Welcome, Summer!
Summer is finally here. And when school’s out, the phrase every parent dreads hearing from their children can often repeat itself through the season: “I’m bored.” But never fear. As we usher in June, we also welcome the return of many Pittsburgh area favorites.
U-Pick: Flowers and Berries
Head to any one of these farms to pick your own fruit and flowers for the season. Go for unique finds at Moris Organic Farm in Westmoreland County like beets, eggplant, squash, zucchini and more. Or pick out your favorite flowers or more summer berries at the following:
- Bedners Farm & Greenhouse | McDonald | See website for updated hours.
- Simmons Farm | McMurray | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily
- Triple B Farms | Monongahela | 10 a.m. -5 p.m. daily
- Norman’s Orchard | Tarentum | See website for updated hours.
Public Swimming
The city of Pittsburgh has 16 different outdoor public pool locations that you and your family can visit for a small daily fee or season pass. But if you are looking for something a little different, check out natural areas such as Meadow Run Natural Waterslides Area in Ohiopyle or any of these other off-the-beaten path public swimming spots.
- Montour Robinson Hole | Moon Township
- Blue Hole in Forbes State Forest | Somerset
- Shawnee State Park | Schellsburg
Movies & Outdoor Concert Series
Nothing beats a cool summer night sitting on a picnic blanket, eating snacks and watching a movie on the big screen or listening to a great band while stargazing at the night sky above you — especially when it’s free.
- Dollar Bank Cinema in the Park | Pittsburgh
- Movies in the Park | Cranberry Township
- Movie Night on the Lawn at Bakery Square | Pittsburgh
- Drive-In Movies at Allegheny County Parks | Multiple Locations
- City of Pittsburgh Summer Concert Series | Pittsburgh
- Butler County Symphony Free Summer Concert Series | Butler
- Allegheny RiverTrail Park Summer Concert Series | Pittsburgh
- WYEP’s Neighborhood Concert Series | Multiple locations
- Concerts in the Park | Cranberry Township
- Twin Lakes Park Summer Concert Series | Greensburg
Community Festivals
There’s a lot happening this month to kick off the summer. For families looking for something more community focused, here are four festivals to check out for a fun time with the whole family.
- 3 Rivers Comicon | Pittsburgh | June 6-7
- Pogolooza | Pittsburg | June 12-14
- Baldwin Borough Community Day | Pittsburgh | June 13
- Braddock Borough’s Second Annual Juneteenth Celebration | Braddock | June 13
Not-to-Miss Festivals and Events
Big festivals draw big crowds. Plan ahead to beat the crowds at these three not-to-miss festivals and events in June and July.
- Three Rivers Arts Festival | Pittsburgh | June 5-7 & 11-14
- Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival | Bulter | June 12-14
- The Big Butler Fair | Prospect | July 3-11
- Juneteenth Celebration | Pittsburgh | June 18-22
- 4th of July Celebration | Multiple locations | July 4
- Picklesburgh | Pittsburgh | July 16-19
Best Shaved Ice Spots
Cool down in the heat of summer by visiting any of these Pittsburgh favorites for shaved ice.
- Steel City Shaved Ice | Pittsburgh
- Shivers Shaved Ice & Dirty Soda | Pittsburgh
- Wu’s Shaved Ice | South Park Township
- SnoCono | Pop Up
- The Big Sno | Beaver Falls
- Role & Scoop | California
- 80’s Ice | Bulter
- The Snowman | Portersville
Cool down in the heat of summer by visiting any of these Pittsburgh favorite ice cream spots.
- Millie’s Ice Cream | Multiple locations
- Klavon’s Ice cream Parlor | Pittsburgh
- Dave and Andy’s Homemade Ice Cream | Pittsburgh
- Page’s Dairy Mart | Pittsburgh
- Sam’s in the Strip | Pittsburgh
- Leona’s Ice Cream | Multiple Locations
Holidays
All month long is Pride Month, which many local communities celebrate with festivals, parades and more such as Pittsburgh Pride (June 1) or Bellevue Pride Festival (June 27) in Bayne Park. Don’t miss celebrating these other early summer holidays with your family.
- National Best Friends Day | June 8
- Flag Day | June 14
- Father’s Day | June 15
- Juneteenth | June 19
- Fourth of July | July 4
- Free Slurpee Day | July 11
Summer Reading
The Pennsylvania Commonwealth is participating in the Collaborative Summer Library Program. This year’s theme is Unearth A Story. Bulter Public Library’s program will run through July 10, and local libraries will be hosting a number of events including dinosaur bingo and Paint-a-Dino. Check in with your local branch for how to participate for prizes. Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh will host its Grow Summer Reading kickoff with the Phipps Conservatory (June 2) and the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium (June 6).
