When fall arrives in Pittsburgh, the city rises to the occasion with autumn markets, pumpkin patches, festive workshops, food and drink specials, and more.
Make the most of the month ahead with these top 10 things to do in October.
1. Shop at Spooky Pop-Up Markets
Looking for witchy wares, oddities, and ghoulish crafts? Every Saturday in October, the Steel City Spooky Market sets up at Frankie Pace Park between Downtown and the Hill District. Stop by for creepy art, tarot readings, crystals, and more.
Then on Oct. 11, the most curious market of all returns! Allentown Night Market will have more than 150 unusual and offbeat artisans, crafters, and food and beverage vendors — all within five indoor/outdoor spaces that sprawl along East Warrington Avenue.
One of my favorite fall foliage spots: Allegheny Commons Park. (Francesca Dabecco / City Cast Pittsburgh)
2. Go Leaf Peeping Around Pittsburgh
Take the scenic route to enjoy red, orange, and golden hues at local parks and weekend getaway destinations. The state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources puts out a weekly fall foliage report so you can track when trees are at peak color. Design your own adventure, or sign up for an excursion — like a fall foliage paddle at Moraine State Park or guided hikes with Pittsburgh Park Rangers.
Nearly 50 local tattoo artists will donate their art and time at the third annual Ink for Impact. (Courtesy of PAAR and Ink for Impact)
3. Have Fun & Support A Good Cause
Pittsburgh makes giving back fun. On Oct. 4, party at the Pittsburgh Prison Book Project’s 25th anniversary fundraiser at Mr. Roboto Project or grab a bowl of comfort at 5801’s annual Chili Cookoff for local LGBTQ+ orgs.
Stop by Velum Fermentation on Oct. 5 and get a tattoo at Ink for Impact, an annual event benefiting Pittsburgh Action Against Rape.
On Oct. 10, celebrate community and culture with a night of fun at Neighborhood Nosh benefiting Hello Neighbor at This is Red, or enjoy fashion and fine dining to support local queer organizations at O’Noir: The Experience at The Priory.
Want to raise a glass for charity? Toast to clean water at Three Rivers Waterkeeper’s Drink Your Watershed fundraiser Oct. 24 at Pittsburgh Brewing Company.
Pittsburgh Zine Fair celebrates all things DIY and community expression. (Francesca Dabecco / City Cast Pittsburgh)
4. Flip Through Pages at the Pittsburgh Zine Fair
Get inspired by creative works from artists, writers, and community collectives at the Pittsburgh Zine Fair Oct. 19. The Kingsley Association in East Liberty will be full of colorful tables stacked with self-published zines — comic books, fiction, poetry booklets, and other mixed media.
Want more book fun? Check out City of Asylum’s LitFestival programming and Books & Bistros Indie Book Fair Oct. 12.
Harris Theater in Downtown is one of several spots screening movies for the Pittsburgh Silent Film Festival through Oct. 5. (Francesca Dabecco / City Cast Pittsburgh)
5. Catch a Scary Movie or Film Fest Flick
Pittsburgh’s Reel Q Film Festival has been showcasing independent queer cinema for 40 years. Kick off the festival with a short film retrospective at The Warhol Theater Oct. 3, then catch showings at five venues across the city through Oct. 11.
In the mood for a scary movie? Row House Cinema and Kamin Science Center’s Rangos Giant Cinema both have lineups of classics all month long. Plus, the new indie film store in the South Side, Vinegar Syndrome, stocks hard-to-find horror movies.
Or experience the live "theater" of a local haunted house.
Empanadas from Balvanera in the Strip District. (Francesca Dabecco / City Cast Pittsburgh)
6. Fill Up at Pittsburgh Food Festivals
Enjoy a day of heat, flavor, and fun at the first hot sauce festival, Rivers of Fire, at Velum Fermentation Oct. 4 — complete with samples, vendors, and a Pittsburgh version of the “Hot Ones” podcast.
Cheese and wine lovers can try pairings at GoodTaste! Pittsburgh’s Say Cheese! event at Mazzotta Winery Oct. 5. There will be local cheeses, handmade spreads, and demos by talented Pittsburgh chefs.
Love Latin food and live music? Snag tickets to Pittsburgh's first-ever Empanada Festival at AHN Montour Sports Complex Oct. 25.
If you’re looking for your new favorite handheld, check out North Side Sandwich Week, starting Oct. 27.
A fall display at Armful of Flowers in Mt. Washington. (Francesca Dabecco / City Cast Pittsburgh)
7. Pick Pumpkins & Apples at Local Farms
Whether you’re looking to carve a jack-o-lantern for your Pittsburgh porch or want a bounty of fresh apples for baking, area farm festivals and pick-your-own events will have you ready for autumnal celebrations. Check out our guides to apple-picking and pumpkin patches.
Carve your own mold to be cast in aluminum by Rivers of Steel's metal arts crew. (Francesca Dabecco / City Cast Pittsburgh)
8. Feel the Heat at the Festival of Combustion
Get fired up for a day of industrial arts, live music, and local vendors at the Festival of Combustion at Carrie Blast Furnaces in Swissvale Oct. 4. Watch live demos by blacksmiths, glassblowers, welders, and metal fabricators or get your hands dirty with a bunch of hands-on activities. Stick around after dark to see fireworks glow over the furnace.
Pull up to the bar or grab a booth seat for brunch at Margaux. (Francesca Dabecco / City Cast Pittsburgh)
9. Fill Up Your Fall Cup
Pittsburgh Coffee Week specials and events wrap up Oct. 4, but you can get cozy with seasonal flavors all month long. I’m a big fan of pumpkin spice lattes, but there’s a latte for everyone — like walnut cinnamon at Margaux, brown butter pecan from Boredom Set, and spiced pear and carrot cake from Reginald’s. I want to try them all! See yinz out there ☕
Glass pumpkins of all colors at the Pittsburgh Glass Center.(Francesca Dabecco / City Cast Pittsburgh)
10. Get Crafty at a Festive Workshop
Settle in to cozy season with some creative projects, like a blown glass pumpkin workshop at the Pittsburgh Glass Center, a cemetarrium workshop at Ruby Flora Plant Shop, a fall feltacular fiber arts class at Contemporary Craft, or an evening of creepy DIY fun at WorkshopPGH’s Night of the Living Crafts event Oct. 18.
Want more things to do? Check our massive guide to fall festivals and even more October tips on the City Cast Pittsburgh podcast.
