15 Metro Pittsburgh Events You Should Attend This Spring

PITTSBURGH, PA - The first few weeks of spring were more of an extended winter. But with warmer weather finally on the way, it’s time to finally focus on the spring events that command your attention.

Patch can help.

Here’s a list of 15 diverse entertaining activities that should help you bridge this shortened version of spring and get to summer. Don’t be surprised if you run into a Patch staffer at some of these events as field editors like to have fun, too.

• Penguins Playoff Games, April 11-?

Don’t have a ticket to see the Pens during the playoffs? You don’t need one. The Pens once more will have a large video screen televising the game outside PPG Paints Arena. There also will be a DJ, face painters, interactive games and appearances by special guests - including Pens’ mascot Iceburgh.

• CMU Carnival, April 19-21

It’s not just for Carnegie Mellon University students. Many alumni and East End residents also attend this school year ending event to take in the events’ amusement park rides, booth adventures, unhealthy snacks and the famous buggy races.

• Pittsburgh Earth Day Festival, April 19-21

This is a celebration of advancements made in sustainability, technology, and innovation where people live, work, and play. One highlight: The April 20 Paint the Square Green event in Market Square. It will feature a world market with a mix of local vendors specializing in Earth-friendly products and services, along with organic and educational vendors and live music.

• Pittsburgh Craft Beer Week, April 20-29

This annual collaboration between breweries, distributors, bottle shops and restaurants brings more than a full week of beer tastings, dinners pairing craft beer with great local food; special beers brewed exclusively for Craft Beer Week and meetings with the brewers behind your favorite beers.

• Pirates vs. Tigers, April 26

There’s just something fun about afternoon ballgames. Perhaps it’s playing hooky or telling the boss you’ve come down with a case of one-day bronchitis that adds to the entertainment. At any rate, you can watch the Bucs battle the Tigers in this 12:35 p.m. matinee and still be home by dinner.

• JFilm Festival, April 26-May 6

The annual JFilm Festival presents international Jewish-themed films that deepen audiences’ understanding of Jewish culture, tolerance, and our common humanity. The 11-day festival is complemented by a variety of supplemental programming, including visiting filmmakers, guest speakers and collaborative events with other local organizations.

• Downtown Gallery Crawl, April 27, 5:30 p.m.-10 p.m.

This free, quarterly, multi-venue showcase of downtown’s dynamic art and entertainment scene is a fantastic opportunity to see international multimedia artists, regional visual art exhibitions, live music, theater and dance performances, film screenings and more.

• Pittsburgh Wine Festival, May 5

Come celebrate the artistry of winemakers from around the globe with more than 530 wines from which to choose. The 16th annual festival will see the return of luminaries such as Château Montelena, Château Lynch Bages, Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite), Silver Oak and Heitz.

• Pittsburgh Marathon, May 6

Runners get a challenging tour of Pittsburgh, passing the homes of the Pirates and Steelers through 14 different city neighborhoods. You don’t have to be an athlete to participate, as most neighborhoods along the marathon route have festivals, bands, and throngs of people cheering on the runners.

• St. Nicholas Greek Food Festival , May 6-12

Southwestern Pennsylvania’s Greek food festival season kicks off in grand style at this church in the heart of Oakland. You can enjoy delicious homemade Greek food for lunch or dinner, see live Greek bands, enjoy nightly dancing by the congregation’s youth and dine outside under the tent.

• 3 Rivers Comicon, May 19-20

The annual comic convention at Century III brings comic creators, fans and vendors together. The event is hosted by New Dimension Comics, the region’s largest comic book specialty retailer chain with six locations.

• Kennywood Ribs and Blues Festival, May 27

This first-time event at the storied amusement park promises to bring tasty food and tasty tunes while you’re between roller coaster rides. Among the bands who will be playing the festival are the Fabulous Booze Brothers and Jimbo and the Soupbones.

• EQT Pittsburgh Children's Theater Festival, May 17-20

Located in the Cultural District, this year's festival includes professional theater performances from around the world, more than 40 free hands-on educational and cultural activities, free outdoor pop-up performances featuring local and regional artists and a scavenger hunt.

• Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall and Museum Memorial Day Celebration, May 28

The museum annually schedules numerous patriotic and fun-filled activities on the museum lawn in Oakland. The highlight traditionally is the ceremony honoring armed service members who gave the ultimate sacrifice, but there’s a host of kids activities as well.

• Three Rivers Arts Festival, June 1-10

What’s not to like about 10 days of free music, theater, dance, public art installations, gallery exhibitions, a visual artist market, creative activities, food, and more? (Besides the weather, which usually is stormy for the festival). It’s a great way to bid farewell to spring as you say hello to summer.

File photo via Shutterstock.