Festivals: September-December

The festivities of fall are upon us in Pittsburgh and Its Countryside! From covered bridge to harvest festivals to holiday happenings, there's a festival or event for everyone to enjoy!!

• The Pittsburgh Renaissance Festival

  September 1-3, 8-9, 15-16. 22-23, 29-30 - 2012
  West Newton
  The Pittsburgh Renaissance Festival website

  Medieval amusement park featuring affordable family fun. Combat jousting, stages of continuous entertainment. Over 80 master artisans featuring juried fine arts and crafts. Free children’s realm, plus games, rides and more.

• Big Knob Grange Fair

  September 2012
  New Sewickley Township, Beaver County
  Big Knob Grange Fair website

  Celebrating its 67th year. Exhibits include agricultural, livestock, commercial, tractor and truck pulls and demolition derby.

• The Great Stoneboro Fair

  September 2012
  Mercer County
  The Great Stoneboro Fair website

  Livestock and agricultural displays, contests, harness racing, demolition derby, country stars, gospel music, bands, fireworks, truck and tractor pulls and midway rides.

• West Alexander Fair

  September 2012
  Washington County
  West Alexander Fair website

  Livestock, crafts, flowers, fruits, market animals, carnival rides, food.

• Pittsburgh Irish Festival

  September 7-9, 2012
  Pittsburgh
  Pittsburgh Irish Festival website

  Traditional and contemporary Irish entertainment, taking place at Riverplex. Feast on Irish cuisine, delight in musical performances and even participate in traditional Gaelic sports.

• Evans City Oktoberfest

  September 14-16, 2012
  Butler County
  Evans City Oktoberfest website

  The festival consists of crafts, food and entertainment daily. Other activities include Little Miss and Mr. Oktoberfest and a parade.

• Pittsburgh Dragon Boat Festival

  September 15, 2012
  Pittsburgh, Southside Riverfront Park
  Pittsburgh Dragon Boat Festival website

  Experience the color and excitement of Asian arts, culture and dance. Enjoy wonderful cuisine, colorfully costumed performances, children's activities, and take a spin in an authentic Dragon Boat.

• Butler Fall Festival

  September 15, 2012
  Downtown Butler, Butler County
  Butler Fall Festival website

  Features ethnic food galore all along Main Street. This family-oriented festival features everything from tacos and gyros to baklava and smoked turkey legs, as well as regional crafters, entertainment and children’s activities.

• Covered Bridge Festival

  September 15-16, 2012
  Washington + Greene Counties
  Covered Bridge Festival website

  Arts + crafts, homestyle food, historical exhibits and more. Each bridge with its own homespun charm. Ten great sites.

• Penn’s Colony Festival

  September 15-16 + 22-23, 2012
  Historic Saxonburg, Butler County
  Penn’s Colony Festival website

  Catch the colonial spirit at this fall festival favorite! Enjoy arts and crafts, musical and stage entertainment, period and modern day food and family activities such as pumpkin painting and pony rides.

• Bloomfield Little Italy Days

  September 24-26, 2012
  Pittsburgh
  Bloomfield Little Italy Days website

  Filled with Italian grocery shops, restaurants and stores, Bloomfield is Pittsburgh’s Little Italy on any day of the year. For one weekend in September, though, the streets are overtaken by all things Italian – even walking Italian musicians! Come eat all you want and walk off the calories as you stroll through the historic district and fantastic festival.

• McConnell’s Mill Heritage Festival

  September 2012
  New Castle, Lawrence County
  McConnell’s Mill Heritage Festival website

  Vendors dressed in period costumes, crafts, artisans demonstrating their skills, entertainment, Civil War re-enactments and tours of the mill.

• Smicksburg Fall Festival

  September 28-30, 2012
  Indiana County
  Smicksburg Fall Festival

  Enjoy Amish simplicity during the change of seasons.

• Freedom Fall Festival

  September 28, 2012
  Kittanning, Armstrong County
  Freedom Fall Festival website

  Craft and food vendors, live entertainment and lots of Fall FUN!

• Hickory Apple Festival

  September 29-30, 2012
  Mt. Pleasant Township, Washington County
  Hickory Apple Festival website

  Home-cooked foods, apple products of all kinds, crafts, children’s activities and entertainment.

• Head of the Ohio

  September 29, 2012
  Pittsburgh
  Head of the Ohio website

  Rowers take to the 2.6 mile course on the Allegheny River. This day-long festival on Pittsburgh's North Shore celebrates the beauty, majesty and energy of Pittsburgh's rivers.

• Rachel's Sustainable Feast

  September 29, 2012
  Springdale, Springdale High School
  Rachel Carson website

  Bring your appetite for this great local food event. The best of Pittsburgh's chefs who are committed to buying locally, attend this party along with local farmers' markets and many environmental, conservation and fair-trade organizations.

• Houston Pumpkin Festival

  October 2012
  Washington County
  Houston Pumpkin Festival website

  Crafts, baked goods, entertainment, children’s area, large parade.

• Fall Harvest Festival at Apple Castle

  October 2012
  New Wilmington, Lawrence County
  Fall Harvest Festival at Apple Castle website

  Bag your own apples, hayrides, entertainment, cider, pumpkins, crafters, horse-drawn wagon rides and more.

• Zelienople and Harmony Country Fall Festival

  October 13-14, 2012
  Butler County
  Zelienopl and Harmony Country Fall Festival website

  Historic encampments, demonstrations, antiques, collectibles, arts and crafts, sidewalk sales, live music, games and more are all a part of the fall fun.

• Annual Greene County Historical Society Harvest Festival

  October 2012
  Waynesburg, Greene County
  Annual Greene County Historical Society Harvest Festival website

  Celebrate the harvest season with a host of activities. Area crafters and artisans conduct demonstration and have items available for purchase. Witness Civil War re-enactors and living history demonstrations.

• Pittsburgh International Lesbian + Gay Film Festival

  October 12-21, 2012
  Pittsburgh
  Pittsburgh International Lesbian + Gay Film Festival

  A 10-day celebration of LGBT culture and film. This annual event showcases unique and relevant films.

• Three Rivers Film Festival

  November 2012
  Pittsburgh
  Three Rivers Film Festival

  The Three Rivers Film Festival is the largest film festival in western Pennsylvania and takes place in downtown Pittsburgh, Oakland and Regent Square. This exciting two-week celebration features over 40 films and brings the best in independent and international cinema to Pittsburgh.

• Light Up Night

  November 16, 2012
  Pittsburgh
  Light Up Night website

  Every downtown building lights up to celebrate the start of the holiday season. The city’s skyline comes to life with a number of holiday activities, culminating in a spectacular fireworks display.

• Annual Festival of Trees

  November 2012
  Lodge at Bradys Run Park, Beaver County
  Annual Festival of Trees website

  A winter wonderland of beautifully decorated Christmas trees and wreaths available for purchase.

• Festival of Lights

  November 2012-January 2013
  Blue Spruce Park, Indiana County
  Festival of Lights website

  Light displays, visits with Santa and gift shop.

• Hartwood Acres Celebration of Lights

  December 1-31, 2012
  Hartwood Acres
  Allegheny County Parks Department

  The Hartwood Celebration of Lights is a breathtaking 3.2 mile stretch of holiday light displays leading up to the stunning mansion at Hartwood. More than two million lights are used to illuminate the holiday-themed displays standing 3- to 40-feet tall. The event is sponsored by UPMC and Allegheny County and is enjoyed by more than 600,000 people each year! Enjoy over 400 holiday light displays from the comfort of your car.

• Kennywood Holiday Lights

  December 1-2; 8-9; 15-16 2012
  Pittsburgh
  Kennywood

  Kennywood is dressed up for the holidays. Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind treat featuring spectacular light displays, singing, holiday themed rides and more!

• Highmark First Night® Pittsburgh

  December 31, 2012
  Pittsburgh
  more information for First Night® Pittsburgh

  Don't miss Pittsburgh's biggest New Year's Eve celebration! Join the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust for more than 100 creative programs, including fabulous fireworks and six hours of dance, music, theater, comedy, magic, film, visual art and hands-on activities add up to a joyous celebration of the arts and our community.