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Pittsburgh Events: Your Guide to December 15-21

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A bartender splashed a drop of liquid into a cocktail glass.

Pittsburgh glows a little brighter this week of December 15-21 as we get closer to the peak of the holiday season. Throughout the city you’ll find festive surprises that make winter feel warmer, whether that’s from meeting Santa or sipping on a spiced cocktail. You have just one more week to take advantage of your alone time before the holidays take over.

Pittsburgh Events Happening December 15-21

Christmas Cocktails Workshop Pt.1 gingerbread cocktail
Photo Courtesy of PA Market

Christmas Cocktails Workshop

December 17, PA Market

Why not learn to mix up Christmas cocktails and impress your guests this holiday season? PA Market is here to help with a master mixologist on hand. In this workshop, you’ll learn how to mix up three different Christmas-themed cocktails. On top of your beverages, your ticket also includes a complimentary charcuterie board for your group.

Queer Craft Night at Assemble
Photo Courtesy of Assemble

Queer Craft Night at Assemble

December 18, Assemble

This event is open to all but there is a special focus on forming a safe space for LGBTQ+ gatherings. You’re invited to connect, create, and unwind in December’s session that features simple textile-based activities perfect for all skill levels. Come for the crafting, stay for the conversation, and leave with new friends, too!

Mystery after Dark: A Culinary Whodunit
Photo Courtesy of The Commoner

Mystery after Dark: A Culinary Whodunit

December 19–January 4, The Commoner

Were you always the best detective when your family would play Clue? Put your years of training to the test at The Commoner’s immersive Clue-inspired dining experience. Over a three-course prix fixe dinner, you’ll meet suspects, uncover secrets, and solve the disappearance of the chef’s recipe binder. All case-crackers win a prize but a select few will also win tickets to see CLUE The Musical.

Home for the Holidays Westomoreland Symphony Orchestra
Photo Courtesy of Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra

Home for the Holidays

December 20, The Palace Theatre

The Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra is here to remind you there’s no place like Home for the Holidays. Guest conductor Andrés Franco leads the orchestra, as well the All-Star Choir of Westmoreland County and soprano Charlene Canty through a 90-minute program of all your favorite holiday songs. It’s a joyous occasion to join together with family from out of town.

Claus for a GOOD Cause - A Morning with Santa
Photo Courtesy of Beverly’s PGH

Claus for a GOOD Cause – A Morning with Santa

December 21, Core Event Center

Whenever the snow starts to fall, seeing Santa to tell him what you want for Christmas is a must. This year, join Beverly’s PGH for a special morning of holiday magic that supports their mission to celebrate and strengthen families across Southwestern Pennsylvania. Outside of all the crafts, treats, and fun, guests are also encouraged to bring an unwrapped toy for donation to Beverly’s. It’s a win-win situation for everyone involved, even the kiddos too. This festive gathering offers hot cocoa, treats, crafts, and games for the whole family.

Story by Kylie Thomas
Featured Photo Courtesy of The Commoner

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Best Bubbly Bottles for New Year’s Eve

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A person pours sparkling wine for New Year's Eve into four tall glasses on a table table.

Looking for some fresh sparkling wines and bubbly bottles to try as we usher in another year around the sun? This quartet of quality bubblies is ready for quaffing and is sure to impress anyone on your guest list.

Best Sparkling Wines for New Year’s Eve

Digby Fine English NV Brut (Sussex, England)

The British are coming? Oh, no, they’ve already arrived with beautiful bubbly wines like this one, full of green apple, citrus, and baked pie crust notes that absolutely sing in the glass. If you’re looking for an all-purpose sparkling wine – perfect for celebrating or pairing with festive fare of all kinds – look no further than this standout.

Graham Beck Brut Rosé NV (Western Cape, South Africa)

This copper-hued Cap Classique, South Africa’s take on champagne, delivers bang for your buck in ways few fizzies can fathom. This blend of Pinot noir and Chardonnay bursts with beautiful aromas of red raspberries as well as underripe cherries, and on the palate, the mousse is refreshing and invigorating. 

Gruet Blanc de Blancs Brut NV (New Mexico, USA)

Grown in the arid, high-elevation plains of New Mexico, this all-Chardonnay offering is well on its way to becoming an American classic. Rich, warm notes of toasty brioche mingle seamlessly with Granny Smith apple and then perhaps a hint of ripe pineapple to provide mouth-filling majesty at a modest price, to boot.

Mollydooker Sparkling Shiraz 2022 (Southeastern Australia)

Fancy something a bit different? This dry sparkling Shiraz is a deep purple in the glass and delights with swirling aromas of dark purple and black berries, plum, and something resembling clove as well as cinnamon. Try something different with this Aussie expression of effervescence and you also just might find a new favorite.

Story by Adam Knoerzer
Photography by Dave Bryce

Engraved stemware by Rolf Glass

Christmas in South Africa with Algria Ferreira-Watlings

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A table set with candles and sprigs of Christmas plants, surrounded by grey throw pillows

A bleached-out palette, raw finishes and a less-is-more aesthetic are the hallmarks of this captivating home in Cape Town’s historic Tamboerksloof neighborhood. Its owner, Algria Ferreira-Watling, is one of South Africa’s most in-demand makeup artists. Her client list includes personalities such as Solange Knowles and Charlize Theron. Perhaps, because of her “bright lights and big names” job, Algria takes refuge in a look that is pared down and natural. The chatter of Algria’s day job fades into a delicious sense of quiet, and she is free to enjoy Christmas at her South Africa home with peace and tranquillity.

Christmas in South Africa with Algria Ferreira-Watlings

Algria Ferreira-Watling, a blonde woman dressed in white, leans against a wall

Algria’s house is an envelope of bare walls in bone and gray hues and original wooden features that have been sanded down and left unvarnished. She is careful to limit what she sees to a meaningful, low-key selection of personal and decorative objects displayed in thoughtful vignettes. Low-key luxuries in the form of candles that perfume the air with notes of amber, and natural color throws culminate in a whole that is effortlessly layered and emotionally affecting.

A Low-key Luxury Christmas in South Africa

Algria’s inspiration can be traced to her childhood. “I come from a poor background. We didn’t have material possessions, but there was always so much love,” she explains. “‘I work in an industry founded largely on traditional notions of beauty and consumption, but I’ve never desired ‘things.’ My dream was only ever to live with my family in a modest house that had a feeling of tranquillity. Why would I desire a palace when what I have is perfect?”

White candles with plants inside of their glass bases

Christmas brings an annual occasion to create a special atmosphere for her husband Derek, son Dax, and close friends and family – a mood that is festive while staying true to Algria’s commitment to serenity. There are no trinkets or tinsels here, no pine in the corner of the living room, and none of the usual poinsettias. Instead: the gentle greens and lovely forms of local plants and edible herbs displayed as free-form wreaths, floating in repurposed clear glass bottles holding elegant taper candles, and as aromatic flourishes on gifts that have been wrapped simply in white or brown kraft paper and finished with twine.

A parcel of twine-bound packages with small, delicate details for the holidays

A Touch of Glitter

Traces of shimmer – this is Christmas, after all – serve to highlight rather than overwhelm and bring to mind the flash of a dragonfly wing: gold craft wire binding handmade botanical garlands that hang, ready to be touched, from doorknobs; dried protea flowers and seed pods from the blue gum tree, spray-painted in antique gold; and vintage cutlery with all the charms offered up by the mottled patina of age.

A single sprig of a Christmas wreath on a doorway

Instead of a tree, Algria forgoes the struggle of getting a whole tree in and out of the house. She takes the seed stalk of an agave plant with its sculptural form, gives it a quick coat of gold paint. She then ‘plants’ it in a clear glass vase filled with sand. “Things found in nature, objects that have had many lives already, the soft wrinkle in a piece of linen… this is a constant source of inspiration for me,” says Algria. “Christmas is a time for luxury, but there’s no right or wrong interpretation of what that means. Faded and evocative or full-on and festive, as long as what you see makes you happy.”

A small white cup set on a table with napkins and small twigs for Christmas decoraition

Some Tips for Serene, Low-key Holiday Decorating

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Fill clear recycled bottles and pretty jars with boiled or distilled water to stop the water from clouding too soon. Let the water cool before using! Insert sprigs of local evergreens, or visit the florist for bits of eucalyptus, fern, and other kinds of greenery. Place elegant taper candles in the bottles for a well-set table or an atmospheric mantlepiece.  Use gold and copper craft wire, or embroidery floss in your favorite hues, for a hint of shine and the subtlest shot of color.

Try Some Spray Paint 

Spray paint is an easy way to get creative. Coat found objects from nature such as seed pods and dried flowers in antique gold and copper for an understated glow. Apply the same technique in creating the garlands using gold and copper craft wire.

Keep gift-wrapping simple and rustic.

Crinkle brown kraft paper and plain newsprint into tight balls and then spread out for use. You’ll be left with an organic, crushed linen look. Give each present its own unique treatment. Experiment with white and brown twine and use rosemary or thyme from the farmer’s market, as well as spray-painted seed pods as embellishment. Wrap the twine casually (and plentifully) for a more informal appearance. Save the twine after gift-opening and use it again.

Strings of fairy lights, a Christmas essential.

They can be left in vases, in the fireplace, draped over the mantle, around door frames or hanging from the ceiling in the corner of a room. A less-is-more approach is good here, too: just a few lights makes a quiet glow rather than a glare.

A Monochromatic Table Setting

Layer quiet colors and subtle textures: think shades of chalk, gray, charcoal, and bone; anchor the scheme with a beautiful linen tablecloth; set places with thrift-store cutlery, well-used linen napkins tied with hemp string, and handmade pottery (dark colors add drama); arrange a mix-and-match assortment of upcycled glassware for sprigs of greenery and candles.

A Deconstructed “Naked” Cake

Make two classic sponges (one large, one medium) and trim them into circular shapes. Layer only the tops of each cake with buttercream frosting (hence the term ‘naked’). Embellish with a fluttering of white edible petals such as roses or carnations.

Flourish Your Way 

Wrap thick pillar candles of varying sizes with gold or copper craft wire for a personalized style flourish.

Story by Mandy Allen / Styling by Shelley Street / Photography by Greg Cox / Production by Bureaux 

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9 Places in Pittsburgh to Meet Santa Claus Besides the Mall

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A Pittsburgh Santa Claus sits in a rocking chair with a book in his hand.

When the holiday season comes around, there’s nothing better than seeing your child’s face light up at the sight of Santa. Sure, a picture from your visit with a mall Santa keeps the memories fresh, but chances are you’ll wait in line for a loooong time before your big moment arrives. Make your visit with Santa special this year with a meet-and-greet experience that’ll also have your little one believing in the spirit of Christmas. 

Places in Pittsburgh to Meet Santa Claus

Santa’s House

Heinz Hall Courtyard, November 21-December 24

Visit with either a white or black Santa this season for some one-on-one time with the big man. Enter Santa’s brightly colored house to tell him what you want this Christmas and get a printed photo for a donation to the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. Several clever selfie stations are on offer, too, so you and the kids can have fun beyond you big Santa moment.

Santa Fun Cruise

The Gateway Clipper Fleet, Saturdays and Sundays in December

Book a special cruise along the Three Rivers that includes a meet and greet with Santa. After the kids have met Santa and received a treat from him, they can pass the afternoon with a holiday DJ dance party. 

Saturdays with Santa

Heinz History Center, Saturdays in December

Kids 17 and under can get into the museum and meet Santa for free without the long lines at the mall. While you’re there, check out their Pittsburgh-based displays like their exhibit on Mister Rodgers’ Neighborhood.

AWCommunity Day Holiday Edition

August Wilson African American Cultural Center, December 13

Learn about the traditions of Kwanzaa with hands-on activities and live entertainment from various theater, drum, and dance groups. Parents can browse the artisan market while the kids get to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus. 

Santa Photos

The Waterfront, December 2-21

Rather than wait in a long line that never seems to end, make a reservation to get photos with Santa at The Waterfront. Walk-ins are still welcomed and after your photo is taken, you can take in the shops around the circle for any last-minute gifting. 

Breakfast or Lunch with Santa

Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium, Saturdays and Sundays in December

For a few select dates in December, your little ones have the chance to have breakfast or lunch with the big man himself. Besides meeting Santa, you’ll also meet animal ambassadors and write a letter to Santa to deliver yourself right inside the zoo.

Santa Trolley

PA Trolley Museum, Saturdays and Sundays in December

Meeting Santa is cool but meeting and chatting with Santa while on a trolley is even cooler! Each special day at the PA Trolley Museum invites you to take a ride on one of their antique streetcars to meet the big man. Afterwards, explore interactive exhibits, train and LEGO displays, plus enjoy hot chocolate and cookies too.

Season’s Greetings Saturdays

National Aviary, Saturdays in December

On most Saturdays in December, you’ll find The Grinch taking over Santa’s spot at the National Aviary. Saturday, December 6 is your one chance to meet Santa but otherwise you’ll get the chance to see The Grinch come to life. Take pictures with him in his Santa suit and also say hello to his skunk and owl animal friends.

PGH Santa Claus on Cameo

Online

Sometimes, a short, personalized video is just the thing to bring the holiday magic to your child. On top of home visits, PGH Santa Claus also offers a Cameo option. This allows you to customize a video around a minute in length to have Santa send your child their own message, sing a carol, or simply just say hello to the whole family.

Story by Kylie Thomas
Photo courtesy of PGH Santa Claus

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Your Ultimate Guide to Hanukkah

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A festive and refreshing cocktail to celebrate Hanukkah, featuring a harmonious blend of flavors and spirits.

Hanukkah is a great way to get people together and entertain. Though it’s less of a show than Rosh Hashanah or Passover, it celebrates resilience, one of the most resonant themes of Judaism. If you really think about it, there’s irony in today’s version of the holiday: while the Hanukkah story starts with the Maccabees fighting to save the Jewish people, we now sit around listening to Adam Sandler’s Hanukkah song and eating chocolate money. But the Jewish toast of l’chaim—to life—is relevant to every holiday. It’s a blessing to just be alive and spend time with loved ones.

On a more metaphysical level, Hanukkah isn’t just the Jewish holiday that happens to be around Christmas. It’s an affirmation that miracles do happen. It’s also a great time to start conversations about what being Jewish means and how you can bring your values into everything, including your cooking. Maybe you don’t love going to temple or just don’t find resonance in organized religion. Food can be a great way to celebrate Jewish identity culturally, too. With that in mind, we’ve compiled our Hanukkah recipes, drinks, and desserts for an ultimate guide to Hanukkah entertaining. 

Your Ultimate Guide to Hanukkah

Mains: Focus on the Latkes, but Don’t Be Afraid to Get Creative

Carrot and Beet Latkes

An aerial view of a wooden cutting board filled with various veggies like carrots and beets. Carrot and Beet Latkes recipe

This is a slightly healthier take on the classic potato latke, though given how much oil you cook them in, that’s all relative. But the carrots and beets are full-flavored and enjoyable in their own right, and as our chef writes, with this dish there are no mistakes.

Gluten-Free Latkes

A round blue platter with 5 potato latkes , two small bowls with sour cream and applesauce, 3 gold forks, and a smaller lighter blue plate with 3 smaller latkes, and a blue linen.

Here’s a still-delicious substitution you can make if you have a guest with a gluten sensitivity. Note, though TABLE’s recipes are our creative spins on latkes, there’s nothing wrong with the classic, no-frills recipe. The New York Times has a good one, and one entertaining thing to do is to scroll to the comments section to see everyone arguing about how it’s different than how they make it. Hey, as the saying goes: two Jews, three opinions…

Potato Rösti

A colorful Potato Rösti with smoked trout roe, crème fraîche, and dill is artfully arranged on a brown plate. Surrounding the plate are small bowls of the garnishes: Crème fraîche, Chopped dill. Chopped chives, and Trout roe. Potato Rösti recipe

Though rösti potatoes aren’t technically the same as latkes, it’s a bit of a tomato-tomahto situation.  This Swiss potato pancake is very similar to the classic latke, but incorporates egg and flour more heavily than a latke does. They’re slightly easier to make than latkes and a lot less messy, as Sarah Jampel of Bon Appetit argues. (Jampel has a bold stance that like many holiday foods, latkes are overrated). So, give rösti a chance if you’re sick of soggy latkes and batter disasters.

Brisket

A slab of smoked Passover Brisket sliced into pieces on a wooden table with a sauce sitting in the background.

You can’t go wrong with brisket. Jonathan Haskel Baar developed this recipe for Passover originally, but you can enjoy brisket any time of year. Baar’s recipe is full of details in every step so you can make that perfect, crowd-pleasing brisket that even the most curmudgeonly guest will compliment you on.

Sweet Fried Eggplants

A mouthwatering plate of sweet fried eggplants, a delicious dish traditionally enjoyed during Hannukah celebrations.

Hélène Jawhara Piñer’s 2021 cookbook Sephardi: Cooking the History chronicles the many recipes that make up Jewish cuisine in Spain and North Africa, including a huge array of eggplant recipes. This is one of the many delicious ways you can use eggplant to replace meat in a Hanukkah meal, if you so choose.

Desserts: Chocolate and Donuts Abound

Isfeng

Isfeng Andalusian Donuts sit on a plate to the right side of the frame. Oranges and cherries sit to the left.

These Andalusian donuts are a hugely popular Hanukkah recipe in Jewish communities in North Africa, and Hélène Jawhara Piñer shared them with us. If you’re tired of the ordinary sufganiyot, this is a great new donut option that’s equally delicious.

Maqrut

A delectable assortment of Maqrut and Neulas Encanonadas pastries, popular traditional treats from a Mediterranean culinary tradition.

This pastry is made with honey, dates, and orange blossom and comes from Morocco and is another fried delicacy to remember that oil that lasted eight nights. Though the lamp lasted a long time, these pastries won’t be long at your table.

Baklava

Baklava wrapped in white paper

Consider baklava as a snack-able small plate before or after the meal, if you’re having a larger gathering. Though you can definitely cater them, they’re surprisingly easy to make yourself, and help anchor your cooking in the Mediterranean, where the Hanukkah story began.

Chocolate, Tahini and Honey Cake

Chocolate, Tahini & Honey Cake with Sesame Snap and Chocolate Ganache Decoration

This is basically a perfect Hanukkah dessert. Tahini is a staple in Middle Eastern cooking, chocolate elevates gelt (the gold-wrapped choclate coins we eat on Hanukkah), and honey symbolizes prosperity and good luck in Jewish tradition. So, this is a great Hanukkah recipe to try out to finish off your meal with a winner.

Cocktails: Kosher Liquor, Celebratory Toasts

Hanukkah 75

A festive and refreshing cocktail to celebrate Hanukkah, featuring a harmonious blend of flavors and spirits.

Our signature take on a French 75, with a special Hanukkah sparkle in its color scheme. This is a great party cocktail no matter what your faith is, but also works to make Hanukkah feel extra-special. 

Chocolate Espresso Martini

A chocolate espresso martini staged on a black background with a dusting of espresso bean on the top

Continuing with the theme of elevating gelt, you could do a cute seasonal take on this cocktail with a piece of gelt or edible gold leaf for garnish. But it’s also just hard to argue with the deliciousness of a chocolate espresso martini.

Back to Black

Two Back to Black cocktails in a deep brown color with a pick of blackberries on top of each glass, all on a textured grey surface.

Did you know that Amy Winehouse was Jewish? Winehouse once said that “Being Jewish to me is about being together as a real family. It’s not about lighting candles and saying a bracha.” Toast to the diversity of Judaism and the many talented people who came before us with this Amy Winehouse-inspired drink. Also, the licorice liquor in it is just delicious.

Kosher Cocktail

Two cocktails, bright ref in color sit in wine glasses and are garnished with lemon round, pomegranate arils, and mint leaves

If you have guests who keep Glatt kosher (the strictest form), consider making this cocktail to be sure they have something to sip. While you might think keeping kosher only means no pork, for more observant people, everything has to be produced in a kosher facility. Check out this list of kosher bourbon for more ideas about kosher liquor. 

Mensch Martini (Manischewitz Cocktail)

A cocktail in a martini glass in red color with a lemon twist garnish.

We found a way to make sweet Manischewitz even tastier. Since you’ll already have a bottle available at your table, you might as well mix in Greenalls Citrus Grandis Gin (completely kosher), dashes of orange bitters, and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice for extra tang. Talk about an easy way to bring joy into your celebration.

General Tips

  • There’s no such thing as too many candles. Hanukkah is the festival of lights, so go all out on the lights. Putting together a menorah is a fun activity, but candles at your table also add a nice ambiance.
  • Since Hanukkah sometimes falls on Christmas, consider that your party may turn into Chrismukkah, depending on who’s invited.
  • Sides for latkes are divisive. Just buy everything. Sour cream and apple sauce are the two most popular, so you’re usually safe if you have both of those.

Chag sameach! 

Story by Emma Riva

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Your December 2025 Horoscope for the Full Moon in Gemini

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A pink sky behind a full moon with clouds covered in snow adn pine trees to represent a December horoscope.

The last Full Moon of 2025 arrives on December 4 in Gemini, highlighting themes of truth and perspective. Mutable by nature, Gemini thrives in moments of transition, when one cycle gives way to the next. Ruled by Mercury, the messenger god, it emphasizes communication of all kinds: speaking, writing, and listening. Its role is to test theories, ask questions, and connect ideas. Conclusions can come later; with Gemini, the joy is in discovery.

Tension is inherent in any Full Moon, as the Sun and Moon stand in direct opposition – a natural pull between reason and emotion, action and reflection. Full Moons call for closure, something Gemini often resists. Across the zodiac, the Sun in Sagittarius seeks coherence and conviction. Where Gemini inquires, Sagittarius responds. Full Moons on this axis often turn theory into ideology and invite people to take a side. Conflict plays out as information spreads, attention narrows, and opinions multiply. (Nothing new to the macro-environment, it must be said.)

What you can do during this period is watch how information is handled – whether it leads to insight and connection or confusion and division. With the Sun traveling alongside Mars, conversation may feel more forceful than usual. The impulse to be “right” (if such a thing exists) can overtake the desire to understand other people or divergent concepts. Our capacity to simultaneously hold two truths, even seemingly contradictory ones, is going to be tested.

The Moon’s square to Saturn adds restraint, a reminder that truth needs context and certainty takes time. The message of this Full Moon: remember to keep perspective especially when you’re being pressured or persuaded.

Mars Pushes, Saturn Pauses

Mars and Saturn have their fingerprints all over this Full Moon. The Sun’s conjunction with Mars in Sagittarius amplifies urgency, while Saturn’s square from Pisces brings delay. If Mars is a gas pedal, Saturn is a brake. Saturn demands proof, a plan, and the logistics. With Mars’ impulsivity and action-first agenda, it inevitably leads to frustration on both ends. 

In mutable signs, this dynamic feels like a bottleneck, or decisions being pushed around from one court to another (literally or figuratively). Pressure mounts as conversations heat up, decisions stall, and patience wears thin. Still, there’s a way to work with this: when emotions are high, a little caution can be useful. Treat these pauses as welcome reprieves from hasty conclusions. If no decision feels best, then perhaps that’s the point: to reserve energy until a better solution presents itself.

Mercury, Jupiter, and Saturn Work Together

Mercury, the ruler of this Full Moon, offers some reprieve against the heaviness of Saturn and Mars. Having just stationed direct and now forming a grand water trine with Jupiter and Saturn, Mercury facilitates an easy flow between the planets. (A grand trine means that three planets are forming a perfect triangle in the sky, this time in water signs.) That flow can be productive – but it can also act as an accelerator, with nothing in place to slow it down.

Water trines have a history of fast outcomes. Major treaties have been signed under patterns like this – but such signatures have also coincided with major upheavals, from the protests that sparked the Reformation to the sinking of the Titanic. In each case, change unfolded quickly because the problem could easily snowball and resistance was low. That’s the image to keep in mind: things move easily in grand trines, but they don’t always stop where we’d like them to.

In practical terms, expect words, decisions, and actions to travel further than expected. Communication can smooth misunderstandings or start shifts you can’t immediately control. Be clear with your communication, wise and discerning, and you should get the most out of these three operating together.

The Moon at the North Bending 

This Full Moon squares the lunar nodes, placing the Moon at what astrologers call the Northern Bending – the highest ‘above’ the Sun it can get, just as tides reach their peak. It marks a natural high point, the crest before release.

If you’ve been building toward something, this lunation can help it stand on its own – complete, visible, and ready to breathe on its own. If a problem has been rising, this same fullness can bring matters to a head. Either way, the energy now begins its steady exhale over the next two weeks.

Consider using this ebb and flow to your advantage. If you need to address something touchy and pressurized, wait until the week leading up to the New Moon on December 19, when tempers cool and perspective settles. But if you have an easily overlooked idea that needs a little extra lift, aim closer to the Full Moon itself on December 6, when the momentum of circumstance is at its strongest.

The Moon on Rigel, the Ankle of Orion

Finally, the Moon aligns with the fixed star Rigel, at the ankle of Orion. Rigel combines the influences of Jupiter and Saturn, a brilliant mix of lofty ambition and rigorous discipline. It’s also the signature of steady progress, success that comes through skill, and victory without luck or shortcuts.

The star is on the ankle of the great warrior Orion, where the Scorpion is said to have stung Orion to death. The image reminds us that talent alone isn’t enough. The same persistence that builds mastery can just as easily tip into burnout, or push us into extreme conditions that will cost us. Classical texts describe Rigel as granting recognition through labor but warn that maintaining it requires sustained effort.

The guidance, then, is to consider ways in which we might better measure risk as we chase after our own future victories.

Seasonal Guidance: Mid-Season Check-In

By early December, daylight shortens and temperatures drop. The air turns colder and drier, and the body naturally begins to conserve heat and energy. It’s a time to close open loops, finish what can be finished, and simplify routines. Rest, heavier meals, and steadier rhythms help keep the system balanced as activity around you ramps up. The goal isn’t to withdraw, necessarily, but to adjust your pace. If you protect decreasing energies, you can keep on engaging with the world.

Fire Signs (Aries, Leo, Sagittarius)

Dry cold can scatter heat, leaving you quick to fatigue or irritation. The fix is moderation: eat cooked food with moderate spice, rest before exhaustion sets in, and keep strength work short and regular. Too many events or late nights thin reserves fast, so choose a few things you can show up to fully. Clear daylight, reliable meals, and quiet evenings stabilize the system better than trying to push through the season.As the year cools and schedules fill, your natural warmth becomes both asset and responsibility. Fire’s heat can dwindle quickly in the season’s cold, dry air – or flare under pressure. Keep it steady with grounding habits: consistent meals, strength-focused movement, and pauses that let energy settle. Choose warmth that sustains – time with close friends, sunlight when possible, food that strengthens digestion. The pace of late fall asks for endurance, not acceleration. Protect vitality by pacing output and letting rest refuel ambition.

Earth Signs (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn)

You are naturally structured, but late autumn adds extra bulk to that instinct. When the air dries out, joints tighten and routines can become rigid. Simple warmth (oily food, baths, stretching, and slower mornings) keeps flexibility. Wrap up unfinished work, and don’t crowd the calendar; consolidation does more good than expansion now. Small domestic order – clean spaces, prepared meals, steady rest – can anchor you while the year winds down.

Air Signs (Gemini, Libra, Aquarius)

The cold season dries the nerves first. Ideas multiply but focus thins, so reduce inputs and slow the pace of talk, screens, and errands. Schedule short breaks, one clear task list, and predictable meal times. Travel is fine if it’s straightforward; avoid itineraries with too many variables. Good food and steady rhythm help ground thought. Social life works best in calm settings where conversation can move at a human speed.

Water Signs (Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces)

Cold and dryness draw moisture from your element, which can dull motivation or heighten sensitivity. Keep warmth close – soups, cooked grains, tea, steady bedtime. Alternate activity and rest instead of running one into the other. You absorb atmosphere easily, so protect margins around gatherings. Smaller company and slower tempo help emotion settle instead of overflow. The goal is not withdrawal but measured participation, staying warm inside while the outer world cools.

Sabian Symbol for 13° Gemini:

Two people, at widely different points, are in conversation with each other by means of telepathy.

This image points to communication that functions across distance – mental, physical, or emotional. Two individuals remain connected through shared focus or mutual understanding, even when they are not in direct contact. The image reflects Gemini’s core principle: the exchange of information and perspective.

In practical terms, this speaks to how easily ideas circulate now. A single thought, message, or intention can travel farther than expected and reach people who share a similar wavelength. The symbol describes correspondence that doesn’t have to rely on proximity. 

It’s a symbol that also highlights the need for discernment. Increased receptivity brings the potential for confusion, assumption, or misplaced interpretation. It’s awareness and clarity that become the filters through which understanding stays accurate.

What Might December’s Full Moon in Gemini Mean For Your Zodiac Sign’s Horoscope?

Aries

Conversations will be moving fast under this Gemini Full Moon. Maybe too fast? With Mars stirring impatience, suddenly everyone has an opinion and needs an answer ASAP. Text messages, group chats, or private DMs carry extra charge, especially if tension’s been brewing. Saturn will be urging you to think before hitting send too fast – even if your first instinct is to worry about the consequences later. As an Aries, you’re wired for quick offense, but this week a calm word or well-timed check-in will land better.

Taurus

Some financial themes could be getting a reality check under this Full Moon – and the truth might reveal something you’ve been avoiding or ignoring. It’s a spend-heavy time of year, but with the economy doing what it’s doing, even small choices hit differently. Mars stirs the urge to splurge while Saturn forces you to check the math. Use this to your advantage. A clearer budget – or conversation about shared costs – will do more for your peace of mind than a temporary indulgence. Now that Mercury’s back on track, your money math is ready to make better sense.

Gemini

This is your Full Moon, and it’s coming in strong. You’ve likely been in nonstop output mode – pitching, performing, maybe even posting – but with Mars in opposition to your sign, now suddenly everyone’s a critic. Saturn’s tension from Pisces adds pressure around your work and increased sense of responsibility. If you’re feeling a barrage of criticism around you, try to remember that it’s just a transitory thing. Before reacting, take a breath and check what could be other people’s projections versus actually useful feedback. Your chart-ruler Mercury is direct again, allowing you to reshape your narrative and presentation more precisely. 

Cancer

It’s December, and chances are you’re being pulled in a dozen directions at once. You’ve been holding everything together for everyone else – but even caretakers need care. With the Full Moon lighting up your house of rest and recovery, positioned at the Northern Bending, there’s a quiet reminder that joy matters more than productivity. Jupiter is retrograde in your ascendant yet still in good aspect to Mercury, planet of curiosity. This is your cue to do something simply because it feels good – to let enjoyment itself be the point. Be intentional, avoid multitasking, and stay present in whatever brings you that lift.

Leo

Everyone suddenly wants your time, your input, or your talent – which, sure, isn’t the worst problem to have. It’s the time of year when your calendar can fill up fast, but be careful with doing it. Lions take naps, too! There’s a lot of activity across your financial and leisure houses, which means it might not be a bad idea to spend a little and have some fun. Watch for reciprocity issues with others. The spotlight’s on, making it easier to notice any imbalances.

Virgo

You might find yourself kicked into refinement mode this season. The pace is busy, but your focus is sharper than it’s been in weeks. The Gemini Full Moon spotlights your public life and how you manage responsibility, while quieter tensions in home and partnership spaces remind you that support systems matter, too. This is a good time to streamline, because there’s only so much of you to go around. Take someone else’s advice as you go about it, too – this Full Moon brings good luck from connections around you.

Libra

This Full Moon activates the part of your chart that governs ideas, travel, and perspective, while the Sagittarius planets pull your focus toward the everyday and logistics. It’s stimulation on all sides – plans forming as fast as they shift – and it’s easy to be overwhelmed and overstimulated. When everything feels urgent, it’s harder to know where and how to prioritize. Slow the conversation, even briefly, so your attention can catch up to all the activity. This is a big component in maintaining a ‘present’ mindset.

Scorpio

The Grand Water Trine flowing through your chart moves things easily – ideas, payments, emotions – and that can be both a blessing and a hazard. End-of-year spending, long family visits, or joint decisions might speed up faster than planned. Pay attention to what’s accelerating and why. You can still ride the momentum, but stay aware of the costs, literal or otherwise. The steady move for this Full Moon is pacing instead of reacting to everything – which is a good general lesson for us all to consider, anyway.

Sagittarius

This Full Moon describes you surrounded by lots of other people, and that’s where the tension can arise. You’re probably clearer on what you think and less inclined to keep it to yourself. Mars in your sign turns up the volume, so even simple conversations can get charged fast. Notice what happens in your body before you speak: that rush, that sense of release. Sometimes it feels good to let thoughts fly, but that quick relief can echo longer than you meant it to. A measured use of this Full Moon might be finding a release that still feels right the next day.

Capricorn

It’s never really a question if a Capricorn can hold it all together. But this Full Moon lights up the parts of life that keep everything running behind the scenes – and that’s where the strain shows first. You’ve been running a tight ship, but maybe too tight. When the body feels it, the mind does too. December always brings extra demands, but this time it’s worth listening for the creaks in the system. You don’t need to stop but ease the pressure where you can. Quiet fixes now prevent louder ones later.

Aquarius

This Full Moon lights up your creative house and reminds you how good it feels to be engaged again. New ideas! New avenues for getting things done! The Grand Water Trine running through your chart brings work, money, and daily rhythms into rare but welcome harmony. With those parts clicking, space opens up – mentally and physically – for ideas to move freely. Think of it like the muse is visiting, and all you have to do is make room for it. The timing’s right for imagination to meet execution.

Pisces

Messages, repairs, and family dynamics pile up like holiday leftovers – ’tis the season, after all. Luckily, you’re better equipped to stay centered even if everyone else isn’t. And that’s what this Full Moon is highlighting: your sensitivity as your superpower. It helps you pick up on what’s unsaid, sense the temperature of any room, and de-escalate tension without making a scene. You don’t need to absorb everyone’s feelings to understand them. When things get chaotic, protect your peace. And don’t underestimate how calming that can be for everyone around you.

Horoscope Author

Wade Caves, based in Brooklyn, NY, is an astrological consultant and educator specializing in problem-solving applications of astrology. He teaches astrological divination and astronomy at the School of Traditional Astrology. Wade also publishes his work on world astrology through Skyscript’s In Mundo publishing desk. He even hosts the World Astrology Summit. A conference dedicated to the advancement of astrology for global problem-solving. Website: wadecaves.com • skyscript.co.uk/inmundo. Email: hello@wadecaves.com.

Story by Wade Caves
Photo Courtesy of Yann Allegre

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Festive Family-Fun at Kennywood’s Holiday Lights

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Three boys play with a tree wrapped in green lights.

Even on the December days where the sun doesn’t shine or snow doesn’t fall on the ground, there’s still plenty of festive family-fun waiting for you at Kennywood during their Holiday Lights season. We took family of five, Angela Syput, husband Ben, and their three boys, into the park to experience all the magic for themselves.

What to Explore at Kennywood’s Holiday Lights

We know what you’re thinking. Kennywood in the cold of winter? Yes! The land of rollercoasters takes a bit of a step back from the end of November to the beginning of January, but there’s still plenty to see as the park transforms into a glowing wonderland.

Holiday Lights at Kennywood keep most of the park open to explore. The second you walk through the tunnel entrance you’ll feel like a kid again as lights cover just about everything you see and characters such as nutcrackers and princesses roam throughout. But this is just the beginning.

A boy licks whipped cream off his finger.

Take the trail to your left to walk through dripping blue lights that hang from the trees over to where the dining hall is or back to the Kennyville Stage like we did. We found it to be a prime spot for eating under the glow of lights with holiday music in the distance to set the mood and live performances on the stage.

Our three little friends requested hot cocoa, peppermint shakes from Carousel Burger Co, as well as chicken tenders and at Holiday Lights, every wish is granted. We also added in Candy Cane and S’mores funnel cakes from Star Refreshments so the parents had a little extra snacking, too. But, there is plenty of other seasonal fare to try like a Loaded Thanksgiving Sandwich, Holiday Candied Popcorn, and Red & Green Sprinkled Dip Cone for those warmer days.

After our family filled up on hot tenders and tasty treats, a sugar rush meant it was time for rides and sight-seeing.

What Rides are Open at Kennywood’s Holiday Lights?

Even though temperatures are far from where they are in the summer, there are over 20 rides open along with other hands-on activities to enjoy. Since we had a group of boys in tow, a trip on the train was a no-brainer.

A young boy points at gingerbread men in a display.

New this winter season, the train turns into Gingerbread Junction, displaying scenes of gingerbread characters throughout the ride. The theme even extends beyond the train ride to turn the surrounding area into a gingerbread paradise.

Another must for any trip to Kennywood is the carousel. Not only is the nostalgia factor like a warm hug, but the extra lights and decor for the holidays create a mystical atmosphere. This spot is also a great place to relax for a few rotations — and take some photos while you’re at it. It’s like a ride and a rest all at once.

Other Activities

Outside of the rides, though, Kennywood keeps you busy with tree lighting ceremonies and light shows all throughout the evening. You can even head over to Christmastown and meet Rudolph, Clarice, Bumble, as well as Sam the Snowman for photo opportunities.

A family stands in front of a Christmas tree lit in Rainbow lights.

Of course, the big man himself, Santa Claus, is available so your little one can request their wishlist for the year. Then, when you’re done meeting all these famous faces, make your own Santa hat and ornament to take home and wrap your experience up with a nice little bow.

Our family had the time of their lives making memories together under twinkling scenery. Between the thrill of rides, delicious eats, and festive theming, Holiday Lights brought the spirit of the season right into the hearts of our entire group (photographer and organizers included)!

Story and Photography by Kylie Thomas
Production by Ethan Chmura
Special thanks to Angela and Ben Syput, their three wonderful boys, and Taylor Bulischeck at Kennywood

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Pittsburgh Events: Your Guide to December 8-14

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Holiday Cookies on white plate

We know you’re busy out shopping for gifts and preparing for get-togethers but don’t you deserve a moment to yourself, too? The week of December 8-14 is one of your last chances to savor the holiday season before it’s entirely over. To us, savoring the holiday season doesn’t mean you have to go to a holiday-themed event. Rather, it’s a celebration of those you love and the joy of living. Appreciate the smaller things in life from a live orchestral performance to a drink at a Charlie Brown pop-up bar.

Pittsburgh Events Happening December 8-14

A man and a woman look over a book together.
Photo Courtesy of The Jane Austen Society of North America

Why Isn’t Mr Darcy a Lord? and Other Questions

Carnegie Library, December 9

The Jane Austen Society of North America, Pittsburgh Region invites you to come have all your questions about the Regency era answered. Even if late 18th- and early 19th-century norms of nobility and marriage might be hard to understand, the themes of Austen’s work are universal and even still apply to us today. 

A large choir sings together holding music in binders.
Photo Courtesy of Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh

Messiah

Heinz Hall, December 9

Another mainstay of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra’s holiday season returns for winter 2025. Handel’s Messiah, which you’ll know as the renowned “Hallelujah chorus,” has been performed for many decades and always brings the holiday spirit resonantly to life. Plus, the Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh joins the symphony for this special event.

Holiday Cookies on white plate
Photo Courtesy of Micah Made Cookies

Sapphire & Lace Flower Cottage, December 11

Why not practice your cookie icing skills ahead of time with a pro. Micah Made Cookies helps you to create gorgeous Nutcracker-inspired designs that will wow even the harshest critics of the holidays. You’ll receive six cookies to decorate along with tools, icing, a thank-you cookie, hot cocoa bar, and tips to keep decorating at home.

A rack of clothes and accessories inside a Pittsburgh store.
Photo Courtesy of Diana Kauffman Designs

Beaver Street, December 11

Experience Sewickley’s most stylish holiday celebration that also helps you get through your gift list. This exclusive evening invites guests to sip, shop, and savor their way through participating boutiques. Plus if you make your way through every featured shop, you’ll be entered to win a basket full of goodies from these retailers. 

The sign for a Snoopy holiday bar.
Photo Courtesy of Pittsburgh Holiday Festival

Pittsburgh Holiday Festival

Monroeville Convention and Events Center, December 13

Experience a European and World-themed Christmas market alongside a festive holiday pop-up bar all under one roof. Explore booths full of unique gifts, artisan crafts, and tasty treats to get your loved ones for the holidays. Live music, sing-alongs, and photo opportunities help make sure your day out shopping with the family is an enjoyable one.

Story by Kylie Thomas
Featured Photo Courtesy of Micah Made Cookies

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What’s Hot on Pittsburgh Menus with Hungry Jess: December 2025

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A bowl of soup with herbs and noodles all on a white place setting.

Great holiday excursions can exist from casual walk-ins with family to a fancy GNO… and everything in between on Pittsburgh menus December 2025.  

While December in Pittsburgh means freezing temperatures and the sun setting at 4 p.m., it’s also a festive time filled with nostalgia and excitement. After all, one of the most magical aspects of Pittsburgh is that the city really is what you make of it.  

In case you’re feeling inclined to stay inside and hibernate before a new year arrives, let this list serve as inspiration to get out and explore the spaces that are sure to deliver inklings of holiday cheer.  

What Dishes are Hot and New on Pittsburgh Menus: December 2025

A Re-Opened Parisian Oasis at Poulet Bleu

3517 Butler Street, Lawrenceville  

If you haven’t caught wind of the news, Poulet Bleu is back open after an almost three-year hiatus. While the restaurant holds memories from the past, this is an exciting time to make new ones with returning favorite dishes. The French Onion soup is a testament to the restaurant’s legacy and exactly what you should order on a cold December evening.  

While reservations are few and far between, one of the best-kept secrets is to catch seats at the bar. Pro tip: You’re usually able to find a seat or two around the 8:30/9 p.m. mark. Oh, and the soufflé is also back to dive into, because what more do you need?  

The Lion as a Cocktail Bar to Cozy Up

1207 Allegheny Ave, North Side 

Self-described as a cocktail hideout, this is the spot for you if you’re looking to unwind and get together with the spirit-loving friends in your life.  

While they’re known for spinning vinyl and serving snacks, the cocktail concept is one I haven’t seen too often: a rotating menu of infused spirits. You pick a spirit, the bartenders ask you a few flavor preference questions, and boom! Dealer’s choice is the vibe.  

They’re open seven days a week, making this an ideal spot for a post-work or pre-holiday party vibe-out.    

Japanese Comfort Food with a Side of Sake at Fujiya Ramen

815 S Aiken Avenue, Shady Side  

Talk about a rediscovered staple for me. I would order religiously from Fujiya during the pandemic, and recently went in for drinks and dinner with a friend. Their bar is underrated, while serving up various sake and beer selections alongside stunning cocktails you’ll want to snap a picture of (and try not to sip so fast).  

While the ramen has always been the go-to order, I stepped outside my norm and opted for the Gyudon: a rich, savory rice bowl topped with marinated beef, onions, ginger, and scallions. I’m still thinking about this dish that surprisingly warmed me up just as much as a bowl of brothy ramen.  

If you’re looking for more of a snack and drinks vibe, the karaage with spicy mayo, pork buns, and gyoza are all fantastic options. 

What’s currently on your own hot list? Send me a note to jess@hungryjessbigcity.com! 

Story and Photo by Jess Iacullo (Hungry Jess)

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Online Pittsburgh Shops for Last Minute Gifts

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Various small chocolates on a green plate.

Christmas is right around the corner and if you’re like us, you probably procrastinated a little bit too long to order all your presents. Hurry! Here is your wake-up call to get on your computer and make sure you dive into local last-minute gift options before it’s too late. Check out these online Pittsburgh shops to order so you get your purchase before Christmas Day. 

Online Pittsburgh Shops for Last Minute Gifts

Mazza Wines

This Lake Erie region winery serves up sips of all your favorite types of wines and has something for any imbiber on your list. Choose from an array of classic bottles as well as new-school options like a canned cider made from PA apples. Find rare dessert wines, ports and sherries, and a very fine rosé, The Perfect Rosé. (Keep in mind that rosépairsd well with holiday turkey or ham.) You can get 3- or 6-packs of holiday-curated bottles as well.

Tabbara Chocolates

Tabarra goes way beyond grabbing a box of chocolates off the grocery store shelves. If you’re looking to gift something as sweet and memorable as your loved one, get their handmade bonbons for a delicious treat that looks like modern art and can even come in a beautiful gift box. You might be able to snag limited seasonal varieties as well. New for 2025, they have a Christmas Advent calendar that is among the most sophisticated we’ve seen.

Farmer’s Daughter

Create a personalized bouquet full of color for your partner or favorite host to break the frigid cold of winter. Choose from several bouquets and arrangements with the option to add on felt pennants with a fun message that express how you feel about your person, whether it’s silly or serious. Holiday flower varieties are available for pickup until the day before Christmas Eve.

Glassworks and Feathers

These two stores on Walnut Street share a website with a wide range of items to make your holiday shopping that much easier. At Glassworks, you’ll find classic gifts with emphasis on tabletop items perfect for the home lover in your life. You can even choose from a selection of monogrammable items for an extra thoughtful touch. At Feathers, you can shop the fine bed and bath products such as linens, bedding, and much more.

Fox and the Fleur

A floral shop and boutique combined, Fox and the Fleur features signature arrangements and quality plant care essentials that your green-thumbed friends would love to receive. In addition to wildflowers and seasonal blooms, their assortment of candles, body care, and home items creates the perfect bundle for someone who appreciates a combination of comfort and whimsy. You can take home a holiday wreath for yourself while you’re there, too.

Kingfly Spirits

A locally distilled spirit is a thoughtful gift that brings about warmth, laughter, and plenty of smiles. Choose from classics like blanco tequila, white rum, rye whiskey, or surprising finds like limon cello, grappa, or their own bitters. Around the holidays you can also find bar-quality tools and gifts, bottled cocktails, and more to suit the spirit-aficionados in your life.

De Fer Coffee & Tea 

Primarily a café, De Fer has a tightly curated online retail space that is not immediately thought of as a shopping destination, but deserves to be. The chic foodie offerings here are ideal for picking up something small last minute or building a thoughtful gift basket in one stop. Bold branded tinned fish, coffee and tea variety packs, honeys and cocktail bitters, gourmet chocolate bars, candles, and more can be found on shelves.

Synthesis 

This unique plant shop is unlike any other in Pittsburgh, specializing in full-sun plants inspired by the owner’s decade in California. Pick up a “green sculpture” (aka a cactus) for the aesthetically-driven plant lover in your life, or shop an array of intentionally-chosen botanical goods. Western-esque cards, pins, candles, pots, fragrances, and more can be found here.

Story by Kylie Thomas
Photography by Dave Bryce

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