7 Things to Do in Pittsburgh This Weekend

PHOTO BY MATT POLK

“A Musical Christmas Carol”: The role of Ebenezer Scrooge in the Pittsburgh CLO’s “A Musical Christmas Carol” has been played by some impressive figures over the years — including a long stint from beloved native son Tom Atkins. This year, the show has brought in a Tony winner and Emmy nominee: Denis O’Hare, instantly recognizable for screen roles including “This is Us,” “American Horror Story, “Big Little Lies,” “Dallas Buyers Club,” “The Proposal” and dozens more. He’ll be joined by a roster of Pittsburgh favorites — Lara Hayhurst, Lisa Ann Goldsmith, Saige Smith, Theo Allyn, Aaron Galligan-Stierle and many more — for a lively and heartwarming take on the Charles Dickens classic. “A Musical Christmas Carol” continues at the Byham Theater (which will be adorned with musical-themed Christmas trees) through Tuesday; a certain red-suited guest will also be making appearances at performances scheduled for Saturday and Sunday afternoon.

Holiday Classics at the Lindsay: Sewickley looks like a charming holiday village year-round, so it’s fitting that the neighborhood movie theater goes all out at Christmastime. Until Dec. 25, the nonprofit cinema will be showing some of the most beloved yuletide flicks, with screenings of “Elf,” “It’s a Wonderful Life,” “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” and “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” the latter of which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. Also on the lineup: the 1945 romance “Christmas in Connecticut,” starring Barbara Stanwyck. “Christmas in Connecticut” will be introduced by Wendy White of the Pittsburgh Classic Movie Club this Friday night.

“Christmas Vacatyinz”: Speaking of Clark Griswold and family, Bricolage Production Company has remixed, reimagined and yinzer-fied the holiday favorite with “Christmas Vacatyinz.” A retelling of the ill-fated Griswold family Christmas in the manner of the company’s acclaimed “Midnight Radio” series (styled after a ’40s-era radio broadcast), expect black-and-yellow hijinks from a cast including Patrick Jordan, Jason McCune, Dave Masueto, Jaime Slavinsky and writer/performer Tami Dixon. The show continues through Sunday at Barebones Black Box in Braddock.

Holiday Pops: Yes, you’ve heard “Sleigh Ride,” but you haven’t heard it performed by one of the nation’s finest symphony orchestras — unless, of course, you’ve made the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra’s Holiday Pops concert an annual tradition. The symphony will be joined by guests including the Tamburitzans, the Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh and more for festive performances through Sunday.

ZOOT: A Comedy & Jazz Showcase: Hilltop hotspot Bottlerocket Social Hall and Downtown jazz landmark Con Alma team up to present a special holiday edition of ZOOT this Friday night. The event, which combines Pittsburgh-based jazz musicians and comedians, gets a holiday makeover at this week’s edition. Expect plenty of laughs — and the best renditions of seasonal tunes you’ll hear all month.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra: Holiday music is often comforting, nostalgic and cozy. Only in the hands of the well-traveled Trans-Siberian Orchestra is it enough to get you leaping out of your seat with excitement. The group, which blends rock instrumentation, classical structure and immaculate stagecraft, hits PPG Paints Arena just days before Christmas, with two shows scheduled for Saturday.

“Fool Moon”: The party game Werewolf assigns players as either villagers or lycanthropes, attempting to find the beast within before the hungry wolf wipes out the whole town. In Arcade Comedy Theater’s “Fool Moon,” the game becomes a hilarious stage show where citizens and wolves alike are far more than mere victims. Get ready to howl this Thursday night.

Looking for more things to do? Check out our complete list of events in Pittsburgh for today, tomorrow and the weeks ahead.