Last Updated 11/12/26
With all of the fun things to do with kids in Pittsburgh, it’s no surprise that our city has a ton of Christmas events as well. From Pittsburgh Christmas lights to festive boat rides, Christmas markets and unique Santa visits, there are so many fun Christmas things to do in Pittsburgh. Keep reading for some of our Christmas lights, events and places to see Santa in Pittsburgh.
We’re continuing to update this for the 2026 Pittsburgh holiday season. Be sure to save this post for later and check back periodically for more 2026 Pittsburgh holiday events.
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Pittsburgh Christmas Lights
There are several opportunities to view Christmas lights in Pittsburgh, either from your car or on foot. Below are a handful of Pittsburgh Christmas light displays to check out during the holiday season. A few require tickets in advance, so be sure to keep an eye out for ticket sales so you don’t miss out!
Zoo Lights Drive-Thru at the Pittsburgh Zoo
2026 brings another drive-thru Pittsburgh Christmas lights experience to the Pittsburgh Zoo. This event will feature lights all around the zoo with animal theming in a “starry safari” as well as recognizable Pittsburgh favorites. The Entrance Plaza will be open for the restroom and refreshments.
- Dates: November 27, 2026- January 3, 2027. Closed on November 30, December 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 24, 25 and 31. Will run from 5pm-10pm most nights.
- Cost: $40 per Member vehicle and $45 for non-members for date based tickets
Holiday Magic! Winter Flower Show at Phipps
Visit Phipps Conservatory & Botanical Garden for the 2026 Phipps Holiday Flower Show and Lights Garden. The beautiful lights at Phipps are one of our favorite things to do in Pittsburgh at Christmas, and we love the indoor and outdoor aspect of the display. The Winter Garden outside at Phipps also has colorful lights and displays throughout.
Another highlight of the holiday flower show at Phipps is the amazing Garden Train at Phipps, which is themed Fairies and Gnomes for 2026. When you head outside to tour the light garden, be sure to grab a hot chocolate or a glass of wine to tour the groups.
- Dates: November 20, 2026- January 10, 2027
- Cost: Ticket prices are tiered for the holiday light show at Phipps. You can find details here.
Overlys Christmas Village
See the drive-through Overlys Christmas Village light display in Westmoreland County. It’s great if you’re looking for holiday things to do in Pittsburgh without going into the city, and you can walk around the Christmas village for a chance to see Santa up close. There are also more things to do at Overlys like a Kids’ Express Christmas train, model train display at Hartman Station, a manger with live animals and Henny Hemlock the talking Christmas tree.
- Location: 116 Blue Ribbon Lane, Greensburg
- Dates: Select dates from November 19- December 30, 2026
- Cost: $5 per person to walkthrough or $25 per carload of 8 or less people
Kennywood Holiday Lights
The Christmas lights at Kennywood include more than 3 million lights throughout the park, and they’re one of the most popular Christmas activities in Pittsburgh. In addition to the Holiday Reflects Light Show, more than 25 rides and attractions are open (including several kiddie rides.) There’s themed shows and entertainment, along with a model train display and meeting Santa. You can also visit with Rudolph and friends at the Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Experience and visit Gingerbread Junction for the life-sized Gingerbread Express.
For an additional fee, you can book dinner with Santa at Kennywood, which includes a buffet with Santa, Mrs. Claus and more.
- Location: 4800 Kennywood Blvd, West Mifflin, PA 15122
- Dates: Select dates Nov 13, 2026- Jan 3, 2027
- Cost: Tickets start at $21.99 for advanced purchase online
North Park Christmas Light Show
Enjoy the holiday laser light show at North Park from the comfort of your car. This drive-in experience is located in the North Park Pool Parking lot and lasts about 40 minutes. The 2026 Holiday Light Show at North Park will play several family favorite Christmas songs (as well as a Hanukah song or two) with lights synchronized to music from your car.
- Location: North Park Pool Parking Lot
- Dates: December 17- 23, 2026
- Cost: $30 per vehicle. 2026 tickets will be available here on November 30.
More places to see Christmas lights in Pittsburgh include:
- Clinton Christmas lights near Pittsburgh in Findley, PA
- Dazzling Nights: Holiday lights at Pittsburgh Botanic Gardens
Downtown Pittsburgh Holiday Events
There are typically so many great holiday events in Pittsburgh, with Light Up Night being the unofficial start of Christmas in Pittsburgh. The 2026 Light Up Night in Pittsburgh date is November 21, 2026. Pittsburgh’s Light Up Night includes several festivities like fireworks and live music in addition to the tree lighting ceremony at 5pm.
Additional Pittsburgh Christmas events downtown include:
- The Downtown Pittsburgh Christmas Market has a European Christmas market feel with several vendors selling hand crafted goods, typically from November 21- December 24. (Closed Thanksgiving.)
- Stop by PPG place for *the* Pittsburgh Christmas tree as well as seasonal ice skating at PPG rink.
- Visit Santa in Downtown Pittsburgh at the Heinz Hall Courtyard. (Dates & Times are TBD.)
Light Up Nights near Pittsburgh are also taking place in most towns, including Norwin, Robinson Township and Cranberry.
Pittsburgh Santa Visits & Christmas Activities
We’re lucky to have so many fun things to do in Pittsburgh with kids. Many of our favorite Pittsburgh attractions also offer Santa visits and other activities throughout the holiday season. If you’re wondering where to see Santa in Pittsburgh in 2026or looking for fun things to this holiday season, check out the list below.
- Cruise on the Gateway Clipper with Santa on a special Santa visit and dance party.
- Celebrate the holidays at the Kamin Science Center. In the past they had special screenings of Polar Express and a holiday laser show. 2026 holiday events are TBD.
- Visit the National Aviary for Season’s Greetings Saturdays, which includes holiday crafts and activities Saturday November 28 and December 5, 12 and 19. Santa will be at the Aviary on December 12 only, which the Grinch and an animal friend will be there the other 3 weekends.
- See Santa at Heinz History Center on November 28 from 10:30am-1:30pm, and don’t forget- kids are now free at Heinz History Center!
- Santa sightings and mini golf at the holiday lights course at Fun Fore All in Cranberry
- See Santa near Pittsburgh at the Santa Trolley at the Trolley Museum in Washington, PA.
- If you’re looking to get out of the city, you can experience the Holiday Market at Freedom Farms on November 28 and 29.
Breakfast with Santa: Pittsburgh Area Options
If you’re looking to have brunch or breakfast with Santa in Pittsburgh, these events tend to fill up fast! Below are some fun options for breakfast, brunch or lunch with Santa in Pittsburgh that should be available in 2026.
- Brunch with Santa at Crowne Plaza on Fort Couch Rd- November 29th 11am-3pm
- Breakfast or Lunch with Santa at the Pittsburgh Zoo Saturdays & Sundays in December here
- Brunch with Santa in Gibsonia at The North Park Lounge every Saturday from Nov 28- Dec 20 9am- 1pm. Breakfast with the Grinch is on Nov 22, and the Naughty and Nice Christmas Pop Up at Hilltop Events Center is also returning Nov 19.
- Breakfast with Santa at Dave and Busters North Hills Dec 5
- Breakfast with Santa at Freedom Farms Dec 5th & 6th 8-11am
- Santa Breakfast in Fox Chapel at Baja Bar & Grill Dec 5th 10am-12pm
- Breakfast with Santa at Fairmont Hotel December 13th
Pittsburgh Malls with Santa
Of course, we can’t forget about the malls in Pittsburgh with Santa visits in 2026. With several malls in the Pittsburgh area there’s no shortage of photo ops with Santa. Below are a few options for seeing Santa in Pittsburgh at the mall. Note: Reservations in advanced are strongly encouraged.
- Ross Park Mall Santa will be available on select dates starting November 6, 2026. Find more details here on getting pictures with Santa at Ross Park Mall.
- South Hills Village Santa is expected to start visits on November 13, 2026. Check here for details.
- The Mall at Robinson Santa at Toyland is available Nov 20- Dec 24, 2026 11am-5pm. Find more information here.
- Westmoreland Mall Santa arrives on November 7, 2026. For more details on visiting Santa at Westmoreland mall, check here.
Visiting Pittsburgh During the Holidays?
If you’ll be in Pittsburgh at Christmas, be sure to check out our list of the best things to do Pittsburgh with toddlers. (This is a great list of things to do for kids of almost all ages!)
For family friendly hotels in Pittsburgh, we recommend the hotels below. They’re all Pittsburgh hotels with pools and they offer larger rooms and suites for families. I’m also a Pittsburgh based travel agent- feel free to contact me at amanda@uponastartravel.com for assistance with planning a holiday trip to Pittsburgh!
- The Westin Pittsburgh right next to the Pittsburgh Convention Center
- The Embassy Suites Hotel in Downtown Pittsburgh
- The Hampton Inn & Suites Pittsburgh- Downtown by the Heinz History Center
Do you have any favorites things to do during Christmas in Pittsburgh? We’d love to hear in the comments!
Happy Holidays from our family to yours!
Related Posts:
- The Best Kid-Friendly Restaurants in Pittsburgh
- 25+ Weekend Trips from Pittsburgh
- 13 Fun Things to do in Pittsburgh with Kids
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One of the much awaited person to meet during Christmas, would you agree? Kids and kids at heart would love to meet and greet Santa. Thanks for sharing this post.
Completely agree! Thanks for reading : )