HO-HO-HOlyyy Moly! It’s that time of the year again! The time of goodwill and laughter while being surrounded by loved ones and enjoying those fun things that you can only experience during the holiday season.
Wondering how you’re going to fit everything in so you don’t miss out on the best events? Don’t get your tinsel in a tangle, we got you covered! Check out some of our favorite holiday events in Pittsburgh!
Please keep in mind most events have been altered to fit CDC guidelines and will be slightly different this year.
Holly Jolly Holiday Events in Pittsburgh
‘Tis the season for miracles and Miracle on Liberty is back this season! Come enjoy holiday-themed drinks, music and decorations.
It’s Pittsburgh’s original holiday pop up bar so yinz know they go over-the-top. Although they won’t have individual igloos this year, they will be selling holiday glassware and donating a portion of the proceeds to charity.
Event Details
🗓 Nov 26–Dec.31st | 4:00pm–11:00pm
🎟 Free | No reservations
📍705 Liberty Ave
The annual Holiday Market is back and still just as festive! In addition to shopping from small-businesses in festive chalets around Market Square, the Holiday Market will again feature live music on its centerpiece stage.
Event Details
🗓 Nov 19–Dec 23 (closed Thanksgiving)
🗓 Sunday | 11:00am–6:00pm
🗓 Monday–Thursday | 11:00am–8:00pm
🗓Friday & Saturday | 11:00am–9:30pm
🎟 Free
📍Market Square
The Winter Flower Show will feature displays including a magical carousel floating on a pond, a cabin sitting a snowy forest of plants, a topiary animal display and a living room scene featuring furniture made of plants. This year’s theme is “Sparkle and Shine” and will include a brand new display of holiday trees, topiaries and more. Plus, 2021 marks the grand return of the Winter Light Garden, meaning the entire conservatory will be decorated and ready for your viewing pleasure!
Event Details
🗓 Nov 15–Jan 9 | 9:30am–11:00pm
🎟 $19.95 | Adult
🎟 $17.95 | Students & Seniors
🎟 11.95 | Child
📍Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
The UPMC Ice Rink at PPG Place is another one of the annual winter traditions that Yinzer’s adore. Come show off your skating skills with friends and family! Tickets must be purchased online and ahead of time to ensure socially distancing. Plus, make the most of your holiday trip Downtown and check out the People’s Gas Holiday Market located only a few minutes away!
Event Details
Holiday Hours
🗓 Nov 19–Jan 9
🗓 Sunday–Thursday | 11:00am–10:00pm
🗓 Friday-Saturday | 11:00am–Midnight
🎟 Adults | $11.00$12.00
🎟 Children (12 & under) | $10.00–$11.00
🎟 Seniors (50 & up) | $10.00–$11.00
🎟 Discounts for Military members & first responders available with ID
🎟 Skate Rental | $5.00–$6.00
📍PPG Place
Zoo Light Drive Thru
Drive through the Zoo at night while guided by a themed audio tour as thousands of environmentally-friendly LED lights transform the park into an unforgettable winter wonderland! Enjoy over 80 animals, including 30 new additions and sing along to your favorite Christmas carols!
Event Details
🗓 Select nights starting Nov 26–Dec 30 | 5:15pm–9:45PM
🎟 $50.00
📍Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium
Ugly Sweater Bar Crawl
Really get into the holiday spirits at this year’s Ugly Sweater Bar Crawl. Enjoy holiday drinks, an ugly sweater costume contest, DJs, deals on food and more! Popular stops include The Flats on Carson, Carson City Saloon, Doughbar, Tiki Lounge, Local Bar and more. What are you waiting for?! Get your ticket, grab a beer and have a HOPpy Christmas!
Event Details
🗓 Dec 4 | 2:00pm–9:00pm
🎟 $14.99
📍East Carson Street
Why You Should Shop Small
It’s so important to support local, small businesses especially around the holiday season. These last few years have been tough on us all, especially those who are trying to sustain their business. We love supporting local and we want to encourage all of you to shop small this season!
More Holiday Events in Pittsburgh
Family-Friendly
Festival of Trees | Nov 19–20
Cirque Dreams Holidaze | Nov 26–27
Santa Trolley | Nov 26–28, Dec 4, 5, 11 & 12
Breakfast with Santa @ Hard Rock | Dec 4, 5, 11,12 & 18
Holiday Bazaar | Dec 4
Breakfast with Santa @ Vinoski Winery | Dec 5
Cookies & Cocoa with Mrs. Claus | Dec 11
Breakfast with Santa @ Coughlin’s Law | Dec 12
Christmas Tree Lighting | Dec 24
Holiday Lights
Dasher’s Drive-Thru Lightshow | Nov 1–Dec 31
Light Up Night 2021 | Nov 20
Sewickley Light Up Night | Dec 3
North Hills Hilltop Holiday Town | Dec 3
Santa’s Special Night: Joy of Christmas Light Show | Dec 8
Baldwin Holiday Festival | Dec 11
Boozy Parties + Crawls
Highland Village Holiday Party | Dec 2
Christmas Cookie Frost ‘n’ Sip @ Threadbare | Dec 9 & 16
Pittsburgh Santa Crawl 2021 | Dec 18
Rivers’ & Richards’ Ugly Sweater Christmas Party | Dec 21
Arts + Crafts
Christmas Porch Pot Workshop | Nov 26
Cosmic Christmas | Nov 26
Paint and Sip: Reindeer Porch Sign | Dec 1
Evergreen Swag Workshop | Dec 3
Holiday Wreath Class | Dec 3
Christmas Wreath Workshop | Dec 4
Christmas Coasters | Dec 8
Holiday Floral Arrangement Class | Dec 9
Pet-Friendly
Carnegie Christmas with Goats | Dec 18
Holiday Markets
Handmade Arcade Holiday Market | Dec 4
2021 Holiday Village Market | Dec 4
Winter Artists Market | Dec 11
Threadbare Winter Market | Dec 11
Crafts and Drafts Outdoor Holiday Market | Dec 12
Last Chance Holiday Market | Dec 17–19
Theater, Music & Movies
Pentatonix: The Evergreen Christmas Tour 2021 | Nov 29
A Charlie Brown Christmas: Live on Stage | Dec 3
A Motown Christmas | Dec 3
Pure Gold Christmas | Dec 4
FREE Polar Express Screening | Dec 4
Maddie Poppe’s Acoustic Christmas 2021 | Dec 5
Sounds of Christmas With The Latshaw Pops Orchestra | Dec 5
Street Corner Symphony Christmas | Dec 9
Once Nothing Christmas Reunion Special | Dec 18
Trans-Siberian Orchestra-Christmas Eve & Other Stories | Dec 29
The Hip Hop Nutcracker | Dec 30
Miscellaneous
NKBA Holiday Event: Tis the Season for Design | Nov 30
A Schitt’s Creek Christmas Trivia | Dec 2
Christmas Cookie Class | Dec 4
Oakmont Chamber of Commerce Christmas Home Tour | Dec 5
Oakmont Chamber of Commerce Holiday Gala | Dec 10
Vinoski Winery’s Annual Christmas Extravaganza | Dec 4 & 11
Saint Bartholomew Church Ugly Christmas Sweater 5k & 2 Mile Walk | Dec 11
The Mexican War Streets Winter Wonderland Extravaganza | Dec 18
NEW EVENTS ADDED WEEKLY
Make sure to follow along and see what cool and exciting things we will be bringing to the Burgh!
For more holiday events, updates, grand openings, and MORE, follow us on Facebook or Instagram. Plus for more fun-filled events, download the UNATION app.
Happy Holidays!
Locally curated guides
Here are some awesome guides, from us to you.
Emelie Gatti
Jonah Hoy
Zoe Frantz