and a bonfire. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Check the website for prices and more details.

Old Economy After Dark

When: October 11

Where: Old Economy Village, 1401 Church Street, Ambridge

For more info: oldeconomyvillage.org

Join the number of people who have seen ghostly Harmonists and apparitions and heard mysterious music, sounds, and footsteps. Experience the “nightlife” of Old Economy Village with this after-hours event.

Pine Township’s Halloween Spooktacular

When: October 19

Where: Pine Community Park (near Keys Pavilion), 100 Pine Park Drive, Wexford

For more info: twp.pine.pa.us

Get ready for an afternoon packed with kid-friendly Halloween fun! There will be a costume parade, puppet show, Halloween magic show, pumpkin decorating and other crafts. Check the website for fees and registration information.

Punkin Chunkin

When: October 18

Where: Hartwood Acres Park Amphitheater, 4000 Middle Road, Allison Park

For more info: alleghenycounty.us

Join Allegheny County Parks and SHARP Robotics from the Sarah Heinz House as pumpkins are launched across the amphitheater field with a full-size trebuchet! Face painting, balloon art, and games will add to the fun. Food and beverages will be available for purchase from local food trucks and vendors.

Sewickley Halloween Parade

When: October 25

Where: 601 Thorn Street, Sewickley

For more info: sewickleyborough.org

This spooky parade begins and ends at the Sewickley Municipal Building.

Zombies of the Corn

When: Scheduled opening date September 26 (Check the website for the full schedule.)

Where: 282 Rochester Road, Freedom

For more info: zombiesofthecorn.com

Go on an adventure to hunt zombies or walk through a zombie compound. Listen to ghost stories around the campfire while you roast a hot dog or marshmallow, and maybe get your face painted zombie-style!

Outdoor Activities

Fall Foliage Paddle

When: October 9

Where: Moraine State Park (McDanel’s Boat Launch Area, North Shore), 225 Pleasant Valley Road, Portersville

For more info: events.dcnr.pa.gov

Join a park naturalist for an interpretive kayak paddle offering an interesting look into the colors of fall. Learn why plants are green and ultimately why they turn the colors they do in the fall. A limited number of kayaks are available (note that due to increased demand, sign-ups for using park kayaks at programs are limited to two per year).

North Ridge Nightmare

When: November 1

Where: North Park (Rose Barn), 10300 Pearce Mill Road, Allison Park

For more info: raceplace.com

The North Ridge Nightmare is a Halloween-themed adventure hosted by North Park Trail Runners.

Owl Prowl

When: October 16

Where: Moraine State Park (South Shore), 225 Pleasant Valley Road, Portersville

For more info: events.dcnr.pa.gov

Join a park naturalist to learn about the wonderful owls that prowl the night woods. After a short discussion, those in attendance will go in search of these night-flying creatures. Participants should bring a flashlight and dress for the weather.

Slippery Rock Gorge Trail Hike

When: October 12

Where: McConnells Mill State Park, 1761 McConnells Mill Road, Portersville

For more info: events.dcnr.pa.gov/event/slippery-rock-gorge-trail-hike-5927

Join park staff and members of the North Country Trail Association on a 6.5-mile guided hike through the Slippery Rock Gorge. It celebrates North Country National Scenic Trail Day and will start at Hell’s Hollow and end at Eckert Bridge. This hike is considered to be difficult, so participants should be in good physical shape and be prepared to traverse steep, rocky, and uneven terrain.

Live Entertainment

‘Chiller Theatre: The Musical’

When: October 17-19

Where: The Strand Theater, 119 North Main Street, Zelienople

For more info: thestrandtheater.org

The Strand Theater certainly enjoys the Halloween season! This musical is a creepy and comical celebration of classic horror monsters.

Night Fever: The Bee Gees Tribute

When: October 18

Where: Cumberland Woods Village, 700 Cumberland Woods Drive, Allison Park

For more info: thelegacylineup.com

An all-Canadian cast from Toronto, Ontario, recreates the look and sound of the band known for hits like “Stayin’ Alive,” “You Should Be Dancing,” and “More Than a Woman.”

Autumn in the Burgh

Handmade Arcade

When: December 5 & 6

Where: David L. Lawrence Convention Center, 1000 Fort Duquesne Boulevard, Downtown Pittsburgh

For more info: handmadearcade.org

This holiday market is Handmade Arcade’s longest-running and largest event, hosting up to 250 makers and artists and more than 10,000 enthusiastic shoppers.

Idlewild’s HallowBoo!

When: Through October 26 (Saturdays and Sundays)

Where: Idlewild Park, 2580 US-30, Ligonier

For more info: idlewild.com

It’s the Idlewild you know and love with a fun, family-oriented, Happy-Halloween twist! Trick-or-treat through Story Book Forest, hop on favorite rides, and enjoy special entertainment perfect for the season.

Jack O’Lantern Extravaganza

When: October 2 through November 2 (Check the website for exact dates.)

Where: Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium, 7370 Baker Street, Highland Park

For more info: pittsburghzoo.org

Thousands of artistically carved pumpkins will glow in the night during the walk-through Jack O’Lantern Extravaganza. The gallery will feature an array of beloved zoo animals, well-known scenes and artwork, and some familiar characters presented with sound, light, and other special effects.

Phantom Fall Fest at Kennywood

When: Select dates in October

Where: Kennywood Park, 4800 Kennywood Boulevard, West Mifflin

For more info: kennywood.com

Phantom Fall Fest lets you do Halloween your way. Family-friendly fun starts early, including rides, festive food, and a unique autumn atmosphere. When the sun goes down, the Phantom takes screams to the extreme with haunted houses and scare zones.

Phipps’ Fall Flower Show: Visions of Japan

When: Scheduled opening date October 4 (Check the website for additional dates.)

Where: Phipps Conservatory, 1 Schenley Drive, Oakland

For more info: phipps.conservatory.org

Celebrate the prominence of the chrysanthemum in Japanese culture during the Fall Flower Show at Phipps! Enjoy mums in all shapes and sizes, as well as props that include jewel-toned fans, a moon gate, a pagoda, footbridges and a dragon.

Pittsburgh Monster Pumpkins Festival

When: October 18 & 19

Where: 3 Crossings Campus (between 28th and 29th Streets), Pittsburgh’s Strip District

For more info: monsterpumpkins.com

Mark your calendar for this festival that features pumpkins so big, so heavy, and so fascinating-to-behold, you’ll be doing double takes all day long!

Schenley Plaza Kids Day

When: October 13

Where: 4100 Forbes Avenue, Oakland

For more info: pittsburghparks.org

Kids Day includes free carousel rides, interactive activities, unique live performances and more!

We love to inform our readers about fun events happening in our local communities. Send an email message to d.mountain@icmags.com if you have details about a future event in the area.

We kindly ask that before attending an event, please check the website provided. We do our utmost to make certain the information we provide in this section is accurate; however, events are subject to change.