We’re entering the home-for-the-holidays stretch here in the second half of December. It’s the perfect time to fill up on holiday cheer and enliven your holiday spirit.
There’s no better place to make your days and nights oh so merry and bright than along 6th Street in Downtown Pittsburgh.
For Families:
At 6th St & Liberty families will find festive cheer as well as Mr. Claus himself at Santa’s House in Heinz Hall Courtyard. For a $10 suggested donation to the Pittsburgh Community Food Bank you can visit in-person with a black or white Santa (your choice), whisper your Christmas wishes, and then take home a printed keepsake photo. It’s a great way to create memories and help support our neighbors in need this season. Open through December 23, with extended hours during the final week; check the website for details.
Step out of Santa’s house and into a beautiful outdoor Holiday Selfie Garden presented by Fred Rogers Productions. There you’ll find colorful backdrops and life-sized standees of popular characters from PBS KIDS shows – like Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Donkey Hodie, Alma’s Way, and Odd Squad. Capture fun photos, perfectly posed holiday memories, or wildly whimsical selfies. A night stroll through the illuminated garden with its twinkling lights and magical rainbows of reflection is sure to fill the whole family with holiday cheer. Through December 23 but days/hours vary; check the website for details.
Just across the street from Santa, bring out your inner kid with the kids at Holiday KidsPlay where you’ll find a variety of family-friendly, hands-on activities. Decorate a Mister Rogers sweater ornament, write a note for the “Thank You Tree”, decorate a holiday pickle ornament, and even enjoy Sunday Story Time (plus you get to take home a free book!). You might even meet a few of your favorite Pirates mascots or Fred Rogers characters! Hurry, though, as the Holiday KidsPlay’s final days are Saturday, December 17th from 11am – 7pm and Sunday, December 18th from 11am – 6pm.
For Everyone (yes, both the naughty and the nice):
Start your holiday shopping and activities with a bite to eat from Sally Ann’s (136 6th Street) and Alihan’s Coffee & Breakfast (129 6th St). Both are open early for breakfast. Still in need of holiday card inspo? Solve that problem with a stop at the “Welcome to Pittsburgh” mural near Tako (214 6th St) where you can take a postcard-perfect holiday selfie. It’s then super simple to complete all of your holiday shopping along 6th Street, especially since the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership has put together a Gift Guide to guide you to that perfect gift from local businesses.
Take in holiday lights with your holiday sights at the Apres Ski Bar at Butcher & the Rye (212 6th St) and Miracle on Sixth (137 6th Street). There you’ll find outdoor dining along with beautiful exterior holiday lighting.
Grab a cup of cheer at Redbeards (144 6th Street) with their great array of holiday themed cocktails like ‘Ginger Me Timbers’, ‘Old Cran Winter’ and ‘Cinnamon S’mores Shot’ and/or head to Olive or Twist (140 6th Street) for ‘Santa’s Sip’ and ‘Candy Cane Martini’.
Add some holiday sounds to all your seasonal sights, bites, and delights by catching a Pittsburgh Symphony performance at Heinz Hall (600 Penn Ave). There’s an array of great PSO holiday shows through Christmas like “Highmark Holiday Pops”, “Holiday Brass Spectacular”, and “Celtic Woman: A Christmas Symphony”. Over at the Byham Theater (101 6th St) catch a performance of “A Musical Christmas Carol” through December 23.
And of course be sure to also make the time to check out the 11th annual Peoples Gas Holiday Market a short distance away in an illuminated Market Square. Weave your way through wooden chalets brimming with high-quality gifts and holiday experiences that have international flair and local charm. Through December 24 but days/hours vary; check the website for details.
So plan on a trip Downtown to 6th Street and you’ll be bound to capture holiday cheer, make great holiday memories, and fill your holiday spirit.
This content was provided by a local, independent contributor to Made in PGH, a lifestyle blog.