EDITORS’ PICK: HANDMADE ARCADE

Saturday, December 7
Nearly 200 innovative craft-based artists, designers and makers from around the country will be selling their wares at Handmade Arcade at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. It’s the perfect opportunity to get some unique gifts for the holidays, plus enjoy maker activities, food, entertainment and more at Pittsburgh’s largest independent craft fair. Tickets are free, but Earlie Birdie Tickets are available to get into the event an hour early.

Holiday Bells, Mallets and Drums

Friday and Saturday, December 13 and 14
Mt. Lebanon Percussion’s popular holiday concert has been a community staple for more than 20 years. Concerts are at 7:30 p.m. in the Mt. Lebanon High School Fine Arts Theater, with a kid-friendly one-hour family matinee at 1 p.m. on Saturday, December 14. Buy tickets in advance.

Santa Trolley

December 1, 7, 8, 13, 14 and 15
Ride an antique trolley through the countryside with good old Saint Nick! At the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum, kids can also make holiday crafts, drink hot chocolate, sing carols, ride a Yuletide Shuttle, enjoy the decorated street cars at the museum, and receive a gift from Santa. It’s one of the Trolley Museum’s most popular events, so be sure to purchase your tickets ahead of time.

Ringing in the Season

Friday, December 6
Three Rivers Ringers, Pittsburgh’s premier handbell ensemble, are presenting their annual concert in Mt. Lebanon at the Bower Hill Community Church at 8 p.m. If you can’t make it then, you can also hear them perform along with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra at the Holiday Pops Concerts on December 13, 14, 15, 20, 21 and 22.

Penguins on Parade

Saturdays and Sundays in December

This 15-minute parade features some of the Pittsburgh Zoo’s most popular residents: the penguins! Cheer them on as they waddle around the PPG Aquarium at 11:30 a.m., and be sure to take a photo or two to document the experience. The event is included in the cost of admission, but temperatures must be below 45 degrees for the penguins to parade outside.

Toy Drive

Tuesday, December 10
Over the years, the Musuneggi Financial Group and Single Steps Strategies have collected more than 20,000 toys during their annual Toys for Tots Drive. From 4 to 7 p.m., you can bring new, unwrapped toy donations to 1910 Cochran Road for a “stuff a bus” event including music, food and more. If you miss the event, you can also drop off donations at the same address on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Holiday Breakfast

Friday, December 13
Join Coldwell Banker South Hills for a holiday breakfast benefitting Make-a-Wish Greater PA & West Virginia. Doors open at 8:15 a.m. at the Crowne Plaza Hotel on Fort Couch Road. The event includes an auction, raffles, breakfast and more. Tickets are $20. Call 412-833-5405.

EXTRA, EXTRA! 

Bake Sales

Saturday, December 7 and 14

The Sunset Hills United Presbyterian Church cookie sale is on Saturday, December 7, from 10 a.m. to noon. The next weekend, on Saturday, December 14, Mt. Lebanon United Methodist Church is hosting its cookie sale, Christmas market and  British tea room from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Moonlight and Cocoa

Saturday and Sunday, December 7 and 8

Celebrate winter by strolling around the Pittsburgh Botanic Garden with a cup of cocoa! Starting at 6 p.m., this event also includes fireside music, a dessert station, gift shop and a display of nearly 1,000 luminarias. Tickets are $10 for non-members.

Iced

Friday, December 13
Get cozy at the Iced party at Carnegie Museum of Art. Explore the galleries, dance under snowflakes, craft holiday keepsakes and take photos with the soaring Carnegie Trees and the museum’s famous 18th-century Neapolitan nativity scene in the Hall of Architecture. This 21+ event runs from 7 to 10 p.m. Tickets are $25.