7 Things to Do in August

1:

Say ciao to Bloomfield’s popular Little Italy Days. The festival will feature more than 30 performers and events — including a Q&A with Vito from the Sopranos; a family-oriented Miss Little Italy Pageant; and a Celebrity Bocce Challenge, where local politicians and media personalities will compete on the bocce court.

Grab a slice of pizza from Caliente Pizza & Draft House, a drink at Froggy’s Bar and a finish up with a sweet treat from Paddy Cake Bakery. While Little Italy Days is a free festival, you can enhance your experience with a VIP ticket, which includes a slice of pizza, a Little Italy Days T-shirt and more.

liberty avenue  |  aug. 13-16  |  littleitalydays.com

2:

Though it’s still summer, Kennywood is thinking ahead with its annual Fall Fantasy Parade. This 76-year tradition includes more than 130 local marching bands and a Mardi Gras theme that extends beyond parade floats, with live music, specialty food and drinks and a French Quarter block party.

The parades take place daily from Aug. 1-17, with an additional parade on Aug. 22.

Aug. 1-17 & Aug. 22  |  Kennywood Park  |  kennywood.com

3:

Named the best beer festival in the U.S. in both 2023 and 2024, Pittsburgh’s own Barrel & Flow Fest returns Aug. 8 to the Stacks at 3 Crossings in the Strip District. The first-ever brew fest dedicated to Black brewers, drinkers and artists, Barrel & Flow’s popularity has helped put the Steel City’s Black brew scene on the map nationwide.

This year’s event features exclusive craft brew collaborations, a curated collection of more than 150 vendors, live music and entertainment —­ and plenty of fun.

Aug. 8  |  Strip District  |  barrelandflow.com

4:

Embrace Pittsburgh’s steel-forging legacy at Carrie Blast Furnaces, where you can learn to hammer hot metal during a three-hour introductory workshop led by experienced River of Steel staff artists. On Aug. 13, participants will have the opportunity to discover the basics of forging steel and use essential blacksmithing tools to create a steel hook or hairpin to take home. Purchase tickets online.

Aug. 13  |  Carrie Blast Furnaces  |  riversofsteel.com

5:

You may think summer camp is just for kids, but that isn’t the case at the National Aviary. On Aug. 15, the acclaimed bird sanctuary will host Summer Camp for Adults, a chance to channel your inner child and get a behind-the-scenes look at the more than 500 birds that call the aviary home. Participants can help prepare enrichment for the flock, get up close with animal ambassadors and learn about National Aviary conservation projects around the world.

Registration costs $150 and includes all camp activities.

Aug. 15  |  National Aviary  |  aviary.org

PHOTO BY NATALEY DAVIS

6:

The earliest evidence of beer brewing dates back 13,000 years in the Ancient Near East, and dinosaurs last walked the Earth some 65 million years ago, but at the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium, you can experience both at once.

Taking place Aug. 22, Zoo Brew: Prehistoric is a 21-plus event featuring samples of beer, cider, spirits and non-alcoholic beverages. Visitors may sip freely as they roam the park after-hours, enjoying both the zoo’s resident animals and the animatronic dinosaurs from its limited-time exhibit, Dinosaurs!

Aug. 22  |  Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium  |  pittsburghzoo.org

7:

Leave your car at home and explore Pittsburgh’s streets on two wheels as part of BikePGH’s PedalPGH event on Aug. 30. The charity bike ride benefits BikePGH, which aims to make the city safer for people biking, rolling and walking. PedalPGH also helps participants discover the city’s 90 distinct neighborhoods connected by historic bridges, lush riversides and some of the region’s new in-city bike infrastructure.

Whether you’re a dedicated cyclist riding in the 53-mile Endurance Challenge or a casual rider taking part in the 10-mile fun ride, the organization reminds us that the streets are big enough for everyone.

Aug. 30  |  Allegheny Commons Park (Start Line)  |  pedalpgh.org