Event Details
PITTSBURGH — Families are invited to celebrate Halloween with an afternoon of costumes, candy, creativity and live performances at Pumpkin Palooza: An East Liberty Halloween Adventure, returning Saturday, October 31, 2026, to Kelly Strayhorn Theater.
Presented by Kelly Strayhorn Theater (KST), the free-to-family-friendly spirit of this annual celebration comes alive from 1 to 4 p.m., with community partners hosting activities in the theater lobby. Admission follows a Pay What Moves You model, with tickets ranging from $0 to $25, making the event accessible to families with a variety of budgets.
The afternoon will feature candy, crafts and interactive activities for children and families, along with a youth performance program from 2 to 3 p.m. Hosted by educator and community leader K. Chase Patterson, the program will showcase young performers from K-Theatre Dance Complex, Yanlai Dance Academy’s K-pop class, PMT Conservatory’s Creative Learning program and more.
Following the performances, children are invited to take part in a costume parade on stage, giving princesses, monsters, superheroes and magical creatures a chance to show off their Halloween looks.
Youth Performances and Cultural Arts
The event also highlights the creativity and cultural learning taking place through local arts organizations. Yanlai Dance Academy, the region’s only dedicated school for Chinese dance training and Asian cultural arts education, offers instruction in Chinese classical dance and contemporary styles, including K-pop. Its programs connect movement with cultural heritage, history and traditions.
PMT Conservatory’s Creative Learning program introduces children ages 4 to 7 to dance, acting and group vocal skills in a supportive environment designed to build confidence, social skills and teamwork.
Pumpkin Palooza offers families an opportunity to enjoy Halloween together while celebrating youth creativity, cultural expression and the arts in Pittsburgh’s East Liberty neighborhood.
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