10 Events To Guarantee A Dynamite December In Pittsburgh

PITTSBURGH, PA - You’ll notice there’s no shortage of holiday-themed entertainment options around Pittsburgh as the 2019 draws to its conclusion. You’ll also probably notice plenty of performers who traditionally stop in the city each December, but there’s nothing wrong with familiarity when it comes to holiday festivities.

• Handmade Arcade, Dec. 6-7, David L. Lawrence Convention Center.

An estimated 12,000 people are expected to flock to the convention center for the city’s largest independent craft fair. You’ll be able to find plenty of handmade holiday gifts from more then 250 vendors.

• Mannheim Steamroller Christmas, Dec. 10, Benedum Center.

Grammy Award winner Chip Davis has created a show that features Mannheim Steamroller Christmas classics along with a selection of compositions from Davis’ Fresh Aire series that introduced the Mannheim sound to all of America. The program celebrates the group’s recent 30-year anniversary of its first Christmas album.

• Yinzer Yuletide, Dec. 12-22, O’Reilly Theater

WQED's Rick Sebak welcomes you into his living room - the O'Reilly Theater stage - for evenings of daring and divine performances from Pittsburgh's own Etta Cox, Lenora Nemetz, Josh Verbanets, Ben Prisbylla and Nick Stamatakis. Oh, there also will be juggling, clowing, ukelele

• A Benedum Christmas: - Home For The Holidays, Dec. 17, Benedum Center.

Pittsburgh-born vocalists, songwriters, and musicians will spend the evening performing unique renditions of holiday classics along with their own original hit songs. Among the performers: Scott Blasey, Lyndsey Smith, Billy Price, Margot Bingham, Joy Ike, Anthony Jardine, Jimbo Jackson, Morgan Erina, John Schisler and many more.

• Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Dec. 22, PPG Paints Arena.

The multi-platinum, critically-acclaimed progressive rock group returns with all-new staging and effects along with the show that started it all, “Christmas Eve and Other Stories” that the group first performed in 1999 to 12,000 people in five cities. Since then, the show has grossed $377 million in its more than 1,200 performances.

• Harlem Globetrotters, Dec. 26, PPG Paints Arena.

It’s a basketball game -sort of. It’s a comedy act - sort of. It’s the one and only Harlem Globetrotters making their annual holiday season appearance in Pittsburgh, this year with their Pushing The Limits World Tour. Prepare to marvel over the Globetrotters’ amazing athleticism and laugh out loud at their outrageous on-court antics.

• The Illusionists: Magic of the Holidays, Dec. 26-29, Heinz Hall.

Showcasing the jaw-dropping talents of some of the most incredible illusionists on earth, The Illusionists has shattered box office records across the globe with an all-ages show that promises a variety of outrageous and astonishing acts packed with thrilling and sophisticated magic of unprecedented proportions.

• WWE Live Holiday Tour, Dec. 27, PPG Paints Arena.

WWE returns to Pittsburgh for the final time in 2019 with its annual holiday tour that includes WWE stars such as Seth Rollins, Becky Lynch, Charlotte Flair, AJ Styles & The OC, Randy Orton, Rey Mysterio, Viking Raiders, The Street Profits, Ricochet, Rusev and more.

• Jesus Christ Superstar, Dec. 31, Benedum Center.

Appealing to both theater audiences and concert music fans, this production pays tribute to the historic 1971 Billboard Album of the Year while creating a modern, theatrical world. The week-long run begins on New Year’s Eve.

• First Night, Dec. 31, Downtown Pittsburgh Cultural District

Culminating with the city’s Countdown to Midnight and raising of the Future of Pittsburgh Ball, the six-hour celebration sprawls across the 14-block Cultural District — inside theaters, galleries, and unique spaces and along city streets on outdoor performance stages. Acclaimed national artists and the local artist community ring in the new year for revelers with live music, dance, theater, visual arts, comedy, magic, kids’ activities, and a signature parade. Oh, and don’t forget the two Zambelli Fireworks displays at 6 pm and midnight.