{"id":48807,"date":"2025-12-01T07:06:09","date_gmt":"2025-12-01T07:06:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/48807\/"},"modified":"2025-12-01T07:06:09","modified_gmt":"2025-12-01T07:06:09","slug":"december-events-your-guide-to-family-events-all-month-long-many-of-them-free","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/48807\/","title":{"rendered":"December events: Your guide to family events all month long, many of them free!"},"content":{"rendered":"

December is jam-packed with activities to celebrate the many holidays and traditions in and around the city, but there are also some other great non-holiday ways to spend time together as a family. Check out our Kidsburgh Holiday Guides to find the best ways (festive or otherwise) to close out 2025:<\/p>\n

And here are a whole bunch of cool events happening during the month of December, including plenty of fun that isn\u2019t holiday-related:<\/p>\n

All of December, running through Jan. 11: Western Pennsylvania Model Railroad Museum<\/p>\n

Each November, the volunteers at this delightful train display open up for nearly two months of fun. This is the 37th year for this display, which is a model of the Pittsburgh region from the Mon Valley to Downtown. Kids and adults alike will find intricate detail and history woven into every scene. Visitors can get very close to each part of the display, then visit the lower floor of the museum for more hands-on activities, a gift shop, and a snack bar. Admission is $6 for kids and $12 for adults. (Note: Please bring cash.) The museum is open now through Jan. 11 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., excluding holidays. On Friday evenings, the model is open until 9 p.m. for a special show called \u201cSteam at Twilight.\u201d In January, the museum is only open on weekends. Find all the details right here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

All of December, running through Jan. 3: Dazzling Nights at the Pittsburgh Botanic Garden<\/p>\n

Immerse yourself in a mile-long journey through a tunnel of beautiful, illuminated stars. Stroll through 30-foot walls of light on the Luminary Trail. Experience the night-time spectacular around the lotus pond, enhanced by the soaring \u201cElevated Reflection\u201d sculpture from Poetic Kinetics. Admission<\/a> is $24-$35, with packages available.<\/p>\n

Dec. 2: The Klezmatics live concert at City Winery, part of the Happy Joyous Hanukkah Tour<\/p>\n

A Hanukkah concert like no other: Check out this celebration of light in dark times, where ancient stories meet new melodies, and community is built through dance, laughter, and shared song. Doors open 6 p.m. for this 7:30 p.m. show. Get details and tickets here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Dec. 3: Contemporary Hip Hop Typography at CLP Hill District<\/p>\n

Teens are invited from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. to the Hill District location of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh for a workshop with DoWhatWeLove where they will learn about hip hop typography. This workshop<\/a> is free.<\/p>\n

\"\"\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Dec 5-7: Steel City Con at the Monroeville Convention Center<\/p>\n

The Steel City Con is the exclusive \u201ccomic con\u201d of the Monroeville Convention Center. It is one of the largest comic cons in the United States, with over 100,000 square feet of convention space and filled with 750 vendor tables, artist alley, and celebrity guests. Free admission for children 10 and under with adult paid admission (up to two children per adult). Tickets begin at $27 and can be purchased here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Dec. 6: Shabbat with You at Rodef Shalom<\/p>\n

Families with young children are invited to join Berkman Family Center\u2019s director Ellie Kleinman-Feibus, community engagement director Danie Oberman, and members of the Rodef Shalom and Temple Sinai Clergy at Fifth & Morewood (Rodef Shalom). This fun and engaging Shabbat morning service will be followed by lox, bagels and play time. This event runs from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and costs $5 per family. More details can be found here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Dec. 6: Sensory-Friendly Showing of \u201cZootopia 2\u201d at The Lindsay Theater<\/p>\n

Enjoy a screening of one of the season\u2019s most anticipated movies in a setting designed for guests who may be overwhelmed by a typical theater experience. Some lights are left on, jarring sounds are softened, and all behaviors are welcome at this screening, which happens at 10 a.m. Tickets are $8.75 and can be purchased here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Dec. 6: Pittsburgh Science Workshop Pop-Up at Penn Hills Library<\/p>\n

Come join the Pittsburgh Science Workshop at the Penn Hills library for joyful hands-on projects that explore all branches of science. This is a drop-in program fit for children of all ages and their families. This event, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., is free and does not require registration. Find more info right here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Dec. 6: The Witches of Oz visit Mellon Square<\/p>\n

Thanks to our friends at the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, \u201cWicked\u201d fans big and small can meet their favorite witches, take a photo, and enjoy hot chocolate. The best part? This event<\/a> is totally free and no registration is required.<\/p>\n

Dec. 8: SLB Radio Pittsburgh Youth Media Corps<\/p>\n

Calling all teen journalists, writers, podcasters, and media-makers! Join us to network, create and learn about new opportunities. No experience is necessary and you can join at any time between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. This event is free and is located at the SLB Studio inside the Children\u2019s Museum of Pittsburgh. Learn more about SLB right here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Dec. 11: Car Seat Check with Ohio Township Volunteer Fire Company<\/p>\n

Did you know that nearly half of all car seats<\/a> are installed incorrectly? While it may not sound like a fun-packed family event, this free community event will make life safer for Kidsburgh families looking to ensure their car seats are properly installed.\u00a0 This free event<\/a> is from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.<\/p>\n

Dec. 13: Sports360 Exhibit Opening at the Kamin Science Center<\/p>\n

The best way to spread holiday cheer is by rooting for your home teams. Be among the first to experience the\u202fSports360 exhibit with an afternoon packed with game-day excitement and Renegade chills. Get ready to move, think, cheer and compete as you explore the opening of the Science Center\u2019s largest exhibit to date, one that puts both your body and brain to the ultimate test. This tailgate-themed event<\/a> is included with general admission to the Science Center.<\/p>\n

\"\"\"\"<\/a>Courtesy of the Kamin Science Center.<\/p>\n

Dec. 13: Jane Austen Society of North America at CLP Main<\/p>\n

If you have an older kid or teen who is in their \u201cPride and Prejudice\u201d 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\u2019s world through her life and family from experts at this free event<\/a> from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.<\/p>\n

\"\"\"\"<\/a>Courtesy of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh.<\/p>\n

Dec. 16: Humane Animal Rescue at the Jefferson Hills Public Library<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen the weather gets colder, have you ever wondered how animals cope with the change in the seasons? Cozy up and learn about the many different ways the animals in our backyards deal with the cold. Join experts for this special presentation on Winter Wildlife by the Human Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh. This event<\/a> begins at 3 p.m. and is free for all guests.<\/p>\n

Dec. 20: Audio Holiday Cards with SLB Radio<\/p>\n

Record messages and make cards for the holidays! Your loved ones will be warmed all winter with the sound of your voice and that special handmade touch. This free event is from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the SLB studio, located in the Children\u2019s Museum of Pittsburgh. It\u2019s best for kids in grades 6 and up. Find more details here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"\"\"\"<\/a>Courtesy of SLB Radio.<\/p>\n

Dec. 20-23: Acrisure Stadium Holiday Tours<\/p>\n

These tours, which are 120 minutes in length, take guests into the depths of Acrisure Stadium where they will see locker rooms, the playing field, behind-the-scenes areas,\u00a0 and have a chance to take a photo with Steely. There will also be seasonal hot cocoa and cookies to get guests into the holiday spirit. Tickets are $65 and can be purchased here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"\"\"\"<\/a>Courtesy of Acrisure Stadium.<\/p>\n

Dec. 26: Harlem Globetrotters at PPG Paints Arena<\/p>\n

With two shows, at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m., this is a great experiential gift to offer kids this year. See these hooping pros dunk, dance and entertain with their iconic style. Tickets<\/a> begin around $70.<\/p>\n

Dec. 27: Latodami Christmas Bird Count at North Park<\/p>\n

Celebrating the 126th year, Audubon\u2019s Christmas Bird Count is an annual winter bird census where thousands of volunteers across North America go out to count birds. Participate in this valuable documentation of bird species right here in the Pittsburgh area at North Park. No previous experience necessary: Each visitor will be in a group led by an experienced birder as they carpool\/caravan to document assigned areas of the park. Binoculars are highly recommended, but not required. (A limited number of binoculars are available for loan by request.) Registering as a group? Email Leah.Fulton@AlleghenyCounty.us<\/a> to make sure all registrants in your party get placed together. Please register here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t forget to sign up for our newsletter<\/a> so you can kick the new year off right. With regular updates on family-friendly events, news parents need to know, and more, it\u2019s the best way for parents to stay connected in Pittsburgh.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Image at top of story courtesy of Allegheny County Parks.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"December is jam-packed with activities to celebrate the many holidays and traditions in and around the city, but…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":48808,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[20510,73,26710,75,74,28281],"class_list":["post-48807","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-pittsburgh","tag-carnegie-library-of-pittsbugrh","tag-pittsburgh","tag-pittsburgh-botanic-garden","tag-pittsburgh-headlines","tag-pittsburgh-news","tag-western-pennsylvania-model-railroad-museum"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/48807","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=48807"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/48807\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/48808"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=48807"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=48807"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=48807"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}