🎁 The best Pittsburgh holiday markets

City’s Plan To Attract More Tourists

Downtown has struggled to regain its pre-pandemic foot traffic. VisitPittsburgh hopes to grow the city’s tourism industry with a 10-year plan that includes some big ideas:

• Special transportation between hubs like Downtown, North Side, Lawrenceville, Oakland, and Squirrel Hill
• A boat that takes you from the Convention Center to Kennywood
• A third shuttle for people to hop on and off at craft breweries
• Guided audio tours of murals and art projects throughout Pittsburgh’s 90 neighborhoods.
• Food tours by local gastronomists
• A sports trail celebrating athletes and landmarks
• A tour through Pittsburgh’s Black history, like August Wilson’s childhood home [90.5 WESA]

➡️ Speaking of Downtown growth, Point Park University has its own plan. [Pittsburgh Magazine]

Why Are Kids In Allegheny County Jail?

Almost two years ago, Allegheny County implemented a reauthorization of the Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention Act, which aims to remove children from adult prisons, but the number of kids at the Allegheny County Jail is still on the rise. The reauthorization requires that young people held at adult facilities have an “interest of justice” hearing every month. Since Dec. 2021, ACJ has held 249 of these hearings, and only one resulted in removal. [PINJ]

It’s Cold. Where Will Pgh’s Unhoused Go?

The winter overflow shelter at Second Avenue Commons in Downtown is now open, and it will serve overnight residents until March 15, 2024. The city and county are partnering to open an emergency overflow shelter at an undisclosed location — if others reach capacity or there is a utility problem, such as a burst pipe. The basement of Smithfield United Church of Christ, which served Pittsburgh’s homeless for 25 years, is not reopening.

• Will there be enough beds? [🎧 City Cast Pittsburgh]

🛍️ Shop Small Saturday

Shop & Taste Millvale | Nov. 25 | 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Get a map and “playing card” to collect stamps while you shop (and get free samples!) throughout the neighborhood. The more stamps, the more chances to win prizes.

Winter Markets on Bigham | Nov. 25 | 12-5 p.m.

Head to Armful of Flowers to shop from local vendors, drop letters in Santa’s mailbox, and find evergreen wreaths and Christmas trees. [free, Mt. Washington]

• Also mark your calendars for the Pancake Brunch & Winter Market with Santa on Dec. 9 and the Under the Lights Winter Market & Ugly Sweater Christmas Party on Dec. 16.

Shop Small & Cookie Tour | Nov. 25 | 1-4 p.m.

Grab a shopping passport and earn 10 stamps for every $10 you spend at participating locations, then turn it in to get a $25 gift card to the business of your choice. [free, Allentown & Mt. Oliver]

🎄 Holiday Rush

Sweetwater Holiday Market | Nov. 30 - Dec. 3 | Various Times

Enjoy wine and hors d’oeuvres at VIP opening night at Sweetwater Center for the Arts with 96 local vendors, or return Dec. 1 for Sewickley’s Light Up Night or a boozy brunch on Dec. 3. [free- $40, Sewickley]

Handmade Arcade | Dec. 1-2 | Various Times

Find something for everyone on your list from more than 275 makers at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. [free-$40, Downtown]

Holiday Craft Bazaar | Dec. 2 | 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Join the Steel City Craft Emporium, the city’s largest LGBTQ+ owned craft store, to browse 70+ vendors. [free, Brookline]

Krampus Holiday Marketplace | Dec. 3 | 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Take part in the old-world tradition of Krampus (Santa’s evil twin) with shopping and dark fun at the Monroeville Mall. [$10-50, Monroeville]

The PGH Flea | Dec. 3 | 4-8 p.m.

Find secondhand and vintage goods at Trace Brewing’s holiday market. [free, Bloomfield]

🎁 Last Minute Shopping

I Made It! Market | Dec. 9 | 12-5 p.m.

Find 60 artists in Rockwell Park at the last minute market. [free, Point Breeze]

Lawrenceville Cookie Tour | Dec. 9-10 | 12-5 p.m.

Participate in this sweet, 26-year tradition of tasting cookies and shopping all over the neighborhood. [free, Lawrenceville]

Holiday Handmade Crawl | Dec. 10 | 11-4 p.m.

Shop at Workshop PGH and inside the historic Wilkinsburg Train Station, plus do DIY activities while sipping on Two Frays beer. [free, Wilkinsburg]

Queer Craft Market | Dec. 17 | 3-7 p.m.

Support LGBTQ+ makers at the winter bazaar at the Union Project. [free, Highland Park]

Monday, Nov. 20

• 🍩 Free Donut Monday with any purchase at Olivers Donuts | 7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. | free | Lawrenceville
• ⛑️ Health & Safety Fair at the Irma Freeman Center for Imagination | 2-5 p.m. | free | Garfield
• ✨ Glowland at Schenley Plaza | 5 p.m. | free | Oakland

Tuesday, Nov. 21

• 💐 Holiday Floral Arrangement with Rust & Moss at East End Food Co-Op | 5:30-7 p.m. | $20-25 | Point Breeze North
• 🎤 Story Club PGH Slam: Family Secrets at City of Asylum | 7-8:30 p.m. | free | North Side / virtual

Wednesday, Nov. 22

• 💄Fall Back in Time Drag Show at Love, Kate Distilling | 5:30 a.m. - 7 p.m. | $15 | Sharpsburg

Meet the Pgh Group Bringing Rollerskating to the Masses

It’s hard to tell now, but Pittsburgh’s got deep roots in rollerskating. We’re talking about the heyday for local rinks, iconic moves like the Pittsburgh Slide, and how groups like PGH SK8 Collaborative appeal to all skating styles, abilities, ages, races, bodies & genders. Plus, guests Dana Bannon and Rico Rucker have a thought or two about both pickleball and the future of the Homewood Coliseum.