It's Festival Time!

By Emily King

Summer in Pittsburgh means festival season! Local communities are gearing up to celebrate with food, games, rides, performances and more.

Cranberry Summer Nights (formerly Community Days) 

July 9 – 11, Cranberry Community Park, 111 Ernie Mashuda Dr., Cranberry

This annual Cranberry Township event has been rebranded this year as Cranberry Summer Nights, and you’ll find a mix of the old traditions with some new additions. This kid- and family-friendly event is always the most anticipated community event of the summer for the neighbors of Cranberry and beyond. Enjoy traditional festival activities like carnival rides, games, live music, as well as craft and food vendors.  

Saint Aiden Festival

July 30 – August 1, St. Alexis Campus, 10090 Old Perry Hwy, Wexford

For over 30 years, North Hills residents have looked forward to Saint Aiden Festival for three days of delicious food, live entertainment, and thrilling rides. Fair-goers can enjoy Bingo, Kiddieland, games, carnival rides, basket raffles, 50/50 and more. Food options range from your typical fair favorites—think pizza, steak hoagies, funnel cakes—and more traditional meals like their Italian Night and Fish Fry. 

Divine Grace Parish Family Festival

August 7-9, St. Ferdinand campus, 2535 Rochester Road, Cranberry Twp.

Another community tradition in Cranberry Township, the Divine Grace Parish Family Festival kicks off in August. Activities include amusement rides, a cornhole tournament, kiddie rides, raffles, Bingo, and more. Enjoy fair favorites like corn dogs, French fries, and more. Shop from a variety of homemade jams, candies, chocolate and baked goods at the Country Kitchen, and full nightly dinners in Oldenski Hall. The entertainment lineup includes live bands and dance performances. The festival is also famous for their huge White Elephant sale, with proceeds benefitting the parish ministries.

Holy Trinity Taste of Greece Festival

September 3-6, Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 985 Providence Blvd., McCandless

This is a “can’t miss” event for Greek food lovers! The Holy Trinity Taste of Greece Festival has become a community favorite over the years, bringing Greek traditions to Pittsburgh. The star of the show is the menu, which features traditional recipes like braised lamb shank, souvlaki, spanakopita, souzoukakia, gyros and more.  For a Pittsburgh spin on an old classic, try the “Yinzer Gyro” which is piled with fresh French fries. A greek band, as well as Greek dancers, will perform nightly, adding to the international atmosphere. You can also take advantage of a church tour, to view the hand-carved woodwork and iconography created by Greek artisans.

Moraine State Park Regatta

August 1-2, Moraine State Park, 225 Pleasant Valley Road, Portersville

Take a day trip to Moraine State Park’s beautiful Lake Arthur in Portersville for a weekend of water and land fun and plenty of nature-themed experiences. Events include lake swimming, kayaking, canoeing, paddle boarding, fishing and more. Enjoy recreation on the land with archery lessons, guided hikes, yoga, and more. Fuel up with meals and treats from a variety of food vendors. Enjoy fireworks over the lake on Saturday night.

Aspinwall Big Night Out

August 6, Aspinwall Recreational Baseball Fields, Field Avenue, Aspinwall 

Aspinwall’s Big Night Out is a celebration of summer, community, and the people and businesses that make the town unique. Event highlights include family-friendly activities and entertainment, opportunities to engage with local leaders and businesses, and plenty of food options. Those who are over 21 are welcome to enjoy adult beverages at the Neighborhood Lounge to mix and mingle with in a dedicated area. Aspinwall is striving to make this a zero-waste event, so pack your reusable water bottle and take advantage of their refillable water stations.

Big Butler Fair

July 3-11, 1127 New Castle Road, Prospect

Summer isn’t complete without a county fair, and those in the northern suburbs of Pittsburgh flock to the Big Butler Fair in Prospect each year. This traditional county fair has been around since 1856 and is a celebration of Western PA’s farming heritage. In addition to livestock competitions, you can expect rides, games, live concerts, demolition derbies and more. You’ll also find all your favorite fair fare, like ice cream, gyros, cotton candy and more. 

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Summer Festival

August 10-15, St. Theresa of Avila Church, 800 Avila Court, Perrysville

One of the largest church festivals in the North Hills, this annual festival is a wonderful way to celebrate the end of summer. Enjoy outdoor food booths, nightly dinners served in Henninger Auditorium, amusement rides, games of chance, Bingo, and raffles. 

Cross Roads Presbyterian Church Festival

September 19, 3281 Wexford Road in Gibsonia

Cross Roads Presbyterian is celebrating the church’s 200^th anniversary with a festival and community celebration. The event will feature children’s activity booths, petting zoo, food trucks, musical and gospel performances and a timeline display that traces the church’s history in the community.