Seasonal & Holidays
12 Days Of Cheer In Peters: Making This A December To Remember
Celebrate the season all month long with local lights, cozy stops, markets and hometown holiday charm.
The holiday season is officially here, and there’s no shortage of ways to soak up the magic in and around Peters. To help get you in the spirit, we’ve rounded up a dozen festive ideas you can enjoy throughout the month — each one a fun, joyful way to celebrate the season close to home.
From twinkling light displays and holiday markets to cozy treats, local shopping spots, winter activities and seasonal shows, these 12 picks highlight what makes Peters feel especially merry this time of year. Whether you check off one or all twelve, it’s all about slowing down, supporting local businesses and making memories.
1. Take an evening drive through the Holiday Lights in nearby North Strabane.
The Holiday Lights Drive-Thru, down the road in North Strabane Township Park, turns the grounds into a glowing route of festive displays you can enjoy from the comfort of your car. The event runs nightly from December 1 through January 1, with lights on from 5:00–10:00 p.m. and a path designed to guide you past every sponsored installation. Families can follow the posted signs to ensure they see all the displays, making it an easy way to add a little sparkle to any December night.
Find out what's happening in Petersfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
2. Wander through the festive Peoples Gas Holiday Market in downtown Pittsburgh.
Roughly 30 minutes from Peters, the Peoples Gas Holiday Market transforms Market Square into a European-inspired shopping village filled with Alpine-style chalets, seasonal food and one-of-a-kind gifts. Vendors from near and far offer high-quality handmade items, international treats and holiday specialties, so you can browse with your family or find something meaningful for those on your list. The market runs daily through December 24 (closed Thanksgiving), and opening night features limited-edition souvenir ornaments available with a donation to the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. Check the market’s full schedule to explore vendor lists, performances and the holiday activities happening throughout the season.
3. Spend a winter weekend on the ice at Printscape Arena.
Printscape Arena hosts public skating every Friday, Saturday and Sunday throughout the 2025–2026 season, giving families plenty of chances to get out on the ice. Admission is $12, with skate rentals available for $5 and skate helpers for $6 if you’re bringing younger skaters or beginners. All payments and registrations are handled online, so sign up ahead of time to make sure your family gets the session you want.
Find out what's happening in Petersfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
4. Experience Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre’s ‘The Nutcracker’ at the Benedum Center.
The 30-minute drive is worth it for Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre (PBT), bringing a local twist to the classic holiday tale with its turn-of-the-century Pittsburgh–themed production of The Nutcracker. Terrence S. Orr’s version highlights city landmarks, familiar history and memorable characters as Marie and the Nutcracker Prince journey from snowy scenes into the Land of Enchantment. The production runs on select dates from December 5–28 and features the iconic Tchaikovsky score, shimmering costumes and the dances audiences return for year after year. Visit PBT’s performance schedule to find the showtime that fits your holiday plans.
5. Explore the glowing Wild Illuminations lantern experience at the Pittsburgh Zoo.
Wild Illuminations transforms the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium into a glowing winter walk, and it’s only about a 30-minute drive from Peters. On select nights through January 11, the zoo comes to life with towering silk-and-steel animal lanterns, familiar holiday characters and symbols from celebrations like Hanukkah, Christmas and Lunar New Year. Families can enjoy performances by Chinese acrobats, seasonal treats, visits with Santa and rides on the Zoo train and carousel throughout the evening. Plan-ahead admission ranges from $23–29 for adults and $19–24 for children (babies under 24 months are always free), with flex tickets and group rates available depending on your visit.
6. Grab a cozy drink and support local families at Fresh Start Cafe.
A quick trip to nearby Canonsburg brings you to Fresh Start Cafe, a nonprofit coffee shop that pairs warm, welcoming energy with a menu of thoughtfully made drinks, breakfast bites and gluten-free treats. The café is known for its locally sourced baked goods and its award-winning Liège-style JohnnyWaffles, making it a sweet stop during a winter morning or an afternoon break. Every purchase supports their community mission, with 100 percent of tips treated as donations that help fund local outreach programs for student youth and their families. This season, the café is partnering with the Canon-McMillan Santa Fund to collect donations, and volunteers are welcome to get involved.
7. Spend an evening exploring Southpointe Town Center in nearby Canonsburg.
Southpointe Town Center offers a walkable mix of restaurants, cafés, shops and everyday conveniences perfect for checking to-dos off your list this holiday season. The tree-lined Main Street feels especially festive this time of year, drawing families in for dinner, treats or a little browsing between errands. On December 4, the center hosts its annual Christmas in the Park event from 5:00–7:00 p.m., featuring Santa's return for a night of cheerful activities and winter fun. It’s a simple way to get into the holiday spirit while enjoying one of Canonsburg’s busiest community hubs.
8. Get creative with holiday crafts at Made By: You in McMurray.
Next door in McMurray is Made By: You, a bright, welcoming studio where artists of all ages can experiment with pottery, painting, jewelry, candle making and more. The space is designed to encourage creativity, whether you're trying something new with your family or dropping in for a little solo inspiration. December brings a lineup of seasonal craft nights — from snowman knitting and holiday ornament workshops to candle making and festive door hangers — offering plenty of ways to make something personal for the season. Browse their event calendar to see which seasonal project you might want to make next.
9. Take a glowing winter walk at the Enchanted Lights Holiday Stroll.
About 40 minutes from Peters, the Enchanted Lights Holiday Stroll invites families onto the Krischke family’s 70-acre property near Cranberry for a walk-through experience filled with shimmering displays and synchronized light scenes. Guests move along illuminated gravel paths and a short staircase, stopping for hot chocolate, funnel cakes and campfires where you can roast s’mores and warm up between sections of the trail. The event runs nightly from November 28 through December 30, with timed entry beginning at 5:30 p.m. and reservations required to keep the flow moving smoothly. Admission is $25 for adults and $20 for children ages 3–10 (kids under 3 are free), and leashed dogs are welcome on Sunday nights. Parking is $5, with proceeds supporting Crisis Center North and Cross Your Paws Dog Rescue.
10. Wander through the immersive displays at Dazzling Nights at Pittsburgh Botanic Garden.
A quick, 30-minute drive will lead you to the Pittsburgh Botanic Garden’s Dazzling Nights, a mile-long light experience filled with creative scenes and immersive holiday installations. On select dates through January 3, the gardens feature everything from illuminated star tunnels and towering 30-foot walls of light to a shimmering lotus-pond spectacular brought to life by Poetic Kinetics’ “Elevated Reflection” sculpture. Families can stop for warm drinks and treats at Shimmering Square, watch nightly snowfall at Snow and Glow, explore neon forest creatures, wander beneath the mistletoe or snap photos beside giant glowing ornaments. Tickets vary by date, with group discounts available, and live entertainment runs throughout the night to round out the experience.
11. Sip local craft brews at Mondays Brewing Company.
Mondays Brewing Company offers a relaxed neighborhood taproom where you can explore a wide range of locally crafted beers and beverages. The Peters Township location seats around 50 guests indoors, with additional space outside, and the lineup rotates through lagers, ales, sours, IPAs and seasonal styles. If beer isn’t your favorite, the taproom also pours regional cider, mead, wine, spirits and even locally made soda. Guests are encouraged to bring their own food or order in from nearby restaurants, letting you pair your drink with whatever sounds good that night.12. Celebrate the season among glowing gardens at Phipps Holiday Magic.
Holiday Magic takes over Phipps Conservatory with glowing gardens, whimsical topiary wildlife and elaborate floral displays — and it’s only a 30-minute drive from Peters. This year’s “Wild Winter” theme fills the glasshouses with vibrant poinsettias, sparkling light installations and charming scenes, including penguin snowball fights and reindeer strolling under snowfall lights. Outside, the Winter Light Garden brightens the evening with radiant pathways, shimmering structures and family-friendly photo spots that begin glowing nightly at 5:00 p.m. The Garden Railroad also returns with a new “Age of Dinosaurs” setup for visitors to explore. Tickets are released in stages with early access for members, so check the schedule when planning your visit.
