Whether you’re looking for twinkly lights, festive entertainment, DIY seasonal decor, or ways to ring in the new year, we’re helping you make the most of Pittsburgh this December.
💌 Send Some Snail Mail
Sign, seal, and deliver a little love with locally-made holiday cards, like creations from Gingerly Press, Abby Winkler, Winter Pickle Press, Finch + Flourish, or Alternate Histories. Need more options? Browse the colorful display of stationary at WildCard in Lawrenceville, pictured above.
🎁 Shop Local for Holiday Gifts
You can find a unique present to your loved ones — and give a gift to local businesses — by doing all of your holiday shopping locally. Some of my personal favorite shops are love, Pittsburgh, Farmer’s Daughter, Armful of Flowers, PGH Candle, Una Biologicals, and White Whale Bookstore.
- 🛍️ Plus, there are a TON of awesome local pop-ups. Check out my list of 30+ markets!
Don’t skip the cookies and bars at Third Space Bakery in Garfield. (Francesca Dabecco / City Cast Pittsburgh)
🍪 Try New Cookies
We take cookies very seriously here in Pittsburgh. Find out why on our City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode about wedding cookie tables, then make some of producer Sophia Lo’s favorite recipes or taste sweet bites at the Lawrenceville Cookie Tour Dec. 15.
🍿 🎥 Grab the Popcorn
Winter is prime time for movie nights. Catch seasonal showings at Row House Cinema and the Science Center’s Rangos Giant Cinema, or check out A Very Merry Rick Sebak Christmas Screening at Bottlerocket Social Hall Dec. 3 and 17.
You can find a Pittsburgh coffee shop for (almost) every letter of the alphabet. (Francesca Dabecco / City Cast Pittsburgh)
☕ Order A Winter Coffee Special
Warm up with some delicious seasonal flavors! I can’t wait to try The Boredom Set’s fig, molasses, and juniper latte, Commonplace Coffee’s spiced pear latte, and Convive’s dark chocolate mint mocha.
🎶 🎭 See A Seasonal Show
‘Tis the season for spectacular performances. Take in the sounds from Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra’s holiday concert Dec. 13 or the Pittsburgh Symphony’s holiday shows, like the Brass Spectacular Dec. 19.
If theater and dance are more your thing, there are a bunch of performances through Dec. 22: City Theatre’s The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley; Pittsburgh Public Theater’s A Christmas Story; Pittsburgh CLO’s Who’s Holiday!; and PMT’s A Lyrical Christmas Carol.
Or check out Confluence Ballet’s Jazz Nutcracker Dec. 14-15; the Hip Hop Nutcracker Dec. 17; and Pittsburgh Ballet Theater’s Nutcracker through Dec. 27.
Holiday cheers at Pittsburgh pop-up bars. (Francesca Dabecco / CIty Cast Pittsburgh)
🥂 Visit A Festive Pop-Up Bar
Pittsburgh bars are shaking it up with over-the-top decor, jolly recipes, and sparkling ambiance to get you in the spirit. Find your next festive night out with our list of 19 holiday pop-up bars.
🌲 Make Holiday Decor
Bring the outdoors inside for Winter Solstice with workshops on garland making and everlasting holiday centerpieces at Armful of Flowers or GreenSinner’s wreath workshop benefiting Tree Pittsburgh Dec. 4. Not into greens? Paint candles and holders with WorkshopPGH Dec. 21.
This mosaic tree lights up with color at Pittsburgh’s Botanic Gardens. (Francesca Dabecco / CIty Cast Pittsburgh)
🌟 Be Dazzled by the Lights
There are so many ways to see Pittsburgh shine. Get nostalgic with Holiday Lights at Kennywood, Wild Illumination at the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium, or Holiday Mini Golf at Fun for All.
Admire sparkles among nature's beauty at Phipps Conservatory's Holiday Magic and Winter Flower Show or Pittsburgh Botanic Gardens’ Dazzling Nights.
Or take a mini road trip to Enchanted Lights in Freedom, the Christmas Light Up drive-thru in Clinton, the Holiday Laser Show in North Park, or Oglebay’s Festival of Lights in West Virginia.
🎆 Ring in the New Year
First Night Pittsburgh is always a party. Hear live tunes; visit public art installations and galleries; and watch the New Year's Eve Parade, the raising of the Future of Pittsburgh Ball, and of course, fireworks!
You can also see the whole city shine from the New Year's Eve cruises on the Gateway Clipper; pick from dinner, dance, and tour packages starting at $85.
Would you rather celebrate outside of the city? Dress in your finest and head to Sharpsburg to dance the night away at the Love, Kate Distilling’s Black Tie New Years Eve Party. A $75 ticket gets you four drinks and tasty appetizers!
Or if you’re looking for something low key, find your new favorite blend to take home for a toast at the New Years Selections Wine Class at PA Market Dec 18. Tickets are $40.
