With December’s festivities in full swing, there are many holiday and non-holiday events to enjoy in Pittsburgh — it’s one of the busiest months of the year in the Steel City. That means there are so many options to fill your family’s weekend, whether you’re looking for a quiet, low-key hang or a big holiday celebration. Check out what’s on tap:

Friday, Dec. 12: Duo’s Treehouse with La Escuelita Acoiris, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. 

Duolingo and La Escuelita Arcoiris invite caregivers and little ones (birth to 5 years) to spend time learning and growing on Fridays. This free bilingual (Spanish and English) program aims to foster healthy development for children, while supporting the adults who care for them. The program is held every Friday from 9:30–11:30 a.m. and 12:30-2:30 p.m. at the Kingsley Association. To find out more, visit Duo’s Treehouse on Facebook. This is the last session of 2025, but there will be more fun in 2026.

Photo from Duo’s Treehouse courtesy of Duolingo.

Friday, Dec. 12: “Elf” Movie Night at Title 9, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. 

Join the folks at Title 9 for two holiday movie nights. This Friday is “Elf” and Dec. 19 will feature “Home Alone.” There will be free hot cocoa and popcorn for the kids, as well as refreshments for adults. This event is free. Find more information here.

Friday, Dec. 12: Holiday and Hops with Attack Theatre, 7:30 p.m. 

This all-ages event puts a playful twist on holiday traditions with “Holiday Unwrapped.” Set to music that runs the gamut from classical, jazz and country western, techno to klezmer, this light-hearted dance performance will transport you into a world where socks become skates, empty packages become boom boxes, and tables become springboards. Experience the holidays with a fresh perspective during an evening of surprises, interactive games and family-friendly performances. Tickets begin at $10.

Saturday, Dec. 13: South Side Kids’ Breakfast with Santa, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Kids and their grownups are invited to the South Side Kids’ Breakfast with Santa this Saturday at Velum Fermentation. Families and children are welcome to enjoy a free breakfast with Santa that includes toys and games, pictures with Santa, a holiday dance party, and more. No registration is required for this free event. For questions, please email southsidekidspgh@gmail.com.

Saturday, Dec. 13: Sports360 exhibit opening and family-friendly tailgate, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. 

The best way to spread holiday cheer is by rooting for your home teams. As the Science Center begins to utilize the incredible financial gift provided by the Kamin family, your family can join in the celebration this weekend. Be among the first to experience the Sports360 exhibit, featuring an afternoon packed with game-day excitement and Renegade chills. Get ready to move, think, cheer, and compete as you explore the Science Center’s largest exhibit that puts both your body and brain to the ultimate test. Find info here.

Photo courtesy of the Kamin Science Center.

Saturday, Dec. 13: SLB Radio presents “A Feast of Scripts,” 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. 

This event is for kids in grades 6-12 who are interested in radio, media or just learning new things. The class will cover the basics of the screenplay and provide hands-on experience in table reading with winter classics, modern blockbusters and more. You can even bring your own screenplay for a table read. Find more details about this free event here.

Courtesy of the August Wilson African American Cultural Center.

Saturday, Dec. 13: AWCommunity Day’s Holiday Edition, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. 

Join the folks at the August Wilson African American Cultural Center for a festive celebration filled with joy, culture and community spirit. Explore a vibrant marketplace featuring unique vendors with one-of-a-kind gifts, snap photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and enjoy live performances that bring the season to life. And take part in engaging Kwanzaa activities that honor cultural traditions and values. This event is free for all.

Saturday, Dec. 13: Opening of Pittsburgh CLO’s “A Musical Christmas Carol” at the Byham Theater, 1 p.m. and 6 p.m.

This classic show opens this weekend and runs through Dec. 23. With dazzling special effects and holiday charm, this Charles Dickens tale is a wonderful way for the whole family to celebrate the season. Tickets are $30-$149.

Photo by Matt Polk.

Saturday, Dec. 13: Jane Austen Society of North America at CLP Main, 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. 

If you have an older kid or teen who is in their “Pride and Prejudice” era, this event is right up their alley. Jane Austen wrote about families in a small village, but she was connected to key events of her time: the Napoleonic Wars, the abolition of the slave trade, and more. Come explore Austen’s world through her life and family with experts at this free event.

Courtest of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh.

Saturday, Dec. 13: Britsburgh Carol Concert w/Allegheny Brass & South Hills Children’s Choir, 7-9:30 p.m.

The South Hills Children’s Choir and Allegheny Brass Band, in association with Britsburgh, will perform a carol concert at Heinz Chapel on the Pitt campus (S Bellefield Ave.). “The Spirit of Christmas” will be filled with memorable holiday carols and a sing-along. Enjoy classic British treats following the concert. Tickets, $25 for Britsburgh members and $35 for non-members, may be purchased at the door. Details here.

Saturday, Dec. 13, 9 a.m., and Sunday, Dec. 14: Run Santa Run, 9 a.m.

With two locations this weekend, Run Santa Run will be in Cranberry Township on Saturday and South Park on Sunday. Join hundreds of runners and walkers in a sea of Santas and elves. Bring your Santa suits, elf ears and plenty of holiday cheer. Participants are invited to bring an unwrapped toy or make a donation to Amachi Pittsburgh, helping local kids in need. More info about both locations can be found here.

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Photo at top of story courtesy of the Kamin Science Center.