Looking for something fun -- and free -- to do in and around Pittsburgh?
[ RADical Days ]
is an annual celebration of libraries, parks, sports facilities, and arts and culture organizations sponsored by the Allegheny Regional Asset District and its funded assets.
The promotion, now in its 15th year, is a way to thank people for the sales-tax funds that support these entities.
The schedule (also available
[ HERE ]
) is:
September 30
MANCHESTER CRAFTSMEN’S GUILD
Free admission 4:30–6:30 p.m.
Experience Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild’s “Inspiring Makers” interactive exhibit featuring live jazz music, gallery talks, MCG Jazz documentary clips, and hands-on design arts. Snacks available from Bidwell Training Center’s culinary students.
1815 Metropolitan Street (North Side) · mcghyouthandarts.org
October 1
COOPER-SIEGEL LIBRARY: PASSAGES AND PROSE: A Gathering of Authors & Their Books
Free admission 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
An annual literary event featuring 25 authors, workshops and children’s activities. More information at www.passagesandprose.com.
403 Fox Chapel Road (Fox Chapel) · coopersiegelcommunitylibrary.org
FORT PITT MUSEUM
Free admission 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Get to the point of Pittsburgh’s history and experience the dramatic, world-changing events that occurred right here in Western Pennsylvania. Explore Pittsburgh life in the 18th century.
Point State Park, 601 Commonwealth Pl. (Downtown) · heinzhistorycenter.org
KST’S ALLOY SCHOOL- FREE DANCE DAY
Free admission 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Always wanted to dance ballet like Misty Copeland or groove like Drake? Then you won’t want to miss this! You’ll start out in the morning with pre-ballet and hip hop demonstrations for children ages 3-12. Later, the entire family will enjoy an afternoon of movement in our state-of-the-art studio starting with Zumba, line dancing, healthy treats and more.
5530 Penn Avenue (Friendship) · kelly-strayhorn.org
PITTSBURGH MUSICAL THEATER PRESENTS: DANCING IN THE STREETS
Free admission noon–1:30 p.m.
Join in the fun and celebration with entertainment and activities for the entire family.
327 South Main Street (West End) · pittsburghmusicals.com
PITTSBURGH CULTURAL TRUST: GHOST STORIES
Free admission noon-1 p.m.
Gather the whole family to hear storyteller Alison K. Babusci share her most popular program featuring spine-tingling tales as well as hauntingly funny ones. This program will delight all ages. Bring your PJ's and a pillow, if you'd like.
Trust Arts Education Center, 805-807 Liberty Ave. (Downtown) · trustarts.org
PRIME STAGE THEATRE AT CARNEGIE LIBRARY OF PITTSBURGH-MAIN
Free admission 1 p.m.
Re-live 1930’s Alabama when Prime Stage presents a “preview” of To Kill a Mockingbird and celebrate our 20th Season of quality, literate-inspired theatre. Meet Scout, Atticus, Jem and Dill.
4400 Forbes Avenue/1st Floor Reading Room (Oakland) · carnegielibrary.org · primestagetheatre.com
NEW HAZLETT THEATER PRESENTS TEXTURE CONTEMPORARY BALLET
Free admission 4–5 p.m.
This performance will consist of a 20-30 minute excerpt of Texture’s show Impulse, followed by an interactive portion where children are invited on stage for creative movement games. The New Hazlett Theater is a hub for creative activity, welcoming a broad range of performing artists, diverse audiences and community performances.
6 Allegheny Square East (North Side) · newhazletttheater.org · textureballet.org
October 2
THE ANDY WARHOL MUSEUM
Free admission 10 a.m. –5 p.m.
Bring the whole family for a unique day of art and fun. Visit The Factory underground to create your own work of art and don’t forget to make your own screen test to share with friends and family.
117 Sandusky Street (North Shore) · warhol.org
NATIONAL AVIARY
Free admission 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Discover more than 150 amazing bird species from around the world. Get nose-to-beak with a colony of African Penguins; admire tropical free-flying birds; and get to know our two-toed sloth!
700 Arch Street (North Side) · aviary.org
CARNEGIE SCIENCE CENTER
Free admission 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. (closing at four due to evening Steelers game)
Discover the science behind Pittsburgh’s rivers and see some local animals in H2Oh! Climb a rock wall, try to score against Hockey-bot, tour an authentic submarine and explore our gigantic model railroad. Free admission to all exhibits, planetarium and live shows; Omnimax films and laser shows not included.
One Allegheny Avenue (North Shore) · carnegiesciencecenter.org
October 3
DAVID L. LAWRENCE CONVENTION CENTER
Free admission for tours 10 a.m., 11 a.m., noon, 1 p.m.
Take a special tour of the environmentally-smart Gold/Platinum LEED®-certified building. Its dynamic architectural design offers breathtaking views and a suspended roof structure. Call to reserve your tour time (412) 565-6000. Complimentary parking is available in the DLCC garage on 10th Street. (Bring ticket in to tour.)
1000 Ft. Duquesne Blvd. (Downtown) · pittsburghcc.com
October 4
HEINZ FIELD
Free admission 10 a.m.–3 p.m.Tours of Heinz Field provide guests with a behind-the-scenes look into the FedEx Great Hall, Clubs, Luxury Suites, Press Box, Field, South plaza and much more. Tours on the hour; limit 50 guests per tour.
900 Art Rooney Avenue (North Shore) · heinzfield.com/stadium/heinz-field-tours
PITTSBURGH ARTS & LECTURES:
FIERCE READS WITH MARISSA MEYER, EMMA MILLS, CALEB ROEHRIG AND ANNA BANKS
The Fierce Reads tour comes to Pittsburgh with our bestselling and acclaimed YA authors with their new books. Register for your tickets at pittsburghlectures.org/words-pictures/fierce-reads
Carnegie Library Lecture Hall, 4400 Forbes Ave. (Oakland) · pittsburghlectures.org
October 5
PITTSBURGH CULTURAL TRUST: STORYCORNER - NOW THINGS ARE WORSE
Free admission 10:30 a.m.
In this comic Yiddish folk tale about a man who takes advice only to find his situation becoming increasingly ridiculous, artist/puppetteer Joanne Kielar engages children by using props and folk instruments. Young listeners will help create the sound effects that accompany this fun-filled tale.
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh - Lawrenceville
279 Fisk Street (Lawrenceville) · trustarts.org · carnegielibrary.org
CARNEGIE LIBRARY PITTSBURGH-EAST LIBERTY: YOUNG STEEL WORKSHOP AND OPEN MIC FOR TEENS
Free admission 6–8 p.m.
Young Steel is here! Bring paper and a pen for the workshop and a poem if you’re ready to read it aloud (5 minutes per poet). (Meeting Room 3)
130 S. Whitfield Street (East Liberty) · carnegielibrary.org · pittsburghpoetry.org
QUANTUM THEATRE
Free admission 8 p.m.
Join us for a performance of The River, by Jez Butterworth, at the Aspinwall Riverfront Park. The River is part mystery, part gothic thriller and 100% homage to the art of trout fishing. Seats are limited and must be reserved in advance online at quantumtheatre.com/rad or by phone at (412) 362-1713. Limit four per person.
285 River Avenue (Aspinwall) · quantumtheatre.com
October 6
PITTSBURGH CENTER FOR THE ARTS: ARTIST TALK
Free admission 6–8 p.m.
Barrie Kaufman will discuss her exhibit River, Stream, Tap. She is a West Virginia artist working in the media of prints, painting and glass, whose work often addresses a narrative story. Currently, she focuses on the environment in West Virginia.
6300 Fifth Avenue (Shadyside) · pfpca.org
October 7
PITTSBURGH BOTANIC GARDEN
Free admission 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
Wander our 60-acre Woodlands and enjoy an award-winning Lotus Pond, the stunning Margaret Lawrence Simon Dogwood Meadow and three miles of groomed trails. The Garden connects people with the history and beauty of Western Pennsylvania.
799 Pinkerton Run Road (Oakdale) · pittsburghbotanicgarden.org
PITTSBURGH GLASS CENTER AND NEW HAZLETT THEATER
Free Admission 10 a.m.–9 p.m.
In addition to glassblowing demonstrations, Pittsburgh Glass Center and the New Hazlett Theater present a fresh sampling of local artists from the New Hazlett’s latest CSA Performance Series and a glass exhibition by Jason Forck and Seth Clark.
5472 Penn Avenue (Garfield/Friendship) · pittsburghglasscenter.org · newhazletttheater.org
PITTSBURGH CENTER FOR THE ARTS
Free Admission 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Tours, plus a family friendly drop-in activity from 10am-noon.
6300 Fifth Avenue (Shadyside) · pfpca.org
October 8
THE FRICK PITTSBURGH
Free admission 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
FREE family activities! Explore Clayton, the restored Frick family mansion, discover amazing vehicles at the Car and Carriage Museum, and experience fine and decorative art at The Frick Art Museum.
7227 Reynolds Street (Point Breeze) · TheFrickPittsburgh.org
SOCIETY FOR CONTEMPORARY CRAFT
Free admission 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Discover the maker in you! Explore Edward Eberle’s striking porcelain sculptures in the gallery, get creative in our Drop-in Studio, and experiment with handmade paper (from 11am-2pm).
2100 Smallman Street (Strip District) · contemporarycraft.org
SILVER EYE CENTER FOR PHOTOGRAPHY
Free admission noon–6 p.m.
Normally, a photograph is seen as a window into the world, and the physical properties of the image (paper, screen, ink, pixel, silver) are overlooked. Materials & Processes focuses on a fascinating trend of works that use elements of photographic tools and processes as the subject matter of the images.
1015 East Carson Street (South Side) · silvereye.org
ALLEGHENY COUNTY - SOUTH PARK HAY DAY AND PUBLIC SAFETY AND HEALTH DAY
Free admission noon-4 p.m.
Enjoy hay rides, hay maze, arts and crafts, barnyard petting zoo, pony rides, face painting, castle bounce, giant slide, balloon artist, puppet show, magician, games and more! Food, beverages and snacks will be available for purchase from local food trucks and vendors. Also meet the people who work to keep the public safe and healthy every day. You’ll be able to check out our public safety, specialized emergency response and public works vehicles and equipment!
1888-1988 Brownsville Road (South Park Twp) · alleghenycounty.us
October 9
PITTSBURGH ZOO
Free admission 9 a.m.–5 p.m. (gates close at 4 p.m.)
Combine learning, fun, and exploration with a visit to the PittsburghZoo & PPG Aquarium. Enjoy our newest exhibit, The Islands, along with thousands of animals, including sea lions, leopards, elephants, polar bears, giraffes, and penguins. Sponsored by PPG Industries. At the Water’s Edge: Performance by River City Brass Band (noon). Please note: Due to the high volume of visitors, expect possible delays on Washington Boulevard, Butler Street and at the Highland Park Bridge.
One Wild Place (Highland Park) · pittsburghzoo.org · rivercitybrass.org
MATTRESS FACTORY
Free admission 1–5 p.m.
The foremost museum of installation art in the United States, the Mattress Factory is an experimental lab featuring site-specific artworks createdby artists-in-residence from around the world.
Parking at 505 Jacksonia Street
500 Sampsonia Way (North Side) · mattress.org
ATTACK THEATRE: SOME ASSEMBLY REQUIRED
Free admission 2 p.m.
A unique dance performance experience that blurs the line between visual art, music and dance, and between audience and performer. Attack Theatre will engage audiences of all ages in one hour of creation, improvisation and performance inspired by the Architecture with and without Le Corbusier exhibition.
Miller Gallery at Carnegie Mellon University5000 Forbes Avenue (Oakland) · attacktheatre.com/sar-miller