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Pittsburgh's hottest Christmas events from December 11th to 15th are packed with Christmas fun! The wooden cabin market in the cultural district is full of international flair and local gems, the zoo is illuminated by silk and steel lanterns into a magical world, and there are also a variety of Christmas performances. With both free activities and paid extravaganzas, there's something for everyone to enjoy this winter.
This Week's Hot Events
Dates: December 11, 2025 – December 15, 2025
This weekend, Pittsburgh's urban rhythm was illuminated by the festival.
We've curated the most worthwhile and popular events for you, covering music, theater, markets, family activities, and nightlife.
concert&tour
Mannheim Steamroller Christmas Tour
Event Location: Benedum Center
Event time: Thursday 7:30 PM
Event tickets: $ from 60
Event Link:trustarts.org
Like the Trans-Siberian Ensemble, this band also rose to fame after "playing Christmas music." That was 41 years ago, when the synthesizer band, led by Chip Davis, released an album titled "Christmas." The tour will stop at the Benedic Centre in the city center, where 15 musicians will play more than 20 instruments against a backdrop of multimedia effects.
The Gilmour Project band performance
Event Venue: Carnegie Homestead Music Hall
Event time: Thursday 8:00 PM
Event Tickets: $40
Event Link:librarymusichall.com
This is another Pink Floyd tribute band, but it consists of some veteran musicians: Jeff Pevar (CSN), Mark Karan (Ratdog, Phil Lesh & Friends), Scott Guberman (Phil Lesh & Friends), Berry Oakley (Allman Betts), and Pete Lavezzoli (Crazy Fingers).
Highmark Holiday Pops
Event Venue: Heinz Hall
Event times: Friday 7:30 PM; Saturday 2:30 PM and 7:30 PM; Sunday 2:30 PM
Event tickets: From $49
Event Link:pittsburghsymphony.org
Daniel Meyer will conduct the Pittsburgh Mendelssohn Choir and the Tambriza Orchestra, while singer Brian Alden Kraus will join the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra for their annual holiday concert at Heinz Hall, where audience members will sing along, creating a festive Christmas atmosphere.
Theater & Movie
The movie 'A Christmas Story'
Event Venue: O'Reilly Theater
Event times: Thursday 7:00 PM; Friday 8:00 PM; Saturday 2:00 PM and 8:00 PM; Sunday 2:00 PM (until December 21)
Event tickets: $41–$92
Event Link:ppt.org
Adapted from the 1983 film of the same name and Gene Shepard's books *We Believe in God: Others Pay Cash* and *Wanda Hickey's Golden Nights: And Other Disasters*, the series tells the story of 9-year-old Ralph Parker, who desperately wants a Red Knight air rifle for Christmas, but his mother objects. The series is written by Philip Gracián and directed by Michael Bayrez.
The Nutcracker ballet
Event Venue: Benedum Theatre
Event times: Friday 7:00 PM, Saturday 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM, Sunday 12:00 PM and 4:30 PM (until December 28)
Event tickets: From $33
Event Link:pbt.org
The Pittsburgh Ballet will present this classic festival ballet at the Benedic Theatre in downtown Pittsburgh. The choreography and concept were created by former Pittsburgh Ballet artistic director Terence S. All. The music is by Tchaikovsky, and the costumes and set design are by Emmy Award winner Zach Brown.
The show brings together more than 100 artists from professional theater companies and PBT schools, along with celebrity guests from Pittsburgh who will appear in the party scenes. It also features 150 costumes and a Christmas tree that can grow to 15 times its original size.
The Cure: The Show of a Lost World (film)
Event Venue: Harris Theater
Event Time: Thursday 7:30 PM; Sunday 4:30 PM
Event Tickets: $ 17.85
Event Link:trustarts.org
The film, currently playing at the Harris Theatre in the city center, documents the iconic band's first and only full performance of their acclaimed album, Songs of a Lost World, at the Troxey Theatre in London.
"Yippee Ki Yay (A Celebration Version of the Parody Movie Die Hard)"
Event Venue: Greer Cabaret Theater
Event times: Thursday 7:30 PM; Friday 7:30 PM; Saturday 2:00 PM and 7:30 PM; Sunday 2:00 PM (until December 21)
Event tickets: From $77
Event Link:trustarts.org
Richard Marsh, a former Fringe First Award winner and London Poetry Reading Contest champion, continues his residency at the Greer Cabaret Theater in downtown Los Angeles with a hilarious retelling of a classic action film about a mob that takes over a Los Angeles skyscraper during a holiday office party.
Pittsburgh Plays Ozzy
Event Venue: Roxian Theatre
Event time: Friday 8:00 PM
Event ticket: $25
Event Link:roxiantheatre.com
The Pittsburgh Theatre Series has paid tribute to numerous musicians, including Fleetwood Mack, Paul McCartney, The Beatles, Tom Petty, Queen, and The Healing. Now, for the first time, it will present a metal-themed performance to honor the late "Prince of the Dark."
The musicians performing include: Deborah Levine (Lady Beast), Jon Belan (Gene the Werewolf), Zach Brand (The Gotobeds), Jason Myers (Icarus Witch), Byron Nash (NASH.V.ILL), Dave Wheeler (Limousine Beach), and Michael Lindner (28 North).
'A Musical Christmas Carol'
Event Venue: Byham Theater
Event times: Saturdays 1:00 PM and 6:00 PM, Sundays 11:00 AM and 4:00 PM (until December 23)
Event tickets: $ from 59
Event Link:pittsburghclo.org
Dennis O'Hare (This Is Us, American Horror Story) will play Scrooge in the Pittsburgh CLO Theatre's production of Dickens' classic play, The Miser Scrooge, at the Byham Theatre in downtown Pittsburgh.
Holiday Markets & Community Events
Holiday Community Day
Event Location: August Wilson African American Cultural Center
Event time: Saturday 12:00–4:00 PM
Event tickets: Free
Event Link:awaacc.org
The August Wilson African American Cultural Center, located in the city center, will host holiday celebrations, including a market selling unique gifts, photo opportunities with Santa Claus and Mrs. Santa, live performances, and Kwanza activities. The center will also host an exhibition on the second floor titled "I Belong Only to Myself" ($17) by Nigerian poet and artist Peju Alatis.
Winter Artists' Market
Event Venue: Pittsburgh Center for Arts & Media
Event time: Saturday 10:00–4:00 PM
Event tickets: Free
Event Link:pghartsmedia.org
This market offers people the opportunity to find unique gifts created by local artists in various studios at the Point Breeze Center for the Arts in Pittsburgh.
Exhibitors include Annie Heisey Fine Art, CA Glassworks, Farrago Designs, Forlorn Moon, Gray Rabbit Art, Joe Schultz Photography, Lisa Seligman Photography, Mars Design Studio, Reimagined Recycling, Studio Eskuche and Zag Metals.
I did it! Joyful and bright. Holiday craft market (I Made It! Merry & Bright)
Event Location: SouthSide Works
Event time: Saturday 12:00–6:00 PM
Event tickets: Free
Event Link:imadeitmarket.com
This market, comprised of local artisans, sells handmade gifts and is held in various indoor venues at SouthSide Works.
Cinder Bell Rock Holiday Market
Event Location: Cinderlands Beer Warehouse
Event time: Sunday 10:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Event tickets: $10; children aged 10 and under are free.
Event Link:cinderlands.com
The fifth annual party, held at the Cinder Field Beer Warehouse in the Strip District, will feature a holiday market with local manufacturers and vendors, Santa workshops, cookie decorating, wreath making and children’s crafts, brunch and photo opportunities with Santa, and a charity raffle basket.
At 11:30 a.m., the Pleaktunes Trio will perform the beloved "Charlie Brown Christmas" album live; from 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Elkhound will present a bluegrass holiday show.
Pittsburgh Record Fest
Event Location: Spirit Lounge
Event time: Sunday 11:00–7:00 PM
Event Tickets: $5
Event Link:spiritpgh.com
At the Spirit Lounge in Lawrenceville, a buying and selling party for vinyl record enthusiasts is underway, with vendors, DJs, and "cheap drinks" on hand.
Lawrenceville Cookie Tour
Event location: Map can be found at lvpgh.com
Event time: Saturdays and Sundays, 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Event tickets: Free
Event Link:lvpgh.com
The initiative originated from an idea Jay Design had 28 years ago, which allowed shoppers to browse local businesses and buy cookies along the way.
Holly Jolly Holiday Party
Event Location: Bakery Square
Event time: Saturday 11:00–2:00 PM
Event tickets: Free
Event Link:bakery-square.com
This family holiday party, held at the Bakery Plaza in the East Freedom District, will include handicrafts, a reindeer food station, letters to Santa Claus, an inflatable Santa Claus castle, face painting, a holiday snack stand, and a photo booth.
If you're not satisfied with Pittsburgh's popular Christmas events, check out these...Pittsburgh New Year's Eve Event 12.31
Article fromPittsburgh Post-Gazette
