Events

Looking for some festive, family-friendly fun? 

Hop aboard a Barbara J Cruise to view the magical tradition of the Conneaut Lake Trees of Light  ! 

The winter cruise schedule runs on weekends from November 28 to December 14— but you can grab your tickets now! Take a dazzling 1.5 hour boat ride tour on Conneaut Lake—  with the most spectacular views of hundreds of "trees of light" on the south shore of PA's largest natural glacier lake. Celebrate the season with this unique & festive attraction! 

 Tickets for a Barbara J Trees of Light Cruise available here: https://loom.ly/_1uQBcA
#HolidayActivity #FestiveFun #ConneautLake #VisitCrawford

Join us for this beautiful Holiday tradition! Enjoy a 1.5 hour tour on the Barbara J to view the Trees of Light around Conneaut Lake!

The Christmas tradition on Conneaut Lake began in 2012 with the placement of several large Christmas trees on the south shore of Conneaut Lake. Since then, more than 150 lake residents have joined the celebration tree display. These beautiful trees, in many different colors, are a spectacular attraction, best viewed from the lake. They are all illuminated for the season on Thanksgiving Day.

The Barbara J began in 2015 to stay in operation through the middle of December in order to make cruises available to the public. Public cruises are available by reservation only on the www.newconneautlake.com website and private charters are available weekdays and weekends by calling 814-382-RIDE.

Please note: Ticket sales end 3 hours before boarding time. Boarding begins 15 minutes prior to departure. Seating is on a first come first serve basis. There is no reserved seating. Cruise duration is 1.5 hours. Please dress for current weather conditions. The upper deck of the Barbara J is open. The only way to purchase public ride tickets is through Eventbrite (this website service). 

FAQs

When do public ride tickets go on sale?

October 15th, 12:00 AM

Are there ID requirements or an age limit to enter the event?

No.

What are my transport/parking options getting to the event?

Parking is available at Fireman's Beach with a short walk to the boarding area.

What can/can't I bring to the event?

No food or beverages will be provided, but you are welcome to bring your own. Alcoholic beverages are permitted.

Where can I contact the organizer with any questions?

For additional information or to schedule a private charter call: 814-382-RIDE

Is my registration/ticket transferrable?

Yes

Do I have to bring my printed ticket to the event?

Yes.

What is the refund policy?

All cruises are subject to cancellation, at the Captain's discretion, based on weather/lake conditions. If a cancellation occurs we will do our best to notify you through the contact information you provided.

All fees will be refunded in the event of a cancellation.

More Information

Pittsburgh's cultural holiday events include the Highmark Light Up Night® on November 22, 2025, and the Peoples Gas Holiday Market, running from November 21 to December 24. Other events include the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra's Highmark Holiday Pops and A Musical Christmas Carol, along with festive pop-up bars and attractions like the Pittsburgh Crèche and the Kennywood Holiday Lights. Major events

• Highmark Light Up Night®: The official start to the holiday season, taking place on November 22, 2025.
• Peoples Gas Holiday Market: A European-style market with handcrafted goods and food, located at 7th Street and Penn Avenue from November 21 to December 24.
• Kennywood Holiday Lights: The amusement park will feature over 3 million lights, holiday rides, and entertainment from November 21 to December 24. 

Performances and arts

• Highmark Holiday Pops: A festive holiday concert by the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra at Heinz Hall, with performances from December 12 to December 21.
• A Musical Christmas Carol: The classic holiday story performed by the Pittsburgh CLO at the Byham Theater, with select performances from December 13 to December 23.
• Elf in Concert: Watch the movie with a live orchestra from November 21 to November 23 at Heinz Hall. 

Festive attractions and activities

• Pittsburgh Crèche: See the world's only approved replica of the Vatican's Nativity Scene, located at the U.S. Steel Tower.
• Holiday KidsPlay & Selfie Garden: Available from November 22 to December 21.
• Holiday Pop-Up Bars: Explore numerous themed bars like the Wigle Wonderland in the Strip District or the Naughty & Nice Christmas Experience in Gibsonia.
• UPMC Rink at PPG Place: Go ice skating to celebrate the holiday season. 

• Enjoy new, one-of-a-kind holiday experiences and immersive lighting displays:
  
  • Gather under a 50 foot tall tree at “Shimmering Square,” where you can enjoy warm beverages and holiday treats
  • Travel “Through the Stars” - a tunnel of beautiful, illuminated stars
  • Stroll through awe-inspiring, 30 foot walls of light at “Luminary Trail” 
  • Experience “Brilliance” - our nighttime spectacular around the lotus pond - enhanced by the soaring “Elevated Reflection” Sculpture from Poetic Kinetics
  • Celebrate among nightly snowfall at “Snow and Glow” 
  • See the creatures of the forest come to life as neon light
  • Get cozy with a loved one as you walk “Under the Mistletoe”
  • Experience the quiet “Garden of Reflection” adorned with beautiful stained glass windows and hundreds of candles
  • Dance your way past mirror ball snowmen in the “Disco Snowman Escape” maze
  • Enjoy our current exhibition in the Welcome Center, “In Full Bloom: A Celebration of African American Women Quilt Artists”
  • Gather for a family photo amongst larger-than-life illuminated ornaments 

DATES : November 28, 2025 - January 3, 2026

LOCATION : Pittsburgh Botanic Garden, 799 Pinkerton Run Rd, Oakdale, PA 15071

TIMES : Entry times begin at 5:00 pm and continue every 15 minutes throughout the night.

TICKETS : Tickets must be purchased for a specific time and date, and are available online only. Tickets are $28-34.75 for adults and $25-$33.75 for children (prices listed include fees) plus tax. Children 3 and under enter free.

ARRIVAL : For the all-inclusive ticket package on-site parking, please arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled entry time. For free off-site parking with ADA Accessible shuttle, please arrive 45 minutes before your ticketed entry time. 

PARKING : On-site parking is included in the all-inclusive ticket packages. 

ON-SITE PARKING ADDRESS  (All Inclusive ticket package with on-site parking required):

• Pittsburgh Botanic Garden
  799 Pinkerton Run Rd
  Oakdale, PA 15071

Complimentary off-site parking and an ADA Accessible shuttle will be provided as a FREE alternative located at Settlers Cabin Park Wave Pool. 

OFF-SITE PARKING ADDRESS (no parking pass required):

• Settlers Cabin Park Wave Pool
  600 Ridge Rd
  Robinson, PA 15205

Please arrive at the ADA Accessible Sparkling Express Shuttle stop 45 minutes before your ticketed entry time. 

ACCESSIBLE PARKING: is available at the Pittsburgh Botanic Garden on a first come, first served basis only with valid disability parking permit displayed.

FOOD : Dazzle your tastebuds with holiday-inspired nosh and nibbles along with tasty dessert options available for purchase throughout the duration of the event. Check out our beverage locations for chilled or toasty seasonal beverage selections.

WEATHER : Dazzling Nights is open  regardless of rain or snow, unless severe weather necessitates a cancellation for the safety of our team and guests. If a cancellation happens, our box office will email or text guests directly.

For further information, please check out our FAQ!

The holiday season shines bright at Kennywood! You could even say it glows with Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Come to Holiday Lights and meet Rudolph and his friends Clarice, Bumble, and Sam the Snowman. Make family memories worth repeating with these classic Christmas characters.

Plus, Holiday Lights has more dates than ever this year, giving you more chances to enjoy all the holiday festivities! Take a stroll among more than three million twinkling lights and marvel at the tallest Christmas tree in the state. Savor the flavors of new festive foods and holiday drinks. Plus, explore the new Gingerbread Junction themed area, experience 25 family and thrill rides, and enjoy special entertainment for all. 

🎄 Holiday Lights Park Map

✅ Holiday Lights has once again been nominated for "Best Theme Park Holiday Event" by USA Today 10Best. Vote Now for Pittsburgh's Home for the Holidays!

• More Than Three Million Lights
• 25 Rides & Attractions
• Seasonal Entertainment & Shows
• Visit Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, See Model trains & More!

More Information:

https://www.kennywood.com/discover-the-park/plan-your-visit/holiday-lights

Venture over to PPG Place to ice skate around the beautifully decorated 66-foot illuminated Holiday tree on The Rink at PPG Place. The outdoor ice rink is open from the public starting November 14, 2025 through March 1, 2026, with special holiday hours for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's (we highly recommend reserving your tickets in advance).

Experience the magic of skating at our spectacular, one-of-a-kind outdoor rink in the heart of PPG Plaza. Glide through a winter wonderland surrounded by stunning city views and festive lights! Book online today!

We are an outdoor ice skating rink in the center of the crown jewel of the Pittsburgh skyline, PPG Place.

Ticketing this year can be done online and pre-paid to guarantee your date and entry time slot and to avoid waiting in long lines. Walk-up in-person sales will also be available, however, long waits can occur for walk-up admission on busy dates. Waiting can be avoided if advance tickets are pre-purchased online.

Skate rentals are available online and in person. Skate sharpening is also available in the Skate Rental Office for $10 per pair. Coin-operated lockers are available during your skate for rink customers only, available on a first-come, first-served basis. We also offer skate laces, gloves, and hats.

Dress for the weather. We recommend hats, gloves, and socks. Customers with skate rentals must wear socks. We have socks available for purchase if you forget to bring a pair.

• Ages: All Ages
• Duration: 1 Hour & 45 Mins
• Rentals: Skate Rentals Available

Tuesdays, beginning January 6th, enjoy one free child admission with the purchase of an adult admission!

We are an outdoor ice skating rink in the center of the crown jewel of the Pittsburgh skyline, PPG Place.

Ticketing this year can be done online and pre-paid to guarantee your date and entry time slot and to avoid waiting in long lines. Walk-up in-person sales will also be available, however, long waits can occur for walk-up admission on busy dates. Waiting can be avoided if advance tickets are pre-purchased online.

Wednesday, beginning January 7th, enjoy a half priced student ticket with a valid ID!

We are an outdoor ice skating rink in the center of the crown jewel of the Pittsburgh skyline, PPG Place.

Ticketing this year can be done online and pre-paid to guarantee your date and entry time slot and to avoid waiting in long lines. Walk-up in-person sales will also be available, however, long waits can occur for walk-up admission on busy dates. Waiting can be avoided if advance tickets are pre-purchased online.

More Information: 

 On Saturday, Nov. 22, the celebration of Pittsburgh’s holiday season willofficially launch with the lighting of the 110th City of Pittsburgh's Christmas tree on the Portico of the City-County Building, musical entertainment on Grant Street, and the unveiling of the 23rdannual Gingerbread House Display and Competition in the building's grand lobby. 

The 110th Christmas Tree, a Norway Spruce, is coming from Leslie Park in Lawrenceville. The City of Pittsburgh Department of Public Works Forestry Division advises that there will be closures of Grant Street between Third Avenue and Fifth Avenue from 7:00 am to 4:00 pm on Saturday, November 15th, to allow the Forestry Division to transport and install the tree at theCity-County Building. On Sunday, November 16th, the northbound travel lane of Grant Street closest to the City-County Building will be closed from 6:30 am to 2:00 pm for crews to finish tree decorating.

Drivers can expect temporary delays and rolling traffic closures beginning at 7:30 am to 9:30 am along Butler Street beginning at 46th Street toward the 62nd Street Bridge, proceeding South on Route 28 towards the Veterans Bridge to Crosstown Boulevard exiting onto Grant Street. Both travel lanes at the City County Building will be closed during the installation. Roadway users will be detoured via Ross Street and Forbes Ave. ‘NO PARKING’ signage will be posted along tree route.   

NOVEMBER 22nd TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY & ENTERTAINMENT ON GRANT STREET STAGE

The City of Pittsburgh's celebration of the 2025 holiday season kicks off with the lighting of a magnificent decorated 40-foot evergreen on the Portico of the City-County Building on Saturday, November 22, as part of Highmark Light Up Night festivities. The celebration on the Portico and along Grant Street will include musical entertainment, fireworks, a light show, food trucks and the lighting of the City's official Christmas tree, the only live holiday tree in Downtown Pittsburgh. 

The tree lighting carries on a treasured tradition for the 110th year. Pittsburgh's official Christmas Tree was first erected at the construction site of the City-County Building in 1915. For more than a century, a beautiful live evergreen (the only live holiday tree Downtown) has graced the front steps of our seat of government. The 40-foot tree will be decorated with hundreds of larger-than-life ornaments, including Pittsburgh’s Coat of Arms designed by Wendell August Forge and 90 distinct ornaments, each bearing the name of Pittsburgh's beloved neighborhoods.

“Lighting the City of Pittsburgh’s Christmas Tree is one of our city’s most cherished traditions, and I’m proud to help carry it forward into its 110th year,” said Mayor Ed Gainey. “This tree stands as a symbol of the joy, unity, and resilience that define Pittsburgh, a city built on community and care for one another. I’m grateful to everyone who helps make this celebration a moment of pride for all who call Pittsburgh home.” 

Visitors to the City-County Building can also view the 23rd Annual Gingerbread House Display and Competition until 7:30 pm on November 22nd. This beloved Pittsburgh tradition has dazzled thousands of guests for over two decades. The display featuring hundreds of handmade gingerbread house creations can be viewed in the grand lobby November 22 through December 31, 2025.  

The City of Pittsburgh Christmas Tree Lighting and 23rd Annual Gingerbread Display are presented by Clearview Federal Credit Union.   

For the full schedule of events for Highmark Light Up Night by the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership visit: downtownpittsburghholidays.com. 

NOVEMBER 22nd CITY-COUNTY BUILDLING PORTICO & GRANT STREET STAGE SCHEDULE

• 4 - 4:45 pm EAST WINDS SYMPHONIC BAND SAXOPHONES
• 5 - 5:20 pm TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY
• 5:20 pm ALEX PECK TRIO
• 6:30 pm LIGHT SHOW 

As the region and the nation prepare to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States in 2026, the Senator John Heinz History Center has partnered with the Pittsburgh Society of Illustrators (PSI) on a new exhibition that uses the power of illustration to reflect on the ideals at the heart of the America’s founding — freedom, equality, justice, and liberty. Opening this Saturday, Oct. 11 in the museum’s fifth floor Barensfeld Gallery, My America: An Illustrated Experience features 63 original works of art by 35 illustrators that answer the question: what does America mean to you? From paintings and portraiture to sculpture and cartoons, the artwork asks visitors to consider how American ideals have been realized, challenged, and redefined over time. The My America exhibition invites visitors to celebrate voices that shaped our nation, embrace diverse perspectives, and continue the shared work of building a more perfect union to mark America’s 250th anniversary. Exhibit highlights include: 

• Portraits of beloved Pittsburghers like civil rights activist Daisy Lampkin, environmentalist Rachel Carson, and television host Fred Rogers
• A large-scale sculpture of 50 historical figures, including the flag-raisers at Iwo Jima, highlighted by imagery of Americans through time
• Illustrations of iconic places, from Plimoth Plantation to Pittsburgh neighborhoods, that explore the power and meaning of home and community
• The artwork “Thoughts and Prayers” which is designed to spark reflection and civil discourse about freedom of expression
• Hands-on interactives that invite you to create your own art, from designing a felt flag to piecing together a puzzle that reflects your vision of America

The exhibition also celebrates the 30th anniversary of the Pittsburgh Society of Illustrators, one of the largest illustrator groups in the United States. Visitors can meet and interact with PSI artists throughout the exhibit’s opening day on Saturday, Oct. 11. My America: An Illustrated Experience will be on view through Monday, Sept. 7, 2026. Celebrating America’s 250th in Pittsburgh The exhibition is a core component of the History Center’s year-long commemoration of the U.S. Semiquincentennial, marking the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, in partnership with America250PA. America250PA was established by the Pennsylvania state legislature and Governor in 2018 to plan, encourage, develop, and coordinate the commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, Pennsylvania’s integral role in that event, and the impact of its people on the nation’s past, present, and future. My America is also part of the History Center’s America 101 initiative, which empowers and inspires citizens to learn more about history and civics through public programs, special exhibitions, digital learning tools, and educational curriculum. Learn more at heinzhistorycenter.org. The Senator John Heinz History Center, an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution and the largest history museum in Pennsylvania, presents American history with a Western Pennsylvania connection. The History Center was voted as the #1 history museum in America by readers of USA TODAY (2024, 2025) and “Pittsburgh’s Best Museum” by Pittsburgh Magazine (2022, 2023, 2024). The History Center and Sports Museum are located at 1212 Smallman Street in Pittsburgh’s Strip District. The History Center’s family of museums includes the Sports Museum; Fort Pitt Museum in historic Point State Park; and Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village, a National Historic Landmark located in Avella, Pa., in Washington County. The History Center and Fort Pitt Museum are always free for kids, supported by the Kamin “Free for Kids” Initiative. More information is available at heinzhistorycenter.org. 

Featuring 63 original works of art by 35 illustrators, My America: An Illustrated Experience uses the power of illustration to reflect on ideals associated with the American Revolution and the pillars at the heart of the nation’s founding — freedom, equality, justice, and liberty. Image: “History of Persistence” by James Mellett.

Dates with showtimes for Do the Right Thing

Mon, Oct 20

7:00 pm

Bill Nunn

Mon, Oct 20 @ 7:00 pm: BillNunn

Director: Spike Lee Run Time: 120 min. Format: Audio Amplification AvailableRating: R Release Year: 1989

Starring: Danny Aiello, Giancarlo Esposito, Ossie Davis, Richard Edson, Ruby Dee

Join us on Monday, October 20, 2025, 7PM at Row House Cinema for BILL NUNN DAY in the City of Pittsburgh—a special celebration honoring the late, great Pittsburgh native and acclaimed stage and film actor Bill Nunn. Best known for his unforgettable role as Radio Raheem in Spike Lee’s Do the Right Thing, Nunn also made a lasting impact offscreen as the founder of the Bill Nunn Theatre Outreach Project, which expands access to theatre arts for under-served public school students and presents the Pittsburgh regional NEXT Narrative Monologue Competition and August Wilson New Voices.

This annual event launches our educational programming for the school year while paying tribute to Nunn’s extraordinary legacy. The day features a special screening of Do the Right Thing at Lawrenceville’s Row House Cinema—Spike Lee’s iconic exploration of race, policing, and human empathy, set against the backdrop of a Brooklyn pizza shop on a sweltering summer day.

A portion of the proceeds from this event will benefit the Bill Nunn Theatre Outreach Project, supporting our mission to provide transformative theatre education and opportunities for young people across the Pittsburgh region. For every ticket sold to Do the Right Thing, $4 will go directly toward sustaining this important work in our city.

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Photojournalism is work and it is livelihood, it is craft and it is documentation, it is a way to be in the world and to share the world, it is a way to resist oppression while insisting on the fullness of life.

Black Photojournalism presents work by nearly 60 photographers chronicling historic events and daily life in the United States from the conclusion of World War II in 1945 to the presidential campaigns of 1984, including the civil rights movements through the 1950s, 60s, and 70s. Drawn from archives and collections in the care of journalists, libraries, museums, newspapers, photographers, and universities, the original work prints in the exhibition were circulated and reviewed in publishing offices before anything went to print. Each one represents the energy of many dedicated individuals who worked to get out the news every single day. One picture leads to another, making visible multiple experiences of history while proposing ways of understanding today as tomorrow is being created.

Responding to a dearth of stories about Black lives told from the perspectives of Black people, Black publishers and their staff created groundbreaking editorial and photojournalistic methods and news networks. During a period of urgent social change and civil rights advocacy, newspapers and magazines, including the Afro American News, Atlanta Daily World, Pittsburgh Courier, Chicago Defender, and Ebony, transformed how people were able to access seeing themselves and their communities. Their impact on the media landscape continues into the digital present.

The exhibition, designed by artist David Hartt, is co-organized by Dan Leers, curator of photography, and Charlene Foggie-Barnett, Charles “Teenie” Harris community archivist, in dialogue with an expanded network of scholars, archivists, curators, and historians.

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