While November has just begun, it’s never too early to start celebrating the holidays. Spend the festive season doing some good for a local nonprofit, going out with friends and family, or just picking out what you’re grateful for this year with these Thanksgiving events in Pittsburgh.
Stay Busy with These Pittsburgh Thanksgiving Events
Give Thanks Cookie Decorating Class
November 20, Cookie Wishes, LLC
Looking to practice your cookie decorating skills before Thanksgiving dinner? Cookie Wishes invites you to give thanks as you decorate six different sugar cookie designs like a pumpkin, turkey, apple pie, mug of hot cocoa, acorn, and the word ‘fall’. At the class, the professionals will take you through step-by-step instructions so that your cookies come out looking like they’re right from a bakery. You can bring along your own bottle of wine to sip as you decorate and even enjoy light bites and treats provided by the hosts. And, if you decide you want to impress your family on the big day, you can add on a set of blank cookies to decorate at home at a later date.
Highmark Light Up Night
November 21, Downtown
Celebrate the transition from Thanksgiving to the holiday season with Pittsburgh’s Light Up Night. It’s an evening filled with tree and building lightings throughout the city. Plus, enjoy holiday markets, ice skating, live entertainment, and more fireworks than ever before. Keep an eye on our website for a guide to Light Up Night as soon as the information is released.
Applauz Pre-Thanksgiving Show, Featuring: Twan Moore
November 21, H.o.T Designs Studio
Build up to hanging out with the in-laws for Thanksgiving with a relaxing evening at H.o.T Designs Studio centered around R&B. Hitting the stage is singer Twan Moore, a soulful singer with an old school vibe. As you listen to his tunes, you’ll also be treated to a dinner and can even bring your own bottle for sharing during the night. It’s the perfect way to ease into the upcoming holidays and a great opportunity for treating guests who will be coming in for Thanksgiving.
Pittsburgh Girl Dinner: Friendsgiving Edition
November 22, Atithi Studios
Don’t have a date to your family’s Thanksgiving dinner? Don’t worry, a girl dinner is the better, more comforting option anyways. This night is about treating yourself and lifting yourself up with the women around you. The theme is fall glam with notes of velvet, rich neutrals, chocolate brown, and cranberry. So, wear that outfit you’ve always been meaning to wear but have to where to wear it to or just something cozy as you dine on Friendsgiving-inspired bites and sip on festive drinks. You can kick back at the table and talk to the other girls attending, try out interactive games, pose for photos, and make new friends along the way.
Thanksgiving Centerpiece Workshop
November 24, Schenley Park Visitor Center
Galleria Botanica is here to help your Thanksgiving table stand out with a gorgeous handmade centerpiece workshop. You’ll build your own centerpiece in the middle of Schenley Park, utilizing florals, botanicals, foliage, and other blooms. Everything you need for the workshop from the flowers to your vase is provided and everyone is welcome to join in no matter your experience level. Staff will teach you how to cut your flowers to extend their life as well as tips for layering your different elements in the vase. The best part? All the materials you’ll use are real, meaning no fake shine from plastic florals or paper greens.
Pittsburgh Official Thanksgiving Eve Bar Crawl 2026
November 25, Downtown
Looking for a reason to head out with your friends who are home for Thanksgiving? Pittsburgh’s official bar crawl takes you Downtown on Thanksgiving Eve to explore more than four different bars (all within walking distance) serving up drink specials and live DJs. Your ticket for the bar crawl gets you into all these venues as well as access to drink and food specials, an invitation to the after party, and plenty more fun along the way. You can even opt for a special 2 for 1 deal that gets you and a friend each a wristband for just $7.18 while supplies last. That’s nearly the cover price for just one bar for one person, let alone four for two people.
Thanksgiving at The Commoner
November 26, The Commoner
Relax this Thanksgiving at The Commoner as they prepare a feast fit for the whole family. From 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. you can make a reservation to dine. You’ll start with a grazing board and salad before diving into Crispy Brussels Sprouts, Brown Butter Roasted Delicata Squash, Brioche Stuffing, Smoked Gouda Mac & Cheese, Roasted Turkey, Glazed Pork Belly, and Beef Tenderloin. Of course, there will also be plenty of desserts to cure your sweet tooth like pies, cakes, tarts, and macarons. Then, when you’re done, there’s no need to worry about washing the dishes, you can just simply drive home and nap with a tummy full of turkey.
YMCA Turkey Trot
November 26, Downtown and North Side
Every year, members of the Pittsburgh community race through the city to help fight food insecurity. Participants are encouraged to bring needed non-perishable food donations to the event, which are given to the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. This year, races include a 1-mile family fun race, a 5k race, a 5-mile race, and a Double Gobble 5K plus 5-mile race. Kids four and under can run the family fun race for free while other kids get a 50%-off discount. Plus, all participants of every race receive a race shirt and finisher medal.
About the Author
Kylie Thomas is TABLE Magazine’s Online Editor, covering Pittsburgh food, drink, and going out, including the Things to Do in Pittsburgh column. A Point Park University graduate, her work has also appeared on The Takeout, QBurgh, and Empire Extreme. She also runs the photography business Photos by Ky.
Photo Courtesy of YMCA Turkey Trot
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