Fall Festival Fever!—Hampton and North Allegheny

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

When: End of September through October; check the website for exact dates and hours.

Where: 147 Kennedy Road, Portersville

For more info: cheesemanfarm.com

It’s become a family tradition to visit the Cheeseman Farm Pumpkin Festival! Take a hayride, pick a pumpkin, run and jump in the hay maze, spend some time enjoying the petting zoo, and browse seasonal items and gifts. Nighttime brings the Fright Farm, with a haunted hayride, corn maze, and scare-tastic walk-through attractions for teens and adults. Visit the website for more information on fees, schedules, and other details.

Harvest Valley Farms Fall Festival

When: October—visit the website for specific dates.

Where: 125 Ida Lane, Valencia

For more info: harvestvalleyfarms.com

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, visit the pumpkin patch, view farm animals, play pumpkin bowling and more. Check the website for more information.

Soergel Orchards Fall Festival Weekends

When: Check online for this year’s dates.

Where: 2573 Brandt School Road, Wexford

For more info: soergels.com

Don’t miss these popular fall 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

Apple Festival

When: October 5 & 6

Where: Portersville Show Grounds, 1512 Perry Highway, Portersville

For more info: portersvillesteamshow.com

Apple dumplings, cider, butter, and other treats will be widely available at this annual festival. An antique car rally, tractor pulls, and live music will add to the fun.

Ascension Lutheran Church Annual Pumpkin Fest and Flea Market

When: October 12

Where: Ascension Lutheran Church, 8225 Peebles Road, McCandless

For more info: Contact Vicki at 724.816.0413 or vickig@zoominternet.net.

Spend a crisp fall morning at the 10th Annual Pumpkin Fest and Flea Market! Homemade apple and pumpkin pies will be for sale as well as hot dogs, beverages, pumpkins, and various other goodies. Lots of vendors will be selling crafts and other treasures at the flea market. 

Butler Fall Festival

When: September 28

Where: Main Street, Butler

For more info: butlerfallfestival.com

Live entertainment, craft and food vendors, and a car cruise will all be part of this annual festival. The kids zone will include bounce houses, face painting, a petting zoo, and so much more.

Erntedankfest

When: September 21 & 22

Where: Old Economy Village, 270 16th Street, Ambridge

For more info: oldeconomyvillage.org

This event celebrates the fall harvest and many of the tasks needed to prepare for winter. Artisans will be cooking, baking, and demonstrating many different crafts and skills. Music, food, and activities for the whole family make this a great fall tradition.

Evans City Pumpkin Fest

When: September 21 & 22

Where: Downtown Evans City

For more info: pumpkinfest.evanscity.us

Pumpkin Fest has an awesome lineup of pumpkin-themed activities and entertainment to get you in the mood for fall.

Freedom Farms Fall Festival

When: October 5 & 6, 12-14, and 19 & 20

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. The event features hayrides, a petting zoo, a pumpkin patch, farm-fresh food, face painting, a corn pit, hay mountain, and pick-your-own sunflowers. There will also be some local brewery vendors.

Hydref Market Faire

When: October 5

Where: The Depreciation Lands Museum, 4743 South Pioneer Road, Allison Park

For more info: dlmuseum.org

This cherished autumn tradition offers entertainment, demonstrations, live music, and shopping. Vendors will be selling their handmade crafts, jewelry, textiles, and seasonal treats, all in a picturesque historical setting.

Mars Apple Festival

When: October 5

Where: Downtown Mars

For more info: marsapplefest.com

Fresh apple butter, pressed cider, baked apples, apple dumplings, and basically everything apples will be in abundance at this annual celebration of the fruit! There will also be live entertainment and about 100 vendors selling arts and crafts.

Wildbird Recovery Fall Migration Festival

When: September 15

Where: Stormy Oaks Nature Conservancy, 120 Forsythe Road, Valencia

For more info: wildbirdrecovery.org

This festival is dedicated to the rehabilitation and release of distressed wild birds.

Zelienople’s Country Fall Festival

When: October 12 & 13

Where: Downtown Zelienople

For more info: zeliefallfestival.com

The 39th annual Fall Festival will include lots of craft and food vendors, live music, activities for kids, wagon rides, and much more.

Halloween Activities and Events

Hampton Township Halloween Event & Parade

When: October 19

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

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

Hampton Township’s Halloween 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 Trail at Camp Guyasuta

When: October 19

Where: 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 (11 and up), a trading post, concessions and a bonfire. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Visit the website for prices and more details.

Pine Township Trunk or Treat

When: October 20

Where: Pine Community Park, 100 Pine Park Drive, Wexford

For more info: twp.pine.pa.us

Children (ages 2-13) can get into their costumes and trick-or-treat in the park. There will also be crafts and games.

Sewickley Halloween Parade

When: October 26

Where: Sewickley Municipal Building, 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: September 27 & 28; October 4 & 5, 11-13, 18-20, 25-27; November 1 & 2

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 or get your face painted zombie-style.

Outdoor Activities

Fall Foliage Kayak Float

When: October 9

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

For more info: events.dcnr.pa.gov

Join the park naturalist for an interpretive kayak paddle, providing an interesting look into the color 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. Due to increased demand, sign-ups for using park kayaks at programs are limited to two per year. Kayak and gear provided or bring your own.

Fall Warbler Bird Walk

When: September 24

Where: Barbers Point (North Shore), Moraine State Park, 225 Pleasant Valley Road, Portersville

For more info: events.dcnr.pa.gov/event/fall-warbler-bird-walk

This fall birding walk will be led by the Todd Bird Club and Moraine State Park staff. An area of Barbers Point consistently hosts warblers on their fall migration. Interested bird watchers of all skill levels are welcome. Take your own binoculars or some will be provided.

Olé 5K

When: September 28

Where: North Park, South Ridge Drive, Allison Park

For more info: ole5k.com

All proceeds from the race will go to TASH, Inc., an organization that supports la Clinica del Pueblo, a nonprofit hospital that works to provide hope and opportunity to Oaxaca, Mexico’s impoverished and marginalized communities. A Mexican buffet, music and 50/50 raffle will be offered after the race.

Owl Prowl

When: October 17

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

For more info: events.dcnr.pa.gov

Join the park naturalist to learn about the wonderful owls that prowl the night woods in Pennsylvania. After a short discussion, the group will go in search of these night-flying creatures and do a little prowling of their own. Participants should bring a flashlight if possible and dress for the weather.

Live Entertainment

Fall Music Festival

When: September 28

Where: Fern Hollow Nature Center, 1901 Glen Mitchell Road, Sewickley

For more info: fhnc.org

Mystic Knights and Dad Band will be featured during the Fall Music Festival! The music will be accompanied by children’s activities, food, and lots of fun.

River City Brass Presents ‘Brass at the Movies’

When: October 4

Where: Carson Middle School, 300 Hillvue Lane, McCandless

For more info: rivercitybrass.org 

River City Brass opens its season with hits from favorite blockbuster movies, including the music of John Williams, Danny Elfman and other great cinematic composers. Brass from movies like “Star Wars,” “Jurassic Park,” “Jaws,” and “Batman,” as well as classics such as “Gone with the Wind,” will make this a show not to be missed.

Ruby Shooz Oldies Band

When: October 5

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

For more info: thelegacylineup.com

Revisit the ‘50s and ‘60s with Ruby Shooz. This classic rock ‘n’ roll show band guarantees a fun trip down memory lane. You’re sure to sing along to the memorable classics during this nostalgia-filled show.

‘Sweeney Todd’ at The Strand

When: October 18-27

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

For more info: thestrandtheater.org

The season of All Hallows’ Eve is the perfect time to bring the "demon barber of Fleet Street” to the stage! One of the darkest musicals ever written, “Sweeney Todd” is the unsettling tale of a Victorian-era barber taking revenge on humanity over his ruined life.

Yesterday Once More: A Tribute to the Carpenters

When: September 14

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

For more info: thelegacylineup.com

The Carpenters were one of the most successful musical sibling duos of all time. This tribute captures a Carpenters concert experience with amazing accuracy.

Autumn in the Burgh

Autism Speaks Walk

When: September 28

Where: Acrisure Stadium, 100 Art Rooney Avenue, Pittsburgh (North Side)

For more info: act.autismspeaks.org

Raise funds through this walk to assist the organization’s efforts to help people with autism through research, advocacy, and programming. 

Festival of Combustion

When: October 5

Where: Carrie Blast Furnaces, 801 Carrie Furnace Boulevard, Rankin

For more info: riversofsteel.com

This festival is a celebration of the industrial arts and American crafts. Hands-on activities for adults and kids, with demonstrations and experiences throughout the day and night, will add to the fun.

Handmade Arcade

When: December 6 & 7

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: September 14 through October 27 (Saturdays and Sundays)

Where: Idlewild Park, 2574 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 your favorite rides, and enjoy special entertainment perfect for the season.

Jack O’Lantern Extravaganza

When: October 3 through November 3

Where: Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium, 7370 Baker Street, Pittsburgh (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. These works of art will feature beloved zoo animals and familiar characters from the worlds of entertainment, science, fantasy, pop culture, sports and more.

Phantom Fall Fest

When: Select dates in September and 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.

Pittsburgh Chinese Cultural Festival

When: September 21

Where: Mellon Park, 6518 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh (Point Breeze)

For more info: pghccc.org

This all-day festival offers tons of Asian cuisine, musical and dance performances, exhibits, and games.

Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival

When: September 19-22

Where: Highmark Stadium, 510 West Station Square Drive, Pittsburgh (South Side)

For more info: pittsburghjazzfest.org

The Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival brings the best of jazz, with world-renowned musicians, local jazz pros, and new artists-to-watch taking the stage to create a sound experience like no other. This annual event is presented by the August Wilson African American Cultural Center. Be ready to party, dance, sing and even make some musical memories!

Pittsburgh Monster Pumpkins Festival

When: October 19 & 20

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

For more info: monsterpumpkins.com

Mark your calendar for the Monster Pumpkins Festival, featuring pumpkins so big, so heavy, and so fascinating-to-behold you’ll be doing double takes all day long!

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.