What’s going on in Pittsburgh this weekend, Oct. 24-27? Find out here. Know of a cool event? Email us.Thursday, Oct. 24, & Friday, Oct. 25: Food Rescue Conference8:45 a.m.-5 p.m.You might already know that 40% of food is wasted while one in seven people go hungry — that’s why Pittsburgh’s own 412 Food Rescue created this annual conference. A variety of session topics are explored, from food justice and fundraising to advocacy and gleaning. Attendees can learn about starting a food rescue, the medicinal value of food, upcycling in the food industry and more. The conference is free and will also be live-streamed globally. Register.Thursday, Oct. 24-Sunday, Oct. 27: “The Hobbit” at the O’Reilly TheaterVarious timesThink Dungeons & Dragons meets Jumanji­ meets giant puppets and you’ve got Pittsburgh Public Theater’s reinvention of a Tolkien classic. Round up the entire family to embark on a journey through Middle Earth in this fantasy adventure directed by Marya Sea Kaminski. “The Hobbit” showcases puppetry designs by Jamie Agnello and Matt Acheson and a lead performance by Russell Saylor as Bilbo Baggins. Cult fans can’t miss the Durin’s Day Mixer on Oct. 24 and Barrel & Flow Beer Tasting on Oct. 27. Tickets.Yayoi Kusama, “Dots Obsession,” 1996-1997. Photo courtesy of the Mattress Factory.Thursday, Oct. 24: “Kusama: Infinity” + Pumpkin Painting at the Mattress Factory6-8 p.m.If you’ve been to the Mattress Factory, you’ve stepped into the multisensory, room-sized installations created by Japanese artist, Yayoi Kusama. Explore the trailblazing artist’s lifelong fascination with pumpkins and polka dots before your own Halloween festivities. Watch Heather Lenz’s film, “Kusama: Infinity” and then participate in a Kusama-inspired pumpkin painting activity. Tickets.Thursday, Oct. 24-Saturday, Oct. 26: “Ghosted: Tales from Carson Street” at City Theatre7 p.m.Getting ghosted is not typically something to look forward to, but it will be when City Theatre shines a spotlight on the eerie lore of Carson Street. This new Halloween storytelling experience takes audiences on a nomadic tour around the theater’s South Side campus, which is decked out for the spooky season. Expect spine-tingling encounters, shock-inducing guest stars, delightful libations and old-fashioned ghostly narratives. Written by Clare Drobot and Monteze Freeland, “Ghosted” features storytellers Farooq Al-Said and Shannon Williams with music by Sarah Siplak and Shane McLaughlin. Tickets. Thursday, Oct. 24, & Friday, Oct. 25: “Angelmakers: Songs for Female Serial Killers” at The Funhouse at Mr. Small’s7 p.m.Today’s society is fascinated with true crime … but what would music about female serial killers sound like? RealTime tackles this compelling question, and many others, when its “true crime concert cabaret” is revived for four nights only. Written by Molly Rice and directed by Rusty Thelin, “Angelmakers” explores taboo topics set to music spanning post-punk to indie rock to country to improv. Lead vocalists Julianne Avolio, Jacquea Mae and Drew Leigh Williams are joined by Rusted Root co-founder Liz Berlin, “Lady Gaga of Vietnam” Mai Khôi and Ukrainian singer and humanitarian parolee Mari Frazé-Frazénko. Running back-to-back weekends, each show features an opening set by local female musicians. Tickets.“Rainbow Sasquatches” by Kim Bond at 707 Gallery.Friday, Oct. 25: Gallery Crawl in the Cultural District5-10 p.m.Enjoy a fall evening while exploring 18 new arts offerings popping up throughout the Cultural District (most are free). A must-see is Tom Sarver’s game show-style Art Olympics at The Backyard. Watch three teams led by professional artists compete to build sculptural installations out of piles of junk. The live art-making contest includes opening ceremonies, audience contests, food trucks, a marching band and DJ Mary Mack. Head to Wood Street Galleries to see “Fusion: Foodprep x Transit & RAMZilla” exhibition event, check out outdoor sculptures by renowned Pittsburgh artist Thaddeus Mosley and shop at the Night Market. Don’t miss Associated Artists of Pittsburgh 110th Annual Exhibition at SPACE Gallery and illustrations by Kim Bond at 707 Gallery. Information.Kelsie Balde, owner of Hair Enhancements, with her husband Dew at Wig Out. Photo by Dominique Murray Photography.Friday, Oct. 25: Wig Out at Rivers Casino Event Center6-10 p.m.Wig out to support young adult cancer survivors at Pittsburgh’s biggest Halloween party. To accommodate even more revelers, Wig Out is moving the fun to the North Shore, where the festivities benefiting Young Adult Survivors United will feature music by the Pittsburgh Samba Group and TJ the DJ, auction bidding and a buffet. There will also be a cancer survivor dedication emceed by Kelly and Elista from Star Pittsburgh. And don’t forget the night’s highly anticipated Best Wig contest! So get those wigs and costumes ready. Founded in 2020, YASU supports young adult survivors of cancer, diagnosed at 18-45 years of age, by providing emotional, social and financial support. Tickets.Elephant eating a pumpkin. Photo courtesy of the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium.Saturday, Oct. 26, & Sunday, Oct. 27: ZooBoo at Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium10 a.m.-3 p.m.Trick-or-treating through your neighborhood is fun, but trick-or-treating with animals is a total thrill. As you collect treats, say hi to your your favorite animal friends enjoying their own Halloween goodies, and show off your creative outfit in the Halloween parade, costume contest and monster mash dance party. Pop into the haunted house for light frights and snap selfies with costumed characters. The not-so-scary spooktacular includes Halloween crafts and a pumpkin patch. Tickets.Saturday, Oct. 26, & Sunday, Oct. 27: Owl-O-Ween at the National Aviary11 a.m.-3 p.m.Enjoy a Halloween afternoon with some of Mother Nature’s most mysterious and beloved feathered friends. Make owl-themed crafts, enjoy engaging activities and strut your stuff in costume throughout the venue. Watch a theater show to learn all about these creatures of the night soaring through the sky as birds of prey. Meet Animal Ambassador Owls, including the Aviary’s newest lovable northern white-faced owl. Tickets.Photo courtesy of Venture Outdoors.Saturday, Oct. 26: Dead Man’s Hollow Hike in McKeesport1-3:30 p.m.Discover “legends of natural disasters, murder and accidental deaths” at this former industrial site that vanished after a fire more than 100 years ago. Lace up those hiking boots to enjoy a scenic hike in Allegheny County’s largest privately protected conservation area. Check out the ruins, climb the “enchanted staircase” and hear mysterious tales about the storied hollow. Led by Venture Outdoors, the moderate hike covers 5 miles starting at the Great Allegheny Passage Boston Trailhead. Tickets.Photo courtesy of the Kelly Strayhorn Theater.Saturday, Oct. 26: Pumpkin Palooza at the Kelly Strayhorn Theater1-4 p.m.Community, crafts and candy converge during this Halloween tradition for the whole family. Wear your favorite costume — or come as you are — for an afternoon of tricks, treats and groovy beats. Hosted by Jacquelin Walker, the performance program features K-Theatre Dance Complex, Alumni Theater Company, Obama Marching Band and the Urban Impact Jazz Band. The day culminates with a costume parade so everyone can show off their spooky looks. More great news? Tickets are Pay What Moves You.Saturday, Oct. 26: Witchburgh at Union Project4-8 p.m.Explore the witchier side of Pittsburgh’s maker community. The Pittsburgh Witch Co. is gathering local makers, artists and purveyors for a magical evening of spells, potions and mystical fun. It’s the perfect place to find last-minute Halloween gifts, costume accessories and decor. Information.Saturday, Oct. 26: Diwali Festival of Lights Celebration Atithi Studios5-9 p.m.Head to Sharpsburg to celebrate our region’s thriving Indian community with free Diwali traditions. One of the most important celebrations in Indian culture, the Hindu festival of lights symbolizes the “spiritual victory of light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance.” Enjoy captivating performances by the Nandanik Dance Troupe and Pothik Dol Band and poetry by Jovina Vaswani. Savor delicious Indian cuisine and participate in cultural activities. Information.Tobacco. Photo courtesy of Spirit.Saturday, Oct. 26: From Dusk Till Dawn Halloween Party at Spirit8 p.m.What slithered into existence nine years ago is now one of the city’s go-to Halloween destinations. Experience two floors of frightful festivities including Spirit’s highly anticipated costume contest hosted by the Moon Baby and free pizza from 8 to 9 p.m. Upstairs in Spirit Hall, don’t miss Pittsburgh native and Blackmoth Super Rainbow member Tobacco, plus DJ duo Nowhere2Run, NYC’s Dead Tooth, the debut of Pittsburgh’s Naps and others. Head downstairs to Spirit Lodge for a spooky dance soundtrack from Vice DJs Tom Brown, Brotha Mike and Scuzzi. Tickets.Sunday, Oct. 27: Pittsburgh Zine Fair at the Kingsley Association11 a.m.-6 p.m.Put down those digital devices and find out why print media matters at this diverse showcase. Celebrating the art of the self-published, small-circulation zine, some 100 local and regional creators will share and sell original work. Meet the makers while perusing an extensive selection of publications with wide-ranging themes. Attendees can also purchase art prints, handmade crafts and more. You’ll leave inspired to fire up that printer, reload the stapler and start creating. Information.The post 16 things to do this weekend, from Witchburgh to Diwali to the Dirty Dozen Bike Ride appeared first on NEXTpittsburgh.