40-plus exhilarating winter events for indoor and outdoor family fun in the Pittsburgh area

Above photo by Bryan Conley, courtesy of Carnegie Museum of Art.

Winter has definitely arrived in Pittsburgh and it’s bringing much more than snow and chilly temperatures. There are plenty of outdoor opportunities for braving the cold and burning up energy. Indoors, take your pick of exciting Monster Jam action, life-size dinosaurs, and a sneak peek at the Pirates season.

Theaters are also filled with hilarious, touching and magical productions. Pittsburgh kids and their grownups will find plenty of exhilarating diversions during the winter season. Check out our guide:

Now through Feb. 23: Penguins on Parade, Pittsburgh Zoo. Crowds gather on Saturdays and Sundays to watch the penguins waddle in their personal tuxedo style. Check ahead for weather conditions to prevent disappointment. Free with zoo admission.

Now through May 9: Carnegie Lab Drop-In, Carnegie Museum of Art. Join art educators in the Art Studio every Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. for art-making and sensory activities inspired by museum exhibitions. Free with museum admission. No registration required.

Jan. 8-March 26: Youth Open Studio, Artist Image Resources. The Andy Warhol Museum’s drop-in Youth Open Studio operates from 4-8 p.m. on Wednesdays. Middle and high school students will have access to screens, ink, transparencies, printers and Photoshop. Send an email to whiteh@warhol.org to reserve a spot.

Jan. 8-spring: Rainforest Retreat, National Aviary. Escape the winter at the Aviary’s newest winter exhibit theme, Rainforest Retreat, where the steamy atmosphere includes flamingos and other exotic birds swooping under the lush, leafy canopy. Rainforest Retreat is included in general admission.

Jan. 10-Feb. 28: Talking to Kids About Art, Carnegie Museum of Art. Tour the museum galleries with museum educators who will introduce kids ages 3-10 to works of art, activities and discussions. The tours are included with museum general admission.

Jan. 11: Trivia for Kids Live Podcast, Greer Cabaret Theater. This family-focused, fan-favorite podcast takes the fun on the road with a live, interactive show. Your kids can test their knowledge with quizzes on family-friendly topics. Admission is $20. (And check out our Kidsburgh Podcast interview with Kacie, coming soon!)

Jan. 11: Trail Tour, Hays Woods Park. Join Pittsburg Parks Conservancy for an invigorating hike. Enjoy hot chocolate as you explore the winter landscape and discuss the ecological restoration efforts shaping the park’s future. Registration is free.

Jan. 11, 18, 19: Guided Hike: Owl Prowl with Park Rangers, multiple locations. Learn about owls from Allegheny County Park Rangers on Jan. 11 at North Park or Round Hill Park, Jan. 18 at Boyce Park or Hartwood Acres, Jan. 19 at Harrison Hills. Registration is $5, $6 for nonresidents of Allegheny County.

Jan.12: Winter Seed Sowing, Frick Environmental Center. Join Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy and Bird Lab staff for an introduction to the outdoor seed-starting technique known as “winter sowing.” All materials, soil, and seeds will be provided for the program. Participants can expect to take home 1-3 containers of planted seeds. This program is best for adults or families with older kids from ages 8 and older. Registration is $10.

Jan. 12-March 23: Mr. Messado’s School of Magic for the Young and the Young at Heart, Liberty Magic. This 60-minute spectacular, running Sunday afternoons, features a combination of stunning magic, clean comedy and interactive fun. Tickets are $25-$40.

Jan. 15 and 29, Feb.12 and 26, March 12 and 26: Seedlings: Wonderful Winter, Pittsburgh Botanical Garden. A garden educator will lead kids to examine a different theme each week, from evergreen trees to winter birds. Each visit will include outdoor time in the Garden’s different habitats, a story reading, craft and time for free play. Best for ages 3-6 years. Cost is $15 for kids, $20 for grownups. An adult caregiver must accompany every three kids.

Jan. 15, Feb. 12 and March 12: Sensory-Friendly Time, National Aviary. Upon arrival, kids receive a KultureCity bag with essentials like headphones and fidget toys (available to borrow daily at the Aviary). Kids can touch biofacts like feathers and eggs, and enjoy interactive play spaces. Registration is required.

Jan. 16-17: “Cat Kid Comic Club,” Byham Theater. This hilarious musical adaptation of Dav Pilkey’s “Dog Man” spin-off series, “Cat Kid Comic Club,” is sure to entertain. Cat Kid and Molly Pollywog have started an epic club to teach 21 rambunctious baby frogs how to make their own comics. Tickets are $12-$30.

Jan. 17-26: “Looking Forward: The Ruby Bridges Story,” New Hazlett Center for Performing Arts. In 1960, a 6-year-old girl named Ruby Bridges becomes the first African American student to attend an all-white grade school in New Orleans. Experience her remarkable journey as she blazes a trail for generations to follow. Tickets are $39 for grownups, $19 for kids. The Jan. 17 performance is pay what you can. A sensory-friendly performance is planned for Jan. 25.

Jan. 18-19: Frick Winterfest 2025, Frick Pittsburgh. This annual celebration of the snowy season includes live performances, artmaking activities, historic home tours, cozy treats and warm beverages from The Café. Find the complete schedule here.

Jan. 18-19: PiratesFest 2025, David Lawrence Convention Center. Celebrate the upcoming Pirates season and engage in fun experiences, interactive games and opportunities to meet with Pirates players. Reserve your free tickets here.

Jan. 18-19: Locomotion Weekend, Kamin Science Center. Train enthusiasts from around the region gather to fill the Science Center with miniature railroad displays and train-themed activities. Locomotion Weekend events are included in general admission.

Jan. 18-19: Paw Patrol Live: “A Mighty Adventure,” Benedum Center. With heroic action, catchy tunes and bark-loads of interactive fun, PAW Patrol’s electrifying new adventure is sure to leave tails wagging and audiences cheering. Tickets are $31.50-$181.50.

Jan. 19: Discovery Time: Things with Wings, Frick Environmental Center. Kids will learn about the wide variety of wings in the animal world. Take a close look at feathers, make your own butterfly or become one yourself by putting on a pair of butterfly wings. Best for ages 3-8 years. Registration is free.

Jan. 20: In the Spirit of Rev. Dr. King: An MLK Day Celebration Through Art & Advocacy, Kelly Strayhorn Theater. KST’s annual day of reflection, unity and creative expression begins with activities in the lobby, followed by performances in the theater. Included are Hill Dance Academy Theatre faculty, Guardians of Sound’s Hip Hop Orchestra and students from Los Sabrosos Dance Company. Admission is “pay what moves you” from $0-$25.

Jan. 20: Let Freedom Sing, Kelly Strayhorn Theater. The 18^th-annual Let Freedom Sing Concert celebrates the social justice legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through vocal and instrumental music as well as spoken word. Tickets are “pay what moves you” from $2-$50.

Jan. 20: Day Off at the Museum: Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Carnegie Museum of Art. Young artists ages 6 through 10 are invited to spend their day off from school immersed in art, learning and fun. Registration is $75.

Jan. 24-25: World of Wheels Custom Car Show, David Lawrence Convention Center. The 64th annual show gathers car enthusiasts to enjoy a full weekend of everything custom cars. Tickets are $25, $8 for ages 6-12, free for ages 5 and younger. Discounts available at O’Reilly Auto Parts. Details here.

Jan. 25: Wonder Workshops: Game Changers, Kamin Science Center. From making the rules to the design of the board itself, families will get to experience creating their own game. Recommended for ages 6 and older. An adult must accompany the group. Registration is $70, which includes a group of seven players.

Jan. 25, Feb. 1, 8, 15: Teen Job Shadow, National Aviary. Teens ages 14-18 with a passion for working with animals go behind the scenes on four Saturdays with National Aviary experts learning about animal care and conservation. Registration is $299 for this series of four educational sessions.

Jan. 26: Lunar New Year Fair and Show, Carnegie Museum of Art. “Spiral Symphony: A Chorus of Transformation” and “Renewal: The 28th Greater Pittsburgh Lunar New Year Fair and Show” are inspired by the Year of the Snake. Tickets are $25.

Jan. 26: Summer in Winter: An Afternoon of Fun, Buffalo Creek Nature Park. Take a break from winter with an afternoon of “summer” with themed snacks and drinks, plus a variety of summer activities, like making rainbows, bubble painting and stories. Registration is $10.

Jan. 28-29: College Fair 2025, David Lawrence Convention Center. Representatives from schools from across the country come together to present their educational options and encourage students and attendees to join their institutions. Registration is free.

Jan. 28-Feb. 2: “Life of Pi,” Benedum Center. Told with jaw-dropping visuals, world-class puppetry and exquisite stagecraft, “Life of Pi” creates a visually stunning journey that will leave you filled with awe and joy. Martel’s extraordinary story of family, resilience and survival is best for ages 8 and older. Tickets are $38-$117.

Feb. 1: Family Hike, Powdermill Nature Center. All ages will enjoy this invigorating winter hike. Registration is free.

Feb.1: NFL Play 60 Training Camp, Heinz History Center. Kids are invited to lace up and level up their game with a day of fun and fitness. Five floors of activities include mini-NFL training with a series of quick-hitting drills, physical challenges found throughout the Sports Museum, getting creative in the touchdown celebration contest, and competing for prizes and giveaways. Admission is free for ages 17 and younger.

Feb. 1: SnowFest 2025, Boyce Park. This annual event promises a full day of snowy fun. Compete in the Mini-Junior Olympics for skiing and snowboarding or put your engineering skills to the test in the Cardboard Box Snow Tubing Derby. Prizes will be given to the top three participants in each category, and the whole family can enjoy live music and free hot cocoa at the Lodge. Registration for competitors is $10 per event, plus lift ticket.

Feb. 2: Guided Hike: Groundhog Day with the Park Rangers, Deer Lakes Park. How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood? Find out this and more about the groundhog, also known as a whistle pig or a woodchuck. The guided hike will be about two miles with moderate elevation changes. Bring water and dress for the weather. Registration is free.

Feb. 8: “Goodnight Moon” & “The Runaway Bunny,” Byham Theater. “Goodnight Moon” is a celebration of familiar nighttime rituals, while “The Runaway Bunny’s” pretend tale of leaving home evokes reassuring responses from his loving mum. Both feature endearing rabbit characters, and the soothing rhythms of bunny banter and dream-like imagery. Tickets are $12-25.

Feb. 8: Winterfest 2025, Moraine State Park. Explore the park’s countless activities and breathtaking sights during the heart of winter. You will find food and craft vendors, too. Admission is free.

Feb. 9: Hike With a Naturalist: Winter Tree ID, Frick Environmental Center. Take a walk through the woodlands of Frick Park with Naturalist Educator Stephen Bucklin to practice your observation skills with an in-depth look at bark and buds. The hike covers about one to two miles of natural trail and crushed limestone with a varying slope. Registration is free.

Feb. 9: Guided Hike: Super Bowl Sunday with the Park Rangers, North Park. Join the Park Rangers for a hike before the big game and learn about five native Pennsylvania animals that are also NFL team mascots. This hike will be approximately two miles with moderate elevation changes. Bring water and dress for the weather. Registration is free.

Feb. 14-16: Monster Jam, PPG Paints Arena. Roaring, crashing, 12,000-pound monster trucks tear up the dirt in intense competitions of speed and skill. Tickets start at $20.

Feb.15: Swirl by Swirl, Frick Environmental Center. Spirals are bold, beautiful, and mysterious – and they occur throughout nature. Join a naturalist educator for a reading of “Swirl by Swirl: Spirals in Nature” by Joyce Sidman, followed by a hike to look for spirals and other shapes in nature. Best for ages 3-8. Registration is free.

Feb. 27-March 2: “The SpongeBob Musical” Youth Edition, Gargaro Theater. When the citizens of Bikini Bottom discover that a volcano will soon erupt and destroy their humble home, SpongeBob and his friends must come together to save the fate of their undersea world. Pittsburgh Musical Theater presents this Young Artist production. Tickets go on sale on Feb. 4.

Feb. 28-March 2: Jurassic Quest, David Lawrence Convention Center. This dinosaur adventure features dozens of life-size animatronic dinosaurs. Kids can ride a dinosaur, dig for fossils, meet baby dinos and create dino crafts. Timed tickets are $33-$36.

Feb. 28-March 9: “I Never Saw Another Butterfly and The Terezin Promise,” The New Hazlett Center for Performing Arts. In the Terezin concentration camp, Austrian artist Friedl Dicker-Brandeis teaches Jewish children to make poems and drawings in secret art classes. Witness her passion, the children’s creativity, and the irrepressible power of art to bring hope and healing into the darkest hours of the Holocaust. Tickets are $39, $19 for students. The Feb. 28 preview is pay what you can. An afternoon sensory-friendly performance will be held on March 1.

March 4-9: “Kimberly Akimbo,” Benedum Center. Fifteen-year-old Kimberly is forced to navigate family dysfunction, a rare genetic condition, her first crush – and possible felony charges. Ever the optimist, she is determined to find happiness against all odds and embark on a great adventure. Best for ages 10 and older. Tickets are $38-$117.

March 6-9: Disney on Ice: Mickey’s Search Party, PPG Paints Arena. Your kid’s favorite Disney characters – like Elsa, Moana, Mickey and Minnie – will take to the ice in this colorful show. Tickets start at $26.

March 14-15: “Annie,” Benedum Center. Little Orphan Annie has reminded generations of theatergoers that sunshine is always right around the corner. This celebration of family, optimism and the American spirit remains the cure for the hard knocks that life throws your way. Tickets are $38-$125.