Holiday Happenings & Gift Guide
December 7 Holiday @ the C&RC Activities FREE Music, crafts, treats, Santa & December 7 & 8 more, 11am - 2pm, Community & Christmas in the Village & Parades Recreation Center, Twp. Upper St. Clair Vendors, choirs, children's crafts • twpusc.org & activities, Saturday 2 - 9pm & Sunday 2 - 7pm, December 1, 7 - 8, 14 - 15 & 21 - 24 Old Economy Village, Ambridge Pictures with Santa • oldeconomyvillage.org Visit A Very Merry Pittsburgh Exhibit & December 7 Santa Claus, 11am - 2pm, Heinz History Holly Jolly Christmas Center • heinzhistorycenter.org/events in Latrobe Santa, children's activities, barrel December 6 - 8 train rides, live entertainment Holiday Express and Light-Up night & more, the first 300 children at December 8 FREE Polar Express Movie, train ride, Santa's Party in the Park (from Skate with Santa Santa Claus & more, Hopewell Township 10am - noon) will receive a gift He's making a list and checking Municipal Complex, Aliquippa bag! 10am - 3pm, Downtown it twice – on ice, Noon - 4pm, • hopewelltwp.com Latrobe • HollyJollyLatrobe.com South Park Ice Rink • alleghenycounty.us/special- events
December 7 December 7 Elf: The Sleepover An Olde Town Christmas FREE Carolers, hayrides, Santa & more, December 8 See the holiday classic Elf in the Annual Christmas Festival Rangos Giant Cinema, carry out Noon - 5pm, South Broad Street, Grove City • visitmercercountypa.com FREE Live music & entertainment, 4pm, festive science experiments and Passavant Center at Thiel College, create a delicious hot chocolate December 7 Greenville • visitmercercountypa.com concoction. Sat., 6pm - Sun., Christmas on the Farm 9:30am, Carnegie Science Center Christmas trees, wreaths, crafts, live December 9 • carnegiesciencecenter.org entertainment & more, 11am - 5pm, Family Ornament & Card Night Freedom Farms Event Center, Valencia FREE Make and take home holiday • freedomfarmspa.com ornaments & make holiday cards to send our military friends, 6:30 - 7:15pm, Peters Twp. Public Library, McMurray December 7 • ptlibrary.org Pictures with Santa FREE Pictures, crafts, live music & more, continued on page 28 Noon - 3pm, Laughlin Memorial Library, Ambridge • visitbeavercounty.com Events with a box around them December 7 have an advertisement within the Christmas Bazaar publication. Live performances & more, benefits Chippewa Meals on Wheels 9am - 3pm, All events & costs are subject to Chippewa United Methodist Church, change. Please confirm before you go. Beaver Falls • visitbeavercounty.com
26 DECEMBER 2019 Holiday Happenings & Gift Guide PittsburghParent.com continued on page 32 Western Pennsylvania Model Railroad Museum 32nd Annual Holiday Train Display
Fridays and Weekends For more information visit us on... Nov. 9 through Jan. 12, 2020 Hours: Website: wpmrm.org Fri., 6 - 9pm • Sat. & Sun., 11am - 5pm Facebook: facebook.com/wpmrm Extended Hours: Twitter: @wpmrm_org Nov. 29 & Dec. 27 11am - 9pm Instagram: @wpmrm Special Holiday Hours: Phone: 724-444-6944 Dec. 26 through 31 11am - 5pm 5507 Lakeside Dr. Gibsonia | Requested Donation: Adults $10.00, Children 12 & under $5.00
PittsburghParent.com Holiday Happenings & Gift Guide DECEMBER 2019 27 continued on page 32 HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS continued from page 26 December 14 – Super Science Saturday: Holidays Around the World December 15 December 14 Holiday-themed stations throughout the museum, learn through artifacts, holiday Skate with Santa Santa at the Log Cabin He's making a list and checking FREE - Visit Santa, reindeer barn, foods & crafts, pet Sven the friendly it twice – on ice, Noon - 4pm, inflatables, train display & more, McCarl reindeer & send a letter to Santa, North Park Ice Rink Industrial and Agricultural Museum of 8:30am - 10pm, Carnegie Museum of • alleghenycounty.us/special- Beaver County, Darlington • facebook. Natural History • carnegiemnh.org events com/events/1232143553618169
December 14 December 19 December 14 Meet Belsnickel Family Movie Night Winter Wonderland Meet the grumpy, fur-clad FREE The Grinch, 6:30pm, . Public Library, McMurray Pajama Party version of Santa Claus familiar Peters Twp • (*PR) ptlibrary.org Jam out in your favorite winter in Pennsylvania Dutch country, PJ's, take a holiday photo, make Old Economy Village, Ambridge gifts, eat cookies and enjoy • (*PR preferred) storytime, 5 - 7pm Carnegie oldeconomyvillage.org December 21 Museum of Art • cmoa.org Santa Ski Day Ski & snowboard dressed in your Kris Kringle red & white, 3:30 - December 14 – Jingle Bell Run 9pm, Boyce Park Four Seasons Get your jingle on and support the Lodge • aalleghenycounty.us/ December 14 Arthritis Foundation, 7:30am, StageAE, special-events Creation Stations: Mrs. North Shore • (*PR) events.arthritis.org Claus is Checking it Twice FREE, Visit for Story Time read by Mrs. Claus, face painting & more, 11am - 2pm, Fifth Avenue Place • FifthAvenuePlacePA.com
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December 25 December 28 – Sensory Friendly December 7 & 8 Annual FREE Christmas Day Dinner Saturday: Holidays Around the World Milk & Cookies with Santa FREE, 11:30am - 3pm, Beaver Falls High Holiday-themed stations throughout the Cranberry Twp. Municipal Center School, Beaver Falls • 724-846-3751 museum, learn through artifacts, holiday • (*PR)cranberrytownship.org November 22 - December 23 foods & crafts, pet Sven the friendly December 8 Peoples Gas Holiday Market reindeer & send a letter to Santa, Breakfast with Santa Inspired by the German Christkindl- 8:30am - 10pm, Carnegie Museum of Breakfast, activities, stories, Santa & markts, crafts, food & entertainment, Natural History • carnegiemnh.org more, 9 - 10:30am, Pine Community Market Square, Pittsburgh Center, Wexford • twp.pine.pa.us • downtownpittsburghholidays.com December 14 November 22 - January 1 December 30 Cookies with Santa Spirit of Giving from Around the World Skate with Parker FREE Cookies, refreshments & holiday Open 7 days a week, PPG Place, Skate with Parker the Chipmunk crafts, 10am - noon, Boyce Park Four Pittsburgh • ppgplace.com Noon - 4pm, South Park Ice Seasons Lodge November 23 - December 21 Rink • alleghenycounty.us/ • alleghenycounty.us/special-eventspx Horse Drawn Carriage Rides special-events Saturdays, Fourth Avenue next to the PPG Place Plaza • ppgplace.com Holiday December 27 Let's Eat Performances Skate with Parker Skate with Parker the Chipmunk Noon - 4pm, North Park Ice with Santa Rink • alleghenycounty.us/ special-events Thru January 1 December 7 Holiday Magic Laser Shows Breakfast with Santa Festive laser show that is perfect Breakfast, make reindeer food, pictures November 28 - December 15 – Annual for the whole family, & more, 9am - 12:30pm, Butler Twp. Park Carnegie Science Center Beaver County Christmas Extravaganza Building, Butler • bcpr.recdesk.com Elf Land, pony rides, Santa Land, Gin- • carnegiesciencecenter.org gerbread House Display, live entertain- December 7 ment & more, F - S & S, Noon - 9pm, Cookies with Santa Brady's Run Lodge Park, Beaver Falls FREE Cookies, refreshments & holiday • beavercountyfestivaloftrees.org crafts, 10am - noon, Round Hill Park Visitors Center • alleghenycounty.us/ special-eventspx continued on page 30
PittsburghParent.com Holiday Happenings & Gift Guide DECEMBER 2019 29 Angella Di is a fashion and design company that features bold colors and unique pop-art style designs printed on white canvas shoes. • Two feature patterns: Lipstick and Bubble Gum. • The Bubble Gum pattern bringing the fun to your little one’s wardrobe! • Available in a select number of children and adult sizes. • Available on Amazon. We will be releasing two new and adorable seasonal patterns for November and December! Follow us on our social media sites so you don’t miss them or our holiday discounts.
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HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS continued from page 29 December 7 Holly Jolly Holiday Concert B.C Taylor & other guest artists, 7 - November 23 - December 15 8:30pm, Hopewell Area High School, Elf JR. The Musical Aliquippa • visitbeavercounty.com Buddy, a young orphan, mistakenly is transported to the North Pole. The December 12 - 15 would-be elf is raised, unaware that he A Lyrical Christmas Carol is actually a human, S & S, Little Lake December 12 - 14, 7:30pm & December Theatre Company, Canonsburg 15, 2pm, New Hazlett Theater, • littlelake.org Pittsburgh • pittsburghmusicals.com December 13 - 15 December 6 - 29 Miracle on 34th Street The Nutcracker Live production, The Guthrie Theater, Presented by the Pittsburgh Ballet Grove City • visitmercercountypa.com Theater, Benedum Center • pbt.org December 14 &15 December 13 - 22 December 6 - 8 It's A USO Christmas The Nutcracker The Strand Theater, Zelienople North Pole Musical Presented by the Carnegie South Park Children's Theater • sites. • thestrandtheater.org Performing Arts Center, Andrew google.com/a/southparktheatre.com Carnegie Music Hall, Carnegie December 6 - 15 • carnegieperformingartscenter.com Elf December 21 F - S & S, Comtra Theatre, Cranberry Sensory Friendly Concert: Twp. • comtratheatre.org December 13 - 22 Holiday Pops December 7 Highmark Holiday Pops Deck the halls with boughs Holiday Traditions Deck the halls with boughs of of holly, a judgement-free Presented by the Butler County holly & all your favorite holiday environment that is welcoming Symphony Orchestra, 7:30pm, Butler music, fun for the whole family, to all, pre-concert activities Intermediate High School, Butler Heinz Hall start at 1:15pm, show starts at • visitbutlercounty.com • pittsburghsymphony.org 2:30pm, Heinz Hall • pittsburghsymphony.org
December 7 - 22 Velveteen Rabbit S & S, Gemini Children's Theater, December 28 – A Charlie Brown McKees Rocks Christmas Live on Stage • geminitheater.org A Cohen & Grigsby Trust Presents, 5pm & 7:30pm, Byham Theater • trustarts.org
30 DECEMBER 2019 Holiday Happenings & Gift Guide PittsburghParent.com December 15 Community Christmas & Live Nativity FREE Live Nativity, stories, carolers & more, 5 - 8pm, South Side Historical Village, Hookstown Fairgrounds • visitbeavercounty.com December 22 & 23 Live Nativity FREE Animals, refreshments & children's crafts, 6 - 8pm, First Baptist Church of Rochester • bcrochester.wixsite.com November 22 - December 30 Overly’s Country Christmas Gates open at 5:30pm, Westmoreland Holiday Exhibits, County • overlys.com November 22 - January 3 Gingerbread House Display Lights & Tours & Competition Grand Lobby of the historic Pittsburgh City-County Building on Grant Street December 2 downtown • ppgplace.com Carnegie Carnegie Tree Lighting Annual tree lighting, create ornaments November 22 - January 3 while munching on treats & sing carols, Spirits of Giving from 6:30 - 7:30pm, Andrew Carnegie Around the World Free Library & Music Hall Lobbies of One PPG Place & Two PPG • carnegiecarnegie.org Place • ppgplace.com December 7 November 29 - January 1 Christmas in the Park Christmas in the Park FREE 5 - 8pm, Townsend Park, New Drive through lighted displays, Brighton • visitbeavercounty.com Grove City Park, Grove City • grovecityareachamber.com December 7 Friday, Dec. 13 at 8:00 p.m. Christmas at Vicary Mansion Thru December 31 Demonstrations, live music, decorated Kraynak's Santa's Christmasland Saturday, Dec. 14 at 2:30 p.m. & 8:00 p.m. trees & more, 2 - 8pm, The Captain Decorated Christmas trees, animated Sunday, Dec. 15 at 2:30 p.m. William Vicary Mansion, Freedom figures & more, Kraynak's, Hermitage • bchrlf.org/events • kraynaks.com/christmas.html Friday, Dec. 20 at 8:00 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21 at 8:00 p.m. December 8 December 7 – Zelienople Historical Christmas Light Parade Society Christmas House Tour Sunday, Dec. 22 at 2:30 p.m. & 7:00 p.m. 5pm, Main Street, Greenville Catered lunch & quilt raffle, 9am Sensory-Friendly Performance • visitmercercountypa.com - 2pm, St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Saturday, Dec. 21 at 2:30 p.m. Zelienople • 724-452-9457 December 14 Deck the halls with boughs of holly – Nativity Showcase & House Tour FREE Over 100 nativity sets from around and all of your favorite holiday music. the world, 2 - 5:30pm, Chippewa United Bring the whole family to Heinz Hall Methodist Church, Beaver Falls and experience Pittsburgh’s • chippewaumc.org holiday tradition! FEATURING: Daniel Meyer, conductor continued on page 33 Ashley Brown, vocals Chris Sanders, special guest The Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh [MATTHEW MEHAFFEY, DIRECTOR] Three Rivers Ringers handbell ensemble Point Park University Vocal Trio Attack Theatre
Heinz Hall Box Office 412.392.4900 pittsburghsymphony.org
HOLIDAY SPONSOR
PittsburghParent.com Holiday Happenings & Gift Guide DECEMBER 2019 31 Multi-cultural experiences for the whole Family this holiday season By Christina Katz
hile you are gathering everyone together for holiday adventures, why not introduce some new cultural experiences? Nothing pulls the family together better than activities where everyone gets to pitch in. While traditions can be com- forting during the darker months, introducing variety into your holiday routines can spice up future memories. WCarry some green into the gloom Try a taste of Hanukkah Most people are familiar If you have never made with Christmas tradition and enjoyed fresh potato of bringing cut trees and pancakes, your family is evergreen tree branches in for a treat! Latkes are into homes to symbolize the traditional fare during anticipation of earth’s re- Hanukkah, the Jewish greening at the conclusion Festival Of Lights. The of winter. Why not visit a story of Hanukkah involves tree farm this year, even if lantern oil miraculously you have a plastic tree? You lasting much longer than could always bring home a expected, which is why oil- less-than-perfect tree and centric foods are featured deconstruct it into boughs throughout the eight days to deck your halls. Do your research online for the best match and nights of this holiday. But don’t take my word for it, whip for your needs. up a batch of latkes with dinner tonight. You probably already Often tree farms close to town supply saws, so all you have have most of the ingredients on hand. to do is dress for the weather and pile in the car. Farms fur- Potato Latke Recipe ther from the maddening crowds might be a little more do-it- yourself, so be sure to check reviews about tree quality and se- • 2 cups coarsely grated baking potatoes, peeled lection. After your have happily picked a tree, cut it down and • 3 large eggs secured it to your car roof, why not treat the family to a hot bev- • 1-1/2 tablespoons all-purpose flour erage? Don’t forget to take plenty of selfies! continued on page 34 Winter Fun Skate with Santa Skate with Santa Santa Ski Day Skate with Parker Skate with Parker Snowtubing with Parker Snowfest 2020
32 DECEMBER 2019 Holiday Happenings & Gift Guide PittsburghParent.com HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS continued from page 31 Holly Jolly Christmas in Laobe Featuring Santa’s Party in the Park Miniature It’s an all-day Christmas celebration in the heart of downtown Latrobe! Railroad Saturday, December 7, 2019 10am – 3pm This Annual, Family-Friendly Event features: November 9 - January 12 • Santa Claus • Mrs. Claus’s Reading Corner • Children’s Activities 32nd Annual • Live Music & Entertainment • Barrel Train Rides • Food Vendors • Crafters Holiday Display • Artwork, Pottery, Jewelry & More at Latrobe Art Center • Shop at Latrobe Downtown Merchants to Win Prizes! Extended Hours Nov. 29 & Dec. 27. Special Holiday Hours, Dec. The first 300 children at Santa’s Party in the Park (om 10am - noon) will eceive a gift bag! 26 - 31, F, S & S, W PA Model Railroad Museum, Gibsonia • wpmrm.org
All Year Round Miniature Railroad & Village Celebrate the 100th Anniversary For more info contact Latrobe Art Center of the renowned Miniature 724-537-7011 • HollyJollyLatrobe.com Railroad and see this year's new FREE Parking model – Kaufmann's Department Store replicated in glorious detail! Daily, Carnegie Science Center • carnegiesciencecenter.org
Thru December 13 Santa Trolley F, S & S, Pennsylvania Trolley Museum, Washington • pa-trolley.org Thru December 29 Model R.R. Christmas Open House Fri., Sat. & Sun., Beaver County Model R.R. and Historical Society, Monaca • bcmrr.railfan.net Thru December 29 Holiday Railroad Open House S & S, Noon - 4pm, Rochester Area Heritage Society & Model Railroad Museum • facebook.com/ rochestermuseum Thru December 29 Ridings Family Holiday Display FREE - Train display, holiday movies & cookies, S & S, 11am - 4pm, McCarl Industrial and Agricultural Museum of Beaver County, Darlington • facebook. com/events/430806257463040 Thru January 5 Holiday Train Show A Model Railroad, Museum and Library, open Saturdays & Sundays, Ohio Valley Lines, Ambridge • ohiovalleylines.org continued on page 34
PittsburghParent.com Holiday Happenings & Gift Guide DECEMBER 2019 33 MULTI-CULTURAL continued from page 32 Banish some darkness from the world
• 1 tablespoon grated onions In India, Diwali, a five-day • 1-1/4 teaspoons salt holiday of lights, usually happens in the middle of • 1/4 vegetable oil for frying autumn, but the generous Tips: Wrap grated potatoes in a clean dish towel and squeeze spirit of this holiday is as much moisture out of them as you can before you proceed. perfect for families to You may also substitute up to a half cup of another grated root imitate throughout the vegetable for potatoes. If so, squeeze the moisture out of them, holiday season. Diwali as well. Make more than you think you need because they go celebrates the triumph of fast as soon as they are served. light over darkness and Directions: Put frying oil in a flat skillet over medium-high heat. good over evil. Coming Mix all the prepared ingredients together. Drop batter into oil up with a way to celebrate in three-inch cakes about 1/4 inch thick. Fry until browned on this holiday gives families the bottom then flip and repeat browning. If oil starts to scorch, a unique opportunity to discuss real suffering in communities, turn it down. Pancakes should be crisp and can be kept warm regions and even throughout the world. on a plate in the oven on the lowest setting. Place paper towels When approached with a problem-solving slant, even very between layers to drain. Sprinkle lightly with salt. Serve with or- young children can feel inspired to help other children who ganic applesauce and high-quality sour cream. Makes 12 pan- lack adequate food, clothing or shelter. Families with older cakes. children may want to tackle causes that bring up cautionary re- minders. For example, a family with tween and teen daughters might choose to volunteer for an organization that works with Knock on the door of enlightenment endangered young people. Even making a donation to an or- ganization with a crucial message can be a constructive con- Teaching your children versation-starter. Help kids understand that some of the most how to meditate may concerning problems can be soothed when approached with a be the single-best thing helpful, compassionate attitude. you can do to help them manage stress throughout their lives. In Japan Sparkle up your feast every December eighth, Buddhists celebrate the Most winter holidays moment when the Buddha and festivals have two reached enlightenment. things in common with This holy day is typically our traditional Western observed quietly with Christmas – lighting up chanting and meditation. the space and feasting. Give meditation a try at home. Invite your kids sit on the Why not create a focus on ground with legs crossed comfortably, with a straight back, eyes both of these traditions closed and attention focused gently on the space just above on the Winter Solstice, the the center of their eyebrows. shortest, darkest day of The symbol of the famous Bodhi (fig) tree may be helpful in the year? encouraging them to imagine they have roots reaching down Choose one spot in from the base of their spines and branches reaching up into the your home, like a fire- sky from the top of their heads. Try ‘sitting like a tree’ as a fam- place hearth, and gather all of your candles around it for an ily for just five or ten minutes at first. See how long the whole impactful display. Or scatter little lights and candles through- family can sit still in quiet inner contemplation and then in- out a room or even throughout an entire floor of your home. crease the time gradually. I think most parents would agree that When it’s time to eat, turn off most of the lights inside and en- any amount of time holding completely still would constitute joy your evening meals in the glimmer. Nothing turns up the a small holiday miracle. Commemorate each successful sitting winter magic like relaxing into the almost darkness. This is also session with a cup of herbal tea and a cookie afterwards. a great way to recharge your batteries throughout the typically hectic holiday season. n
Christina Katz wants to live in a world where all cultures and traditions are embraced and enjoyed. You can learn more about her at ChristinaKatz.com.
34 DECEMBER 2019 Holiday Happenings & Gift Guide PittsburghParent.com int oderln ajama arty Wear your favorite winter pajamas for an evening at the museum. Jam out in your jammies at a family dance party, take holiday photos, make gifts, eat cookies, and enjoy story time in the galleries.
December 14 5–7 pm. Adults: $10 (Kids 3–12: $5; Kids under 3: Free)
Sending you peace, love and joy this holiday season
From the sta at Pittsburgh Parent Magazine
PittsburghParent.com Holiday Happenings & Gift Guide DECEMBER 2019 35