For nearly 30 years, the Pittsburgh Children’s Festival has provided 5 days of entertainment to parents and children. Every year in May, the event welcomes performers from around the world as they hit the stage (and the streets) to dazzle and entertain. Come to see puppetry, acrobatics, dance, musicals and more.
There are tons of amazing shows that have reasonable ticket prices (most around $8/ticket). Most of the performances are geared towards children ages 2-10 years. Check the Pittsburgh Children’s Festival website for more information about shows, tickets, pricing and times.
Don’t forget to purchase your ticket to enter Miracoco. It’s a huge inflatable structure that uses a kaleidoscope of colored light that softly glow through the tunnels. Spend approximately 20 minutes navigating and exploring through the tunnels. Tickets are just $5 and can be purchased online.
In the past, the festival has been held in Schenley Plaza in Oakland. However, this year all the festivities are moving downtown to the Cultural District. LilyPad Park will be set up at the corner of Eighth Street and Penn Avenue. The park will have artificial turf play and will be FREE and open to the public! Volunteers dressed as frogs will help visitors navigate throughout the Cultural District.
Whether you’ve come down to enjoy a show or you’re just passing by, there are plenty of fun activities for the family to enjoy. Check out the lineup of some of the FREE events/activities at Lily Pad Park at 8th Street and Penn Avenue downtown.
FREE Attractions at the Children’s Festival
1.) Sandbox : Giant outdoor sandbox! When else are you going to get the opportunity to feel the sand between your toes in the middle of downtown Pittsburgh?!
Wednesday, May 14 | 9:00 am – 2:00 pm || Thursday, May 15 | 9:00 am – 2:00 pm || Friday, May 16 | 9:00 am – 6:00 pm || Saturday, May 17 | 9:00 am – 6:00 pm || Sunday, May 18 | 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
2.) Pittsburgh Magician, Al Mazing : This award winning magician will be on the community stage performing a free magic show for families to enjoy.
Friday, May 16 | 4:00 pm ||
3.) Sticker Shak : Kids will have the opportunity to design their own sticker.
Wednesday, May 14 | 9:00 am – 2:00 pm || Thursday, May 15 | 9:00 am – 2:00 pm || Friday, May 16 | 9:00 am – 6:00 pm || Saturday, May 17 | 9:00 am – 6:00 pm || Sunday, May 18 | 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
4. ) Penny Arcade : Use the Imagination Stations to to create characters and then see them come alive on stage through storytelling and high-energy, easy-to-follow improv games. Each show will last about 45 minutes. Fun for all ages!
Saturday, May 17 | 1:00 pm || Saturday, May 17 | 4:00 pm ||Sunday, May 18 | 1:00 pm || Sunday, May 18 | 4:00 pm
5.) CATS Crafts : Make CATS themed crafts to celebrate the upcoming Pittsburgh CLO production!
Wednesday, May 14 | 9:00 am – 2:00 pm || Thursday, May 15 | 9:00 am – 2:00 pm || Friday, May 16 | 9:00 am – 6:00 pm || Saturday, May 17 | 9:00 am – 6:00 pm || Sunday, May 18 | 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
6.) Beaded Bracelet Making : Create your very own, special bracelet creation to keep!
Sunday, May 18 | 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Pittsburgh Children’s Festival: Pittsburgh Cultural District, Downtown Pittsburgh || Website: http://www.pghkids.org/ || Hours: May 14th – 18th || Admission: Varies