Best Spring Festivals Near Pittsburgh
As the weather warms and spring comes, the season brings festivals along with it, including crafts, food, film and more. Is there a better way to get out of the house and shake off the cold winter? And as usual, the Pittsburgh area has plenty to offer, with plenty of annual festivals back at it again this year. Here are five you'll definitely want to check out, including one just for kids.
Spring Fever
Monroeville Convention Center
209 Mall Blvd.
Monroeville, PA 15146
(724) 863-4577
www.familyfestivals.com
Date: Through March 20, 2016 at 10 a.m.
For the 17th consecutive year, the Pittsburgh Spring Fever Festival will spend a weekend showcasing arts and crafts in the Monroeville Convention Center. The festival is one of the biggest in the area for arts and crafts, featuring over 180 booths with everything from clothes and jewelry to art and candles, as well as food. Hours are slightly shorter for Sunday's show, running only until 4 p.m., while Friday and Saturday runs until 5 p.m. Parking is free, but admission will run $5.50 for adults, $5 for seniors, and $1 for children ages 6 to 12. Kids under 6 get in free.
Pittsburgh Wine Festival
Heinz Field
100 Art Rooney Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15212
(412) 281-2681
www.pittsburghwinefestival.com
Date: May 5, 2016 at 7 p.m.
Want to check out an extensive sampling of wines from all over the world? Check out the Pittsburgh Wine Festival, now in its 14th year and considered one of the best wine shows in the country. The festival will feature over 500 wines from across the country, as well as such places as Italy South Africa, and more. The Grand Tasting costs $125 to attend, while the VIP tasting runs $250 and includes tastings of special reserve wines.
Children's Theater Festival
Various Theaters in the Cultural District
803 Liberty Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
(412) 456-6666
www.trustarts.org
Date: May 12-15, 2016
Live theater isn't just for adults. The 30th annual EQT Children's Theater Festival, presented by Pittsburgh's Cultural Trust, "is dedicated to continuing the tradition of theater for your children" and will be held May 12 through 15 this year. The schedule of events for the 2016 Children's Theater Festival includes works from such places as Peru and Scotland and a performance of "Goodnight Moon" and "Runaway Bunny," as well as sensory-friendly performances and shows suitable for all ages. Last year's festival included a pop-up park, interactive art installation and numerous international theater troupes.
Related: Best Up-And-Coming Pittsburgh Bands To Check Out In 2016
Carnegie Mellon International Film Festival
McConomy Auditorium, CMU Cohon University Center
5032 Forbes Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
(412) 445-6292
www.cmu.edu/faces
Date: March 17-April 3, 2016
Celebrating its 10th anniversary, Carnegie Mellon's international film festival will explore the theme of conflict through new, independent, and award-winning films from all over the world. This year's screenings will include 2016 Academy Award nominees "Cartel Land" and "A War," as well as a screening of new Spike Lee film "Chi-Raq," including a Q&A with Lee himself. This year, the film festival has also added a three day academic course, allowing audiences to share their thoughts with both filmmakers and peers. The festival's screenings will be held at various venues, so for the full schedule — including ticket prices — visit the festival's website.
St. Nicholas Greek Food Festival
St. Nicholas Cathedral Community Center
419 S. Dithridge St.
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
(412) 682-3866
www.stnickspgh.org
Date: May 8-14, 2016
Held the second week in May every year, the St. Nicholas Greek food festival is considered one of the city's best, with attendance this year expected to reach over 28,000. In addition to the plentiful authentic homemade Greek food, the festival also features traditional Greek dancers and a live Greek band. And if you don't have time to sit and eat, you can get take-out --they even accept online orders. The full menu will be posted on their website as the festival date nears.
Related: Best Art Walks In Pittsburgh
Janelle Sheetz is a 20-something closed-captioner by day, writer by night, just outside of Pittsburgh. She also regularly contributes to AXS.com and Examiner.com, and her writing has also been featured on The Billfold and Neutrons Protons.
