Happy Memorial Day weekend! For many, this means an extra day to relax — but it’s also an extra day to fill with fun. Here are a few things going on this weekend around town, so make room in your three-day weekend schedule.
Riverlife Chalk Fest
For a lot of us, childhood summer afternoons meant pulling out a colorful bucket of chalk and making masterpieces on the sidewalk. Kick off summer this weekend with Riverlife Chalk Fest at Allegheny Landing and enjoy chalk art fun for all ages.
Watch professional chalk artists as they create beautiful new works — and make a masterpiece of your own. This year will add a community mural project so everyone’s vision can come together and shine.
There will also be food trucks, brews from BG Brewing, live music and entertainment and art activities. The festival will run from 2 to 6 p.m. on Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday at Allegheny Landing on the North Side.
Get the details at riverlifepgh.org.
Marlon Wayans
Fans of the “Scary Movie” franchise and movies such as “White Chicks” won’t want to miss actor and comedian Marlon Wayans at the Pittsburgh Improv in Homestead this weekend. Outside of his 30-plus-year acting and writing career, Wayans has released a handful of stand-up specials, including 2024’s “Marlon Wayans: Good Grief” on Amazon Prime.
The comedian will be at the Pittsburgh Improv in Homestead this weekend. Shows will be held Friday at 7 and 9:20 p.m.; Saturday at 6:30 and 9 p.m.; and Sunday at 6 and 8:30 p.m. For more about Wayans and to buy tickets, visit improv.com/pittsburgh.
Phipps Conservatory Violet Night
There’s no better time to see Phipps Conservatory’s Summer Flower Show than the weekend that kicks off summer. To make it extra special, this Friday night is Violet Night. The conservatory will have extended hours until 10 p.m. for the occasion, and the first 300 people in attendance after 5 p.m. will receive a potted violet.
Violet Night will also feature a photo booth and a cash (credit card only) bar so you can sip while you stroll through the beautiful conservatory. The Summer Flower Show: Jungle Quest and Tropical Forest Panama exhibits will be a dazzling addition to your holiday weekend.
The event will begin at 5 p.m. at Phipps Conservatory in Oakland. For tickets and more information, visit phipps.conservatory.org.
In Bed By Ten Year Anniversary
Maybe you’re not trying to party too hard over the holiday, or maybe you’re saving your late nights for later in the weekend. Either way, the In Bed By Ten Dance Party is celebrating its 10-year anniversary on Friday night at Spirit in Lawrenceville, and it’s an unbeatable night out that’ll have you home early.
The soiree will spread out over two floors, with four DJs covering four decades of music — the ’70s and ’80s downstairs and the ’90s and 2000s upstairs. There’s also a special beer from Two Frays Brewing and two afterparties (in case you actually do want to stay up late).
This blowout celebration will run from 6 to 9 p.m. at Spirit in Lawrenceville. Get tickets at spiritpgh.com.
Black Birders Week outings
Next week is Black Birders Week and there are two chances to head to birding outings during the long weekend to celebrate. Both will be hosted by Frick Environmental Center and are appropriate for beginning birders and up.
On Sunday, educator Nyjah Cephas and special guest birder Eric Hall will lead the program, and Cephas will also lead an outing on Monday. Both will be one to two-mile walks with the chance to spot many different species of birds. Binoculars will be provided. Sunday’s program will run from to 10 a.m. and Monday’s will run from 9 to 11 a.m. at Frick Environmental Center in Squirrel Hill. See more at pittsburghparks.org.