The Christmas season is a busy time but one filled with great opportunities to create memories with your family. All around the Pittsburgh area there are lots of fun holiday activities to share in and enjoy.
Highmark Light Up Night in Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh’s Ultimate Holiday Experience! Starting at 12:30PM with Music & Entertainment, Light Up Night rolls into the night with Tree lighting City-County Building and at the Corner of Stanwix Street & Penn Avenue. The tree lighting will be paired with fireworks! Come downtown to kick off the unofficial start of the winter holiday shopping season. Highmark Light Up Night celebrates its 61st anniversary in downtown Pittsburgh with the lighting of the Highmark Christmas tree. Festivities include musical acts, firework displays, shopping, food, ice sculptures, and so much more.
When: November 19, 2022
Hours: Starting at 12:30PM
Price: Admission is Free!
Polar Express in 3D
Carnegie Science Center
Showing Friday, November 25 through Friday, December 30 on select dates!
Visit the North Pole this season – without even needing a train ticket! The Polar Express (2004) is now chugging into theaters at The Rangos Giant Cinema, ready to spread the joy of holiday magic with every showing. Based on the book by Chris Van Allsburg, the movie stars Tom Hanks and offers viewings in 3D. Get into the spirit of the season before The Polar Express leaves the station.
Runtime: 100 minutes
Photo Credit: https://carnegiesciencecenter.org/
Peoples Gas Holiday Market
Pittsburgh’s Holiday market located in the heart of downtown! It will feature full time vendors and Visiting Vendors along with Entertainment!
When: 11/19-12/2
Hours: M-TH: 11AM-8PM
FRI & SAT: 11AM-9:30PM
SUN: 11AM-6PM
Where: Market Square
Price: Admission is Free
Spirits of Giving from Around The World
Life Size Santas and paintings that capture Christmas around the whole world!
When: 11/18-1/1/23
Hours: MON-THU: 9AM-7PM
Fridays: 9AM-8PM
Saturdays: 11AM-8PM
Sundays: 11AM-6PM
Where: One & Two PPG Place Lobbies
Price: Admission is Free!
UPMC Rink at PPG Plaza
Skate around the beautiful big Christmas tree at PPG Plaza!
When: 11/18-1/8
Hours: SUN-THU: 11AM-10PM
FRI&SAT: 11AM-12AM
Where: PPG Plaza
Price: Adults (13-49): $11-$12
Children(12 and Under): $10-$11
Seniors (50 & Up): $10-$11
Military (With ID): $10-$11
First Responders (With ID): $10-$11
Skate Rental: $5
Holiday KidsPlay & Selfie Garden
Presented by Fred Rodgers Productions and The Pittsburgh Pirates, this is a fun place for all kids with different craft stations and backdrops that are filled with all PBS Kids children shows!
When: KidsPlay – 11/20-12/18
Selfie Garden- 11/18-12/23
Hours: KidsPlay – Saturdays (& Black Friday) – 11AM-7PM
Sundays- 11AM-6PM
Selfie Garden – WED-FRI: Noon-3PM & 4-7PM
Saturday: Noon-8PM
Sunday: Noon-6PM
(Have different hours for the Grand Opening, Light Up Night, and Black Friday)
Where: KidsPlay – Sixth St & Liberty Ave (Across from Santa’s House)
Selfie Garden – Heinz Hall Courtyard
Price: Admission is Free!
Santa’s House
The Kiddos will have their time to sit on Santa’s Lap and tell them what they want for Christmas! Then after they will be able to get a Photo with St. Nick!
When: 11/18-12/23
Hours: WED-FRI: Noon-3PM & 4PM-7PM
Saturday: Noon-8PM
Sunday: Noon-6PM
(Have different Hours for Grand Opening Day, Light Up Night, and Black Friday)
Santa Trolley
Pittsburgh Trolley Museum, Washington, PA
November 25-27, December 3-4, 10-11 and 17-18
If you and your kiddos love trains and Santa, you will love this activity!
Fun Fore All Holiday Lights MiniGolf
Where: Cranberry, PA
Fun Fore All’s Holiday Lights Mini Golf is a Christmas tradition in the making! Turning the two award-winning miniature golf courses (Cave Course and Lighthouse Course) into a fully playable walk-through holiday lights show, you will experience various animated themed holiday lights (country western, penguins, Taj Mahal, under the sea, Victorian Christmas, etc.) in the most FUNtastic way possible. Special events throughout the holiday season. Portion of the proceeds to benefit The Highmark Caring Place.
When: November 25-January 1
Hours: Open every evening from 5pm-9pm
Details: Holiday Lights is closed on Christmas Eve (Dec 24th) and Christmas Day (Dec 25th).
Event will be held daily weather permitting!
Walking or playing miniature golf, you must purchase a ticket. Holiday Lights is not included with Time Play Passes or Free Fun Card Money, tickets must be purchased separately.
Price: $15 for one course or $20 for both courses
Skate with Santa
Saturday, December 17, 2022 at South Park Ice Rink; 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM
Sunday, December 18, 2022 at North Park Ice Rink; 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM
He’s making a list and checking it twice – on ice! Skate with Santa at the North Park and South Park ice rinks.
