Whether it’s their heritage, the arts, or a holiday, Pittsburghers always have something to celebrate. The following is a list of upcoming festivals and/or events. For more information or additional events, call the Greater Pittsburgh Convention & Visitors Bureau at 800-366-0093 for updates, or visit the website at www.visitpittsburgh.com.

For more information for Laurel Highlands, call Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau at 800-925-7669 or check out www.laurelhighlands.org.

Other bureaus in the region that may be helpful also include Butler County Tourism & Convention Bureau at 866-856-8444, www.visitbutlercounty.com; Beaver County Tourism at 800-342-8192, www.co.beaver.pa.us; and Monroeville Convention Visitors Bureau at 800-527-8941, www.visitmonroeville.com.

The event dates are subject to change. The phone numbers may be used to verify dates.

OCTOBER 2005

PENGUIN PREMIER SHOW
National Aviary, North Side
ongoing
412-323-7235
Get up-close-and-personal with our NEW baby African Penguin “Stanley,” indoors in our atrium. www.aviary.org

SPORTSWORKS
Carnegie Science Center, North Side
Permanent Exhibition
412-237-3400
36,000 square feet of scientific fun completely dedicated to sports! Come and find out for yourself how your family and friends can discover the science in sports, push their bodies to the limit, and embark on wild virtual journeys. www.carnegiesciencecenter.org

HARMONY MUSEUM
Harmony, Butler County
daily
724-452-7341
Exhibits on Native Americans, George Washington’s 1753 mission that precipitated French & Indian War, Harmony’s 1804 founding by German Separatists organized as the communal Harmony Society, 1815 Mennonite resettlement, fine 19th century Charles Flowers longrifles, and more. Guided tours 1-4 p.m. daily except Mondays.

RAPTOR ENCOUNTER
National Aviary, North Side
ongoing
412-232-7235
Meet one of the Aviary’s exciting raptors or owls, from the favorite Snowy Owl to a regal red-tailed hawk. Daily at 10:30 a.m. Free with general admission.

STARS OF THE PHARAOH
Carnegie Science Center, North Side
Henry Buhl Jr. Planetarium
Ongoing
412-237-3400
Journey back in time to explore the skies over Egypt and see how the stars guided the ancient Egyptians in the construction and alignment of the tombs and temples of their leaders.

MYSTERY OF THE NILE
Carnegie Science Center, North Side
Rangos Omnimax Theater
ongoing
412-237-3400
Mystery of the Nile is the story of the first expedition to navigate the entire Blue Nile and Nile river from its source in the heart of Ethiopia to the Egyptian coast of the Mediterranean Sea.

LERNERVILLE SPEEDWAY RACING
Lernerville Speedway, Sarver
through October 4
724-353-2511
Sprint, late model, V-1 modified, pure stock races every Friday. Admission charged.

MISERY
South Park Theatre, South Park
through October 9
412-831-8552
Steven King’s classic thriller about a writer held prisoner by a crazed fan who forces him to write a new chapter each day in order to stay alive.

SCITECH SPECTACULAR
Carnegie Science Center, North Side
through October 9
412-237-3335
The SciTech Spectacular returns to Carnegie Science Center. The 6th Annual Spectacular is a 10-day celebration of creativity and innovation where you can experience our region’s science and technology accomplishments in a fun, dynamic atmosphere.

BUTTERFLY FOREST
Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, Oakland
through October 16
412-622-6914
Butterfly Forest features various species of butterflies including monarchs, zebras, julias and queens, all thriving in a natural habitat.

GARDEN RAILROAD
Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, Oakland
through January 2006
412-622-6914
Dinosaurs discovered in Hidden Valley! Venture with our G-scale trains through the 1890s when dinosaur bones were discovered. See an archaeological dig and peer into a mysterious and misty valley of living dinosaurs.

BREAKFAST WITH THE BIRDS
National Aviary, North Side
October 1
412-323-7235
Enjoy a continental breakfast with our zookeepers, then meet some of the Aviary’s most exciting birds! Call for reservations.

HEAD OF THE OHIO REGATTA
Allegheny River banks, Clemente Park, North Side
October 1
412-232-7506
Rowing teams from the local area as well as from throughout the United States and Canada race on Pittsburgh’s rivers to benefit Mercy Hospital’s Burn Center. www.headoftheohio.org

OWL-O-WEEN FALL FESTIVAL
National Aviary, North Side
October 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
412-323-7235
Owls, crows, ravens and macaws… there’s no better place to enjoy special encounters with exciting birds.

FRIGHT FESTIVAL
Chevrolet Amphitheatre, Station Square
October 1-31
412-232-6200
This festival features a Halloween amusement park of fright, thrills, and fun. www.stationsquare.com

NORTHERN NIGHTMARES SCAREHOUSE
Harmony, Butler County
Thursday thru Sunday nights in October
724-368-3233
Enter the dark depths of a 200 year old building and find out what’s really lurking in the dark. Tickets are $9 and doors open at 7:00 PM.

ASSOCIATED ARTIST EXHIBITS
The Rittelmann Gallery, Butler County
October 7-November 11
724-283-6922
Featured exhibits by Michael Changnon and Gay Carson. Wednesday thru Thursday 10:00 AM-4:00 PM, Friday 10:00 AM-10:00 PM, and Saturday 10:00 AM 2:00 PM.

COLUMBUS DAY WEEKEND
Throughout Downtown Pittsburgh
October 7-10
412-281-7711
Columbus Day in Pittsburgh marks the first ‘official’ holiday weekend of the fall. The summer heat is gone and you can caually stroll colorful streets while the air is refreshingly crisp.

AUTUMNFEST
Seven springs Mountain Resort
Weekends in October
814-352-7777
Autumnfest offers a wide variety of activities, including an outdoor buffet, a craft show, music and bands, the Pumpkin Patch, children’s games, and more.

FALL FLOWER SHOW
Phipps Conservatory, Oakland
Mid October-Early November
412-622-6914
Phipps celebrates the splendor of autumn with a colorful indoor flower display at the Schenley Park conservatory. Call for more information on this popular fall display. www.phippsconservatory.org

11th ANNUAL PENNSYLVANIA
ARTS & CRAFTS CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL
Washington County Fairgrounds
October 21-23, 29-30
412-863-4577
More than 200 booths of arts and crafts, and food vendors. All displays indoors in heated buildings. Bring the kids to see Santa!

U2-VERTIGO 2005 TOUR
Mellon Arena, Downtown
October 22
Tickets cost $52, $99.75, and $168. Visit www.ticketmaster.com

November

WINGS AND WILDLIFE ART SHOW
National Aviary, North Side
November 5, 6
412-323-7235
Pittsburgh’s indoor bird zoo hosts this festival, where some of the country’s best nature artists sell their work. This festival also features many demonstrations, children’sactivities and educational programs. www.aviary.org

GREENBERG’S GREAT TRAIN & COLLECTIBLE TOY SHOW
Greater Pittsburgh ExpoMart, Monroeville
November 12, 13
412-795-7447 or 412-856-8100
“America’s Premier Toy Train & Miniature Event” with dramatic layout displays, a huge hobby marketplace offering competitive prices, ongoing how-to clinics, dollhouses, door prizes, and the newest hobby books. All aboard for a fun-filled family weekend. www.greenbergshows.com

LIGHT-UP NIGHT
Downtown
November 18
412-566-4190
Grab a spot atop Mount Washington to enjoy a spectacular light show, as every downtown building lights up to celebrate the start of the holiday season. www.downtownpittsburgh.com

DOWNTOWN PITTSBURGH, A HOLIDAY TRADITION WITH A NEW TWIST
Downtown
November 18-January 7, 2006
412-566-4190
Downtown holiday shopping and celebrations launched with Light-Up Night on the weekend before Thanksgiving. Entertainment by area attractions, performances, ice sculptures, and shopping. www.downtownpittsburgh.com

CHRISTMAS ARTS & CRAFTS SHOW
Greater Pittsburgh ExpoMart, Monroeville
November 18-20
412-856-8100
This show is an annual holiday event featuring more than 200 quality artisans. www.pghexpomart.com

WINTER FLOWER SHOW
Phipps Conservatory, Oakland
Late November-Early January 2006
412-622-6914
Phipps welcomes winter with an indoor flower display at the Schenley Park conservatory. Call for more information on this popular winter display. www.phippsconservatory.org

December

HOLIDAYS AT THE CARNEGIE
Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, Oakland
December 1-31
412-622-3131
See the annual Christmas tree exhibit illuminate The Carnegie’s elaborate interior while traditional Christmas carols echo throughout the great halls of this museum. A variety of concerts are performed. www.clpgh.org

HOLIDAYS AT THE NATIONALITY ROOMS
University of Pittsburgh, Oakland
December 1-31
412-624-6000
Start a new holiday tradition. Visit the Nationality Rooms and see them decorated for the season. The 26 rooms depict the city’s diverse ethnic heritage through authentic examples of architecture and decor from Eastern and Western Europe, Scandinavia, the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. www.pitt.edu/natrooms

CANDLELIGHT EVENINGS AT PHIPPS CONSERVATORY
Oakland
December 15-31
412-622-6914
Phipps will be dressed for the season with lights and festive decorations. The conservatory will remain open later on these evenings and special tours can be arranged. www.phippsconservatory.org

FIRST NIGHT PITTSBURGH
Downtown
December 31
412-201-7380
First Night Pittsburgh is an annual New Year’s Eve Festival, which celebrates the arts, cultural, and entertainment vitality of Pittsburgh. Downtown Pittsburgh is your stage to participate in a magical celebration. www.firstnightpgh.com

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