17 Reasons Pittsburgh is the Best City in the World During the Holiday Season

Photo by JC McGreehan

We all know Pittsburgh is one of the best cities in the world. During the holidays, it transforms into an even more magical place. Here are 17 of the many reasons Pittsburgh is the best city in the world during the holiday season.



17. Sledding at Schenley Park

Pittsburgh is the Best City

There’s something so delightful about sledding in Schenley Park that you feel like a kid again.



16. The Wintergarden at PPG Place

Pittsburgh is the Best City

There’s nothing better in the cold winter than PPG Place’s indoor garden.



15. The Nationality Rooms at the Cathedral of Learning

Pittsburgh is the Best City

There’s just something cozy and inviting about them during the holiday season.



14. The way the city looks after a fresh snowfall

Pittsburgh is the Best City
Photo by Darrell Sapp | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

After a fresh snow, there’s a certain quiet and peacefulness about the city.



13. Holiday versions of our favorite team gear

Pittsburgh is the Best City

There’s nothing more fun than a Steeler Santa hat or a Pens holiday jersey.



12. Holiday lights at Kennywood

Pittsburgh is the Best City

Kennywood is extra special during the holiday season when it’s lit up with twinkling lights.



11. The Science Center’s Miniature Railroad & Village

Pittsburgh is the Best City

Seeing the railroad has become a Christmas tradition for years in the area.



10. Cookies, cookies and more cookies

Pittsburgh is the Best City
Photo by Jodi McKinney

Thumbprints, Smiley cookies, pizzelles, you name it, chances are a Pittsburgh bakery makes it!



9. Light up Night’s magic

Pittsburgh is the Best City

The night brings the unofficial kickoff to the Pittsburgh holiday season.



8. The Carnegie Museum of Art’s Christmas trees

Pittsburgh is the Best City

The trees are truly breathtaking and definitely worth a look.



7. The Créche 

Pittsburgh is the Best City

The Pittsburgh Créche is the only authorized replica of the nativity scene at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.



6. Phipps’ Winter Flower Show

Pittsburgh is the Best City
Photo by Paul G. Wiegman

The gorgeous transformation every year makes for an exciting trip to see what Phipps dreamed up.



5. All the opportunities to ice skate

Pittsburgh is the Best City

South Park, North Park, PPG Place and everywhere in between are all opportunities for a fun afternoon or evening of ice skating.



4. Driving around to look at all the holiday light displays

Pittsburgh is the Best City

Pittsburgh neighborhoods don’t disappoint when it comes to holiday light displays.



3. Local churches decorated for Christmas

Pittsburgh is the Best City

The breathtaking church decorations at First Presbyterian, St. Paul’s Cathedral and others are especially beautiful during the holidays.



2. Doing holiday shopping at local small businesses.

Pittsburgh is the Best City

Shadyside, Lawrenceville and many other Pittsburgh neighborhoods are perfect for shopping locally.



1. The people of our city coming together to be even warmer and friendlier than usual!

Pittsburgh is the Best City

Pittsburgh is full of wonderful people. Those people believe it or not give even MORE wonderful over the holiday season.

Ever wonder what Christmas songs would be called if they were written by Pittsburghers?



7 thoughts on “17 Reasons Pittsburgh is the Best City in the World During the Holiday Season”

  1. proud to be from burgh.left in 69 when job i was doing for j&l on southside was being replaced with continuous casting.moved to l.a. & got job in mini mill with electric furnaces & continuous casting.moved up in 18yrs to melter foreman. closed down moved to az.MANYfond memories. our summer cottage was across crick from ROONEY’S summer home in ligonier.played with rooney kids & went to mass with them also.

  2. I too left to find new employment been here now well this Jan will be 29 Years but no place will ever come close to my Pittsburgh Its like they say “If I had to explain it you just wouldnt unnderstand

  3. I remember when I was growing up, Nothing was going to stop me from moving to Pittsburgh! But alas I joined the Army and ended up in Oklahoma. Still think about it from time to time.

  4. When you meet someone from Pittsburgh you know they are going to be friendly.
    Even though, I moved to Florida because of the weather 30 years ago I still call the Steel City my home. I return every year. Although, only in the summer time.

  5. Remember going “dawn tawn” to see the windows, Kaufans, Horne’s, Gimbel’s and across the bridge to Boggs and Behls to ride the ” in storeMini train”! Arizona, is great, California was cool but Pittsburgh, while just a memory, was my birth home.

  6. HAROLD T. HOLMES

    NOTHING LIKE THE CITY>>>.PITTSBURGH IS MY SECOND HOME AWAY FROM OUR OTHER TWO HOMES…..WHEELING AND FLUSHING>>>>WAS INVOLVED WITH BUSINESS THERE FOR RESOURCE ETC….FOR 42 YEARS….RETIRED IN OHIO….WATCHED THE CITY TRANSFORM FROM 1973 -20012 FROM INDUSTRIAL TO CORPORATE AND REIGN AS A FINE ARTS / CULTURAL MECCA……..BEAUTIFUL PPG PLAZA..AN ARCHITECTURAL MARVEL>>GOOD BURROUGHS AND NEIGHBORHOODS…>>VIVA DEAR PITTSBURGH.!!! A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS !! WITH LOVE FROM HAROLD…

  7. I miss the Golden Triangle: Hornes, Gimbels, and Kaufmann’s windows were the best. The displays were different every year.

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