When the winter cold settles over Western Pennsylvania and the holiday season begins, Pittsburgh transforms into a magical playground for kids and families. From twinkling light trails tucked into local parks to classic riverboat cruises with Santa and interactive theater shows, the city offers endless ways to spark holiday wonder in children of all ages. Whether you’re starting a new family tradition, looking for hands-on seasonal art workshops, or simply taking the kids out to marvel at towering light displays, we’ve rounded up the very best kid-approved holiday events across Pittsburgh this season.
Outdoor Fun & Holiday Light Shows for Kids in Pittsburgh
Holiday Lights Mini Golf
Fun Fore All Family Fun Park | November 20 – January 4
There’s no reason for mini golf to be a warm-weather-only experience. Enjoy the classic family outing under holiday lights to get yourself in the spirit of the season. Two 18-hole courses at Fun Fore All have been transformed into playable, walk-through holiday light extravaganzas, and 10% of each admission fee goes to Highmark’s The Caring Place, a center for children and adolescents who have lost a loved one.
Holiday Lights
Kennywood | November 13 – January 3
You can run into Santa in a lot of places this time of year, but where else can you meet Rudolph? This year Kennywood’s popular Holiday Lights attraction adds meet-and-greets and photo ops with Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and friends, Clarice, Bumble, and Sam the Snowman. Santa will also be on-site each operating day through December 23. Also new this year is Gingerbread Junction, which will feature rides on the Gingerbread Express and a fully immersive light show experience tuned to holiday music. Twenty-five family-friendly and thrill rides are also open to enjoy.
Winter Wonderlights
Pittsburgh Botanic Garden | November 27 – January 4
Pittsburgh Botanic Garden adds to its beautiful outdoor setting with twinkling lights and immersive displays. The early-evening, family-friendly events take you on a one-mile trail, where you’ll walk under a tunnel of illuminated stars, through 30-foot walls of lights and past a 50-foot-tall tree where you can enjoy warm beverages and holiday treats. Any one of those locales would be an ideal spot to take a picture-perfect photo for your family holiday card.
Allegheny County North Park Laser Light Show
North Park | December 17 – 23
Pull up a lawn chair or sit in the comfort of your car and watch a 40-minute laser light show synchronized to holiday music at North Park Pool parking lot. Bring your own refreshments and your own “props” — think glow sticks, jingle bells, and ugly sweaters — to be a part of the fun. Showtimes are 6:30, 8, and 9:30 p.m. on select nights in December.
Cultural Holiday Events for Kids in Pittsburgh
Youth Art Workshop: Festive Creations
The Frick Pittsburgh | December 12
Take a holiday tour of Clayton, the Frick family’s home in Point Breeze, and leave with a holiday creation. During this family-friendly event on a December Saturday, you’ll learn how Pittsburghers of all ilks celebrated the holidays and how their traditions were formed during the Gilded Age; then you can take some time to create handmade gift tags, wrapping paper, holiday cards, and gifts. Intended for grades 2–5, kids can use various mediums to create their crafts while getting into the spirit of the season.
Phipps Holiday Magic
Phipps Conservatory | November 20 – January 10
Inside and out, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is a little extra special around the holidays. This year’s theme for Phipps Holiday Magic is “Botanical Brilliance” — you’ll find seasonal blooms including poinsettias, amaryllis, euphorbia, and narcissus juxtaposed with metallic and jewel tones. Outside, the Winter Light Garden transforms the property into a true winter wonderland.
Season’s Greetings Saturdays
National Aviary | November 28, December 5, 12, & 19
Even the birds get into the holiday spirit with Season’s Greetings Saturdays at the National Aviary. The halls are decked and children’s activities are planned for the four Saturdays leading up to Christmas. During the festivities, there will be options for photos with the Grinch (November 28, December 12, and December 19) or Santa himself (December 5). Another special guest drops by with Santa on December 5: the ever-photogenic African penguin.
Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical
Benedum Center | November 24 – 29
When Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical debuted on Broadway in 2006, it set records for running 12 shows a week instead of the typical eight. With hit songs from the original television special (and plenty of others) and a run time of 85 minutes, it’s a great show for kids of all ages to settle in and experience some holiday magic.
The Polar Express
Rangos Giant Cinema | December 5 – 24
Is it even Christmas if you haven’t watched the 2004 motion-capture Polar Express? Level up your viewing by seeing it in 3D on the largest screen in town inside the Rangos Giant Cinema at the Kamin Science Center. The film was popular with children — even if not so much with the critics — but either way it brought a classic Christmas book to life. Showings run throughout the month, including on Christmas Eve — maybe you’ll want to make it a new family tradition?
Santa Meet & Greets in Pittsburgh
Breakfast or Lunch with Santa
Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium | December 5 – 20
Enjoy breakfast or lunch with Santa — and some furry friends. Ambassador animals are part of the package when you sign up for this special event at the Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium, as are children’s activities and a buffet meal.
Santa Fun Family Cruise
Gateway Clipper | November 28 – December 20
Perhaps the most unique way to meet Santa this season? A boat cruise with a DJ dance party. Sign up for a two-hour cruise (two sail times are offered each cruise day) to meet Santa and his friends on their riverboat tour. The kid-friendly cruise snack bar menu includes pepperoni rolls, mac & cheese, chicken bites, all-beef hot dogs, and pretzel nuggets with a full-service bar available for those 21 and older.
Holiday Community Day
August Wilson African American Cultural Center | December 12
The August Wilson Center once again hosts its annual Holiday Community Day, featuring photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, Kwanzaa activities, and more. A vibrant marketplace will offer one-of-a-kind gifts, and live performances will bring the season to life. All ages are invited to this free event for families, friends, and neighbors for a day of festive joy and cultural celebration.
Skate with Santa
Schenley Park | December 13
Skating outdoors at Schenley Park is a great family outing any time during the winter, but skating with Santa just days before Christmas makes the outing a little extra special. From 1:30 to 3 p.m. on Sunday, December 13, join Mr. Claus on the ice. Get your tickets online early; the rink capacity is 250 people, and this is a popular event.
Santa Trolley
The Pennsylvania Trolley Museum | November 27 – December 20
A ride on the Santa Trolley is a great reason to visit this unique cultural attraction in Washington County. Meet Santa along your route, admire the Lionel toy train layout and the LEGO setup, make a holiday craft, and enjoy hot chocolate and cookies. Visitors also get to hop aboard the Yuletide Shuttle for a second festive trolley ride.
Santa at the History Center
Heinz History Center | November 27 – December 20
It’s fitting that visiting Santa at the History Center involves a piece of Pittsburgh history: Old Saint Nick poses for pictures each year here in an exact replica of the chair from Kaufmann’s Santaland. Get a dose of nostalgia with a beautiful photo op in the museum’s first-floor Great Hall, then enjoy the History Center for the afternoon — kids under 17 always get in for free through the Kamin “Free for Kids” Initiative.
Holiday Dance Performances for Kids in Pittsburgh
The Nutcracker
Texture Contemporary Ballet | December 5 & 12
Texture Contemporary Ballet will perform the timeless classic Downtown at the August Wilson African American Cultural Center on December 5, then again in Downtown Greensburg at The Palace Theatre on December 12, accompanied by the Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra. Students from the company will perform in the show with special guest performances by Founding Artistic/Executive Director Alan Obuzor and company dancers.
The Nutcracker
Benedum Center | December 4 – 27
Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre makes it easy for families to experience this holiday tradition in the grandeur of the Benedum Center — whether you’re raising a tiny dancer or not. PBT offers two matinees (December 5 and 19) with Nutcracker Family Workshops where children and families can participate in Nutcracker-themed activities before the show, as well as a sensory-friendly performance on December 6. Families, take note: this is your final chance to see Terrence S. Orr’s version of The Nutcracker, set in turn-of-the-century Pittsburgh, before Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre pivots to a new production next year.
Looking for More Holiday Inspiration?
- Pittsburgh Holiday Gift Guide: Women’s Style & Beauty: Find locally curated gifts from regional boutiques for everyone on your list.
- Pittsburgh Holiday Gift Guide: Men’s Gear & Essentials: Shop local carrying items, craft spirits, and artisanal find for the men in your life.
- Holiday Home Decor Guide: Elevate your festive hosting with inspiration for tabletops, holiday trees, and home accents.
Story by Lauren Davidson
Featured Photo Courtesy of Kennywood
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