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Sweater Weather and Fall Festivals—Carlynton-Montour and Moon Township

Crisp air, corn mazes and pumpkin patches—unpacking hometown traditions that make fall unforgettable.



Down on the Farm

Half Crown Hill Orchard Pick-Your-Own

Where: 600 North Branch Road, McDonald

For more info: hchorchard.com

Fall fun down on the farm! Half Crown Hill Orchard is a family-owned and operated farm and retail market providing homegrown apples, pumpkins and honey. Pick your own apples and have a guided orchard tour, available by appointment.


Hozak Farms Fall Festival

Where: 488 Anderson Hozak Road, Clinton

For more info: hozakfarms.com

Make some new memories with your kids by taking them on a hayride to the pumpkin patch. Other activities include pumpkin painting, a straw pile, a maze and farm animals.


Janoski’s Pumpkinland

Where: 1714 Route 30, Clinton

For more info: janoskis.com

Take the whole family to celebrate the fall season at Pumpkinland! Walk to the pumpkin patch or enjoy a scenic hayride. The corn maze, haunted barn, pony rides, petting zoo and corn pit are all part of the fun. Shop food and craft vendors as well.


Fall Fairs and Festivals

Coraopolis Fall Festival & Art Walk

When: September 26

Where: Downtown Coraopolis

For more info: corycdc.org/events

Enjoy a fantastic day at this fall festival and art walk. There will be a lot of family-friendly activities, food trucks and local vendors. Admire artwork created by local artists!


McFall Fest

When: October 10

Where: McDonald Presbyterian Church, 119 Station Street, McDonald

For more info: mcdonaldpres.org

McFall Fest is old-fashioned fun for the whole family. The event will offer a bake sale and food, crafters and vendors, games for children and more. Check out Sandi’s Treasure Chest resale shop while you’re there.


Moon Wizarding Festival

When: September 12

Where: Moon Park, 1350 Joe DeNardo Way, Moon Township

For more info: moonparks.org

Moon Park will be transformed into a magical world of witches, wizards, fantasy folk and muggles! Brought to you by Moon Parks and Recreation, the spellbinding event will feature artisans, crafters, music, games, crafts, food, drink and a costume contest. This is a free event open to all ages.


Nationality Festival and Octoberfest

When: October 1–3

Where: St. Malachy Campus, 343 Forest Grove Road, Kennedy Township

Prepare for outstanding cooking of Italian, German, Mexican, Slovak and American cuisine by parish volunteers. Enjoy food, games, raffles and live music!


North Fayette Fall Festival

When: October 17

Where: North Fayette Community Center Parking Lot, 580 Donaldson Road, Oakdale

A costume contest for different age groups and categories plus a trunk-or-treat parade will be part of the fun at this festival. Area businesses and organizations will distribute lots of treats. Crafts and refreshments will be provided too.


Robinson Township’s Annual Autumn Festival

When: September 19

Where: Burkett Sports & Recreation Complex, 5515 Moon Run Park Road, McKees Rocks

The Autumn Festival will feature rides, games, live music, fireworks and food vendors galore.


Halloween Activities and Events

Halloween Spooktacular

When: October 21

Where: UPMC Events Center, 6001 University Boulevard, Moon Township

For more info: moontwp.us

Enjoy trick-or-treating indoors with local community businesses and groups at the Halloween Spooktacular!


Movie in the Moonlight

When: October 2

Where: Moon Park Amphitheater, 1350 Joe DeNardo Way, Moon Township

For more info: moonparks.org

Bring a blanket or chair with you to relax on the hillside for an outdoor movie, Halloween style!


Night Walk on the Panhandle Trail

When: October 17

Where: Walkers Mill Entrance to Gregg Station

For more info: panhandletrail.org

The Night Walk features free hot apple cider and cocoa, hayrides, a pumpkin walk, a campfire, and rides on the Panhandle Trail Express train for the kids. There will be popcorn and hot dogs for sale. Bring a flashlight with you, and costumes are welcome.


Live Entertainment

Carnegie Carnegie Backbeat Series: Gresh Meets Waits – A Tom Waits Tribute

When: October 22

Where: Andrew Carnegie Free Library & Music Hall, 300 Beechwood Avenue, Carnegie

For more info: carnegiecarnegie.org

The Backbeat Series features pop, rock, and roots artists in an intimate concert setting, highlighting musicianship, energy and live performance.


‘Gypsy’ Presented by Stage 62

When: November 5–15 (Thursday through Sunday)

Where: Andrew Carnegie Free Library & Music Hall, 300 Beechwood Avenue, Carnegie

For more info: stage62.org

Regarded by many theater professionals as the finest musical ever created, “Gypsy” is the ultimate tale of an ambitious stage mother fighting for her daughters’ success.


Moon Market & Music

When: September 9 and 23

Where: Moon Park, 1350 Joe DeNardo Way, Moon Township

For more info: moonparks.org

The park will be a happening place with the traditional producer-only farmers market, food trucks, craft beers, kid-friendly activities, and a concert you won’t want to miss.


Robin Hill Lunchtime Concert

When: September 16

Where: Robin Hill Park Gazebo, 949 Thorn Run Road, Moon Township

For more info: moonparks.org

This free concert will feature the Doo Wop Doctors. Relax outdoors, bring a picnic lunch and a chair or blanket, and enjoy the music.


Other Fun in the Fall

Fall Craft Show

When: November 14

Where: Archangel Gabriel Parish Holy Trinity Campus, 5720 Steubenville Pike, McKees Rocks

For more info: 412.337.3190

Shop the wares of nearly 100 crafters and vendors at this year’s show. There will also be a 50/50, Chinese auction, and bake sale.


Fall for Your Library

When: September 19

Where: 181 Bateman Road, Oakdale

Join in this annual Western Allegheny Community Library event! It is the library’s largest fundraiser and a premier food and beverage tasting event, featuring special food and wine pairings, games, auctions and live music.


Forest Bathing: A Guided, Restorative Woodland Walk

When: September 12 and 26, October 17 and 31

Where: Pittsburgh Botanic Garden, 799 Pinkerton Run Road, Oakdale

Experience nature’s power to soothe, refresh, and open your heart. The Japanese practice of shinrin-yoku (forest bathing) is a slow, sensory-based walk in the woods, focusing on the sights, sounds, smells, feels and tastes of nature.


Harvest Moon Race

When: November 14

Where: Starting point is St. Philip’s Church, 1629 Beaver Grade Road, Moon Township

For more info: harvestmoonrace.org

Grab your sneakers for the 19th annual race! This family-friendly community event features a 10-mile run, a 5K run/walk, a 1-mile fun run and a Kidz Dash for those 4 and under. Afterward there will be live music, raffles, games, hayrides and food. (Receive a $5 discount to run the race with promo code: COMMUNITY.)


Kids Spooky Nature Campfire

When: October 9

Where: Montour Woods, 1874 Hassam Road, Moon Township

For more info: hollowoak.org/event

Get in the Halloween spirit by celebrating some spooky species. Join the Hollow Oak Land Trust conservation rangers around a crackling fire to learn about some of nature’s most misunderstood species.


Mary and Mike’s Miles 5K Fun Run & Walk

When: November 7

Where: Tiger Stadium, 8353 University Boulevard, Moon Township

For more info: moonarea.net

Ready to lace up and change students’ lives? Mary and Mike’s Miles raises funds for scholarships for two Moon Area High School seniors. One scholarship is for vocational training and one is for college education. Your strides make a difference!


Tour the Montour Trail Ride

When: September 12

Where: Montour Trail (Mile Marker 0), Coraopolis

For more info: montourtrail.org

Tour the Montour is an annual non-competitive, family-fun bike ride that features a variety of distances to ride, each following the off-road Montour Trail. The surface is hard-packed crushed limestone.



‘Whispers in the Woods’ Folklore Campfire for Adults

When: October 30

Where: Montour Woods, 1874 Hassam Road, Moon Township

For more info: hollowoak.org

Whispers in the Woods will be a night of haunting tales, lore and spirits by firelight (for adults 21+ only). Discover some spooky, true nature stories behind the season while enjoying drinks and the Halloween atmosphere.


Autumn in the Burgh

Acrisure Stadium Kickoff and Rib Festival

When: September 3–7

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

This event fills the stadium with rib vendors, festival foods, beverages, games, rides and more! The Great Hall will also be open to fans for viewing the Steelers’ Super Bowl trophies, Hall of Fame Museum, lots of memorabilia, and the Terrible Towel wall.


Family Day at Schenley Plaza: Mary Schenley Day

When: September 6

Where: 4100 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh (Oakland)

For more info: pittsburghparks.org

Family Day includes free carousel rides, face painting, lawn games, a special visit from Mary Poppins, and more!


Festival of Combustion

When: October 3

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.


Four Chord Music Fest

When: September 25 & 26

Where: F.N.B. Stadium, 510 West Station Square Drive, Pittsburgh (South Side)

Like punk rock? Check out Four Chord Music Fest 12, featuring the biggest lineup to date!


Handmade Arcade Holiday Market

When: December 4–6

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 275 makers and artists—and welcoming more than 10,000 enthusiastic shoppers.


Idlewild’s HallowBoo!

When: September 12 through October 31 (Saturday and Sunday)

Where: Idlewild Park, 2574 US-30 East, 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: Select dates October 1 through November 1 (Check the website for details.)

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 of pumpkins will feature an all-new array of animals, scenes, and characters presented with sound, light and other special effects.


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 19

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

For more info: pghccc.org

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


Pittsburgh Empower Walk & 5K Run

When: September 19

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

Participation in this event directly supports programs and services for the autism community.


Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival

When: September 17–20

Where: August Wilson African American Cultural Center, 980 Liberty Avenue, Downtown Pittsburgh

For more info: pittsburghjazzfest.org

This festival brings the best of jazz, with world-renowned musicians, local jazz pros and new artists taking the stage to create a sound experience like no other. Be ready to dance, sing and make some memories!


Pittsburgh Irish Festival

When: September 11–13

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

For more info: pghirishfest.org

This event is one of the area’s largest celebrations of Celtic music, dance, lore and food.


Pittsburgh Lebanese Festival

When: September 10–13

Where: Our Lady of Victory Church, 1000 Tropical Avenue, Beechview

The festival is back for another weekend full of delicious food, live music and celebrating Lebanese culture and community.


Pittsburgh Monster Pumpkins Festival

When: October 17 & 18

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

For more info: monsterpumpkins.com

Mark your calendar for this event 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 email 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. We do our utmost to make certain the information we provide in this section is accurate, however events are subject to change.

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