Free activities at the festival:
Climbing Wall
Step into a harness, strap on a helmet and secure your carabiner, now you're ready to summit the wall! Start with an easy climb then try your hand on an advanced route. Climbers must be between 45 and 250 lbs. Offered all day by Climb Pittsburgh a project of Venture Outdoors.
Fishing
Cast a line into the waters of the Allegheny and reel in a big one! A Family Fishing program will be offered all day, rods and bait are provided. No fishing license required during the Family Fishing program. Provided by PA Fish and Boat Commission and Venture Outdoors.
Boating
Take a kayak out on the Allegheny River. Our boats are flat-bottomed and beginner-friendly.
Offered all day by Kayak Pittsburgh, a project of Venture Outdoors. *NEW THIS YEAR!* We will be testing a NoWait reservation system for kayaks. Similiar to waiting for a table in a restaurant, festival participants will sign up for the service using their smartphone and will receive a text message when their boat is ready. Instead of waiting in a long line, you'll be able to walk around and enjoy all aspects of the festival!
RiverQuest Explorer
Step on board the RiverQuest EXPLORER, the world's first green boat built for river education. RiverQuest presents RiverWorks Discovery® activities, sponsored by the Port of Pittsburgh Commission. Explore our river ecosystem, learn about the importance of river transport, make a watershed address name badge, and more.
Family and Community Tent
The Family Tent is a must see at the Festival! Stop by for music, crafts, sidewalk chalk art, geocaching and more. "Tykes and Forts" Tyke Hikes will depart from the Family Tent at Noon and 1 PM. There will be something for kids of every age!
DICK'S Sporting Goods GameZone
Come play America's favorite traditional lawn games and take a crack at a few new ones. DICK’S Sporting Goods will have Croquet, Bocce, Horseshoes, and Ladderball set up and ready for you to play. In addition, you can try your hand at Kan-Jam, Pocket Disc, and the Bean Bag Toss. Game play is free and all players can win great prizes.
Dragon Boating
Learn to paddle in unison to the beat of a drum. This team sport can be a great workout or an easy way to get out on the water with a group of friends. Dragon Boating trips will leave every hour throughout the day. Provided by Three Rivers Rowing Association.
Radio Disney
Join Radio Disney AM 1250 at the Venture Outdoors Festival for music, games and prizes! The Road Crew will have all the fun from 1:00 - 3:00 PM.
Yoga – Breathing – Relaxation
Stop by the Yoga Tent for 25-min outdoor yoga sessions! Every half hour starting at 11:30 a.m., various classes will be presented (please visit the Yoga Tent for the final schedule). Yoga mats will be provided, and all levels are welcome – just show up, stretch, breathe and relax! Are you new to yoga or ready to deepen your existing practice? Pick up information on local yoga classes & workshops, too! The yoga tent is coordinated by BYS Yoga, but is supported by and will represent studios/instructors throughout the Pittsburgh region.
Tai Chi for Health
(With Gurney Bolster and Friends)
Focus, Slow down, Quiet your mind, Listen to your body, Flow with your breath, Move
with mindful intent, Cultivate ease, balance, vitality. Tai Chi is an ancient mind-body
exercise developed in China as martial arts training and to promote health and
well being. Join us for half hour
sessions featuring safe and accessible Tai Chi sets created by the Tai Chi for
Health Institute, as well as Tai Chi Chih and Chi Gong. Tai Chi is done standing. No equipment is necessary. Drop by to catch a demonstration of the more
complex Sword form or Sun 73 forms.
Biking
Bring your own helmet and bike to ride or try one of ours, rides will be organized throughout the day. Provided by Venture Outdoors, TREK, PORC and Golden Triangle Bike Rental. Let the kids try a fun bike rodeo course featuring wooden ramps, obstacles and more!
Unção Capoeira
Capoeira is a Brazilian martial art that was developed by African slaves in Brazil over 500 years ago. Its a sport that is beautiful and graceful, but also fast-paced and challenging. Instructions and information will be provided throughout the day by Unção Capoeira.
Fort Pitt Museum
Stop by the Fort Pitt Museum to learn about outdoor activities of the 18th Century. Try your hand at some 18th century games that were popular in Pittsburgh. Several soldiers will be on hand to talk about life at the fort. The museum will open from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.