Light Shows

Overly’s Country Christmas

Through December 30 (Greensburg, PA): This year will be a bit different, but you can still drive through a holiday light display and visit a Christmas village. Purchase tickets in advance.

Zoo Lights Drive-thru

Through January 3 (Pittsburgh Zoo): Drive through the zoo at night and enjoy a themed audio tour and thousands of beautiful lights.

Entertainment

FIRESIDE Nutcracker
December 17 to 31 (Virtual): Enjoy Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre’s popular holiday show from the comfort of your home.

Christmas Brasstacular
7:30 p.m., Saturday, December 5 (Virtual): Carols, holiday film music, regional choirs and special surprises!

The Gift of the Magi
7 p.m., Thursday, December 17 (Virtual): Tune in for a theatrical reading of a new commission of O. Henry’s short story by Brian Pope.

Giving Back

In the wake of COVID-19, many fundraisers have been cancelled. If the annual event you usually attend has been cancelled or postponed, please consider making a donation anyway. Here are some common beneficiaries:

• American Cancer Society

• Center for Theater Arts

• Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh

• Historical Society of Mount Lebanon

• Marine Toys for Tots

• Mt. Lebanon Nature Conservancy

• Mt. Lebanon Public Library

• Outreach Teen & Family Services

• South Hills Interfaith Movement

• St. Clair Hospital Foundation

Shopping & Crafts

Holiday Glass Sale
Saturday, December 5 (Pittsburgh Glass Center): Enjoy glass blowing demonstrations and warm beverages in the parking lot. Buy holiday glass from December 1 to 22.

Handmade Arcade
Saturday, November 28, to Sunday, December 6 (Virtual): 130 of the region’s top makers, artists and crafters, brought together under one digital roof.

Toy Drive

Through Friday, December 4 (Chabad of the South Hills): Chabad is collecting unwrapped toys for hospitalized and underprivileged children.

Around the City

Ice Skating Downtown

Through March 1, 2021 (PPG Place): Skate in Pittsburgh’s massive outdoor rink, which is two-thirds the size of a standard NHL rink.

Clayton Holiday Tour

Through December (The Frick): Tour the Clayton house, decked out in holiday splendor, and learn about old holiday traditions. Tickets are timed.

Pittsburgh Crèche
Through December (USX Tower Plaza, Downtown): Visit a larger-than-life-sized crèche, the world’s only authorized replica of the nativity scene in Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome.
www.pittsburghfoundation.org

Nationality Room Tour

(Virtual): Enjoy a tour of The Cathedral of Learning’s Nationality Rooms, without leaving your home.

Holiday Wine Walk

Friday to Sunday, December 4 to 6 (Squirrel Hill Business District): Self-paced wine tasting experience and holiday shopping. Purchase tickets in advance.

Penguin Encounters

Wednesday through Monday (National Aviary): Visit with everyone’s favorite winter animal, the penguin! Purchase tickets in advance.

Visit the Garden
Tuesdays through Sundays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Pittsburgh Botanic Garden) Immerse yourself in the beauty of winter as you stroll through the garden. Tickets are timed.

Winter Flower Show
Through December (Phipps Conservatory): This year’s Winter Flower Show and Light Garden is themed “Home for the Holidays.” Tickets are timed.

Miniature Railroad and Village
Through December. (Carnegie Science Center): This 101-year-old-exhibit, which features handcrafted replicas of regional landmarks, will get a holiday makeover. Tickets are timed.

Sensory Friendly Holidays Around the World

8:30 to 10 a.m. Saturday, December 26 (Carnegie Museum of Natural History): Holiday-themed stations throughout the museum including crafts, traditions, food,
artifacts and more from other cultures.

New Years Celebrations

Hogmanay

Sunday, December 6 (Oliver Miller Homestead): See how Scots may have celebrated the season in the 18th century frontier.