5 free things to do this November in Pittsburgh

Fall is settling in, but that doesn’t mean you have to slow down. From tiny film festivals to big downtown celebrations, there are plenty of free events to keep you busy in November.  

For a complete list of University events, check out Pitt’s events calendar.

Make a plan and vote

Tuesday, Nov. 4

It may be an odd-numbered year, but there are still plenty of ways to make your voice heard in this year’s municipal elections. Both local elections and statewide issues are on the ballot — learn more from PittVotes.

Where: Look up your polling place.

Watch some tiny films

Thursday, Nov. 6, 7 p.m.

Social media kill your attention span?  Look no further than the screening party for the 2025 One Minute Film Festival, where students from Pitt, Robert Morris University and Point Park University unveil their very own micro-masterpieces. No algorithms involved, just creativity.

Where: Center for Creativity: The Understory in the Cathedral of Learning (B-50), 4200 Fifth Ave., Pittsburgh, PA, 15260

Put on your game face

Nov. 6 and Nov. 20, 4 p.m.

Hang out and play with fellow gamers in the new E-Recreation Lounge at the Recreation and Wellness Center, featuring a variety of games and skill levels. Not a gamer? Come and watch!

Where: Recreation and Wellness Center, 3912 O’Hara St., Pittsburgh, PA, 15213

Jazz it up

Thursday, Nov. 9, 1 p.m.

Enjoy some cuts from the Carnegie Library’s collection of jazz LPs. You might just learn something about the history of Pittsburgh’s jazz scene along the way.

Where: Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, 4400 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh, PA, 15213

See the light

Saturday, Nov. 22

Take part in a time-honored Pittsburgh tradition at Highmark Light Up Night. Go for a skate, enjoy some fireworks, get ahead on your holiday shopping at a market full of local makers and of course watch the big tree light up.

Where: Downtown Pittsburgh, various locations

Photography by Aimee Obidzinski