Family events in Johnstown, PA

Registration is open for the 2026 Swissvale Mile, a welcoming experience for runners and walkers of every age and ability. Participants can choose a timed one mile run or an untimed walk that welcomes dogs. The course is flat and follows pleasant neighborhood streets lined with trees.

Trash Cat Rescue will be at the Bloomfield Saturday Market with adoptable cats to meet if the weather cooperates. Merchandise will be available for purchase, and volunteers will be on hand to answer questions about how to get involved with cat rescue.

Costumes take center stage as Downtown Indiana hosts a community Halloween parade followed by downtown trick or treating. Parade participants line up by the Fire Station on 5th Street, travel along Philadelphia Street to North 8th Street, then children continue on 8th Street to Nixon Avenue before heading back to IRMC Park. The IASD Junior High Marching Band adds festive music along the route. After the parade, families can visit more than 60 participating businesses for candy and other seasonal treats, with a list of stops available at IRMC Park. The Kiwanis Club of Indiana, PA will hand out treat bags to children taking part. For safety, children need to be with a parent or guardian, Philadelphia Street opens to traffic once the parade is over, and everyone should use marked crosswalks, watch for vehicles, and follow pedestrian signals.

This hands-on fall session welcomes little ones who are walking up to age 5 with a caregiver for a cozy creative experience. Children and their grown-ups will craft a small pumpkin patch to take home, using materials and approaches designed for tiny hands. Across the studio, families can explore pumpkin and autumn themed sensory play, open-ended process art, and building and making stations, with plenty of time to move through favorite centers at each child’s pace. There is no expectation to complete every project or to make something a certain way. Follow your child’s lead, embrace a little mess, and enjoy creating seasonal memories together.

The annual Bandshell Bark Dog Walk and Festival returns to the Roxbury Bandshell in Johnstown, PA, rescheduled to avoid overlap with other pet related fundraisers. This community gathering centers on a relaxed 2.5 mile walk that sets off from the Red Carpet, followed by a lively finish line celebration with food, refreshments, vendors, and pet photo opportunities. Friendly competition is part of the fun, with contests like Cutest Canine and Best Costume, plus weiner dog and wannabe races, additional pet contests, and demonstrations. The day concludes with a Baskets of Chance drawing. Pre registration is 10 dollars and day of registration is 15 dollars. A commemorative T shirt is available for an additional 15 dollar donation, and every registered walker’s dog receives a bandana. All dogs must be licensed and current on vaccinations, and walkers will be asked to sign a waiver at check in. Proceeds support preservation of the Roxbury Park Bandshell and local canine related non profits to be determined.

Bakery Square hosts a free Halloween celebration open to the public, filled with seasonal activities and treats. Choose a pumpkin at the donation-based Urban Pumpkin Patch, with proceeds supporting the Larimer Consensus Group. Children can take part in complimentary fun including festive face painting and hands-on crafts, and trick-or-treat bags are live printed while supplies last. The day also features a Sanderson Sisters appearance, a pumpkin bounce house on the lawn, a spooky scavenger hunt, and Halloween movies on the big screen. Complimentary popcorn and cotton candy at the Trick or Treat table add to the festivities. All complimentary offerings are first come, first served, and registration is highly recommended.

A dog-friendly Halloween stroll along Butler Street invites pups to trick-or-treat at participating businesses. Participants check in at Ivy's Doggie Ice Cream Pawlor to pick up a treat bag and a list of stops, and pre-registered pups receive a special extra. Costumes are encouraged for a festive outing. On-site professional photography by Scrimshaw Media is available for $10 per dog, providing a full set of digital images with no reservation needed. If a dog is shy or scheduling is tricky, call 412-251-0294 or email pghdogicecream@gmail.com to make arrangements. Ivy's serves as the event hub, where Ivy and Stormie are crafting new seasonal dog-friendly ice cream flavors for a spooky treat between photos and trick-or-treating.

Enjoy a Halloween-themed river cruise for families. This two-hour outing welcomes guests of all ages for a ghostly good time with music from a First Class Entertainment DJ and appearances by character friends. A snack bar and a full-service bar are available on board, and all purchases are cashless. Tickets are $36.66 for adults, $26.19 for children, and $5.24 for infants.

Decorate sugar cookies with Chad as he guides participants through creating a Halloween themed set. The cost is $15 per person and all supplies are included. Children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult. Adults may decorate only if they register for the class as participants.

Mike Super unveils a completely new, family friendly magic show at the Byham Theater in Pittsburgh. The performance blends big laughs with astonishing illusions for an experience that entertains all ages. Returning to this stage, he brings a fresh set of surprises for local audiences. Tickets are selling quickly.

A roaring campfire at the Four Seasons Activity Center in Boyce Park sets the scene for spooky stories and songs suitable for all ages. Halloween costumes are encouraged, with a chance to win prizes. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own chairs or blankets for comfort by the fire. An American Sign Language interpreter will be on site.

Celebrate football with a Parisian twist at Bakery Square in Le Courtyard. This Steelers watch party blends black and gold spirit with French inspired fun, featuring a Steelers and French trivia Kahoot with a first place prize of a Steelers Paris gift basket from the Steelers Pro Shop, a live roaming mime, 3D Eiffel Tower chalk art by The Chalking Dad that doubles as a photo opportunity, an interactive art experience with VC2, and a Paris themed photo booth with an Eiffel Tower backdrop and baguette props. Custom Steelers rally towels will be available while supplies last, and complimentary croissants and pastries will be offered while supplies last. City Kitchen will open with a full bar and select hot menu items, and the regular brunch menu will resume later.

Altoona’s largest trunk or treat returns at Parlor Doughnuts with Halloween festivities that include decorated trunks filled with treats, food trucks, and costume contests. A prize will be awarded for the best trunk. Expect a lively, spooky atmosphere throughout the evening.

Top Deck Cards and Games hosts a recurring Monday Pokemon League. Entry is $10, prize support scales with attendance, and each paid entry includes a promo pack.

Experience a safe, enjoyable evening of trick-or-treating at a used car showroom. Children can pick up treats from decorated vehicle trunks.

This walk-in food distribution offers assorted loose groceries in family-size portions, including fresh produce, pantry staples, and frozen proteins. Attendees move through a line of items and select the foods that match their household needs. Vegetarian choices are available to accommodate a range of preferences.

Stoop Night becomes a spirited celebration with the First Annual Halloween Dress Up Pet Parade in the historic Mexican War Streets. The neighborhood comes alive with glowing stoops, laughter, and the cozy feel of fall as costumed companions take a leisurely stroll. Look for dogs in prehistoric attire, cats channeling the Wild West, and bunnies in ballet finery, along with treat stations, photo opportunities, and impromptu gatherings on stoops. Prizes will be awarded for standout looks, creative group themes, and crowd favorites. Locals and newcomers alike can share the evening with friends, neighbors, snacks, drinks, and their furry sidekicks. Registration is not required.