Trans-Siberian Orchestra & More Top Pittsburgh Weekend Events

PITTSBURGH, PA - Trans-Siberian Orchestra, the multi-platinum, critically-acclaimed progressive rock group returns to Pittsburgh this weekend.

They will bring 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.

You can catch this critically-acclaimed production Dec. 22 at 3:30 and 8 p.m. at PPG Paints Arena.

Other weekend highlights:

• Yinzer Yuletide, Dec. 19-22, 7:30 p.m., O'Reilly Theater, Downtown

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, clowning, ukulele and more.

• National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, Dec. 20-21, 9:30 p.m., O’Reilly Theater, Downtown.

Sure it’s on TV every night during the holiday season, but there’s nothing like seeing this classic comedy on a larger screen. Pittsburgh Public Theater is showing the 30th anniversary edition this weekend, and. specialty cocktails and delectable holiday treats will be available for purchase.

• Lumaze, Dec. 19, 4 p.m.-10 p.m.; Dec.20, 4 p.m.-11 p.m. and Dec. 21-22 1 p.m.-10 p.m., 31st Street Studios, Strip District.

One of the world's largest indoor Christmas festivals, Lumaze is a 100,000 square-foot exhibition with more than one million lights, as well as vendors, live music, food trucks, kids play areas and a bar. We're told visitors might also catch a glimpse of Santa. If you don't catch it this weekend, don't worry - the display will be up through the first weekend in January.

• Holiday Lights, Dec. 20-22, 5 p.m.-9 p.m., Kennywood, West Mifflin.

Along with nearly two million lights, Kennywood’s award-winning seasonal extravaganza features Pennsylvania’s tallest Christmas tree, a petting zoo, a model train display covering nearly 3,000 square feet, live shows and entertainment, and many of Kennywood's family and children's rides - including Thomas Town, decorated in the spirit of the season.