Photo Credit: Dustin McGrew | VisitPITTSBURGH
Christmas events in Pittsburgh bring the holiday season to life with dazzling light displays, Christmas markets, classic performances, concerts, and family friendly attractions. From beloved traditions to new holiday experiences, these are the best Christmas events and activities to add to your Pittsburgh plans for 2026.
The Best Christmas Events in Pittsburgh 2026
From a night at the ballet to millions of lights at Kennywood, here are the best things to do in Pittsburgh for Christmas this year.
1. Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre's The Nutcracker — Pittsburgh
Set against the charming backdrop of turn-of-the-century Pittsburgh, this signature production follows Marie and the Nutcracker Prince on an unforgettable journey through swirling snow into the Land of Enchantment, where the Sugar Plum Fairy and a cast of hundreds of colorful characters await. Featuring Tchaikovsky's iconic score played live, vivid costumes, and an annual run at the historic Benedum Center, it remains one of the city's most treasured cultural holiday traditions.
- Dates: December 4th, 2026 - December 27th, 2026 (Check website for full schedule)
- Admission: Ticketed (Tickets go on sale July 1, 2026)
- Street Address: The Benedum Center, 237 7th Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
- Kid Friendly: Yes
- Pet Friendly: No
- Parking: Paid theater district parking garages and street parking available nearby
- Website: https://pbt.org/performances/nutcracker/
Insider Tip: If sensory sensitivities are a consideration for your family, the December 6th performance at 4:30 PM is a dedicated sensory-friendly presentation featuring adjusted lighting, lower sound levels, and a relaxed house environment.
2. Highmark Holiday Pops — Pittsburgh
The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and the Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh team up with special musical guests for this beloved holiday tradition at Heinz Hall, filling the grand auditorium with seasonal orchestral favorites like "Sleigh Ride" and the resounding "Hallelujah" chorus. Joyful audience sing-alongs are woven throughout the program, and a massive, beautifully decorated holiday tree in the lobby adds to the Yuletide atmosphere. It's a concert built around family gathering, making it a memorable night out.
- Dates: December 11th, 2026 - December 20th, 2026 (Check website for full schedule)
- Admission: Ticketed (Tickets go on sale July 14, 2026)
- Street Address: Heinz Hall, 600 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
- Kid Friendly: Yes
- Pet Friendly: No
- Parking: Nearby paid downtown parking structures and street parking available
- Website: https://pittsburghsymphony.org/production/104742/highmark-holiday-pops
Insider Tip: With nine performances spread across two weekends, there is plenty of schedule flexibility. Plan to arrive an hour early to beat the lines and take family portraits in front of the iconic, multi-story lobby Christmas tree.
3. Handmade Arcade's Holiday Market — Pittsburgh
Recognized as Pittsburgh's premier handmade holiday shopping event, this massive market brings together more than 275 independent makers and welcomes upwards of 10,000 motivated shoppers from Western Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, and beyond. This highly anticipated weekend features a Friday night Preview Party, a Saturday Early Bird hour, and full general shopping admission open to everyone. It's the perfect marketplace where supporting regional craft artisans and checking off your holiday gift list go hand in hand.
- Dates: December 4th, 2026 - December 6th, 2026
- Admission: Free (Friday night Preview Party and Saturday morning Early Bird shopping are ticketed separately)
- Street Address: 1000 Fort Duquesne Blvd, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
- Kid Friendly: Yes
- Pet Friendly: No
- Parking: Paid convention center garage and nearby downtown parking lots available
- Website: https://www.handmadearcade.org/holiday-market
Insider Tip: While general admission on Saturday and Sunday is completely free, tickets for the exclusive Friday night Preview Party and Saturday's 9:00 AM Early Bird window go on sale October 7th. Snagging these tickets lets you shop and get first pick of one-of-a-kind items.
4. Kennywood Holiday Lights — West Mifflin
Just minutes from Downtown, Kennywood Park trades its summer thrills for a winter wonderland during Holiday Lights, one of the Pittsburgh area's most established seasonal traditions. More than three million twinkling lights cover the historic amusement park, with the tallest Christmas tree in the state, Gingerbread Junction, a Gingerbread Express ride, and 25-plus rides and attractions open for the season. Guests can meet Santa, Rudolph, and his friends, and warm up with holiday themed food and drinks throughout the park.
- Dates: November 13th, 2026 – January 3rd, 2027 (select nights; Fridays 5-9 PM, Saturdays and Sundays 3-9 PM, additional dates around the holidays)
- Admission: Ticketed
- Street Address: 4800 Kennywood Blvd, West Mifflin, PA 15122
- Kid Friendly: Yes
- Pet Friendly: No
- Parking: Paid, on-site
- Website: https://www.kennywood.com/discover-the-park/events-shows/holiday-lights/
Insider Tip: A Gold or Platinum 2027 Season Pass includes unlimited Holiday Lights admission for the winter season, so make sure to snag one if you're planning more than one or two visits.
5. Oglebay's Festival of Lights — Wheeling, West Virginia
About an hour and fifteen minutes from Pittsburgh, Oglebay Resort turns into one of the best seasonal light shows in the region for its Festival of Lights, presented by WesBanco. This drive through experience winds guests past millions of lights nightly from dusk to midnight, while Santa's Village at Camp Russel adds ice skating, train rides, and artisan shopping, and the Hilltop features an illuminated path with a Mansion Light Show and the new SLEIGH pop-up bar. With Christmas at the Zoo, nightly entertainment, and holiday dining layered in, it's less a single display and more a full holiday destination worth the extra drive.
- Dates: November 5th, 2026 – January 3rd, 2027 (drive-through lights nightly, dusk to midnight)
- Admission: Ticketed (drive-through); some attractions like Santa's Village ticketed separately
- Street Address: Oglebay Park Resort, 465 Lodge Drive, Wheeling, WV 26003
- Kid Friendly: Yes
- Pet Friendly: No
- Parking: Free, on-site
- Website: https://oglebay.com/calendar/event-calendar/festival-of-lights/
Insider Tip: Car wait times are shortest Monday through Wednesday. Arrive between 5 PM and 6 PM to beat the rush if you're visiting on a weekend.
6. Highmark Light Up Night — Pittsburgh
Downtown Pittsburgh's holiday season officially begins with Light Up Night, a tradition dating back to 1960 that draws hundreds of thousands of people to the Golden Triangle. The evening includes multiple tree lightings across downtown, including the City of Pittsburgh's official Christmas tree at the City-County Building, a sourced locally live tree that's been a Golden Triangle tradition since 1913. Live music plays across several stages, from the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra's free concerts at Heinz Hall to headlining acts on the riverfront, all building to a fireworks finale over the Allegheny River.
- Dates: Saturday, November 21st, 2026, 4:00 PM - 9:30 PM
- Admission: Free
- Street Address: Downtown Pittsburgh, PA (multiple stages and locations)
- Kid Friendly: Yes
- Pet Friendly: No
- Parking: Paid; downtown garages and lots
- Website: https://www.pittsburghpa.gov/News-articles/Homepage/Forestry-Division-Seeking-Pittsburgh-City-Hall%E2%80%99s-113th-Christmas-Tree
Insider Tip: Mt. Washington is a favorite spot for taking in the citywide view and the fireworks finale from above, arrive early via the Duquesne or Monongahela Incline to grab a good vantage point.
7. I Made It! for the Holidays — Pittsburgh
I Made It! Market, Pittsburgh's nomadic indie craft marketplace, brings its signature holiday shopping event to The Block Northway for a one day pop-up featuring over 100 local artists, small batch food sellers, makers, and bakers. Now in its second decade, the juried marketplace has become a go-to stop for handmade gifts, from jewelry and prints to bath and body products, without the crowds of a full weekend market. It's a great pick for anyone looking to check names off their list while supporting small, local businesses.
- Dates: Saturday, November 7th, 2026
- Admission: Free
- Street Address: The Block Northway, 8013 McKnight Rd, Pittsburgh, PA 15237
- Kid Friendly: Yes
- Pet Friendly: No
- Parking: Free, on-site
- Website: https://www.imadeitmarket.com/i-made-it-market-event-calendar/2026/11/7/i-made-it-for-the-holidays-at-the-block-northway-1
Insider Tip: The Block Northway also runs its own holiday programming around this time, including a gingerbread display, so it's worth planning extra time to browse the shopping center's other seasonal events.
8. Straight No Chaser's Making Spirits Bright Concert — Pittsburgh
Photo Credit: Straight No Chaser | Ashley White
The nine man a cappella group Straight No Chaser brings its festive holiday tour to the historic Benedum Center, blending joyful harmonies, sharp wit, and fan favorite holiday hits for one night only. With more than three million albums sold and over a billion streams, the group has defined the sound of the holiday season for more than two decades, making this one of the most well known Christmas concerts to pass through Pittsburgh each year.
- Dates: Tuesday, December 8th, 2026, 8:00 PM
- Admission: Ticketed
- Street Address: The Benedum Center, 237 7th Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
- Kid Friendly: Yes (all attendees over age 3 require a ticket)
- Pet Friendly: No
- Parking: Paid theater district parking garages and street parking available nearby
- Website: https://trustarts.org/production/108364/straight-no-chaser
Insider Tip: Tickets went on sale in May, so check availability early. VIP packages are also offered for this show if you want a more elevated experience.
10. Holiday Glassmaking Workshops — Pittsburgh
For a more hands on way to celebrate the season, the Pittsburgh Glass Center runs a full slate of holiday themed workshops where participants make their own keepsakes instead of just browsing them. From blown glass ornaments and suncatchers to stained glass figurines, sessions cover just about any type of winter decor you're looking to make. No experience is necessary, making this a memorable alternative to the usual Christmas markets for date nights, friend groups, or anyone who wants a gift they made themselves.
- Dates: Multiple sessions running November through December 2026 (see website for full schedule)
- Admission: Ticketed; prices vary by workshop, roughly $25-$200 per person
- Street Address: Pittsburgh Glass Center, 5472 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15206
- Kid Friendly: Varies by workshop; several Make-It-Now sessions welcome ages 5+
- Pet Friendly: No
- Parking: Free lot on-site
- Website: https://www.pittsburghglasscenter.org/classes/#classes
Insider Tip: December sessions fill up fastest as the holidays approach, so book a date early, and wear lighter, natural fiber clothing if you're signing up for anything in the Hot Shop, since it runs warm.
Explore More Christmas Events Near You
Christmas in Pittsburgh is just one stop on the season's biggest map. If you're looking for more Christmas events near you or planning a holiday trip elsewhere in the country, check out our Christmas City Guides to find the best festivals, markets, concerts, and parades happening closest to you.
