Events

Owl-O-Ween

An Eastern Screech-Owl on a bed of moss in a forest.

Sat. and Sun., October 18 - 19 and 25 - 26 | 11 am - 3 pm

Included with General Admission

Trick or Treat! Don your Halloween costume and the whole family to the National Aviary for Halloween and fall fun! Kids can get Halloween treats at various activities throughout their visit, make their own craft, and take in a Sp-OO-ky Meet and Greet...and while learning about our favorite nocturnal neighbors!  Don't forget to fly to Canary's Call Presented by Dollar Bank and say hello to another Halloween icon: bats!

Owl-O-Ween Schedule of Activities:

  • 11 am - 3 pm: Scanveger Hunt | Full Facility
    • Pro tip: Turn your completed Scavenger Hunt in at the Owl Discovery Zone for a special prize!
  • 11 am - 3 pm: Owl Discovery Zone | Learning Center
    • Explore incredible biofacts
    • Create an owl-fully cute craft
    • Test how wise you are with Owl Trivia
    • Strike your own hoot-iful pose at our Selfie Station
    • Uncover the Spooky Foods that Owls Eat
    • Discover Owl Habitats...and how you can help protect them
    • Join us for a Shake Your Tailfeather costume dance party
    • Cozy up in our Book Nook
  • 11 am - 4 pm: Collect Halloween Treats* | Full Facility
  • 11:30 am: Wise Owl Expert Talk | Helen M. Schmidt FliteZone™ Theater
  • 1:30 pm: Creature Feature: Bat Expert Talk | Canary's Call Presented by Dollar Bank
  • 2:30 pm: Wise Owl Expert Talk | Helen M. Schmidt FliteZone™ Theater
  • 3 pm: Eagles (and owls!) of the Forest Expert | The Charity Randall Foundation Eagle Hall

 

*Allergen-friendly options available. Please note: the National Aviary is not a nut-free facility.

  Painting of a Northern White-faced Owl in a pumpkin patch

2025 Brushes and Birds: Owl Edition portrait 

Thurs., October 16 | 5:30 - 8 pm | Members: $40; Non-Members: $45 | 21+ All Materials Included  Who-o-o’s big eyes are glowing orange?! Kick off the National Aviary’s Owl-O-Ween festivities a few days early by joining Maria DeSimone Prascak of Maria’s Ideas (mariasideas.com) for a special sp-OO-ky evening edition of Brushes & Birds! Grab your friends or plus one and create your very own BOO-tiful portrait using Maria's easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions. Before class, meet a National Aviary Animal Ambassador owl and purchase one (or two!) alcoholic beverages from our friends at Atria's Specialty Catering. Scrumptious bites will also be available for purchase.  And don’t worry...no prior drawing skills are required; a tracer for easy design transfer will be provided. Book Your Canvas

 

Date & Time

11:00 am - 3:00 pm

More Details

In The News

See All News

Pittsburgh’s Regional Asset District issues record preliminary budget | 90.5 WESA

In all, RAD proposes to fund 107 organizations of all sizes, from the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium, the National Aviary, Pittsburgh Symphony and Heinz History Center to small dance and theater troupes.

Read More »

Pittsburgh conservation planting seeds for visitors and investment | Capital Analytics Associates

Pittsburgh’s conservation institutions are a growing part of the Commonwealth’s outdoor recreation economy. At the National Aviary, Executive Director Cheryl Tracy says the institution is “just getting started,” despite nearly 75 years of history.

Read More »

2nd extinct-in-wild Guam kingfisher hatches at National Aviary | CBS News

For the second time this year, a bird that's extinct in the wild hatched at the National Aviary.

Read More »

Jungle Creatures and Fantastic Features: Toucans | Phipps Conservatory

Jungle Quest invites guests on a stunning safari bursting with terrific topiary animals, tropical foliage and beautiful blooms...including some animals you can see at the Aviary!

Read More »

Uncover Mystical “Creatures” and Meet the Bird Species who Inspired them during Forests this fall, ONLY at the National Aviary! | National Aviary

Journey throughout Forests Presented by Peoples, the Aviary’s new fall theme; learn more about the otherworldly species who inhabit these magical woodland areas.

Read More »