Top 10 Things to Do in December in Pittsburgh

PHOTO BY HEATHER MULL

Dec. 16 | Monday Night Dodgeball

It’s like gym class, but this time you’re not being forced to participate. Held in the Gym at the Ace Hotel and hosted by City of Play, Monday Night Dodgeball offers a chance for grown-ups to get out and act like kids — complete with prizes (and adult beverages).
East Liberty: 120 S. Whitfield St.; 412/712-7858, cityofplay.org/dodgeball

PHOTO BY NADINE PHOTOGRAPHY

Nov. 30-Dec. 8 | Heinz Chapel Holiday Concerts

The beauty of Heinz Memorial Chapel will be matched by the voices of the Heinz Chapel Choir as it performs its popular holiday concerts. Founded in 1938, the a cappella choir is made up of students from the University of Pittsburgh who sing at the choir’s home base in the Chapel and on domestic and international tours.
Oakland: Fifth and Bellefield Avenues, 412/624-7529, music.pitt.edu

Dec. 4 | Mittens & Mingles

Share the spirit of giving at Mittens & Mingles, an evening of signature drinks, food pairings, treats, entertainment, wine and craft beer hosted by the South Side Chamber of Commerce. Attendees are encouraged to dress in their best holiday getup for the event, held at J. Verno Studios, and the Chamber will be collecting donations ($5 or more) for The Brashear Association, a group that provides numerous community services for residents who live in south Pittsburgh.
Southside: 3030 Jane St. 412/431-3360, southsidechamber.org/mingle

Dec. 5 | National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation with Beer Tasting

Wear your favorite ugly Christmas sweater and join everyone’s favorite bumbling family, the Griswolds, for an evening of beer and holiday cheer. The Oaks Theater will show “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” and host a beer tasting from Hulton Liquid Works. It’s sure to be a real beaut, Clark.  Oakmont: 310 Allegheny River Blvd. 888/718-4253, theoakstheater.com

PHOTO BY NATHAN J. SHAULIS

Dec. 6-8 | Holiday Glass Sale

The Pittsburgh Glass Center will host its annual Holiday Glass Sale where attendees can purchase blown glass and fused ornaments, handmade art and jewelry from regional artists; on Friday and Saturday, you can make your own glass ornament.
Friendship: 5472 Penn Ave. 412/365-2145, www.pittsburghglasscenter.org

Dec. 13 | 12 Bars of Charity

When you buy a ticket to the 12 Bars of Charity, you can choose which charity you want a portion of your proceeds to go to — Animal Friends, Big Brothers Big Sisters and Ronald McDonald House Charities are just a few. On the evening of the bar crawl, grab your color-coded charity team sweatshirt and hop on the provided shuttle for drink specials at the partner bars. And now we sing: For the 12 Bars of Charity, my true love gave to me — a donation to my favorite charity.
East End: Various locations, 12barsofcharity.com/pittsburgh 

PHOTO BY JORDANA LENZ

Dec. 15 | Yoga + Cocktails

It’s yoga first, cocktails second (probably the best order of events) at Yoga + Cocktails in the Wigle Whiskey Tasting Room & Bottle Shop at Ross Park Mall. Grab your mat and head over for a one-hour guided class followed by a Wigle cocktail of your choice.
Ross Township: 1000 Ross Park Mall Drive, 412/536-8367, wiglewhiskey.com

Dec. 17 | A Benedum Christmas – Home for the Holidays

Previously hosted at Pittsburgh Winery, a showcase of local talent has moved to a larger stage. “A Benedum Christmas – Home for the Holidays,” now hosted by the Winery and Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, will feature musicians such as Scott Blasey of The Clarks, Billy Price and Margot Bingham performing holiday classics and their own songs. For the event, the Benedum’s lobby will turn into a donation center for the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, and the Winery will host a wine tasting one hour before showtime.
DOWNTOWN: 237 Seventh St. 412/456-6666, trustarts.org

Dec. 22 | Trans-Siberian Orchestra

If I could somehow place a snippet of music into this article, you would immediately recognize the Trans-Siberian Orchestra song that’s currently stuck in my head. But honestly, if you listen to the radio at all this time of year, you could probably take a good guess as to what it is. The rock group brings its winter tour, “Christmas Eve and Other Stories,” to PPG Paints Arena this month for two shows on one day.
Uptown: 1001 Fifth Ave. 412/642-1800, ppgpaintsarena.com 

Dec. 31 | Jeff Dunham

Jeff Dunham is a popular ventriloquist and stand-up comedian best-known for skits with his puppets such as Peanut, Walter and José Jalapeño. Dunham’s international tour “Jeff Dunham: Seriously!?” makes a stop at PPG Paints Arena on the last day of the month — start your New Year’s Eve early with a little comedy.  UPTOWN: 1001 Fifth Ave. 412/642-1800, ppgpaintsarena.com