Holiday Calendar
HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS
6 to 8 p.m., Thursday, November 21, Washington Road: Uptown Mt. Lebanon transforms into a holiday wonderland with music, vendors, activities and a visit from Santa.
7 to 8 p.m., Thursday, December 5 Beverly Road: Beverly Road closes for kids’ activities, Santa, Christmas carols and holiday treats! Bring a toy for Medical Rescue Team South’s Toys for Tots collection.
10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, November 30 Crowne Plaza, Pittsburgh South: Signature cocktails, lunch and more than 65 local artisans selling handmade wares.
7th Night
5:45 p.m, Saturday, December 28, South Hills JCC: traditional latkes, live DJ, dreidel tournament, inflatables, swimming and special
surprises.
Holiday Gift Bazaar, Cookie Sale & Tea Room
9 a.m. to 2 p.m, Saturday, December 14, Mt. Lebanon United Methodist Church: Homemade cookies, gifts and a British Christmas Tea Room.
Holiday Bells, Mallets and Drums
7:30 p.m. and 1 p.m. (Saturday only), Friday and Saturday, December 13 and 14, Mt. Lebanon High School Fine Arts Theater: Fantastic music. Plus Santa, cookies and silent auction.
Brighten your holiday with a luminaria kit from Relay for Life of Mt. Lebanon. Kits are $20 and include 10 candles, 10 bags and 10 liner bags. Participants can decorate the bags in honor or memory of a loved one, then light them at dusk December 24.
AROUND THE CITY
Friday, November 22 through February, 2020, PPG Place: Skate in Pittsburgh’s massive outdoor rink, which is two-thirds the size of a standard NHL rink.
Saturday to Sunday, December 7 to 8, Carnegie Science Center: Watch Elf on a giant screen, live theater and laser shows, themed activities and more.
Friday, November 22 through December (USX Tower Plaza, Downtown): Visit a larger-than-life-sized crèche, the world’s only authorized replica of the nativity scene in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.
Noon to 4 p.m., Sunday, December 8, Cathedral of Learning: The nationality rooms are decorated in traditional holiday style. Enjoy performances every 15 minutes.
4 to 8 p.m., Saturday, December 7, Squirrel Hill Business District: Self-paced wine tasting experience and holiday shopping.
Noon to 4 p.m., Saturday, December 14, Carnegie Museum of Natural History: Holiday-themed stations throughout the museum including crafts, traditions, food, artifacts and more from other cultures.
Old Allegheny Victorian Christmas House Tour
Friday and Saturday, December 13 and 14, Calvary United Methodist Church): Visit six restored Victorian homes and the historic Calvary United Methodist Church, all decked out for the holidays.
OUT OF TOWN
Friday to Sunday, November 29 to December 1, Bayfront Convention Center, Erie: Peruse a gallery of uniquely decorated trees, and enjoy local entertainment, live reindeer and Santa’s castle.
Christmas Tree Capital of the World
Friday, November 29 through December, Indiana, Pa.: Pop-up holiday market, weekend festivals, It’s A Wonderful Life-inspired atmosphere and an enormous Christmas tree.
Noon to 5 p.m., Sunday, December 8, Ligonier: Enjoy carolers, festive decorations and specials in local stores and restaurants.
Friday, November 29 through December, Gettysburg: Daily festive events and holiday-themed tours in the various historic Civil War locations around town.
SHOPPING & CRAFTS
Friday to Sunday, December 6 to 8, Pittsburgh Glass Center: Funky, fancy and functional glass on sale for three days only.
10 a.m. to 5 p.m, Saturday, December 7, 4701 Butler Street, Lawrenceville: Unique Ohio-based craft show. A portion of proceeds benefits Girls on the Run.
11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday, December 7, David L. Lawrence Convention Center: Find unique gifts at Pittsburgh’s award-winning independent craft fair.
11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, December 14 and 15, Union Project: Visit the studios of five Highland Park potters, socialize and buy local pottery!
SANTA SIGHTINGS
10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, November 2 & Sunday, November 10, Animal Friends: Bring your pup on leash and cats and bunnies in carriers to meet Santa. $10 tickets benefit Animal Friends.
2 p.m, Sunday, December 1, Hartwood Acres County Park: Cookies and milk, crafts, carols and a visit from Santa in the historic mansion.
Saturdays and Sundays through December 22, Pittsburgh Zoo: Have breakfast or lunch with Santa, make crafts and cookies and meet zoo animals. Preregistration required.
November 29 & 30, December 1, 7, 8, 14 & 15, Pennsylvania Trolley Museum: Climb aboard a restored streetcar with the merry man himself.
LIGHT SHOWS
November 22 thru December 30, Greensburg: Drive through a holiday light display and visit a Christmas village including vendors, carriage rides, entertainment and kids’ activities.
Weekends, November 22 through December 30, Kennywood Park: Two million lights, holiday choirs, lagoon light show, Santa and the tallest Christmas tree in Pennsylvania.
November 23 through December, 31st Street Studios, Lawrenceville: Play under the twinkle of a million lights in this enormous indoor display.
6 to 9 p.m., Tuesday, December 17, Downtown Pittsburgh: Seven-mile hike from the light exhibits downtown to the top of Mount Washington for panoramic views.
November 22 through December, Fun Fore All, Cranberry: Play 36 holes of miniature golf, combined with a holiday music and light show.
GIVING BACK
Holiday Breakfast
8:15 a.m., Friday, December 13, Crowne Plaza Pittsburgh South: Coldwell Banker hosts a breakfast benefiting Make-A-Wish Greater PA and West Virginia and Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Banks. 412-901-6808
Saturdays, November 23, December 7 and 14, Global Links: Families can volunteer to help prepare and sort medical supplies to send to areas affected by natural disasters. Reregistration required.
Toy Donations
Now through December 16, Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh: Search for “UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh Child Life” on www.myregistry.com to send toys to kids who will be spending their holiday at the hospital.
Salvation Army Christmas Dinner
Wednesday, December 25, various locations: Help the Salvation Army serve more than 2,000 families Christmas Day dinners at hotel locations throughout Pittsburgh.
Wednesday, December 25, various locations: The Jewish Federation Volunteer Center organizes a day of service all over the city.
ENTERTAINMENT
December 6 to 29, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre: Dozens of dancers, 150 costumes and Tchaikovsky’s classic score set in turn-of-the-century Pittsburgh.
8 p.m., Saturday, December 7, Heinz Hall: Hear Handel’s prolific oratorio performed by one of our nation’s finest orchestras.
10 a.m., Saturday and Sunday, December 7 and 8, Hollywood Theater: Take the whole family to see this Christmas classic on the silver screen.
7:30 p.m., Tuesday, December 3, Upper St. Clair High School: Carols, holiday film music, regional choirs and special surprises!
3:30 and 8 p.m., Sunday, December 22, PPG Paints Arena: Rock opera-style holiday favorites complete with dazzling lights and pyrotechnics.
7:30 p.m., Friday December 6, Westminster Presbyterian Church, Upper St. Clair: A rollicking, pastoral program including Corelli’s Christmas Concerto.
December 6-8, 14-15, 20-22, Byham Theater: Dickens’ classic holiday tale presented live on stage, with recognizable yuletide melodies.
December 12 to 22, O’Reilly Theater: WQED’s Rick Sebak hosts an hour-long variety show about the holidays in Pittsburgh.
2 p.m., Saturday, December 14, Pittsburgh Opera Headquarters: Bring lunch and a friend to this free holiday concert presented by Pittsburgh Opera’s resident artists.
NEW YEAR’S CELEBRATIONS
11 a.m., Tuesday, December 31, Mt. Lebanon Public Library: Celebrate 2019 12 hours early with family-friendly activities, songs, crafts and something bubbly when the clock strikes noon.
First Night
6 p.m. to Midnight, Tuesday, December 31, Cultural District: Enjoy a 14-block celebration including live music, dance, theater, magic, fireworks and the raising of the Future of Pittsburgh Ball.
Sunday, December 1, Oliver Miller Homestead, South Park: Scottish New Year’s Eve celebration features haggis, highland games and Scottish dancers.
11 a.m., Tuesday, December 31, Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium: Count down to a noon ball-drop, sign the Res-Zoo-lution and enjoy live entertainment.
7 p.m., Tuesday, December 31, Doubletree Hotel, Moon Township: The Blues Society of Western Pennsylvania presents award-winning blues artists, buffet dinner and five-hour open bar.
2020 ENJOY COUPON BOOK
Give the gift of savings! Get your coupon book for $30 from the Mt. Lebanon Recreation Department. Deep discounts on local activities, restaurants and shopping. 412-343-3409
