Pittsburgh October Events: Demons & Dinos, Tacos & Tequilas

PITTSBURGH, PA — Dusk is arriving earlier and the nights are growing cooler. You're sipping far too many pumpkin-flavored beverages. You're scouring around the Internet to find where you can get the best bulk price on Clark bars to give away on Halloween.

These are the telltale signs of October. What follows are the month's telltale attractions and events that will help keep your mind off of the fact that it will not be long before the holidays are here and will be followed by several months of snow, cold and seasonal affective disorder.

• Phantom Fall Fest, Oct. 1-3, 8-10, 15-17, 22-24, 29-31, Kennywood.

Kennywood is retooling its traditional autumn events this year by debuting the fall fest, which will feature family-oriented activities during the day and spooky fright night adventures during the evening. Kiddieland, Thomas Town and other family favorites will be open during the day, with the park transitioning to fright mode for older park patrons.

• Three Rivers Beer Week, Oct. 6-10, Various times and locations.

Three Rivers Beer Week is a celebration of Pittsburgh breweries and beer is organized by the Pittsburgh Brewers Guild. It includes featured events managed by the guild and dozens of events run by the organization's 38 member breweries.

• Pittsburgh Home & Garden Fall Show, Oct. 8-10, David L. Lawrence Convention Center.

Here's a chance to browse displays from hundreds of exhibitors showcasing a variety of products and services that can add value to a home. Experts in home design will be available to give advice and products will be available for purchase.

• Dino Stroll, Oct. 9-10, Monroeville Convention Center.

It's not often the opportunity arises to get up close to life-like and life-size dinosaurs, some
standing over 25 feet tall and spanning over 60 feet long. The animatronic dinosaurs are created with moving heads, necks, tails, wings, eyes blinking, mouths that open and close, breathing movements, synchronized sounds and many more exquisite details that bring them to life.

• Columbus Day Parade, Oct. 9, Liberty Avenue, Bloomfield.

After a year's hiatus because of the pandemic, the Columbus Day Parade that has been a tradition in Pittsburgh's Little Italy since 1985 is back. The 10 a.m. event will feature a variety of floats, parades and marching bands, and the grand marshal will be legendary Steelers running back Franco Harris.

• Harry Styles, Oct. 14, PPG Paints Arena.

Nearly two years after the release of sophomore album, "Fine Line, "Styles is on the road with the pandemic-delayed Love on Tour. Along with favorites from his debut solo release, expect to hear "Adore You," "Cherry" and "Treat People With Kindness" from album number two. Jenny Lewis will open the show.

• Bill Maher, Oct. 16, Benedum Center.

For more than 20 years, Maher has merged politics and humor - first on "Politically Incorrect" on Comedy Central and for the past 14 years on HBO's "Real Time." When he's not busy with his day job, Maher takes his act on the road and performs about 50 dates a year. His appearance in Pittsburgh is one of them.

• Dierks Bentley, Oct. 16, The Pavilion at Star Lake.

Bentley has accumulated 25 singles on the Hot Country Songs and Country Airplay charts, including 15 that have reached number one. Those songs include "What Was I Thinkin'," "Come a
Little Closer," "Settle for a Slowdown," "I Hold On," "Drunk On a Plane," and "Somewhere on a Beach." He brings the Beers On Me Tour to a late-season show at the pavilion.

• Pittsburgh Taco, Beer, Tequila Festival, Oct. 23, Sandcastle.

Get your taco on at this 21 and older event that includes wine, beer, cider and tequila samplings with all ticket purchases. The region's taqueria and taco trucks also will be on hand to help you absorb all of those samplings. There also will be a guacamole pavilion, as well as as churros and chocolate pavilion.

• The Band's Visit, Oct. 28-31, Benedum Center.

Winner of 10 Tony Awards and a Grammy Award winner for best musical theater album, this offbeat story chronicles a band of musicians who arrive lost in a small town and help transform it in an unexpected manner.

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