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

Jingle Bell Flock at the National Aviary
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).

Krampus Fest at Penn Brewery Credit: Mars Johnson

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

Winter Heat at Carnegie Museum of Art Credit: Mars Johnson

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

Trans-Siberian Orchestra at PPG Paints Arena
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

Alaska Thunderfuck 5000 at City Winery Credit: Courtesy of World of Wonder

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.

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