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Sweater Weather and Fall Festivals—Cranberry

Debbie Mountain
8 hours ago
8 min read

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



Down on the Farm

Cheeseman Farm Pumpkin Festival and Fright Farm

Where: 147 Kennedy Road, Portersville

For more info: cheesemanfarm.com

At the festival, families can take a hayride, pick a pumpkin, run and jump in the hay maze, enjoy the petting zoo and browse seasonal items and gifts. On the Fright Farm at night, teens and adults can experience a haunted hayride, corn maze and multiple walk-through attractions. Visit the website for information on fees, schedules and other details.


Soergel Orchards Fall Festival Weekends

Where: 2573 Brandt School Road, Wexford

For more info: soergels.com

Don’t miss the 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

Ascension Lutheran Church Annual Pumpkin Fest and Flea Market

When: October 10

Where: 8225 Peebles Road, McCandless

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

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


Fall Fling

When: October 3 & 4

Where: Portersville Show Grounds, 1512 Perry Highway, Portersville

Enjoy a variety of seasonal activities for the whole family!


Fall in the Wall

When: October 10

Where: 217 Commercial Avenue, Aspinwall

For more info: aspinwallpa.gov

This festival promises fun for the entire family with face painting, characters, magicians, an airbrush tattoo artist, pony rides, first responders and so much more.


Freedom Farms Fall Festival

When: October 3 & 4, 10-12, 17 & 18 and 24 & 25

Where: Freedom Farms Event Center, 434 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 adult beverages available from local vendors.



Great Pumpkin Festival

When: October 23

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. This year there will also be a Halloween movie on the lawn, “The Addams Family.”


Mars Apple Festival

When: October 3

Where: Downtown Mars

For more info: marsapplefest.com

This event offers fresh apple butter, apple dumplings and basically apple everything! There will also be around 150 arts and crafts vendors, musical entertainment, food trucks, train rides, an inflatable slide park, farmers market, library book sale … and the flying saucer spaceship, of course!


Shaler Area Vendor & Craft Fair

When: October 10

Where: Shaler Area Middle School, 1810 Mount Royal Boulevard, Glenshaw

The Shaler Area Middle School PTO’s annual vendor and craft fair will feature around 60 tables of unique items made by local vendors and crafters. There will also be delicious refreshments and great raffles. Admission is free.


Sleepy Hollow Festival

When: October 10

Where: 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 add to the fall fun.


Zelienople Fall Festival

When: October 9 & 10

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 this festival 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! Music, prizes and a giant trick-or-treat bag donated by the borough and Aspinwall’s VFD will add to the fun.


Halloween Parade in Reserve Township

When: October 24

Where: Throughout the township

For more info: reservetwp.com

The annual Halloween Parade will start at the corner of Pittview Avenue and Mt. Troy Road, and end at the township office. Children are encouraged to wear their favorite costumes and join the walk. Pre-registration is required for children 12 and under.


Hampton Township Halloween Event & Parade

When: October 24

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

This outdoor event at the Community Center 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 17

Where: Camp Guyasuta, 300 23rd Street, Sharpsburg

Whether you’re looking for good family fun or the fright of your life, Camp Guyasuta can deliver. There are designated scare times and plenty to do, including hayrides, climbing, a zipline (11 and up), a trading post, concessions, a bonfire and more. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Visit the website for prices and more details.


Jacob’s Trick or Tweet

When: October 16

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

Costumes and flashlights are encouraged for this family-friendly event. The nature trail, StoryWalk, and Octagon play area will be open for families to explore. Check the website for admission details.


The Nightmare Tour

When: October 22 and 25

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

For more info: thestrandtheater.org

This is a bus tour highlighting some of the darkest and most ghoulish parts of Harmony and Zelienople along with ghost stories. Seating is limited, so purchase tickets early.


Old Economy After Dark

When: October 10

Where: Old Economy Village, 1401 Church Street, Ambridge

For more info: oldeconomyvillage.org

An opportunity to see ghostly Harmonists and apparitions, and hear mysterious music, sounds and footsteps. Experience the “nightlife” of the village with this special after-hours event.


Pine Township’s Halloween Spooktacular

When: October 25

Where: Township of Pine Amphitheater, 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 live entertainment, pumpkin decorating and Halloween activities for all ages. Attend in costume and celebrate the spooky season. Check the website for fees and registration information.


Punkin Chunkin

When: October 17

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. Other fun activities and games will be available too. Punkin Chunkin is free and open to all ages; registration is recommended.


Sewickley Halloween Parade

When: October 31

Where: Throughout Sewickley

For more info: sewickleyborough.org

This fun and festive parade begins and ends at the Sewickley Municipal Building.



Zombies of the Corn

When: Opened September 25 (Check 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, or get your face painted zombie-style!


Outdoor Activities

Fall Foliage Paddle

When: October 11

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. Learn why plants are green and ultimately why they turn the colors they do in the fall. A limited number of kayaks will be available. (Note that due to increased demand, sign-ups for using park kayaks at programs are limited to two per year.)


North Ridge Nightmare Trail Race

When: October 24

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

For more info: runsignup.com

Join a Halloween-themed adventure hosted by North Park Trail Runners!


Olé 5K

When: October 3

Where: Harmar Pavilion at Pie Traynor Field, 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 Anna Seethaler (a nonprofit hospital) and other partner organizations whose work provides hope and opportunity to Oaxaca’s impoverished and marginalized communities.


Slippery Rock Gorge Trail Hike

When: October 3

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

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


Live Entertainment

Fall Music Festival

When: October 17

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

For more info: fhnc.org

The Fall Music Festival is a family favorite every year, with food trucks, activities for kids, music and more!


‘Ghoul Group,’ The Musical

When: October 24

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

For more info: thestrandtheater.org

The world premiere of this delightful one-act musical will be fun for all ages. Three estranged women who once sang in a band together are all invited to a Halloween party, but they soon find out they are the only guests. Can these former friends escape the haunted house?


Night Fever: A Bee Gees Tribute

When: October 17

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

For more info: thelegacylineup.com

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


Spooktacular Brass

When: October 7

Where: Carson Middle School, 300 Hillvue Lane, McCandless

River City Brass will present a Halloween spooktacular featuring music from favorite movies such as “Ghostbusters,” “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” “Monster Mash,” “Beetlejuice,” “Jaws” and “Psycho.” The show will be good for families, first-time concertgoers, and Halloween lovers

of all ages.


Autumn in the Burgh

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.


Halloween Happenings at Phipps Conservatory: A Boo-Tanical Bash

When: October 23

Where: 1 Schenley Drive, Pittsburgh (Oakland)

Little ghosts and goblins can head to the conservatory in costume for an evening of spooktacular activities, free with regular admission.


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 more than 10,000 enthusiastic shoppers.


Idlewild’s HallowBoo!

When: Through October 31 (Saturdays and Sundays)

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: October 1 through November 1 (Select dates – check website for the schedule.)

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 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.


Phipps After Dark: House of Haunts

When: October 30

Where: Phipps Conservatory, 1 Schenley Drive, Pittsburgh (Oakland)

The conservatory will transform into a thrilling house of haunts! Guests are encouraged to attend in costume, grab a drink, and get into the Halloween spirit as they enjoy exciting and spooky activities.


Pittsburgh Monster Pumpkins Festival

When: October 17 & 18

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

For more info: monsterpumpkins.com

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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