5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: Oct. 18-20

Halloween isn’t for another two weeks, but there are plenty of ways to celebrate this weekend with pumpkins, costumes and spooky events.

Monster mash

The second annual Pittsburgh Monster Pumpkins Festival is Saturday and Sunday on the North Shore. The largest pumpkin grown in the world so far this year – 2,517 pounds — will be sitting on the river walk down from Jerome Bettis’ Grille 36.

Professional carvers will attempt to create the biggest jack-o’-lantern — a 2,118 pound monstrosity.

This year’s theme is characters from movies filmed here or with a Pittsburgh connection. Guests will recognize a character from “The Last Witch Hunter,” “Robocop,” Michael Keaton as “Beetlejuice” and Hannibal Lecter in “The Silence of the Lambs.”

There will be pumpkin giveaways, opportunities for seeds to try and grow mammoth pumpkins as well as pumpkin paddle races on the Allegheny River. Giant pumpkin drops are also an attraction.

Details: monsterpumpkin.com

We’ve got pumpkin to talk about! The Pittsburgh Monster Pumpkins festival kicks off in TWO DAYS and we couldn’t be more excited! Prizes, pumpkin pinatas, pumpkin boats, and so much more happening this weekend! pic.twitter.com/XGn3l13aMS

— Pittsburgh Monster Pumpkins Festival (@MonsterPumpkins) October 17, 2019

Have a drink

The 13th annual “Brewing up a Cure” is Saturday at the Energy Innovation Center in Pittsburgh’s Uptown. The event has raised over $300,000 for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of Pittsburgh. Guests can select from more than 100 home-brewed beers, ciders and meads made by various club members, as well as selections from craft breweries from the Pittsburgh region. There will also be food from local eateries. The event is hosted by Three Rivers Underground Brewers, a Pittsburgh-area home brewing club.

Details: brewingupacure.org

Drink Beer, Save Lives, Win Steeler Tickets – https://t.co/QYvk2A4AIm pic.twitter.com/llaUiBTDnU

— Brewing Up a Cure (@brewingupacure) October 10, 2019

Midnight madness

The Midnight Monster Party, a vintage horror film-themed rock ’n’ roll fashion show, is Friday at Cake Pittsburgh in the Strip District. There will be live rock bands, a disc jockey, dancing and the best costume and best horror-themed makeup contest. The event benefits the Autism Speaks Foundation.

Details: facebook.com/Midnight-Monster-Party-2334676733469735

ZooBoo

Visit the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium this Saturday and Sunday for ZooBoo. It’s a Halloween party, so come dressed in your favorite costume to walk along the Trick-Or-Treat Trail. There will be a pumpkin patch pavilion as well as a monster mash dance-off.

The animals will be celebrating, too. There will be character meet-and-greets, a haunted house, a parade and costume contests. Get your photo taken with an elephant. Bring a bag so you have something to carry your treats home in.

Details: pittsburghzoo.org

Heinztoberfest

The Senator John Heinz History Center in the Strip District will celebrate the 150th anniversary of the H.J. Heinz Company on Saturday. It’s part of the museum’s month-long Heinztoberfest. Enjoy foods that are Heinz-inspired from more than 40 local vendors.

The day will include a Heinz test kitchen where children can create recipes. There will also be live cooking demonstrations featuring food scientist Rachel Russel of the KraftHeinz Company, Chris Fennimore of QED Cooks, and other local experts. Author and museum curator Emily Ruby will be discussing her book, “57 Servings from the Heinz Table.” And don’t forget to visit the Heinz exhibition and collection.

Details: heinzhistorycenter.org/heinz

Come hungry to Hometown-Homegrown this Saturday for delicious samples from more than 40 of Pittsburgh’s finest food vendors, from long-time Pittsburgh staples to emerging local businesses.https://t.co/3e7Afw8SCl

— Heinz History Center (@HistoryCenter) October 17, 2019