Light Shows
Overly’s Country Christmas [1]
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 [2]): 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 [3] popular holiday show from the comfort of your home.
Christmas Brasstacular [4]
7:30 p.m., Saturday, December 5 (Virtual): Carols, holiday film music, regional choirs and special surprises!
The Gift of the Magi [5]
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 [6]
• Center for Theater Arts [7]
• Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh [8]
• Historical Society of Mount Lebanon [9]
• Marine Toys for Tots [10]
• Mt. Lebanon Nature Conservancy [11]
• Mt. Lebanon Public Library [12]
• Outreach Teen & Family Services [13]
• South Hills Interfaith Movement [14]
• St. Clair Hospital Foundation
Shopping & Crafts
Holiday Glass Sale
Saturday, December 5 (Pittsburgh Glass Center [15]): Enjoy glass blowing demonstrations and warm beverages in the parking lot. Buy holiday glass from December 1 to 22.
Handmade Arcade [16]
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 [17]): Chabad is collecting unwrapped toys for hospitalized and underprivileged children.
Around the City
Ice Skating Downtown
Through March 1, 2021 (PPG Place [18]): 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 [19]): 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 [20]
Nationality Room Tour
(Virtual): Enjoy a tour of The Cathedral of Learning’s Nationality Rooms [21], without leaving your home.
Holiday Wine Walk [22]
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 [23]): 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 [24]) Immerse yourself in the beauty of winter as you stroll through the garden. Tickets are timed.
Winter Flower Show
Through December (Phipps Conservatory [25]): 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 [26]): 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 [27]): 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 [28]): See how Scots may have celebrated the season in the 18th century frontier.