🎁 HUGE holiday market guide

Light Up Night Partners With Food Bank

Pittsburgh will kick off the holiday season with Light Up Night celebrations on Nov. 22. Expect tree and bridge lightings, live music, craft vendors, and fireworks — plus, opportunities to donate to the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank.

• The annual holiday market is moving to the Cultural District because of construction in Market Square.
• Find more festive holiday lights and displays in our guide to November. [TribLive / 📝City Cast Pittsburgh]

PIT Travelers Face Potential Disruptions

Forty airports have been forced to reduce flights because of the federal government shutdown. While Pittsburgh International isn’t currently on the list, local travelers will see delays and cancellations to our top destinations and connection hubs. [🔐 Business Times]

• Rethinking air travel? We share how to plan the perfect Pittsburgh staycation on today’s City Cast Pittsburgh podcast. [🎧 City Cast Pittsburgh]

Giant Eagle Opens ‘Compact’ Market District

The grocery chain debuted its seventh specialty store within the city, located in the Meridian development on Penn Avenue in East Liberty. [WPXI]

• Giant Eagle recently launched a $100 million investment plan to compete with other grocery stores. [🎧 City Cast Pittsburgh]

History Center Acquires McCullough Archives

Belongings of late historian and author David McCullough — including book manuscripts, a Presidential Medal of Freedom, and two Pulitzer Prize awards — have a new home in the Heinz History Center. [Pittsburgh Magazine]

• Some items will be on display on Nov. 19 for the launch of McCullough's posthumous book. [Heinz History Center]

Want to gift your loved ones something special AND support local businesses and creators? Do all of your holiday shopping at these Pittsburgh-area markets 🎁

I Made It! for the Holidays | Nov. 15

More than 110 Pittsburgh artists, crafters, distillers, and small batch food makers will sell their goods across two floors at The Block Northway in Ross Township.

CRAFTED: Holiday Shopping | Nov. 21

Grab a cocktail (or mocktail) and shop from a curated selection of home decor and exclusive tableware at Contemporary Craft in Lawrenceville. Tickets are $15.

Craftsman Guild Holiday Market | Nov. 22

Browse handmade jewelry, decorative ceramics, intricate mosaics, hand-cut paper art, silkscreen works, creative mixed media pieces, and more at the Ellis School Gym in Shadyside.

Italian Holiday Market | Nov. 28 – Dec. 23

Buon Natale! Shop for Italian-made clothes, art, and more at Istituto Mondo Italiano’s annual market in Regent Square. Don’t miss the Prosecco toast on opening night!

Millvale Small Business Saturday | Nov. 29

Get a map and collect stamps while you shop (and get free samples!) throughout the neighborhood. The more stamps, the more chances to win gift baskets!

Phipps Gifts & Greens | Dec. 4-6

Have a wreath custom-designed for you at Phipps Garden Center’s holiday boutique at the Garden Center in Shadyside.

Handmade Arcade | Dec. 5-6

Find something for everyone on your list from more than 290 makers at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Downtown. Don’t like crowds? Go to the Friday night preview party for $30.

Lawrenceville Cookie Tour | Dec. 13-14

Participate in this sweet, decades-long tradition of tasting cookies and shopping all over the neighborhood. Grab a map and look for gift-wrapping stations along Butler Street.