Holly Jolly Happenings!-Norwin and Murrysville
From twinkling lights and tree lightings to holiday markets, visits with Santa, festive performances, and family-friendly fun, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Welcoming the Season
Light Up Ligonier
When: November 27
Where: Town Hall, 120 East Main Street, Ligonier
For more info: business.ligonier.com/events
Santa is coming to town! Count down to light up the Diamond, enjoy a horse-drawn sleigh ride and visit with Santa!
Light Up Norwin
When: November 19
Where: Main Street, Downtown Irwin
For more info: discoverirwin.com
Get all the holiday “feels” at this fun family event! Arrive early to enjoy yummy food from the food trucks and local restaurants, peruse the shops for gift ideas, watch the festive parade, and visit with Santa. Shuttles will be available. The event is organized by the Norwin Rotary.
Light Up the Park
When: December 4
Where: Founders Park, 889 Weatherwood Lane, Greensburg
For more info: hempfieldtwp.com
Have a fun night filled with laughter and cheer celebrating the holiday season. Registration is required.
Penn Hills Light Up Night
When: December 3
Where: Penn Hills Government Center, 102 Duff Road, Penn Hills
For more info: pennhillspa.gov
Kick off your holidays with the tree lighting followed by a visit with Santa, arts & crafts vendors, activities for kids and free refreshments.
Winter Nights at the Museum
When: Fridays, November 20 through January 15 (closed Dec. 25 and Jan. 1)
Where: The Westmoreland Museum of American Art, 221 North Main Street, Greensburg
For more info: thewestmoreland.org
Enjoy a magical night at the museum exploring the Winter Tales immersive experience that brings winter-inspired artwork to life. Enjoy a complimentary seasonal hot beverage, specialty drinks at the cash bar, and fun art-making activities.
Holiday Festivals and Fun
Christmas Cookie Tour
When: December 4
Where: Main Street, Downtown Irwin
For more info: discoverirwin.com
This annual family tradition is a favorite get-you-in-the-Christmas-mood event!
Community Night: Winter Wonderland
When: November 13
Where: The Westmoreland Museum of American Art, 221 North Main Street, Greensburg
For more info: thewestmoreland.org
Enjoy the sparkling outdoor light display on its opening night! Live performances and interactive demonstrations will add to the event. You can also step inside the museum to experience the Winter Tales installation.
Delmont Christmas Pilgrimage
When: December 5 & 6
Where: Beginning at Shields Farm Log Cabin, East Pittsburgh Street, Delmont
For more info: delmontpilgrimage.com
On an approximately 30-minute walk, attendees will encounter eight live-action scenes portraying the Christmas story. Live animals, dramatic music, and soft lighting add to an unforgettable experience. Five churches in Delmont will feature different activities and food. Free bus shuttles are available between churches and will run every 5-10 minutes.
Downtown Irwin Holiday Street Market
When: November 14
Where: Main Street, Downtown Irwin
For more info: discoverirwin.com
Celebrate the season with unique shopping, dining and holiday cheer. Look for amazing gifts while supporting local businesses from Oak Street to Depot Alley.
Have Yourself a Merry Local Christmas
When: November 14 and December 5
Where: Lone Oak Farm, 1606 Georgeville Road, Marion Center
For more info: loneoakfarmpa.com
Small business vendors, a Santa experience, live Christmas music, food trucks, a charitable basket raffle, and lots of baked goods made from scratch will all be part of this fun annual event.
Holiday Mart at the Museum Shop
When: December 3–5
Where: The Westmoreland, 221 North Main Street, Greensburg
For more info: thewestmoreland.org
This festive three-day shopping event features regional artisans showcasing unique handcrafted items available for gifting to others or to yourself!
Howl-iday Party
When: December 12 and December 19
Where: Walkers Pet HoTail, 1751 Lincoln Highway, North Versailles (Dec. 12), 4603 William Penn Highway, Murrysville (Dec. 19)
For more info: walkerspethotail.com
Load up the sleigh with the dogs (and the kids too) for some holiday cheer at Walkers’ annual Howl-iday Party! Goody bags, gifts, games, refreshments, and pictures with Santa Paws will all be part of the festivities. This event is free to attend. Check the website for times and more details.
Santa at Sardis: A Holiday Celebration
When: December 5
Where: Sardis Park, Rocky Hill Lane, Murrysville
For more info: murrysvilleparecreation.com
This holiday celebration will offer campfires and s’mores, hot cocoa, cookies and pictures with Santa! Parking is limited, so families are encouraged to carpool. Guests are also encouraged to bring their own chairs.
Handcrafted for the Holidays
Celebrate the Seasons Craft Show
When: November 7
Where: First Presbyterian Church (Laird Hall), 3202 North Hills Road, Murrysville
For more info: firstpresbymurrysville.com
Get into the holiday spirit! A variety of vendors will be selling gifts and handmade crafts for fall and winter, plus there will be a large selection of pre-owned items.
Greater Pittsburgh Arts & Crafts Holiday Spectacular
When: November 20–22
Where: Monroeville Convention Center, 209 Mall Boulevard, Monroeville
For more info: facebook.com/ArtsCraftsHolidayPGH
Don’t miss one of the area’s biggest shows! This event features more than 300 indoor booths of arts, crafts, and pre-packaged foods in two huge exhibit halls. Whether you are looking for new decor items for the holidays or you are ready to start (or finish!) your Christmas shopping, you are sure to find something to suit your style and budget.
Greensburg Night Market
When: November 18 and December 10
Where: South Pennsylvania Avenue, Downtown Greensburg
For more info: greensburgnightmarket.com
More than 100 vendors will line the street, including farmers, artists, crafters, food producers, food trucks and everything in between.
Penn Hills Parks & Recreation 27th Annual Holiday Craft Show
When: November 21
Where: Linton Middle School, 250 Aster Street, Penn Hills
For more info: pennhillspa.gov
Lots of homemade arts and crafts at more than 100 booths will make for great holiday shopping. There will be door prizes, gift card raffles, and concessions available for purchase.
Santapalooza Holiday Market
When: December 5 & 6
Where: Westmoreland Mall, 5256 US-30, Greensburg
For more info: fairsandfestivals.net
Explore a variety of unique and high-quality options by shopping local vendors. Find great gifts while supporting your community and small businesses.
White Oak Recreation Board Holiday Craft Show
When: December 5
Where: White Oak Athletic Association, 1798 Lower Heckman Road, White Oak
For more info: woboro.com
This show will offer a variety of handcrafted and unique items created by local artisans, along with sweets and treats for the holidays.
Seasonal Shows
‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ Presented by McKeesport Little Theater Juniors
When: December 4–13
Where: 1614 Coursin Street, McKeesport
For more info: mckeesportlittletheater.com
This Roald Dahl story is a family favorite, with something for everyone!
Edgewood Symphony Orchestra’s Holiday Extravaganza
When: December 5
Where: First Presbyterian Church of Edgewood, 120 East Swissvale Avenue, Edgewood
For more info: edgewoodsymphony.org
Take the family to enjoy this festive concert of seasonal favorites, sparkling surprises, and a popular sing-along.
Greensburg Civic Theatre Presents ‘Newsies Jr.’
When: December 4 & 5
Where: Greensburg Civic Theatre, 951 Old Salem Road, Greensburg
For more info: gctheatre.org
Disney’s “Newsies Jr.” is a one-hour version of the 2012 Broadway musical. It’s a story of a powerful newspaper and its newsboys who go on strike because of unfair treatment.
Holiday Brass: Deck the Halls with River City Brass
When: December 3 and December 5
Where: Linton Middle School, 250 Aster Street, Penn Hills (Dec. 3); The Palace Theatre, 21 West Otterman Street, Greensburg (Dec. 5)
For more info: rivercitybrass.org
The River City Brass band will bring timeless classics to life in this magical holiday celebration.
Holiday Shows at The Palace Theatre
When: Starting November 25 through the end of December (Check the schedule online.)
Where: 21 West Otterman Street, Greensburg
For more info: thepalacetheatre.org
The Palace Theatre hosts a variety of holiday shows to satisfy any taste. Performances include Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland, The Nutcracker Ballet, Sounds of Christmas, A Motown Christmas, Home for the Holidays and more. Visit the website for the schedule of events.
‘The Jazzy Nutcracker’
When: December 19 & 20
Where: Seton Hill University Performing Arts Center, 100 Harrison Avenue, Greensburg
For more info: setonhill.edu/events
The Seton Hill University Dance Academy presents “The Jazzy Nutcracker.” This performance is a fun, exciting version of the classic story.
Lights Out Presents ‘It’s a Very Valli Holiday’
When: December 5
Where: The Oaks Theater, 310 Allegheny River Boulevard, Oakmont
For more info: theoakstheater.com
Lights Out brings an action-packed show, complete with the hit songs of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons and your favorite holiday classics woven throughout a wonderland of tight harmonies, choreography, comedy and audience participation.
Sounds of Christmas
When: December 6
Where: The Oaks Theater, 310 Allegheny River Boulevard, Oakmont
For more info: theoakstheater.com
This year’s show will be an unforgettable experience featuring an exciting blend of music, costumes and dance.
The Theatre Factory Presents ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’
When: December 4–6 and 10–12
Where: 200 Freeport Road, New Kensington
For more info: thetheatrefactory.org
This musical about the trials and triumphs in the biblical story of Joseph is a great show for all ages.
Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra: Home for the Holidays
When: December 19
Where: The Palace Theatre, 21 West Otterman Street, Greensburg
For more info: westmorelandsymphony.org
Don’t miss this joyful concert where you can sing along to your favorite carols and enjoy the All-Star Choir of Westmoreland County conducted by Andrés Franco. Gather the whole family and experience the magic of this popular annual performance.
Winter Wellness and Whimsy
Greenberg’s Great Train & Toy Show
When: November 7 & 8
Where: Monroeville Convention Center, 209 Mall Boulevard, Monroeville
For more info: greenbergshows.com
This train show is designed for children of all ages, featuring hundreds of tables of trains, accessories, scale models and collectible toys for sale as well as huge operating exhibits, activities for kids, free seminars and educational opportunities.
Steel City Con
When: December 5–7
Where: Monroeville Convention Center, 209 Mall Boulevard, Monroeville
For more info: steelcitycon.com
This event is one of the largest comic cons with more than 100,000 square feet of convention space and around 600 vendor and artist tables, plus celebrity guests. Meet TV and film celebrities along with Q&As, panels, photo ops and the Artist Charity Quick Sketch, cosplay, trivia and costume contests.
Holidays in the Burgh
‘A Musical Christmas Carol’
When: December 11–23
Where: Byham Theater, 101 Sixth Street, Downtown Pittsburgh
For more info: pittsburghclo.org
This show is the spirit of the season, wrapped up with your favorite yuletide melodies and some holiday magic. See Scrooge, Bob Cratchit, Tiny Tim, and a host of other colorful characters in the classic Dickens story.
Handmade Arcade’s Holiday Market
When: December 4–6
Where: David L. Lawrence Convention Center, 1000 Fort Duquesne Boulevard, Downtown Pittsburgh
For more info: handmadearcade.org/holiday-market
This massive market boasts 275 independent makers selling lots of unique handmade gifts.
Highmark Holiday Pops
When: December 11–20 (Check the website for specific performance dates.)
Where: Heinz Hall, 600 Penn Avenue, Downtown Pittsburgh
For more info: pittsburghsymphony.org
Celebrate with the Pittsburgh Symphony, the Mendelssohn Choir, and special guests in this annual offering of seasonal music.
Highmark Light Up Night
When: November 21
Where: Downtown Pittsburgh (various locations)
For more info: visitpittsburgh.com
This official kickoff to the Pittsburgh holiday season combines long-standing traditions and new holiday experiences with a supersized fireworks display as the big finale.
Holiday Brass Spectacular
When: December 17
Where: Heinz Hall, 600 Penn Avenue, Downtown Pittsburgh
For more info: pittsburghsymphony.org
This is a festive holiday tradition featuring timeless masterpieces as well as new arrangements of holiday favorites by Pittsburgh Symphony musicians.
Jingle Bell Run (Pittsburgh)
When: December 5
Where: North Shore Drive and Mazeroski Way, Pittsburgh (North Shore)
For more info: events.arthritis.org/jbrpittsburgh
Be part of this signature Arthritis Foundation event! Wear your favorite holiday attire and gather a team of family, friends and co-workers to run, walk or stroll to help raise funds in support of arthritis research and treatment.
Kennywood Holiday Lights
When: November 13 through January 3 (Check the website for select dates.)
Where: Kennywood Park, 4800 Kennywood Boulevard, West Mifflin
For more info: kennywood.com
Take a stroll among more than 3 million twinkling lights and marvel at the giant Christmas tree! Savor the flavors of festive foods and holiday drinks while enjoying rides for the kids and special entertainment for all.
The UPMC Rink at PPG Place
When: Check the website for this year’s dates.
Where: PPG Place, between Third and Fourth Avenue, Downtown Pittsburgh
For more info: ppgplace.com
The UPMC Rink at PPG Place comes alive every holiday season! Thousands enjoy ice skating in the open air around a huge Christmas tree on a spectacular one-of-a-kind rink.
Zoo Lights Drive-Thru
When: November 27 through January 3 (Check the website for select nights.)
Where: Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium, 7370 Baker Street, Highland Park
For more info: pittsburghzoo.org
The Pittsburgh Zoo will glow with holiday magic for this special holiday experience.
We love to inform our readers about fun events happening in our local communities. Send an email message to d.mountain@icmags.com if you have details about a future event in the area.
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