Here are 5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: Oct. 3-5

If you’re reeling from the lack of Steelers football this weekend, never fear! There’s so much to do in the city this weekend that you’ll barely remember. Here are just a few ideas of how to fill up your free days.

Beer Collectibles Show

Especially with so many Oktoberfests, ‘tis the season to enjoy beer and all of the things that go with it! If you love collecting, the Olde Frothingslosh Breweriana/Beer Collectibles Show will feature tables full of collectible beer cans and bottles, plus other assorted materials, including signs, trays, lights and more.

This is a great opportunity to meet new people, buy and trade unique items, and grab a bite to eat and a complimentary beverage. The show will take place at the Greentree Volunteer Fire Department from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Learn more at nababrew.com.

Oktoberfest Pittsburgh

The Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership is celebrating the season with this multi-day event. Oktoberfest Pittsburgh will celebrate Bavarian traditions with food, live music and fun for all.

They’re even bringing back the Ferris wheel on the Roberto Clemente Bridge, where there will also be other games and activities. There will also be stein holding competitions, Dachshund races, a display of German cars and much more.

And don’t forget the food. From bratwurst sandwiches to pretzels to delicious strudel for dessert, there will be something for everyone. And, naturally, this is a great opportunity to explore different German beers.

The event will be held on Fort Duquesne Boulevard and the Sixth Street Bridge in Downtown Pittsburgh from noon to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday and noon to 8 p.m. Sunday, then it will also run through next week. Learn more at oktpgh.com.

SpaceBurgh

Head over to this out-of-this-world festival, Pittsburgh’s home-grown event all about space! This Sunday at Riverview Park, experience the wonder of the cosmos right here in town.

The event will feature live demonstrations from Pitt, West Virginia University, Westminster College and the Moonshot Museum. STEM zones will allow participants to program robots, upgrade coding skills with fun experiences and interact with local organizations. And don’t forget the skies! Use high-powered telescopes and check out the historic Allegheny Observatory.

And there will even be visits by local science fiction authors, as well as spacey arts and crafts. The event will be held from 4 to 9 p.m. Sunday at Riverview Park on the North Side. Check out the details at spaceburgh.org.

‘Noises Off’

Pittsburgh Public Theater will open its 2025-26 season this week with “Noises Off,” one of the most popular comedy plays of the 21st century. Following the behind-the-scenes mishaps of a play-within-a-play, this uproarious farce with a top-notch cast will be a hit with audiences.

The play will run at the O’Reilly Theater in Downtown Pittsburgh with performances at 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, as well as 2 and 7 p.m. on Sunday. Performances are approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes with an intermission. If you can’t catch “Noises Off” this weekend, it’s running through Oct. 19. Get tickets and learn more at ppt.org.

Reel Q

Pittsburgh’s LGBTQ+ film festival is celebrating 40 years, and they’re going to have a great selection of films over two weekends and five venues across the city.

View documentaries, short films and features new and old. Screenings and events, even including live performances, will be held at The Andy Warhol Museum, Row House Cinema, City of Asylum’s Alphabet City, Carnegie Mellon University and Mary’s Bar.

Events will start on Friday and run through Oct. 11, so make sure to check out the full schedule through the festival’s website, reelq.org.