Pittsburgh Holiday Events

Light Up Night

Nov. 23, 2025
Typically the Saturday before Thanksgiving

This annual celebration is the official kickoff of Pittsburgh's Holiday celebration. Experience a full night of vibrant activities and events, including concerts from national and local artists, extraordinary firework displays, family activities, the seasonal opening of Pittsburgh's winter attractions, the spectacular illumination of the Golden Triangle and more!

The Peoples Gas Holiday Market™

Nov. 21-Dec. 24, 2025 (closed Thanksgiving)

Downtown Pittsburgh is festive and fun at the annual Peoples Gas Holiday Market™ where you can browse outdoor wooden chalets brimming with unique gifts and holiday experiences filled with international flair and local charm. Enjoy live music as you stroll through an illuminated Market Square, and don't forget to stop by for a visit with Santa himself!

The UPMC Rink at PPG Place

Nov. 14, 2025-Mar. 1, 2026

Create smiles and memories when you skate at The UPMC Rink at PPG Place. Since 2001, this rink has been a staple attraction in Downtown Pittsburgh during the holidays.

Meet the Man in Red

Select Dates and Times TBA

What’s a holiday celebration without meeting the man of the hour, Santa Claus? Bring the kids and their wish lists to visit with Santa in-person at his festive house in Heinz Hall Courtyard, thanks to BNY Mellon! Once again, families have the wonderful option for their young ones to visit with either a Black or White Santa. Just let Santa’s helpers know who you prefer!

Handmade Arcade Holiday Market

Friday Dec. 5, 2025
4-6 p.m. Sensory-Friendly Shopping
6-8 p.m. Preview Party

Saturday Dec. 6, 2025
9-11 a.m. Early Bird Shopping
11a.m.-6 p.m. General Shopping

Shop one-of-a-kind handmade products from 275+ talented makers and artists at the largest holiday market in the region at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center at Handmade Arcade! This market goes from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. on Dec. 7, but Friday Night happy hour and Saturday early bird tickets are available if you want to shop early and avoid the crowds.

The Pittsburgh Crèche

Light Up Night (Nov. 22, 2025) through Epiphany

Venture from Market Square across town to the U.S. Steel Tower and visit The Pittsburgh Crèche, the world's only approved replica of the Vatican's Nativity Scene.

Holiday KidsPlay Selfie Garden

Throughout the Season

2025 Details TBA. Enjoy a family pitstop at the Heinz Hall Courtyard as it transforms into a child’s television dreamland for the holidays. Explore colorful backdrops and life-sized standees of popular characters from Fred Rogers Productions’ beloved children’s shows and other PBS favorites, including Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Peg + Cat and Odd Squad.

Highmark First Night Pittsburgh

New Years Eve! (Dec. 31-Jan. 1)

Pittsburgh's signature New Year's celebration, Highmark First Night Pittsburgh! The arts-focused festival will take you across Pittsburgh's Cultural District and features a diverse array of live music, dance, theater, visual arts, and comedy. The festivities culminate with a dazzling parade and the iconic Future of Pittsburgh Ball raising to bring in the New Year.

Holiday Magic! Winter Flower Show and Light Garden

Nov. 14, 2025-Jan. 4, 2025

Phipps' glowing gardens are back and bigger, brighter and more breathtaking than ever! The 2025 show, Holiday Magic!, features a Winter Flower Show of holiday trees, 21 varieties of poinsettias, orchids, and amaryllis, while the Winter Light Garden wows guests including tens of thousands of lights, glowing tunnels and illuminated panes of glass. With a new theme of Enchantment, stroll through a forest of fantasy and be on the lookout for mystical creatures.

GLOWLAND

2025 Dates TBA

Pittsburgh's Oakland neighborhood will be aglow for a month long winter festival with art installations, live music and lights throughout. GLOWLAND will be anchored by Impulse, an interactive and family friendly art installation of playable seesaws that create sound and light in ever-changing compositions.

Kennywood's Holiday Lights

Nov. 14, 2025 through Jan. 1, 2026 (closed on Christmas)

Make your season sparkle at Kennywood’s Holiday Lights. Bring your family and celebrate the return of this Pittsburgh classic. Take a stroll among more than two million twinkling lights and marvel at the tallest Christmas tree in the state. Savor the flavors of new festive foods and holiday drinks. Plus, there are rides for the kids and special entertainment for all. The holidays shine brighter than ever at the 11th anniversary of Kennywood’s Holiday Lights. Come make it part of your tradition select nights starting Nov. 14!

Dazzling Nights

2025 Dates TBA

Pittsburgh Botanic Gardens promises to immerse you in the wonder of the holidays for their Dazzling Nights event, perfect for families, friends and date nights. Have fun stepping on interactive lights, explore a forest of light and fog and journey through a 70' tunnel of light on before taking a photo to remember at their towering tree.

Wild Illuminations: A Holiday Lantern Experience

2025 Dates TBA

The Pittsburgh Zoo transforms into a winter wonderland with a frosty reimagining of their treasured lantern festival with Wild Illuminations: A Holiday Lantern Experience. Expect colossal Christmas-themed lanterns, a secret forest, mystical dream tunnel and more in this walk-through and drive-through experience.

Holiday Happenings at the National Aviary

2025 Dates TBA

Spend your holidays at the National Aviary! Enjoy family-fun activities during Season’s Greetings Saturdays, festively-decorated Holiday Brunches in The Garden Room and late nights with the birds during Holiday Lights and Late Nights! Don’t forget to stop in the Gift Shop or visit the online store for that perfect present.

Nationality Rooms Holiday Open House

2025 Dates TBA

The Nationality and Heritage Rooms in the Cathedral of Learning will be decorated for the holiday season again in 2025! Guests can explore the traditions of each culture, make traditional crafts, watch cultural demonstrations and even see St. Nicholas! This event is free, but gifts and foods will be available for purchase.

The Lawrenceville Cookie Tour

2025 Dates TBA

Experience the annual Lawrenceville Cookie Tour, a beloved holiday tradition! This tour of Lawrenceville features shopping opportunities at local businesses who also offer free cookies to visitors, making it a delicious way to support local shops and celebrate the season. in addition to a sweet treat as you explore Lawrenceville, get your gives wrapped at free gift wrapping stations, purchase your favorite cookies at the community bake sales, meet and take photos with costumed characters and a free shuttle service to get around with all your packages!

Poinsettias and Pointe Shoes

2025 Dates TBA

This performance by the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre is the unofficial kickoff to the holiday season as they bring the magic of The Nutcracker to the historic glasshouse at Phipps Conservatory. Tickets include admission to their Winter Flower Show and Light Garden.

A Christmas Story: The Play

Dec. 4-Dec. 21, 2025 (select dates)

Experience the play version of Ralphie Parker's misadventures through all the trials and tribulations of a family holiday in A Christmas Story. Just don't try licking any lamp posts before or after the show.

The Nutcracker with the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre

Dec. 5-28, 2025 (select dates)

Snow settles across the city as a wonderful adventure begins in PBT’s The Nutcracker. Join Marie, her Nutcracker prince and the Sugar Plum Fairy on a journey into the Land of Enchantment. Five fanciful scenes, more than 150 unique costumes and Tchaikovsky’s enduring score make The Nutcracker a can’t-miss holiday tradition.

Stay tuned for a variety of other holiday events and activities throughout the season!