Holiday celebrations in Pittsburgh are just around the corner.
Downtown Pittsburgh will once again host some of the city's favorite holiday events in November and December, bringing back Highmark Light Up Night for its 65th year, Peoples Gas Holiday Market for its 15th year and more.
"We take the holidays very seriously in Pittsburgh," said Jeremy Waldrup, president and CEO of the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership, noting that more than 3.1 million people visited Downtown around the holidays in 2025.
"This year, we are doing it bigger and better, just in time to celebrate 65 years of Highmark Light Up Night," Waldrup said. "The footprint includes Arts Landing, which will serve as the new home for the Xfinity Holiday Jam where our headliner Daya will perform
before a supersized Grand Finale fireworks display."
Here's a look at the holiday events scheduled to take place this November and December in Downtown Pittsburgh.
Downtown Pittsburgh to celebrate holidays with tree lightings, ice skating, Santa, more
Downtown Pittsburgh hosts multiple events throughout November and December to celebrate the winter holidays. Here's a look at what's coming up:
- UPMC Ice Skating Rink at PPG Place: Located in Downtown Pittsburgh's PPG Plaza, UPMC's ice skating rink opens on Sunday, Nov. 15 and will remain open through February. The rink is about 67% larger than Rockefeller Center's ice rink and about two-thirds the size of a standard National Hockey League rink, according to the rink's website. Skates can be rented at the rink, and tickets can be purchased online.
- Peoples Gas Holiday Market: This holiday market in Downtown Pittsburgh's Market Square will feature offerings from local makers and artisans from around the world. A list of full-time and visiting vendors can be viewed online.
- Highmark Light Up Night: Spread across Downtown, this event will include holiday tree lightings, live music across multiple stages, food trucks, block parties, holiday activities and more.
- Highmark Winter Glow: An Arts Landing Light Experience: This free event runs from late November into early January and lights up Arts Landing with seasonal installations.
- Holiday KidsPlay and Selfie Garden: This event offers kids and families the opportunity to engage in fun, hands-on activities such as decorate a Mister Rogers sweater ornament, play giant games, enjoy a story time and more.
- Santa's House in Heinz Hall Courtyard: Kids can meet Santa Claus and get a photo with him at Heinz Hall Courtyard, which will be transformed into Santa's cozy house from late November through Christmas Eve.
- Holiday Window Displays in Downtown: Window shoppers can vote on their favorite holiday window displays in stores around Downtown. Competitors will be located around Downtown, with the competition kicking off in tandem with Highmark Light Up Night. The winner will receive a $500 donation to a charity of their choice.
Downtown Pittsburgh 2026 holiday event schedule
In addition to the main events happening in Downtown Pittsburgh to celebrate the holidays, there are additional shows, community gatherings, activities and more. A full event calendar can be found on Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership's website, but here's a look at when the main festivities will occur:
- UPMC Ice Skating Rink at PPG Place: Open daily from Sunday, Nov. 15 through Sunday, Feb. 28
- Peoples Gas Holiday Market: Open daily from Friday, Nov. 20 through Thursday, Dec. 24; closed Thanksgiving
- Highmark Light Up Night: Saturday, Nov. 21; starts at 4 p.m.
- Highmark Winter Glow: Open daily from Saturday, Nov. 21 through Sunday, Jan. 10
- Holiday KidsPlay and Selfie Garden: Open on weekends from Saturday, Nov. 21 through Sunday, Dec. 20
- Santa's House in Heinz Hall Courtyard: Open Saturday, Nov. 21; Thursdays and weekends from Friday, Nov. 27 through Thursday, Dec. 24 (open special days/hours the week of Christmas)
- Holiday Window Displays in Downtown: Competition starts on Saturday, Nov. 21
When is Christmas 2026?
Christmas is celebrated annually on Dec. 25. This year, the holiday falls on a Friday.
How many days until Christmas?
As of Monday, Nov. 9, Christmas was 46 days away.
Finch Walker is the Pittsburgh Connect Reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Contact Walker at FWalker@usatodayco.com. Instagram: @finchwalker_. X: @_finchwalker.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Downtown Pittsburgh holiday events, celebrations begin this weekend
