Blog

Pittsburgh Art Events: December 11-17


Explore Pittsburgh’s vibrant arts and culture scene with this week’s event recommendations, featuring holiday workshops, Krampus, ballet performances, and more!

Seven smiling people pose for a portrait. Cartoon images of Christmas sweaters have been Photoshopped on top of each of them. The background is a green wall with snowflakes
Steel City Improv’s A Very Merry SCITmas! // Photo courtesy of Steel City Improv

Monday, December 11

Mangia Mangia Spaghetti Dinner. Bunker Projects presents an old-school cafeteria fundraising format with an artsy foodie spin. Wilkins School Community Center. 7604 Charleston Ave., Regent Square. 5-8 p.m. bunkerprojects.org

A Very Yinzer Christmas. 3WS radio presents a holiday tale featuring performances by more than 25 local music icons including Scott Blasey of The Clarks, Joe Grushecky and the House Rockers, Jeff Jimerson, Clinton Clegg of The Commonheart, and more. Benedum Center. 237 Seventh St., Downtown. 7:30 p.m. trustarts.org

Junction Trio. Chamber Music Pittsburgh presents a "new generation piano trio" that pairs technique with an emotionally expressive style. PNC Theatre. 350 Forbes Ave., Downtown. 7:30 p.m. chambermusicpittsburgh.org

Tuesday, December 12

Straight No Chaser - Sleighin’ It Tour. Experience the captivating sound of nine unadulterated human voices coming together to make extraordinary music that is moving people in a fundamental sense ... and with a sense of humor. Benedum Center. 237 Seventh St., Downtown. 7:30 p.m. trustarts.org

Wednesday, December 13

Crafts & Crafts: Embroidered Ornaments. Join Assemble for an introductory workshop in embroidery. Two Frays Brewery. 5113 Penn Ave., Garfield. 6:30-8:30 p.m. assemblepgh.kindful.com

Contemporary Choreographers. The Conservatory Dance Company presents a concert featuring works by Jess Hendricks, Justin Myles, Yoshiaki Nakano, and Mike Tyus. George Rowland White Performance Studio. 201 Wood St., Downtown. 7:30 p.m. Continues through Dec. 17. playhouse.pointpark.edu

A Lyrical Christmas Carol. Pittsburgh Musical Theater presents a Young Artist Production of the classic tale. Gargaro Theater. 327 S. Main St., West End. 7:30 p.m. Continues through Dec. 17. pittsburghmusicals.com

A large group of orchestral musicians wearing black-and-white formal wear and holding various instruments stand on a concert stage
The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra stands onstage in Heinz Hall // Photo by George Lange

Thursday, December 14

Winter Exhibition Celebration. Join musicians André Solomon, Aaron Basskin, Trē Seguritan Abalos, and Stephen Chin for a joyful and iterative performance that asks the question, "Do we really know all the sounds of Winter?" Bonus: Admission to the Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History during this celebration are free. Carnegie Museum of Art. 4400 Forbes Ave., Oakland. 6-8 p.m. carnegieart.org

Drag & Draw. A night of drag, music, and creativity featuring a three-hour educational event and figure drawing class for ages 18+ focusing on Andy Warhol's inspiration and involvement in drag culture. The Andy Warhol Museum. 117 Sandusky St., North Side. 6:30-9:30 p.m. warhol.org

Rachel Ann Bovier's Christmas Spectacular. Join "The Poetess of Pittsburgh" for poetry, songs, one-liners, movie trivia, singalongs, and more. Bottlerocket Social Hall. 1226 Arlington Ave., Allentown. 8 p.m. app.opendate.io

Friday, December 15

UN / PRECIOUS. Showcasing new works that tackle our collective social understanding of the notion of "value." Featuring the work of Brent Pheto, Tara Murphy, and Grant Catton. Ketchup City Creative. 612 Main St., Sharpsburg. 6-9 p.m. instagram.com/ketchupcitycreative

Highmark Holiday Pops. The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra is joined by the Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School, and Santa Claus for this annual holiday performance. Heinz Hall. 600 Penn Ave., Downtown. 8 p.m. Continues through Sat., Dec. 23. pittsburghsymphony.org

Cello Fury and Friends Holiday Show. Chamber rock music group Cello Fury is joined by special guests Clinton Clegg from The Commonheart, singer/songwriter Molly Alphabet, and saxophonist Scott Boni for their annual holiday show. Pittsburgh Winery. 2809 Penn Ave., Strip District. 8 p.m. wqed.org

Portrait of a smiling person with long black hair and bangs wearing an artist's apron and a white shirt, posed in front of handmade ceramic objects
Pittsburgh artist Marcè Nixon-Washington // Photo by Patrick Fisher

Saturday, December 16

Vintage Mart Holiday Special. ThriftBurgh presents a fun day of shopping vintage clothing, home and holiday decor, vinyl records, and more. Construction Junction. 214 N. Lexington St., Point Breeze. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. vintagemartpgh.com

A Very Merry Thriftmas Cosmic Holiday Pop-up. James Simon Studios presents two locations filled with vintage fashion, handcrafted jewelry, hats, arts, and more. 2nd Floor Portal at James Simon Studios (305 Gist St., Uptown) and Forbes Studios (2003 Forbes Ave., Uptown). 11 a.m.-4 p.m. instagram.com/2ndfloorportal

Community Day. Families are invited to attend this Community Day featuring local vendors selling art and live performances including Alumni Theater Company, Flow Band, and Kwanzaa dancer and drummers. Plus, register your kids (18 and under) for a creative writing activity inspired by Onna Bugeisha: Warriors of Light, Tim Okamura's current exhibit at 12:45 p.m.. August Wilson African American Cultural Center. 980 Liberty Ave., Downtown. 11 a.m.-2 p.m.. awaacc.org

Yule Makers Market. A one-of-a-kind experience celebrating the rich traditions of Yule. Featuring handmade artisanal goods, live music, ghostly tales, and more. Costumes welcome. Sanctuary at The Center on Franklin. 262 Franklin Ave., Vandergrift. 2 p.m.-12 a.m. pittsburgh.net

A Very Merry SCITmas! Celebrate the holidays with Steel City Improv Theater for a fun night of improv, mingling, and jingling. Featuring improv teams: Narsh!, Penny Pressed, Sad Boi Smooches, Goob City, Globlins, and The Union. Steel City Improv Theater. 5950 Ellsworth Ave., Shadyside. 6 p.m. steelcityimprov.com

Sleigher Krampus. Christmas carol rock and roll mashup performed by hairy goat-like creatures, featuring Amoeba Knievel and Weird Paul Rock Band. Thunderbird Cafe & Music Hall. 4053 Butler St., Lawrenceville. 7 p.m. thunderbirdmusichall.com

Five people sit at a conference table, some looking at printed pages in front of them
Tulip Serbin, Deb Rudel, and Rachel Rudel reading a short play by playwright Philip Real // Photo by Jeremy Burnworth

Nutcracker for a Difference. Confluence Ballet presents the classic tale of The Nutcracker in a new, jazzy way. Kelly Strayhorn Theater. 5941 Penn Ave., East Liberty. 7:30 p.m. Continues on Dec. 17. kelly-strayhorn.org

Sunday, December 17

A Musical Christmas Carol. Pittsburgh CLO presents Charles Dickens' classic tale, featuring your favorite yuletide melodies. Byham Theater. 101 Sixth St., Downtown. 2 and 7 p.m. Continues through Sat., Dec. 23. trustarts.org

Make a Gift of Art with Marcè Nixon-Washington. Pittsburgh artist Marcè Nixon-Washington leads this make-and-take workshop where you'll learn how to make a beautifully marbled trinket dish. Art Studio at Carnegie Museum of Art. 4400 Forbes Ave., Oakland. 2-4 p.m. carnegieart.org

Alegría. Celebrating the joy of the season, Chatham Baroque explores music from Baroque Spain and Latin America. Levy Hall, Rodef Shalom. 4905 Fifth Ave., Oakland. 2:30 p.m. chathambaroque.org

Spotlight: Monthly LGTBQ+ Theatre Jam Session. LGBTQ+ folx of all backgrounds and experience levels are invited to share their talents and ideas with each other in a fun, casual atmosphere. Benedum Center, Seventh Floor Conference Room. 719 Liberty Ave., Downtown. 7-9 p.m. facebook.com


If you have an Allegheny County library card, you have access to weekly discounted tickets or free admission to regional cultural attractions through RAD Pass. Apply for your free library card to start using your RAD Pass today!