PITTSBURGH — RADical Days are returning to Pittsburgh this weekend.
Starting Sept. 22 and running through Oct. 15, regional assets will be offering free admissions, performances and activities.
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 16th year, is a way to thank people for the sales-tax funds that support these entities.
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The schedule (also available on their website) is:
SEPTEMBER 22
Pittsburgh Cultural Trust- Gallery Crawl in the Cultural District
Free admission: 5:30-10:00PM
Art. Music. Dance. Comedy. Film. Networking. Fun FREE! For all ages. The Gallery Crawl is a free quarterly showcase of art and entertainment at galleries and various venues located in Pittsburghs Cultural District.
Various venues throughout the Cultural District (downtown)
Attack Theatre
Free admission: 7pm
Performance of Some Assembly Required
at Society for Contemporary Craft, 2100 Smallman Street (Strip District)
SEPTEMBER 23
Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History
Free admission: 10AM-5PM
Visit two of the city’s cultural treasures in one historic building! At Pittsburgh’s home for great art, see 20/20: The Studio Museum in Harlem and Carnegie Museum of Art. Then explore Carnegie’s world-famous dinosaurs in Carnegie Museum of Natural History’s Dinosaurs in Their Time.
4400 Forbes Ave. (Oakland)
Society for Contemporary Craft
Free admission: 10AM-5PM
Discover the maker in you! Experience Shelter: Crafting a Safe Home to explore pressing public issues of human displacement and housing insecurity through the lens of craft in the gallery, meet our summer artist-in-residence Ryder Henry, and get creative with making your own handmade paper (10AM-3PM).
2100 Smallman St. (Strip District)
North Hills Arts Center
Free admission: 10AM-1PM
Fall Into Art: Families are welcome to come to the North Hills Arts Center to participate in four autumn-themed art projects: clay leaf tray, fall bandana, fall tree watercolor, and fruit and leaf printed note cards.
3432 Babcock Blvd. (North Hills)
Allegheny County Parks: Hartwood Hay Day and Family Green Fest
Free admission: noon-4PM
Enjoy activities for the whole family, including hay rides, hay maze, arts and crafts, petting zoo, puppet shows, games and more. The Family Green Fest features educational and informational activities focused on the environment, as well as I Made It! Market.
Hartwood Acres Park Amphitheater, Middle Rd. (Hampton Twp 15238)
Pittsburgh Musical Theater
Free admission: 2:30-4pm
Enjoy our annual outdoor extravaganza, Dancing in The Streets. Performances by the school’s conservatory program, attractions, free refreshments, and, of course, dancing in the streets will all be a part of the celebration.
PMT Parking Lot; inside if it rains
327 South Main St. (West End)
SEPTEMBER 24
Sen. John Heinz History Center and Western PA Sports Museum
Free admission: 10AM-5PM
Experience “the Smithsonian’s home in Pittsburgh!” Don’t miss your chance to see the History Center’s iconic artifacts for free, like the original television set from the Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, Pirates’ legend Bill Mazeroski’s bat and uniform from Game 7 of the 1960 World Series, and the world’s oldest jeep.
1212 Smallman Street (Strip District)
Special Performances
2pm South Hills Chorale: The Chorale's broad-based repertoire includes American classics, Broadway, pops, spirituals, old favorites, classical, sacred, and holiday works.
2:30pm Pittsburgh Youth Chorus: Providing an outstanding choral education program since 1983, Pittsburgh Youth Chorus (formerly Children's Festival Chorus) is the region's premier choral organization for young voices.
3pm Allegheny Brass Band: Pittsburgh area’s finest amateur brass band, featuring favorite jazz and big band tunes, Broadway melodies, marches, and light classics.
Plus, ticket giveaways with Chamber Music Pittsburgh.
National Aviary
Free admission: 10AM–5PM
Walk through free-flight rooms, enjoy immersive exhibits, and get up close to more than 500 birds from around the world including African Penguins, flamingos, eagles, owls, parrots and more!
700 Arch St. (North Side)
Union Project
Free admission: 2-8PM
Explore words and language while creating clay in a free, all-ages drop-in workshop in the ceramics studio (2-5PM). Plus, check out locally-created zines, comics and chapbooks at the 7th Annual Pittsburgh Zine Fair (2-8PM).
801 N. Negley Ave. (Highland Park)
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh – Main: World Kaleidoscope Presents The Flow Band
Free admission: 2PM
The Flow Band is Pittsburgh’s premiere Reggae Dance Band. It was formed in the 1980s and has a legendary history of fusing Neo South Rhythms over Tropical World beats, pioneering an uplifting celebration for the future of Reggae influenced music.
4400 Forbes Ave. (Oakland)
City Theatre Presents: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Gynocologic Oncology Unit of Memorial-Sloan Kettering Cancer Center of New York City
Free admission: 7PM UPDATE (9/12) : All free tickets have been reserved and limited seats remain for this performance. You may purchase remaining seats at a discounted $20 rate with promocode RADCITY (2 per person) at 412-431-CITY (2489) or CityTheatreCompany.org.
Sparks fly when struggling stand-up Karla meets super-nerd Don after their mothers are assigned to the same room in the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. A wickedly funny tale of finding love—and lust—in the strangest of places. Not appropriate for young audiences.
1300 Bingham St. (South Side)
SEPTEMBER 25
Phipps Conservatory & Botanical Gardens
Free admission: 9:30AM–11PM
Phipps combines nature with glass art, historic sculptures and waterfalls, displayed in 13 beautiful indoor gardens and six outdoor gardens. Experience one of the greenest buildings in the world, the Center for Sustainable Landscapes, with native landscapes, scenic views and art that blurs the line between the living and built environments.
One Schenley Park (Oakland)
Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall and Museum
Free admission: 10AM–4PM
Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum is the nation’s only military memorial dedicated to honoring the men and women of all branches of service, from all generations and conflicts.
4141 Fifth Avenue (Oakland)
Tull Family Theater: The Great Gatsby
Free admission: 5pm
Enjoy a screening of the classic 1974 film of obsession and tragedy based on F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel, starring Robert Redford and Mia Farrow. Rated PG. Though admission is free, seating is limited; first come–first served.
418 Walnut Street (Sewickley)
Pittsburgh Public Theater: Youth Theater Experience
Scott Twp Library
Free admission: 6:30PM
Pittsburgh Public Theater will offer a hands-on experience for studens ages 7-13 to learn more about the theater and try their hand at fun improvisation activities. RSVP with Scott Twp library as space is limited: scottlibrary.org
301 Lindsay Rd. (Scott Twp)
SEPTEMBER 26
The Andy Warhol Museum
Free admission: 10AM-5PM
Bring the whole family to The Warhol for a unique day of art and fun. While you’re here, visit The Factory underground to create your own work of art and don’t forget to make your own screen test while you are here to share with friends and family.
117 Sandusky St. (North Shore)
Heinz Field
Free admission: 10AM-3PM (tours only)
Tours of Heinz Field provide guests with a behind-the-scenes look into the FedEx Great Hall, clubs, Luxury Suites, Press Box, Field and much more. Tours on the hour; limit 50 guests per tour. Tours are first come-first served. No advance reservations. Enter at the FedEx Great Hall entrance.
900 Art Rooney Ave. (North Shore)
SEPTEMBER 28
Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania: Owl Prowl
Free admission 7PM (reservations required)
Learn about our local owls and search for them on the trails at Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve. Hike is led by an environmental educator. Please call in advance to let us know about wheelchair accessibility needs; there is a new ADA trail on site. Space limited; register at aswp.org or (412) 963-6100.
614 Dorseyville Rd. (Fox Chapel)
SEPTEMBER 29
David L. Lawrence Convention Center
Free admission for tours: 10AM, 11AM, noon, 1PM
Take a special tour of the environmentally-smart Gold/platinum LEED-certified building. The building’s dynamic design offers breath-taking 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 your parking ticket in and exchange for your tour ticket.
1000 Ft. Duquesne Blvd. (Downtown)
Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild
Free admission: 4:30-6:30PM
Experience Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild’s Inspiring Makers interactive exhibit featuring live jazz music, gallery talks and hands-on design arts activities. Snacks available from Bidwell Training Center's culinary students.
1815 Metropolitan St. (North Side)
SEPTEMBER 30
Sweetwater Center for the Arts
Free admission: 10AM-noon, 1-3PM
Ceramics open studio day! Get your hands dirty and have some fun! Our ceramics tech will be on site to offer demos and guide instruction as needed. Pre-registration is required as we have limited spots available. Day-of walk-ins will be granted if space is available. Note: glazed work takes up to two weeks to be fired, so we’ll notify you when your piece is available for pick up. For more details and to register: (412) 741-4405
200 Broad St. (Sewickley)
Carnegie - Carnegie Music Hall – Family Concert and Activities
Free admission: noon-4PM
The Andrew Carnegie Free Library & Music Hall’s Music Hall is patterned after Carnegie Hall in New York City, and is renowned for its superb acoustics.
300 Beechwood Ave. (Carnegie)
noon: Tuesday Musical Club (Music Hall)
The String and Wind ensembles of the Tuesday Musical Club will present a program of light classical Broadway and popular tunes that you are sure to recognize and enjoy. Members of the Club have delighted audiences with their music making in the Pittsburgh area for 128 years.
1pm: Family Activity-Make your own instrument (Library/Studio)
2pm: Family Activity-Interactive family story time (Library/Studio)
3pm: Chatham Baroque (Music Hall)
Chatham Baroque presents a fun, family-friendly concert for ages 4-104. The musicians lead a musical tour of some of the best music of the Baroque, talk about their unique gut string instruments (including the six-foot long theorbo), and tell amusing stories about composers who lived more than three hundred years ago. Featuring music of well-known composers J.S. Bach, Buxtehude, and Corelli, as well as lesser known gems of Matteis, Kapsberger, and Sanz. Run-time: 50 minutes.
New Hazlett Theater and Texture Contemporary Ballet
Free admission: 4PM
Texture presents excerpts from Boundless followed by interactive games for the children in the audience. The New Hazlett is a creative hub for a diverse range of artists, audiences, and performances. Though the performance is free admission, seating is limited so tickets must be reserved in advance. Visit textureballet.org; click tickets for Boundless; click Children's Performance; one ticket per family.
6 Allegheny Square East (North Side)
OCTOBER 1
Carnegie Science Center
Free admission: 10AM-5PM
Discover the science behind Pittsburgh's rivers and see some local animals in H2Oh! Defy Gravity on the Ropes Challenge, 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; laser shows not included.
One Allegheny Ave. (North Shore)
Fort Pitt Museum
Free admission: 10AM-5PM
Step back in time to Pittsburgh’s birthplace at the Fort Pitt Museum in historic Point State Park. Discover the world-shaping events that occurred right here in Western Pennsylvania.
601 Commonwealth Place (Point State Park)
Prime Stage Theatre at Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh – Main
Free admission: 1PM
Come for a sneak preview of our upcoming season that features selections from All Quiet on the Western Front, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, and The Diary of Anne Frank.
4400 Forbes Ave. (Oakland)
Pittsburgh Arts & Lectures presents Katherine Applegate at Carnegie Lecture Hall – Oakland
Free admission: 2:30-4PM
Applegate is the author of the Newbery Medal-winning The One and Only Ivan, the New York Times bestselling Crenshaw, and several bestselling young adult series. Her forthcoming book, Wishtree, features an old oak tree and a crow that help their neighbors embrace their differences. A book signing will follow this lecture. Tickets are free; reserve yours at pittsburghlectures.org/Katherine-applegate/
4400 Forbes Ave. (Oakland)
Pittsburgh Savoyards
Free admission: 7-9PM
Come and experience a live orchestra rehearsal with some cast members of HMS Pinafore. Guy Russo conducts the orchestra and vocal rehearsals and fills in any missing parts with his own wonderful singing. Enjoy the lovely music of Gilbert & Sullivan's best-loved operetta!
St. James Catholic Church, 200 Walnut St. (Sewickley)
OCTOBER 2
PNC Park
Free admission: 10AM–3PM (tours only)
Take a behind the scenes tour of The Best Ballpark in America. Places you may visit are the Legacy Theatre, Batting Cages, Dugout and Press Box. Tours take place on the hour from 10AM to 3PM with the last tour starting at 2PM; 80 guest maximum, on a first-served basis. NO RESERVATIONS will be taken. Please enter the gate next to the Willie Stargell Statue on Federal St.
115 Federal St. (North Shore)
OCTOBER 3
Pittsburgh Cultural Trust: StoryCorner at Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh - Downtown & Business
Free admission: 4PM
Join Ms. Betty and her friends on an imaginary journey as they hear the story Crocodile Beat by Gail Jorgensen. Interactive movement, puppets, and call-and-response animal sounds lead children to take part in the animals' parade.
612 Smithfield St. (Downtown)
Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
Free admission: 7:30-8:50PM
Celebrate RADical Days with a free concert at Heinz Hall! Associate conductor Andrés Franco leads the orchestra in a program of light classics. Music lovers young and old will enjoy Rossini’s Overture to La gazza ladra, Mascagni’s intermezzo from Cavalleria rusticana, and Bizet’s Suite No. 1 and Suite No. 2 from Carmen. Duquesne University Young Artist National Concerto Competition winner Kevin Zhu joins the PSO for Paginini’s Concerto No. 1 in D major for violin and orchestra. Though this is a free performance with general admission, advance reservations are recommendation. Reserve your tickets at the Heinz Hall box office in person or at (412) 392-4900.
Heinz Hall, 600 Penn Ave. (Downtown)
OCTOBER 4
Pittsburgh Botanic Garden
Free admission: 10AM-5PM
Enjoy free admission to the region’s first outdoor botanic garden. Explore 3.1 miles of trails through 60 acres of woodlands, meadows, and gardens, and learn about how Pittsburgh Botanic Garden turned an abandoned coal mine into a sprawling forest filled with native plants and wildlife. This garden is completely pet-friendly!
799 Pinkerton Run Road (Oakdale)
OCTOBER 5
Audubon Society of Western PA: Owl Prowl
Free admission 7PM (reservations required)
See details on September 28th.
OCTOBER 6
Pittsburgh Glass Center
Free admission: 10AM-9PM
Join us for a free day of heat defying acts of art in the flameworking and glassblowing studios, plus the opening of Embodiment, a glass-wearables exhibition co-sponsored by 3 Rivers Glass Beadmakers.
5472 Penn Ave. (Friendship)
near Silver Eye Center - also on October 6th
Silver Eye Center for Photography presents The Notion of Family
Free admission: 6-10pm
The Notion of Family, a solo exhibition by LaToya Ruby Frazier, is an incisive exploration of the legacy of racism, the working class, and economic decline in America’s small towns, as embodied by her hometown of Braddock, Pennsylvania.
4808 Penn Ave. (Bloomfield)
near Pittsburgh Glass Center - also on October 6th
OCTOBER 7
The Frick Pittsburgh
Free admission: 10AM–5PM
FREE family activities! Explore Clayton, the restored Frick family mansion, view fine and decorative art at The Frick Art Museum, and experience Elise Adibi: Respiration Paintings, a multisensory installation in the Greenhouse.
7227 Reynolds St. (Point Breeze)
Allegheny County Parks: South Park Hay Day and Public Safety & Health Day
Free admission: noon-4PM
Enjoy activities for the whole family including hay rides, hay maze, arts and crafts, petting zoo, puppet shows, games and more. Check out our public safety, specialized emergency response and public works vehicles and equipment!
South Park Fairgrounds, Brownsville Road (South Park 15129)
OCTOBER 8
Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium
Free admission: 9AM-5PM (gates close at 4PM)
Combine learning, fun, and exploration! Thousands of wild animals, including sea lions, leopards, elephants, polar bears, giraffes, and penguins representing every continent offer a stunning view of our world. Additional sponsor: PPG Industries. Please note: as a result of the popularity of this day, delays are to be expected in areas surrounding the Zoo.
7340 Butler St. (Highland Park)
Special performance:
11AM River City Brass Band - at the Water's Edge exhibit
River City Brass Band entertains, educates, and engages citizens locally, nationally, and internationally in the American musical culture. rivercitybrass.org
Mattress Factory
Free admission: 1-5pm
A contemporary art museum + experimental lab featuring site-specific installations created by artists in residence from around the world. The Mattress Factory will offer a free drop-in tour at 2pm: Meet a museum educator at the admissions desk for an introduction to installation art and a guided gallery experience. About accessibility: The Mattress Factory’s facility at 500 Sampsonia Way is fully accessible; enter from free parking lot at 505 Jacksonia Street. Facilities at 516 Sampsonia Way and 1414 Monterey Street are partially accessible. Wheelchairs are available upon request at 500 Sampsonia Way.
500 Sampsonia Way (North Side)
South Park Theatre: Vintage Hitchcock – A Live Radio Play
Free admission: 2PM
Spies, murder, love and other trademarks of Alfred Hitchcock come to life in the style of a 1940s radio broadcast. A triple feature, complete with vintage commercials that recreates a daring train chase, a serial killer’s ominous presence and a devastating explosion through the magic of live sound effects and music.
Corner of Brownsville Road and Corrigan Drive (South Park Twp)
OCTOBER 9
Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall and Museum
Free admission: 10AM-4PM
See September 25th for details.
OCTOBER 12
Pittsburgh Cultural Trust: Family Engagement Workshop
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh – Lawrenceville
Free admission: 10:30AM
Teaching Artist Amber Fantini will engage families through music and movement while they explore the story Oh No George! Adults will learn art strategies that support their child’s social-emotional development. Children will learn right alongside their caregivers during these engaging sessions.
279 Fisk St. (Lawrenceville)
OCTOBER 14
Children’s Museum: MAKER FAIRE
Free admission: 10AM-7PM
MAKER FAIRE PITTSBURGH takes over the Children’s Museum and Buhl Community Park on October 14 & 15. It’s an all-ages festival of tech enthusiasts, crafters, educators, tinkerers, engineers, science clubs, artists, startups and students who show their creations and offer hands-on activities. NOTE: MAKER FAIRE will take place in all Children’s Museum exhibit areas except the Nursery.
10 Children’s Way (North Side)
see also the Saturday Light Brigade on October 14th and 15th
Saturday Light Brigade
Free admission: 10AM-5PM
Visit the broadcast studios of The Saturday Light Brigade and Youth Express for a behind-the-scenes tour and an opportunity to be on the radio.
Inside the Children’s Museum. 10 Children’s Way (North Side)
Pittsburgh Cultural Trust: Ghost Stories
Free admission: noon
Gather the whole family in the Trust Arts Education Center 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. For children 5+, accompanied by an adult.
Pittsburgh Cultural Trust Arts Education Center 805-807 Liberty Ave. (Downtown)
Pittsburgh Opera: Brown Bag Concert
Free admission: noon-1PM
The Pittsburgh Opera Resident Artists will entertain you with a variety of opera favorites, selections from upcoming operas and more. After the performance, meet the Resident Artists at an informal reception. Doors open at 11:30AM. The Pittsburgh Opera garage is available only for handicapped parking, by reservation. Reservations must be received by 4pm on Friday, 10/13: ssolito@pittsburghopera.org.
George R. White Studio at Pittsburgh Opera
2425 Liberty Ave. (Strip District)
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh – West End Presents Suffrage and Sappho: 75 Years of Wonder Woman
Free admission: 1PM
Wonder Woman first appeared in Sensation Comics in 1942. Since that time she has been recognized as the foremost female superhero, influencing generations of creators and characters. Join us for a presentation of her history, and the ongoing story of her influence, both in comics and the world. Wayne Wise is a comic book writer, artist, retailer and scholar living in Pittsburgh.
47 Wabash St. (West End)
OCTOBER 15
Children’s Museum: MAKER FAIRE
Free admission: 10AM-5PM
See details on October 14th.
Saturday Light Brigade
Free Admission: 10AM-5PM
See details on October 14th.