December’s arrival doesn’t mean it’s time to start hibernating in Pittsburgh. We’ve got exciting ideas for warming up, staying cozy and spreading cheer with culture, cookies, crafts, and of course, all the holiday happenings you need to know about. So whether you’re a social elf or a grouchy Grinch, bundle up and get out there to explore our city and embrace the sights, scenes and sounds of the winter wonderland season with some of our favorite December events.

1. “Midnight Radio: Lampoon’s Christmas Vacatyinz” at the Barebones Black Box Theater: Dec. 4-21

What happens when Clark Griswold, Cousin Eddie and Aunt Bethany become yinzers? Drop those tangled twinkle lights and find out when Bricolage Production Co. revives its Midnight Radio show with a black-and-gold twist. Adapted by Bricolage Co-Artistic Director Tami Dixon (who also stars in the show), Christmas Vacatyinz features an ensemble of local favorites, including Patrick Jordan, Jason McCune, Dave Mansueto and Jaime Slavinsky.

Directed by Bricolage Co-Artistic Director Jeffrey Carpenter, the “Pittsburghian parody” infuses the beloved movie with even more hijinks. Uniting audiences “through laughter, imagination and sound,” the fast-paced radio show features live Foley sound effects, commercial spoofs and original music. Guaranteed to warm even the hearts of Grinches and humbugs alike, the retro seasonal sendup provides the perfect antidote to holiday stress. So grab that spiked eggnog-filled moose mug and head to Braddock. Tickets.

Husk Brooms (Tia Tumminello) at Handmade Arcade. Photo by Kitoko Chargois.
2. Handmade Arcade at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center: Dec. 5 & 6

The grandma of all crafts fairs celebrates its 21st anniversary with 300 artists, craftspeople and makers at the region’s largest holiday shopping market. Expect to spend many hours, or the entire day, so you can make your way through the extensive selection of vendors selling handmade products, including everything from clothing, artwork, home decor and jewelry, to body products, toys, accessories, cards and much more. You’re not just finding handmade gifts to share — you’re helping creative entrepreneurs survive.

This year features 85 vendors who are new to the event, as well as eight small businesses from Handmade Arcade’s BIPOC Maker Accelerator. As part of Handmade Arcade’s Youth Maker Accelerator program, 15 individual youth maker businesses and nine groups of youth makers from school and community organizations will also sell their products at the Holiday Market. Also new this year are personal shopper and gift wrapping booths, a member lounge for monthly donors to Handmade Arcade and volunteer perks.

Take a break from shopping to get creative in the free Hands-On Handmade Arcade area, where attendees can enjoy demonstrations, hands-on making and community art projects. Another new highlight is the ticketed Sensory-Friendly and Retail Shopping event on Dec. 5, from 4 to 6 p.m. Get a first look at all the wares and shop crowd-free at the Friday Night Preview Party, from 6 to 8 p.m., and the Early Bird shopping event on Dec. 5, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. (ticketed events). Read the NEXT Holiday Market Guide here.

Photo courtesy of Steel City Con.
3. Steel City Con at the Monroeville Convention Center: Dec. 5-7

Before being consumed by the stress of holiday season prep, take a break to rub elbows with the stars. From Linda Hamilton, John Stamos and Parker Posey, to Dermot Mulroney and Kate Jackson, Randy Quaid and Ron Perlman, the celebs will converge at Monroeville Convention Center for one of the country’s largest comic conventions. With 600 vendors, 40-plus special guests, the 100,000-square-foot pop culture playground is packed with vendors peddling comics, collectibles and memorabilia – so it’s also a great place to score stocking stuffers.

Heavy metal music fans can mingle with Black Sabbath’s Geezer Butler, Iron Maiden’s Bruce Dickinson and Twisted Sister’s Dee Snider. Also featured will be pro wrestler Scarlett Bordeaux, and Emmy-winning actor and producer Hank Azaria, known for his voice work on “The Simpsons.” This year’s featured visual artists are veteran animator Willie Ito and illustrator Dan Khanna. There’s an attraction for every pop culture fiend, from cosplay activities, industry panels and costume contests, to the Artist Alley and Charity Quick Sketch. Tickets.

Photo by Justin Merriman.
4. Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre’s “The Nutcracker” at the Benedum Center: Dec. 5-28

It takes more than 1,500 accessories, 150 spectacular costumes, 100 artists and 30 magic tricks to bring one of history’s most beloved ballets to life. Add in five captivating scenes, a Christmas tree that grows 15 times its size and 20 cameos by Pittsburgh celebrities, and you have the recipe for the sweetest holiday tradition. After all, where else can you see Charlie Batch, Sara Innamorato, Frzy and Corey O’Connor guest star in a ballet? An exhilarating showcase of dance and stagecraft, “The Nutcracker” presents Tchaikovsky’s iconic score, choreography by former PBT Artistic Director Terrence S. Orr, and costumes and sets by Emmy-winning designer Zack Brown.

The magical, time-honored holiday tradition includes more than 13 Pittsburgh connections – from Kennywood to the Kaufmann’s Clock to Mount Washington and more.  Be sure to look out for guest stars adding a Pittsburgh flair during the party scene set in Shadyside. Based on German author E.T.A. Hoffman’s 1816 tale “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King,” the three-week runs features engaging public programs such as a Sensory-Friendly Performance, Family Workshops, Tea with Artistic Director Adam W. McKinney and Artist Q&As. Tickets.

The cast and creative team for The Oz Dust Ball. Photo courtesy of event founder Bree Byce.
5. The Oz Dust Ball at Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum: Dec. 6

What happens when the world of Wicked meets The Land of Oz inside a historic Beaux-Arts landmark? Experience the spectacle for yourself when The Oz Dust Ball makes its dazzling debut. Follow the yellow brick road to Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum, where this one-night-only gala will glisten with theatrical performances, whimsical décor, immersive experiences and dramatic lighting.

The Emerald City comes to life in the heart of Oakland with live stage performances featuring Pittsburgh artists, drag performances and dance solos. Sing along to beloved musical numbers from “Wicked,” and join a Glinda cosplay meet-and-greet photo session. Sip signature themed cocktails, nosh on decadent desserts and shop for local makers’ goods, gifts, and services in the curated Emerald City Vendor Market. This is one gala that has Toto’s best interests in mind because a portion of the night’s proceeds will be donated to Animal Friends. But whatever to wear? Think formalwear meets flair meets fantastical, so channel your inner Dorothy, Elphaba or Broadway diva for extra glam. Tickets.

6. WinterTide at Carnegie Museum of Natural History & Winter Heat at Carnegie Museum of Art: Dec. 6 & 12

You have not one but two terrific opportunities to experience tidings of comfort and joy at Carnegie Museums this month. First up, join a one-day festival celebrating “resilience, adaptation and joy during the chilly winter months.” Explore stories of survival and togetherness through hands-on activities and fascinating conversations with natural history experts and more. Warm up with hot cocoa and baked treats in the Sculpture Courtyard and good cheer with the museum community. Discover how cold-blooded wood frogs survive in Alaska, observe the crystal structures of snowflakes and learn about the Christmas Bird Count. Explore how fur, fat and feathers keep animals warm, create traditional Northern European straw stars, and learn how to identify plant species from twigs. Free with museum admission, WinterTide runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; advance registration recommended.

Next, feel the energy emanating from the dance floor when Carnegie Museum of Art transforms the Hall of Sculpture into a winter disco for the ages. The days of stagnant holiday parties are over. As the museum stays open late into the night, DJs Arie Cole, HUNY XO and Big Phil will bring the beats and turn up the heat to deliver a night of “ice-melting magic.” Partygoers will have exclusive access to the groundbreaking Black Photojournalism exhibition, and a crew of talented photographers will be on hand to capture your looks, moves and antics throughout the museum. Running from 8 p.m. to midnight, Winter Heat is open to ages 21+. Early bird tickets are available before Dec. 9.

7. The Last Dance at Allegheny RiverTrail Park: Dec. 7, 3-9 p.m.

Who says you can’t dance al fresco in December? Banish the winter doldrums and the Sunday scaries in one fell swoop when Trace Brewing takes a field trip to Allegheny RiverTrail Park for one last splash. Transforming the park’s spacious covered pavilion into a feel-good dance hall, this is the grand finale your soul needs to dance into 2026.

Bringing the unparalleled Sunday soundtrack will be the resident DJs from your favorite year-round dance parties, including Siesta Fiesta, Cherry Bomb Day Party, Slappers N Bangers, Disco Sunday Disco and more. Free and open to all ages, this riverside revelry knows how to stave off winter’s chill with cozy fire pits and outdoor heaters. You won’t just sweat it out on the dance floor, because they’re even teaming up with Renovo Wellness Club to supply mobile saunas. Trace will serve up the seasonal libations you love, while Streets on the Fly! Food Truck keeps dancers nourished. The pavilion has indoor restrooms, changing rooms and free parking. Information.

Sports360. Photo courtesy of the Kamin Science Center.
8. Sports360 Tailgate Celebration at Kamin Science Center: Dec. 13

Before Pittsburgh hosts the highly anticipated NFL Draft in April, another sports milestone will land on the North Shore. With a new twist on exhibition openings, Kamin Science Center invites sports fans of all ages to experience all the energy of the arena and celebrate the grand opening of its newest exhibition with a family-friendly tailgate party. Fusing curiosity and competition, the high-octane exhibit explores the “science, technology and passion behind sports.” Be among the first to experience the largest exhibition ever at the Science Center.

Get pumped with sports jams from DJ B-Renn and meet your favorite Pittsburgh mascots like the Pirate Parrot and Pierogies. Encompassing 9,500 square feet, Sports360 is divided into four interactive zones – Prepare, Practice, Participate and GoPro – with 25 hands-on stations inspired by football, baseball, hockey, basketball, soccer and the Olympics. Take on the mini-NFL Combine course as you tackle a tire run, test your vertical leap and measure your mettle with a push challenge. Drive a virtual Zamboni, swing for the fences, and discover the physics, physiology and teamwork behind athletic performance. Packed with full-body, interactive experiences, it’s also a great place to beat the winter blues this season. Tickets.

 Kwanzaa dance and drum group. Photo courtesy of the August Wilson African Cultural Center.

Head Downtown for this free community day celebrating the warmth of the holiday season and sharing the richness of African American culture. Families, friends, neighbors and visitors alike will gather to share traditions, explore art and participate in a festive afternoon showcasing unity, creativity and community. As 2025 comes to a close, the August Wilson African American Cultural Center has a lot to celebrate: The 15th anniversary of the building’s opening and what would have been the 80th birthday of its legendary namesake. Make a dent in your holiday shopping list at the event’s marketplace featuring local vendors and one-of-a-kind gifts. Enjoy Kwanzaa drumming and dancing with Opoku Outreach and choir performances by Parrish Davenport Music Ministry. Pose for keepsake photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, sip delights from the Café Ase Hot Chocolate Bar and enjoy face painting with Markeeta See Art. Information.

Lawrenceville Cookie Tour. Photo courtesy of the Lawrenceville Corp.
10. Lawrenceville Cookie Tour along Butler Street & Penn Avenue: Dec. 13 & 14

In Lawrenceville, supporting independent businesses is baked into the community. And you know the holidays are officially underway when Cookie Tour weekend rolls around. Back for its 28th sweet year, the neighborhood shindig invites holiday shoppers to munch their way through a 30-block-long neighborhood-wide cookie table. Satisfy your sweet tooth, add new recipes to your holiday menu and put your dollars back into the local economy at one of the region’s largest and most anticipated holiday sensations.

From noon to 5 p.m., eclectic storefronts along Butler Street and Penn Avenue will offer homemade cookies, warm beverages and shopping deals so you can actually enjoy crossing names off your list. Pick up a map, start shopping and see how much the neighborhood has to offer. Need a lift? Hop on the cookie trolley! Also don’t miss the Radiant Hall Pop-Up Market and Cookie Mall at the Boys & Girls Club. Check out the digital map to plan you day. Information. Read the NEXT Holiday Market Guide here.

Highmark First Night Pittsburgh. Photo courtesy of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust.
11. Highmark First Night in Downtown Pittsburgh: Dec 31

The event elves at the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust are busy putting the final touches on the city’s biggest party of the year, with all the exciting news coming during the first week of December. As part of its core mission, First Night is uniquely arts-focused, fusing premiere attractions and cherished traditions.  Spanning Downtown’s 14-block Cultural District, the 32nd annual celebration will teem with live music, magic shows, dance and theater performances, art exhibits and film screenings. Held indoors and outside, the six hours of free entertainment showcases 30-plus events in theaters, galleries and one-of-a-kind spaces, along with hands-on family engagements and public art activations, plus a special lineup of indoor ticketed events. All the Auld Lang Syne action culminates with the thrilling Countdown to Midnight, raising of the Future of Pittsburgh Ball and fireworks show.

Applications for the GBU Life SING-OFF Competition are now open, giving talented students (grades 6 -12) the chance to wow Special Guest Judge Justin Wirick from the “Wicked” national tour. The winner receives a $500 cash prize, a $1,000 donation to their school’s music department and a spotlight performance during First Night. Soloists or groups of up to 20 students within 150 miles of Downtown Pittsburgh are eligible, and can submit video audition by Dec. 1, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. for your chance to be our GBU Life SING-OFF star. Become a Citizens First Night Friend to get access to the exclusive O’Reilly Theater lounge.

For more things to do in December with NEXT, don’t miss our Weekend Event Guides, Ultimate Guide to Holiday Markets, Pittsburgh Concert Guide and NEXT in the Gallery series.

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