5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: Dec. 17-19
We’ve made it to the weekend. Here are some ways to spend it.
Bakery Square for the holidays
Walnut Capital, which manages Bakery Square in Larimer, will host a variety of free holiday happenings from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and noon to 6 p.m. on Saturday in the newly-expanded courtyard and conservatory.
There will be music, wreath and gingerbread house decorating as well as storytime with holiday characters. Guests can watch the Pittsburgh Steelers and Penguins games in the courtyard.
Santa Claus will be on hand for photos both days.
A food drive will benefit East End Cooperative Ministry.
Free admission.
Details: bakery-square.com
Pop-up bar
A Christmas Vacation-inspired holiday pop-up bar will open from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday on the 10th floor of The Oaklander Hotel in Oakland. There will be photo opportunities and eggnog “that’s strong enough for cousin Eddie.” The “Christmas Vacation” movie and soundtrack will be playing throughout the evenings.
Free admission.
Details: theoaklanderhotel.com
A Musical Christmas Carol
Pittsburgh CLO is celebrating its 75th anniversary and the 30th anniversary of “A Musical Christmas Carol” at the Byham Theater, Downtown. Shows are at 7 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday.
The lobby will be transformed with 75 unique Christmas trees, each representing a year of the CLO’s history. Broadway and television star Richard Thomas, who plays Scrooge, joins the well-known characters of Bob Cratchit, Tiny Tim and a host of colorful characters. The Charles Dickens classic is a holiday tradition.
The CLO is partnering with the Best of the Batch Foundation to turn one tree into a collection site for toy donations.
Proof of covid-19 vaccination status or a negative covid test within 72 hours of the show is required.
Tickets start at $20.
Details: pittsburghclo.org
Highmark Holiday Pops
This is the final weekend for the Highmark Holiday Pops at Heinz Hall, Downtown. Shows are at 8 p.m. Friday and 2:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Saturday and 2:30 p.m. on Sunday. The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra will be led by conductor Byron Stripling and vocalist Vanessa Campagna. The special guest is Chris Sanders.
Attendees will be treated to traditional holiday music. There will be sing-alongs to classic carols and a visit from Santa Claus.
Proof of covid-19 vaccination status or a negative covid test within 72 hours of the show is required.
Tickets start at $22.
Details pittsburghsymphony.org
Ring in the season with Pittsburgh’s favorite holiday musical tradition ❤️????????
Get your tickets → https://t.co/pkEKk786Sv pic.twitter.com/NkW3zPeTKu
— Pittsburgh Symphony (@pghsymphony) December 9, 2021
Hansel & Gretel
Resonance Works and the Kelly Strayhorn Theater present “Hansel and Gretel.” The premiere of a new film of Engelbert Humperdinck’s beloved opera will be shown at 3 p.m. on Saturday at the Kelly Strayhorn Theater in East Liberty. It will also stream online beginning on Saturday. A co-production with Opera Ithaca, the film features a cast of opera artists from around the U.S. as well as the Pittsburgh Youth Chorus and the Resonance Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Maria Sensi Sellner.
Siblings Hansel and Gretel get lost in the woods and stumble upon the set of a celebrity pastry chef’s cooking show, where they are invited to be the guest stars. Masks will be required for all visitors regardless of vaccination status.
Tickets start at $15.
Details: kelly-strayhorn.org
JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a TribLive reporter covering the region's diverse culinary scene and unique homes. She writes features about interesting people. The Edward R. Murrow award-winning journalist began her career as a sports reporter. She has been with the Trib for 26 years and is the author of "A Daughter's Promise." She can be reached at jharrop@triblive.com.
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