Day 410-Get you Cheer on with This Guide to Holiday lights, Shows and Music in Pittsburgh

 

Christmas is the most wonderful time of year in Pittsburgh.  The holiday lights, shows and music give you so many ways to get your cheer on. If you join me in some of these experiences, you be like Buddy the Elf and want to spread Christmas cheer by, “singing loud for all to hear.”  

Lights Camera Holiday Action

1. Dazzling Lights -Pittsburgh Botanical Gardens- November 24 to January 2, 1024

This is the second year for this immersive light experience. Lights twinkle, sparkle and dazzle as you traverse through the trees, fields, tunnel illuminated installations, and snow at the Pittsburgh Botanical Gardens.  Grab a bite or  adult drink as you watch colours dance over a pond or throughout the trees.  Join me at Dazzling Lights and purchase your tickets here.  

2. Holiday Magic! Winter Flower Show and Light Garden Phipps Conservatory-November  17-January 7, 2023

Phipps Conservatory not only gives you over 21 varieties of poinsettias, adorned trees, and a train display, but they have a magical shimmering illumined outdoor garden. This has become an annual Pittsburgh tradition because it had the "ah factor" each year.  Have a hot chocolate or an adult beverage as you stroll through the garden and the beauty. Join me for the Holiday Magic and get your tickets here.

Read more about The Phipps Holiday Magic experience on Day 180 , Day 251 and Day 313.

3. Zoo Lights Drive through-November 24 to December 30, 2023 (New walk-through Dec 15, 16, 22 and 23)

If driving through the lights is more to your liking, the Pittsburgh Zoo will take you on an illuminated safari.  You will be greeted by over 150 sparking, twinkling and moving wild life installations, newly added zoo babies and more. (There are also 4 walk through nights complete with live music) So, pack up your car, put on the tunes and join me for a ride through Zoo Lights and purchase your tickets here.

4. A Christmas Tree Stroll Through the City

Omni William Penn Hotel lobby

Pittsburgh is adorned with lights on bridges, buildings and trees. There are lit trees from the tip of Point State Park to the granddaddy evergreen at the City County Building. Make your own magic with a scavenger  hunt for decorated trees on a city walk. 

Take a tree stroll from the iconic towering Joseph Horn's tree on the now Highmark Building, then venture to the Fairmont Hotel  lobby tree, cross though the market square village to the PPG dancing illuminated tree, then head uptown to the City County Building tree. Visit the life size nativity at the USX Tower. On your way uptown, make sure to stop and view  lobby of the Omni William Penn Hotel. 

During your adventure enjoy a drink and find even more festive trees in hotel lobbies and restaurants. No tickets are needed for this free adventure of your own making.

Bring Up the Curtain and Enjoy Some Holiday Shows

1. Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley-City Theatre-November to December 17, 2023

City Theatre on the South Side  offers a size venue for a more intimate theatrical experience. Celebrate Christmas with the characters from Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. This play takes place two years later, when love is sparked by an unexpected guest. The story transports you to  the 1800’s when our Christmas traditions such as a decorated tree began. Join me and celebrate with Austen’s charters at Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberly  and purchase tickets here.

2.Who’s Holiday-CLO-Greer Cabaret Theatre-December 1 to December 31, 2023

If you are looking for some adult comedy, go to Dr. Seuss’s Whosville and catch up with grown up Cindy Lou who lives in a trailer on the mountain in Who's Holiday. She enjoys her cocktail and more and rhymes her story galore. Join me with a cocktail for this funny witty show in the intimate The Greer Cabaret Theatre and purchase your tickets here.

 3. A Christmas Story: The Play-Pittsburgh Public Theatre-December 7 to December 23, 2023

The Christmas Story (The Play) will immerse you in the iconic holiday movie. Every year my son and I make it a ritual to watch the movie. Last year the play had us laughing over and over at nine-year old Ralphie’s quest for a “Red Ryder, Carbine Action, two-hundred shot, range rider air rifle with a compass in the stock” and the father’s acquisition of a major award.  Join me for this iconic lighthearted play and purchase your tickets here.

Read more about The Christmas Story:The Play experience on Day 390.

4.  CLO’s A Musical Christmas Carol-December 15 to December 23, 2023

The Dicken’s tale where Scrooge finds redemption and joy on Christmas morning is another holiday classic. The CLO kicks it up a notch with the addition of beloved holiday songs in A Musical Christmas Carol. The story with the injection of  holiday melodies heightens the spirit of the season. Join me for this charming event that has become a Pittsburgh tradition and purchase tickets here. 

Read more about A Musical Christmas Carol experience on  Day 312.

Sing a Holiday Song/Dance

1.Pittsburgh Opera -Song Shop- Holiday Concert -December 9, 2023

The Pittsburgh Opera offers free Song Shop events (January through May) at the Bitz Opera Factory. It’s a great way to experience opera in an intimate setting and sample opera before you commit to a full performance. The Holiday concert Song Shop is a choreographed collage of festive music sung by some of Pittsburgh's best voices. Join me at the Bitz Factory in the Strip District for a musical melody with the Opera. This is a free event and you can find the Song shop Schedule here.

Read more about the Song Shop formerly Brown Bag experience on Day 385.

2. Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra Holiday Concert -Pittsburgh Playhouse-December 21, 2023

Point Park Playhouse Presents brings a variety of international and local talent to the intimate Pittsburgh Playhouse theatre. This is the forth year  for the Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra Holiday Concert at the Playhouse. This year Ann Hampton Callaway brings her blended jazz and pop style to the show.  Join me for some head bobbing and toe tapping at The Pittsburgh Jazz Holiday Concert  and purchase tickets here . 

Read more about Playhouse Presents experience on Day 409.

3. Pittsburgh Ballet Nutcracker-December 8 to December 28, 2023 and

Pittsburgh Orchestra Pops-December 15 to December 23, 2023

 The Pittsburgh Ballet's Nutcracker and The Pittsburgh Symphony Holiday Pops have become Holiday traditions for many. These both are world class companies that bring home the Christmas spirit  with two masterful shows. 

The Nutcracker, with Tchaikovsky’s famous musical score, contains snow, sugar plum fairies, dancing toys, ballet leaps, jumps and spins and more. You will also enjoy spotting the Pittsburgh references in the show: bridges, Kaufman’s clock, Pirate and Penguin dolls, and Steelers Terrible Towels. Join me for a magical night of dance and music and purchase tickets here.

The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra fills Heinz Hall with beloved holiday music.  There is also a sing along, dancing and Santa. You will not want to miss taking a picture in front of a gigantic adorned tree in the lobby. Join me for a sing a long with the Pops and purchase tickets here

Read more about the Nutcracker and Holiday Pops experiences on Day 90 and  Day 257. 

Bring In the New Year-First Night 2024

First Night Pittsburgh is the perfect way to bring all that Christmas and Holiday cheer into the new year. There is free entertainment, music in the streets,  a ball drop, fireworks and more. Join me  in the Pittsburgh best 2024 First Night Pittsburgh celebration and get VIP tickets here and free schedule events here. 

Read more about the First Night experience on Day 359

Look, I found Elf 

These are some of my favorite ways to celebrate the season in Pittsburgh. You may have others but no matter how you celebrate, it’s always the people around the tree and table that matter the most. 

When my son is home, I am instantly filled with Christmas cheer and like Elf, you will find me singing out loud for  all  to hear. I am filled with happiness as I explore the Pittsburgh holiday lights, shows and music with the one's I love.

Have a Happy Holiday and  Wonderful 2024