Every year, Pittsburgh packs October with happenings for fright-seekers of all ages. Kick off the spookiest month of the year with a sampling of events for you and your boo crew.
Kid Stuff
Kennywood turns into a real horror show after 6 p.m. during Phantom Fall Fest, but daytime hours are for young park goers. Continues through Sat., Nov. 1. 4800 Kennywood Blvd., West Mifflin. Ticket prices vary. kennywood.com
Take your little pumpkins to the Jack O’Lantern Extravaganza at the Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium, where gorgeous gourds and fun activities await. Thu., Oct. 2-Sun., Nov. 2. 7370 Baker St., Highland Park. $15-26, free for kids under 2. pittsburghzoo.org
The Downtown Pittsburgh Fall Fest returns to the Pittsburgh Playhouse with games, local vendors, arts and crafts, and the all-ages production Boo’s Halloween House Party. Thu., Oct. 16-Sun., Oct. 26. 350 Forbes Ave., Downtown. Free. playhouse.pointpark.edu
Credit: Photo: Elliot Cramer
Fly into the National Aviary for Owl-O-Ween, a family-friendly event celebrating winged creatures of the night. Sat., October 18-Sun., Oct. 19 and Sat., Oct. 25-Sun., Oct. 26. 700 Arch St., North Side. Included with regular admission. aviary.org
Credit: Photo: Courtesy of THIS IS RED
Adults Only
The DJs come out to play at THIS IS RED during In Dead by Ten: Halloween Time Machine, a ghoulishly good time featuring all the best dance music from decades past. 5-10 p.m. 605 East Ninth Ave., Munhall. $25-30. inbedbytenpgh.com
You’ll be working in the lab late one night when the Kamin Science Center hosts its 21-and-over Monster Murder Mystery party. Expect plenty of kid-free, science-based fun. 6-10 p.m. Fri., Oct. 10. One Allegheny Ave., North Side. $25. kaminsciencecenter.org
If you miss the Science Center party, no worries — the Carnegie Museum of Natural History is bringing back its Haunted Museum event for grown-ups interested in the more gruesome side of nature. 6-10 p.m. Fri., Oct. 17. 4400 Forbes Ave., Oakland. $25-30. carnegiemnh.org
Creepy Culture
Have a groovy time at Carnegie of Homestead Music Hall during a live score of the cult horror movie Evil Dead. 8 p.m. Doors at 7 p.m. Sun., Oct. 5. 510 E. 10th Ave., Munhall. $75. librarymusichall.com
Pittsburgh CLO does the Time Warp again with its live musical production of The Rocky Horror Picture Show at Greer Cabaret Theater. Tue., Oct. 14-Sat., Nov. 8. 655 Penn Ave., Downtown. $77.84-100.24 trustarts.org
The Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre once again stalks the Benedum Center for Dracula, a dance production with fangs. Fri., Oct. 31-Sun., Nov. 2. Seventh Street and Penn Avenue, Downtown. $45-153.50. pbt.org
This article appears in Fall Guide 2025.
