Thu., Dec. 4
Fly into festive fun when the National Aviary presents Jingle Bell Flock, a new immersive show that combines seasonal music with animal encounters. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. 700 Arch St., North Side. $5, $4 for members. All ages. aviary.org
Roar into the holidays when the Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium presents Wild Illuminations, a nighttime event featuring silk-and-steel lanterns of “beloved holiday characters, traditional Asian icons, and many amazing animals.” 5:30-10 p.m. Continues through Jan. 11, 2026. 7370 Baker St., Highland Park. $22-27. pittsburghzoo.org
Credit: Courtesy of the National Aviary
Get in the spirit at Spirit when The Moon Baby returns to Pittsburgh with Christmas on the Moon, Baby, a new holiday drag spectacular featuring live music and lots of humor. 8 p.m. Doors at 7 p.m. 242 51st St., Lawrenceville. $20 in advance, $25 at the door. 21 and over. spiritpgh.com
Fri., Dec. 5
Don’t shout, cry, or pout when everyone’s favorite disciplinary Christmas demon comes to Pittsburgh. Meet with fellow Krampus fans in the Cultural District for Pittsburgh Krampuslauf (5:30 p.m. Seventh Avenue and Penn Avenue, Downtown. Free. All ages. Search “Die Heiterkeit Krampus Haus” on Facebook) or at Penn Brewery for Krampus Fest, an annual event featuring the band Sleigher’s hard rock takes on holiday carols (6 p.m. 800 Vinial St., North Side. Free. All ages. facebook.com/PennBrewery).
Be a good neighbor at the Greenfield Holiday Parade, a joyous yearly tradition that celebrates the people and small businesses of Greenfield. 7 p.m. Murray Avenue business district to Lydia Street, Greenfield. Free. All ages. facebook.com/GCAPGH
The Benedum Center transforms into a magical dream world when the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre presents its latest rendition of The Nutcracker. 7 p.m. Continues through Sun., Dec. 28. Seventh Street and Penn Avenue, Downtown. $33.50-199.76. All ages. pbt.org/performances
After a long hiatus, the Bricolage immersive theater company has returned — welcome them back during their Midnight Radio production of Christmas Vacatyinz, a Pittsburgh twist on the beloved National Lampoon comedy. 8 p.m. Continues through Sun., Dec. 21. barebones black box. 1211 Braddock Ave., Braddock. $35-55. bricolagepgh.org
Sat., Dec. 6
Pause your hibernation for WinterTide, a one-day festival at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History full of hands-on activities, experts, treats, and more. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 4400 Forbes Ave., Oakland. Free. Registration required. All ages. carnegiemnh.org
Thu., Dec. 11
Pittsburgh Irish Festival and YaJagoff! bring good cheer to Velum Fermentation with A Celtic Rock Christmas, a spirited celebration of Irish culture that doubles as a fundraiser for the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. 6 p.m. 120 Jane St., South Side. $28.52. celticrockchristmas.com
Fri., Dec. 12
The weather outside is frightful, so warm up at the Carnegie Museum of Art during Winter Heat, an annual dance party led by some of the city’s best DJs. 8 p.m. 4400 Forbes Ave., Oakland. $25-30. Registration required. 21 and over. carnegieart.org
Sat., Dec. 13
The August Wilson African American Cultural Center welcomes everyone to its Holiday Community Day featuring a market with local vendors, live music and dance performances, Kwanzaa activities, and more. 12-4 p.m. 980 Liberty Ave., Downtown. Free. All ages. awaacc.org
SouthSide Works spreads cheer during Holiday Spectacular, where shoppers will find over 60 local vendors and artisans at the I Made It! Market, as well as live music, photos with Santa, and more. 12-6 p.m. 27th Street and Sidney Street, South Side. Free. All ages. southsideworks.com
Pittsburgh CLO haunts the holidays with A Musical Christmas Carol, a melodic twist on the Charles Dickens tale about greed, ghosts, and giving. 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. Continues through Tue., Dec. 23. Byham Theater. 101 Sixth St., Downtown. $59-149. trustarts.org
Sun., Dec. 14
Get on board for the Wilkinsburg Handmade Holiday Show, a large market featuring over 75 local vendors spread out over two venues, the Wilkinsburg Train Station and WorkshopPGH. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. 901 Hay St. and 321 Pennwood Ave., Wilkinsburg. Free. All ages. workshoppgh.com
The South Hills Jewish community takes its Chanukah Festival outdoors with a Menorah lighting, firetruck gelt drop, and other surprises. 5-6:30 p.m. Dormont Pool Parking Lot. 1801 Dormont Ave., Dormont. Free. All ages. jewishpgh.org
Mon., Dec. 15
Pittsburgh kicks off Chanukah with a Downtown celebration that includes live music, refreshments of latkes and donuts, and the lighting of a 12-foot Menorah in front of the City-County Building. 5 p.m. 414 Grant St., Downtown. Free. All ages. pittsburghpa.gov
Thu., Dec. 18
Christmas goes country when Trisha Yearwood joins the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra for a special live music event at Heinz Hall. 7:30 p.m. 600 Penn Ave., Downtown. $47-134. pittsburghsymphony.org
Sat., Dec. 20
Credit: Bob Carey
Deck the halls with a different kind of greenery when Monroeville Convention Center hosts the first-ever Steel City Canna-Christmas, a cannabis-friendly holiday event full of unique gifts and “good vibes.” 10 a.m.-8 p.m. 209 Mall Plaza Blvd., Monroeville. $10-17. 18 and over. visitmonroeville.com
Have a very prog-rock holiday when the Trans-Siberian Orchestra returns to Pittsburgh for another big music spectacle at PPG Paints Arena. 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. 1001 Fifth Ave., Uptown. Tickets start at $55. trans-siberian.com
Wed., Dec. 31
Usher in the New Year during Highmark First Night, a big Downtown bash full of free, family-friendly entertainment, from a new ice maze to live music, all culminating in a fireworks display and raising of the Future of Pittsburgh ball. Times TBA. Multiple locations, Downtown. Free. All ages. firstnightpgh.trustarts.org
Make your New Year’s Eve celebration extra fabulous when City Winery hosts a special party with Alaska Thunderfuck 5000 of RuPaul’s Drag Race. 7:30 p.m. Doors at 6 p.m. 1627 Smallman St., Strip District. $50-95. citywinery.com/pittsburgh
Party like it’s Dec. 31, 1999 when Bottlerocket Social Hall hosts Y2K NYE, a ‘90s-inspired celebration that promises to be all that and a bag of chips. 8 p.m. Doors at 5 p.m. 1226 Arlington Ave., Allentown. $15.28. bottlerocketpgh.com
This article appears in The Big Winter Issue: Winter Guide/People of the Year.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.pghcitypaper.com ’
