Christmas in Pittsburgh: 10 Must-Do’s

Although I wouldn’t consider Pittsburgh to be a top holiday destination, there are a number of festive activities, attractions, and events to enjoy throughout December. I definitely had some fun over the holidays while living in a suburb called Moon Township. From a big city ice rink with a dazzling Christmas tree as the centerpiece, to rustic Christmas tree farms located just outside of the city, along with easy access to winter recreational areas, there is something to do no matter your personal style. I liked the mix of urban, suburban, and rural festive fun.

I think that a snowy backdrop adds a special wintry touch to any holiday activity. I’ve lived in numerous cold and warm weather cities, and bundling up with the chance of snow always makes things more exciting this time of year. Although temps will be cold, only a few inches of snow typically fall each December. That being said, this city is one of your best bets for seeing a White Christmas – it ranks 5th in terms of major US cities!

This was my first holiday season here and I enjoyed the many wonderful events and ice rinks. In this article, I will share some of my top picks for holiday fun. Note: I have included a few suburban and rural rinks to open up more options for everyone.

1. Ice skating at The Rink at PPG Place

If you love ice skating, festive lights, and holiday music, then you will definitely want to plan for a night of skating downtown. This is definitely my favorite event downtown and worth the trek from the suburbs. In 2020, the rink celebrated its’ 20th anniversary with a new 1 million dollar rink.

The centerpiece Christmas tree really gives this rink a special festive touch. Skating here is a bit pricier than other major cities I’ve visited/lived in and the ice definitely needs to be zambonied more frequently considering the large crowds. That being said, I love the fun ambiance and the spirited holiday music. Everyone is in a good mood and a lot of people are wearing fun holiday accessories. It’s a great time and I recommend checking it out if you like skating.

Advance tickets online are an absolute must due to the popularity. After your skating session, you can stroll over to Market Square and enjoy shopping at a European inspired Christmas Village. There are also a number of restaurants in this area including the very popular Primanti Bros, a long standing regional chain known for their coleslaw and fries topped sandwiches.

• Location: 4, PPG Place, Third Avenue Suite 100
• 2025 Pricing: $12 and up. See the website for special events including couple’s skate, family, & student’s nights.
• Typically open mid November – end of February. See the website for rink hours.

2. View the Spirits of Giving From Around the World exhibit

This international display of Santas from around the world is a great add on activity if you will be skating downtown. From mid November through January 1st, you can explore Christmas traditions world-wide via over 2 dozen life like Santas, beautiful paintings, and folklore from around the world. I enjoyed reading about how different countries view Santa – this is a great activity for history buffs. The exhibit is free and conveniently located nearby both the ice rink and market. I recommend combining all 3 activities for a fun day out.

• Location: One and Two PPG Place
• Admission: Free
• 2025 Dates: November 14th – January 26th
• 2025 Hours: Monday – Friday, 6:30am-5:00pm. Closed Thanksgiving & Christmas

3. Shop at the People’s Gas Holiday Market

Many cities around the country unveil their holiday markets Thanksgiving weekend. I great up in Chicago visiting the top notch Christkindlmarket so I seek out these German markets whenever I travel. The Peoples Gas Holiday Market in Market Square downtown has been going strong for more than a decade.

Highlights include:

• Käthe Wohlfahrt – handcrafted German ornaments
• Helmut’s Strudel – authentic Austrian strudel
• Cinnaroast – roasted chestnuts and festive nuts of all kinds
• European Folk Art – handmade Polish decor and gifts

I prefer walking around at night as the festive lights add a bit more Christmas cheer. The market is also located within walking distance of the PPG ice rink.

• Location: Market Square
• Admission: Free
• 2025 Dates: November 21st – December 24th
• See the vendor list

4. See the Highmark Unity Tree

In the ‘Burgh, the holiday season officially begins with the lighting of the Highmark Unity Tree. The 100 foot tall tree is located on the old Joseph Horne’s department store. The tree was first erected in 1953 and called the Horne’s tree. Today it is known as The Unity Tree.

The celebration begins in mid Nov with a festive, yet overcrowded event called Highmark Light Up Night. The event features live music, tree lightings, fireworks, and more. 2025 will mark the 64th season with an extra special fireworks spectacular. If you prefer to avoid crowds, skip the event and view the tree on a quieter weeknight or weekend morning.

• Location: Penn Ave and Stanwix Street
• 2025 Date: The tree is lit on November 22nd
• Learn more about the history of The Unity Tree

5. Cut down your own Christmas tree

There are many family Christmas tree farms located just a short drive outside of the city limits. Candle Tree Farm is located just 40 minutes south is where we found our perfect tree. The trees here are quite affordable and there are a number of free amenities including hot cocoa and coffee. The wreaths are especially beautiful and I couldn’t help picking one up even though they were overpriced.

Do make sure you visit earlier on in the season as they tend to run out of quality trees early on, especially Fraser Fir and Blue Spruces. A tractor will take you to the fields where you can cut your own tree (saws available or bring your own). Precut trees also available. Enjoy the fresh country air and the unique opportunity to choose your tree the old-fashioned way!

• Location:  2776 S Bridge Rd, Washington
• Learn more about this farm