Plus, Market District gets a rebrand ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌
Thursday, September 3 

Your Daily Guide

Happy Thursday! City Cast rover Laura Kondourajian here, helping out the Pittsburgh team. If, like me, you're trying to get a handle on the city, tune into today's podcast for the essential rules that'll help you thrive in the ‘Burgh.

PODCAST

Respect the Parking Chair! Plus More Essential Pgh Rules

Display Ad: Planet Ice at Heinz History Center

What Pittsburgh's Talking About

The Pirate Parrot holding a tiny orange traffic cone, with an ice cream cone inside.

First come, first coned. Get to the game early so you can get yours while limited supplies last! (Pittsburgh Pirates)

Hoist the (Ice Cream) Cone

The Pirates are leaning all the way into the traffic cone phenomenon with a special giveaway at their remaining Sunday home games, Sept. 6 and Sept. 20. Fans can snag the limited-edition PNC-branded traffic cone holder for free with the purchase of ice cream. If you're going, we've got thoughts on what else to eat at PNC Park. [Axios Pittsburgh / City Cast Pittsburgh]

PRT To Upgrade the T

The transit agency landed an $82.8 million federal grant to help replace its aging light rail fleet. It plans to purchase 45 new vehicles with larger, more energy efficient cars featuring a "modern, open concept interior." Don't get too excited, however. PRT won't seek a manufacturer until mid-2027, with design and testing following. [🔒 Post-Gazette]

Eviction Help In PGH

Roughly 13,600 eviction cases were filed around Pittsburgh last year. Public Source put together a guide explaining what happens after a notice arrives, how to navigate eviction court, and where renters can find help. [Public Source]

Market District Gets a Rebrand

Giant Eagle recently hired a Dallas ad agency to rebrand their upscale Market District stores. The new slogan (“Discover Great Taste”) hits their TV and social media ads as the Kroger merger nears and Wegmans and Meijer move into the region. [🔒 Business Times]

Display Ad: Family House Polo - September 12 at Hartwood Acres

43rd Annual Polo Match Tickets on Sale

A Pittsburgh tradition returns! Head to Hartwood Acres on Saturday, September 12, 2026, for the 43rd Annual Family House Polo Match presented by F.N.B. Corporation.

Watch a professional polo match, explore a vintage car show, tailgate, shop, and enjoy food trucks, live music, and family-friendly activities. FREE admission for kids 12 and under. Every ticket helps Family House offer a "home away from home" to families traveling to Pittsburgh for medical care.

Tickets: familyhouse.org/polo.

Fall Festivals, Oktoberfests & More!

 Big boxes of pumpkins sit outside a gate next to a playground full of kids on a sunny day.

Bring the kiddos for a train ride at Soergel Orchards. (Megan Harris / City Cast Pittsburgh)

September is when Pittsburgh starts acting like fall. We rounded up every event we could find this month, from Oktoberfests and corn mazes to community harvest days and the first haunted trails of the season. Plus, some of the scariest (and cutest!) haunted houses around.

Teutonia Männerchor Oktoberfest

Sept. 4-6

One of Pittsburgh's biggest, oldest German cultural organizations hosts its annual festival over Labor Day weekend, including imported beer, authentic food, and live music.

Pumpkin Palooza!

Sept. 5

Check out Brenckle’s enormous stock of pumpkin and gourds, plus some of the most unique and fun decorations to get your home ready for fall. Look for vendors like Nosh & Curd specialty food shop, The Roaming Bean coffee truck, Amish donuts, Recon Brewing, and more.

Sewickley Harvest Festival

Sept. 12

Look for 140 vendors offering food, arts and crafts, kids’ activities, and all-day sidewalk sales in the village — all decked out for autumn. 

Moon Wizarding Fest

Sept. 12

Step into the magic with Moon Parks & Recreation, featuring boozy and non-alcoholic potions, arts and crafts, music, games, costume contests, and more. Ticket sales support local parks!

Hobbit Festival

Sept. 12

Enjoy a Tolkien-inspired day of fantasy, food, and fun for the whole family at Bloom Cafe in Valencia. There will be live folk music, local vendors, craft workshops, themed drinks, and more.

Fall Fest & The Great Pup-Kin Race

Sept. 13

Watch costumed dogs (up to 25 pounds) zip around an obstacle course near the Waterfront gazebo while the kiddos get their faces painted, take home balloon animals, and more. The pumpkin patch alone is worth a walk around the square.

More Fall Activities Here!
Candlelit table in front of city skyline

Taste, Toast, and Support Young Pittsburgh Readers

Join Propel Schools Foundation for Taste & Toast for K-3 Literacy on September 10! Enjoy signature tastings, cocktails, interactive experiences, student showcases, and an incredible raffle featuring prizes from some of Western Pennsylvania’s favorite businesses. Best of all, proceeds support Propel’s K-3 Literacy Program, helping young scholars build the reading skills and confidence they need to thrive. Join us for an unforgettable evening with purpose!

What To Do

Thursday, Sep. 3

Friday, Sep. 4

More Pittsburgh Events

Hungry? PETA’s Free the Chicken truck is giving away free vegan chicken at Forbes and Atwood in Oakland through Monday. It’ll be near Layne’s, which is very subtle.

— Laura Kondourajian

City Cast Pittsburgh's Megan Harris wrote today's fall festival article.

mailtoyoutubeinstagramtiktok