10 weekend events, from ice skating at the mall to the final Santa visits of the season

Above photo courtesy of Carnegie Museum of Natural History and Powdermill Nature Reserve.

Local schools will be officially out for the holiday break as of this weekend. Looking for things to do? This weekend is jam-packed with festive fun in the Pittsburgh area. Don’t miss our guide to the whole break here and check out our roundup of light displays for some drive-through family fun. It’s also the last weekend for Downtown holiday events, if you haven’t stopped by yet.

Kick off your holiday break with some of these fun family activities:

Friday, Dec. 20-Sunday, Dec. 22: Skating at Dick’s House of Sports

Through late February, Dick’s House of Sports at Ross Park Mall is hosting outdoor skating on Thursday evenings and all weekend long. Tickets are $10 for kids, $12 for teens and adults. Skate rentals are $6. Find more details here.

Friday, Dec. 20- Sunday, Dec. 22: Holiday Pops at Heinz Hall

Don’t miss the final weekend for this spectacular show! The Pittsburgh Symphony, the Mendelssohn Choir and guest vocalist Mamie Parris perform in this annual musical offering for the season. Featuring “Sleigh Ride,” the “Hallelujah” chorus, sing-alongs, and a very special guest. Tickets are $25-$107.

Friday, Dec. 20- Sunday, Dec. 22: “A Christmas Story: The Play” at the O’Reilly Theater

You’ve seen the movie (again and again!). Now experience the live performance. Pittsburgh Public Theater returns with this PG-rated fan favorite that is perfect for kids and adults of all ages. Tickets are $35-$88.

Saturday, Dec. 21: Sensory-Friendly “Elf” at the Lindsay Theater, 10 a.m. 

The Lindsay Theater and Cultural Center in Sewickley is hosting a sensory-friendly screening of “Elf” this weekend. Sensory-friendly screenings provide a safe space for people with special needs to enjoy a personal, unhurried cinematic experience designed specifically for them. Tickets for this special screening are all discounted to $8.75 per person.

Saturday, Dec. 21: Storytime at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, 10:15 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Looking for a quieter event this weekend? Join museum staff for storytime at the museum every Saturday through Feb. 15.  Hear nature and science stories read by Natural History Interpreters and get a chance to touch museum specimens. Stop by for one page, a single book or stay for the whole 45 minutes. Registration is not required. Find more details here.

Saturday, Dec. 21: Santa at the Heinz History Center, 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

This is the last weekend to see Santa at the Heinz History Center in a replica of the original Kaufmann’s chair (where local legend Santa John, who will be at the History Center this weekend, once sat to help out the Big Man himself.) Photos are free, and kids get in free all month long at the museum thanks to Howard Hanna Real Estate Services. Find more details here.

Saturday, Dec. 21: Jolly Opposum at Powdermill Nature Reserve, 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Hear the tale of the Jolly Opossum at this free family event. This story will delve into what the creatures of the forest are up to during the holidays. Meet Dr. Skunk, Mx. Chickadee, Mr. Bear and, of course, the Jolly Opossum. Visitors will also make holiday ornaments and decorations. Children of all ages are welcome. Registration is strongly suggested.

Saturday, Dec. 21: Holly Trolley at Mellon Square, 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. 

While Mellon Square hoped to host their Holiday Hop this weekend, cold temps have moved it to Dec. 28. Stop by this weekend though, for the Holly Trolley tour through the city’s holiday events and some hot cocoa under the lights of Aurora, the new incredible light installation over Mellon Square. Find details here.

Saturday, Dec. 21: “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” at the Kamin Science Center, 8 p.m. 

Whoville is at the center of a dastardly plan as the bitter Grinch schemes to steal their Christmas away. The plan unravels when he encounters Cindy Lou Who and discovers that maybe Christmas isn’t as humbug as he’s believed it to be. Tickets are $12.

Sunday, Dec. 22: Skate with Santa at The UPMC Rink at PPG Place, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. 

Santa will be taking a little break from all his Christmas prep work at the North Pole to come and skate with kids at the PPG Place rink for the afternoon. This event is free with general admission to the rink. Don’t forget to check out all the holiday fun nearby in Market Square, too!

It’s almost 2025! Check out our guide to First Night celebrations Downtown, so you can ring in the new year right. And you can sign up for our newsletter, so you never miss a family event in Kidsburgh.