November 24, 2025 Pittsburgh Offering Sensory-Friendly Events During Holiday Season The holidays are a magical time for many children, from the visits with family and holiday treats to an abundance of lights everywhere. For some other children, these same attributes can be stressful and cause anxiety. Learn More Kidsburgh recently put together a list of sensory-friendly activities and events taking place in the Pittsburgh region that are aimed at ensuring that all attendees are able to enjoy them comfortably. The list includes: Holiday Magic at Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens (Through Sunday, January 4) – The conservatory will offer sensory-sensitive hours through a partnership with the Autism Connection of Pennsylvania. The holiday-themed gardens include a poinsettia showcase and a Winter Light Garden. Holiday Lights at Kennywood Park – The amusement park will offer a variety of accommodations for those with disabilities or special needs. The park will put up millions of lights, host a meeting with Santa Claus, and keep more than 25 rides open. Santa at the Heinz History Center – The museum offers sensory-friendly accommodations, such as sensory bags and quiet spaces. All children ages 17 and below will get in for free. Santa Trolley at the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum – There will be a special sensory-friendly Santa Trolley on Sunday, November 30 and the museum has sensory accommodations available at every event. Attendees will be able to meet Santa Claus before taking a ride on an antique streetcar. Sensory-friendly shopping hours at the Handmade Arcade Holiday Market – The market at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center runs from Friday, December 5 to Sunday, December 7. Sensory-friendly shopping hours will be held from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, during which stimulation will be reduced for a less overwhelming shopping experience. “The Nutcracker” at the Benedum Center for Performing Arts – The Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre will hold a sensory-friendly performance of the holiday classic on Sunday, December 7. The performance is aimed at those with autism spectrum disorder, sensory sensitivity, or other individual needs. A Very Yinzer Christmas – This performance on Saturday, December 8 at the Benedum Center for Performing Arts will feature more than 25 Pittsburgh musicians. Proceeds will benefit Band Together Pittsburgh, a local organization that creates music programs for those on the autism spectrum. Sensory-friendly hours at the National Aviary – The aviary will offer a sensory-friendly version of its “Passport to Parks” presentation on Wednesday, December 10 that is designed to avoid dysregulation. It will include a sensory guide, quiet zones, and sensory tools. “A Musical Christmas Carol” at the Byham Theater – This adaptation of the Charles Dickens novel is set to seasonal music and will run from Thursday, December 11 to Monday, December 22. A sensory-friendly performance will be held on Sunday, December 21 at 10 a.m. Holiday Pops at Heinz Hall – The Pittsburgh Symphony, Mendelssohn Choir and guest vocalist Blaine Alden Krauss will perform during this holiday music event, which runs from Friday, December 12 to Sunday, December 21. A sensory-friendly version of the show will take place on Sunday, December 21 with tickets priced at $15. For more information on these holiday-themed, sensory-friendly events, read the entire Kidsburgh article.
September 16, 2025 RAD Pass Expanding Year-Round for Free and Discounted Tickets to Pittsburgh Attractions The RAD Pass is expanding year-round for free and discounted tickets for Allegheny County library cardholders to attend regional attractions. Learn More The RAD Pass is an online ticket lending system that allows county library cardholders to take part in cultural activities – including museums, the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium, the National Aviary, and other attractions – at discounted rates. Now, discounted tickets are available beyond the summer’s limited RAD Days, enabling Pittsburgh residents to take advantage of the region’s attractions year-round. Additional upcoming RAD Pass activities include live theater, ballet, opera, musical performances, art-making classes, and crafting activities. Those interested in utilizing the RAD Pass will need to have an active Allegheny County library card. It is possible to sign up online or at a county library location. A complete list of participating organizations is available online.
July 11, 2025 Carnegie Library: Extravaganza The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s Main (Oakland) branch will host its outdoor Summer Reading Extravaganza in August that will include storytelling, music, crafts, food trucks, and more. Learn More The event will include an interactive presentation by award-winning author Antwan Eady on his book “Nigel and the Moon.” Free copies of the book will be distributed to attendees and a Q&A will follow the presentation. A National Aviary expert will present “Amazing Adaptations,” during which children will be able to discover a bird’s unique characteristics and explore bio facts, such as feet, feathers, and beaks. Puppets for Pittsburgh will present “Aesop’s Fables,” a puppet show made entirely from things discarded by libraries. SQUONK will create an outdoor spectacle by fusing fantastical visual design, playful staging, and original music. SQUONK’s “Brouhaha” performance brings audiences together for a celebration of humankind and our peculiar world. Other activities and attendees include Animal Friends, Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Mad Science, Moonshot Museum, Pittsburgh Toy Lending Library, Reading Ready Pittsburgh, and various other organizations, food trucks, and businesses. The event runs from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 10. For more information, visit the Extravaganza website.
June 18, 2025 RAD Pass Offering Thousands of Free Admissions to Pittsburgh’s Top Attractions A number of Pittsburgh’s top attractions are offering tens of thousands of free admissions through August 31 for those who have an Allegheny County library card and a Regional Asset District (RAD) Pass reservation. Learn More RAD Summer Staycation reservation spots will be added regularly through August. Users are asked to read offers carefully, as some attractions offer two- or four-packs for admission. Currently, attractions making offers of free visits on the RAD Pass website include: The Andy Warhol Museum Carnegie Museum of Art Carnegie Museum of Natural History Carnegie Science Center Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh The Frick Pittsburgh Mattress Factory National Aviary Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium In the coming months, the following institutions will make offers: Heinz History Center Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens Pittsburgh Botanic Garden Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall and Museum Booking Tickets To book tickets for RAD Summer Staycation admissions, visit the RAD Pass website. Then, users should log in with their Allegheny County library card and PIN and browse for passes by date or venue. Once a pass is reserved, it should be printed or downloaded to a mobile device. Participants are asked to only book a reservation that they plan to use on the selected date. They should also cancel their reservation to open up spots for others if they find out they cannot attend on a day they reserved. For more information, visit the RAD Pass website.
April 21, 2025 RAD Staycation to Provide Free Trips to Popular Pittsburgh Attractions RAD Summer Staycation will provide free admission to library-card holders at numerous popular attractions in Pittsburgh this summer. Learn More Last summer, the Regional Asset District (RAD) provided more than 53,000 free-of-charge visits to a variety of popular cultural institutions in Pittsburgh. Among those where free admission will be available in 2025 include: Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium Carnegie Museum of Art Carnegie Museum of Natural History Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh Carnegie Science Center National Aviary Heinz History Center Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens The Frick Pittsburgh Mattress Factory Pittsburgh Botanic Garden Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall and Museum The Andy Warhol Museum Free admission offers for library-card holders have begun to appear on the RAD Pass’ website. Others will begin to post their offers in May and June. RAD Pass users are encouraged to check back for new opportunities – especially on Mondays and Tuesdays. RAD Summer Staycation reservation spots will be added regularly through August. Users are asked to read offers carefully as some attractions offer two- or four-packs for admission. To book tickets, RAD Pass users should log in to RADPass.org with their Allegheny County library card number and PIN and browse for passes by date or name. They should reserve their pass and then print it or download it to their mobile device. More information can be found on the RAD Pass website.
May 6, 2024 RAD Pass’ Summer Staycation to Offer Free Admissions to Area Attractions The RAD Pass’ Summer Staycation will offer free admission opportunities to numerous area attractions this summer. Free Admissions Ticket offers from a number of Pittsburgh museums, cultural institutions, and other attractions will begin to appear May 1 on the RAD Pass’ website. Free admission days will begin on May 15. During the course of RAD Summer Staycation, more than 100,000 free tickets will be available. Allegheny County residents would need to sign up for a library card and make reservations for specific events for free admission. The free admissions will continue to be announced until the end of August. Participating attractions include the Andy Warhol Museum, Carnegie Museum of Art, Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Carnegie Science Center, Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, The Frick Pittsburgh, Heinz History Center, Mattress Factory, National Aviary, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, Pittsburgh Botanic Garden, Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium, and Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall and Museum. More Details Free family-four-packs of tickets will be replenished with new dates for admission throughout the summer. They can be booked and redeemed through a four-step process on the RAD Pass’ website: Log in with your Allegheny County library card number and PIN Browse for passes by date or venue Reserve your pass Print your RAD Pass or download it to your mobile device RAD Pass users are asked to only book a reservation that they plan to use on a selected date. If they are unable to attend, they should cancel the reservation to open up spots for others. The RAD Summer Staycation will also serve as a one-stop-shop for people to explore free events at regional attractions throughout the summer. Its RAD Works Here site will feature a calendar of events, including everything from free concerts and movies at local parks to summer festivals. Attractions participating in RAD Summer Staycation will not host a traditional “RAD Day” this year. They will instead shift free admissions from the fall to the summer. However, RAD Days will remain focused on fan-favorite free events and experiences, including music and theater performances as well as stadium tours, arts classes, and family open houses. For more information, visit the RAD Summer Staycation website.
April 23, 2024 Northside Job Fair NorthSideWorks! and PA Career Link are hosting the Northside Job Fair on April 26. More than 50 employers, service organizations, and training providers will attend the event. Learn More Attendees will be able to learn about full- and part-time opportunities in various industries. Registration for attendees is free. Employers attending the event include Acrisure Stadium, Aflac, Allegheny County Health Department, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, the city of Pittsburgh, DollarBank, National Aviary, PA Women Work, Peoples Gas, Pittsburgh Pirates, PNC Bank, Rivers Casino Pittsburgh, Trying Together, and many others. More Details The job fair runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on April 26 at PNC Park, located at 115 Federal Street. Free parking is available at Red Lot 5A, located at 664 W. Robinson Street. For more information, call Quinn Kirby at 412-231-6500.
