City Cast Pittsburgh
✈️ PIT’s new nonstop destination
December 12, 2025 · — Francesca Dabecco
It’s Friday and the final day of our year-end membership campaign. Thank you so much to those who’ve joined City Cast Pittsburgh Neighbors.
I’ve been writing this daily newsletter for four years, and there’s nothing I enjoy more than helping you connect to what’s happening in our backyard — from the biggest issues to the best events.
To me, this newsletter isn’t just another email in your inbox. It’s my daily love letter to Pittsburgh, filled with ways you can engage with our city, support local businesses, and truly live like you live here 💛
Thousands of you read this newsletter for free every day, but even if just a small fraction of you support us through City Cast Pittsburgh Neighbors, we just might be able to stick around for another four years.
Join us, and I’ll send you a special weekly events email. Plus, you’ll be invited to members-only events with the City Cast Pittsburgh team.
What's CITY Talking About
City Council Split on Pittsburgh Budget
As the budget deadline quickly approaches, Pittsburgh City Council is weighing its options to fill a gap in Mayor Ed Gainey’s spending plan. Hear about why some councilors are supporting a property tax increase — the first in over a decade. The next public hearing is Dec. 20. [🎧 City Cast Pittsburgh]
PIT Gets Nonstop Flights to Ireland
Aer Lingus will offer direct flights to Dublin beginning May of next year. The route also brings new opportunities for travel to European cities like Paris, Rome, and Amsterdam. [NEXTpittsburgh]
- Get our best tips for finding cheap flights from Pittsburgh. [🎧 City Cast Pittsburgh]
Police End Moonlighting for Businesses
Dozens of local groups and businesses will no longer be able to hire an off-duty cop to provide security. A TribLive investigation shows that hundreds of organizations benefitted from years of police services without paying for them. [TribLive]
- Pittsburgh’s police leadership is changing next year. [🎧 City Cast Pittsburgh]
Taxpayer Funds Used for Shapiro’s Home
In addition to spending millions of dollars on repair work at the Governor's mansion in Harrisburg, the state plans to shell out nearly $1.1 million in public funds to upgrade security at Gov. Josh Shapiro’s private home in Philadelphia. [SpotlightPA]
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Pittsburgh Holiday Trivia!
We’re wrapping up 2025 with some local holiday trivia. See how well you know this merry time of year — and then share these fun facts at your next festive gathering!
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What To Do
Friday, Dec. 12
- 👽 Stranger Science 21+ at the Kamin Science Center (Chateau)
- 🎶 Pittsburgh Plays Ozzy for Parkinson Foundation (McKees Rocks)
- ❄️ Winter Teen Night & Fashion Show at the Warhol (North Side)
- 🎤 Holiday Pops at Heinz Hall — Dec. 21 (Downtown)
- 🐈 Pittsburgh C.A.T. Holiday Party at Archie's (South Side)
- 🔮 Witchy Winter Wonderland at Helltown Brewing (Strip District)
- 🎂 Cake & Sip at Happenstance Cafe (Lawrenceville)
- 💄 Holiday Bingo & Drag at Mix Candle Co. (Lawrenceville)
- 🔥 Winter Heat at the Carnegie Art Museum (Oakland)
- 🥳 Snowy Soiree at Antiques on Ohio River (Bellevue)
- 🍲 Soup 'N' Schvitz with Bad Sauna (Point Breeze)
- 🛍️ Craft Maker Market at CoStar Brewing — Dec. 14 (Etna)
- 🎷 Jazz Fridays at Greenhouse Co-op (Greenfield)
- 🥂 Festive Fridays at Forge Vintage & Goods (Dormont)
- 🚲 Critmas Bike Ride in Friendship Park (Friendship)
- 🔔 Slay Bells Drag at PTown Bar (Oakland)
Saturday, Dec. 13
- 🛍️ Winter Pottery Pop-up at Union Project (Highland Park)
- 🍻 Crafts & Drafts at East End Brewing (Larimer)
- 🌲 Holiday Market at 3 Rivers Outdoor Co. (Regent Square)
- 🩰 The Jazz Nutcracker at Kelly Strayhorn (East Liberty)
- 👾 Anime Night Before Christmas at Spirit (Lawrenceville)
- 🎶 A Musical Christmas Carol at Byham Theater (Downtown)
- 🍷 Holiday Wine Walk with Uncover Squirrel Hill (Squirrel Hill)
- 🐶 Holiday Pup-up at Double Dog Studios (Carnegie)
- 🎤 The Holiday Belles at Refucilo (Allegheny West)
- 🍪 Lawrenceville Cookie Tour along Butler Street (Lawrenceville)
- 🌟 Under the Lights Night Market at Armful of Flowers (Mt. Washington)
- 🎉 Holiday Community Day at the August Wilson Center (Downtown)
- 🎅 Santa Claus at the Heinz History Center (Strip District)
- 🚲 Bike Sale & Giveaway at Red Lantern Bike Shop (Turtle Creek)
- 🛏️ The Cozy Collective Meetup (Lawrenceville)
- 🥌 Learn to Curl with Pittsburgh Curling (Mckees Rocks)
- 🧢 Customize Hats with Yinzers Meet (Etna)
- 🎄 Ugly Sweater Extravaganza at Tiki Bar (Finleyville)
- 🌟 Hope for the Holidays with Black Women's Policy Center (Duquesne)
- ❄️ Winter Market at Field Day (Lawrenceville)
- 🌲 Pittsburgh Holiday Fest at Monroeville Convention Center (Monroeville)
- 🍳 Breakfast with Santa at Velem Fermentation (South Side)
- 🎁 Pop-Up Market with Radiant Hall — Dec. 14 (Lawrenceville)
- 🧵 Fabric Swap with Sew Pgh (Wilkinsburg)
- ☕ A Taste of Yemen at Arriviste (Shadyside)
- 👖 Holiday Vintage Mart at Construction Junction (Point Breeze)
Sunday, Dec. 14
- 🎄 Handmade Ornaments at Eleventh Hour (Lawrenceville)
- 💿 Pittsburgh Record Fest at Spirit (Lawrenceville)
- 🐕 Holiday Market at the Dog Penn (Strip District)
- 🎅 Breakfast with Santa at Coughlin's Law (Mt. Washington)
- 🍎 Farmers Market in Bartlett Lot (Squirrel Hill)
- 🛍️ Holiday Handmade with WorkshopPGH (Wilkinsburg)
- 🎀 Christmas Market at Cute Co. (Butler)
- 😴 Pajama Drive at Nick's on Hilltop (Mt. Oliver)
- 🌈 Queerness x Spirituality Salon with Jaded PGH (DM for address)
- 🧵 Mending & Repair Workshop at Prototype PGH (Oakland)
- 💄 Drag Brunch at Trace Brewing (Bloomfield)
- ⛄ Holiday Market at The Schoolhouse (Bethel Park)
- 🎵 Highmark Holiday Pops at Heinz Hall (Downtown)
- 🍷 Holiday Wine Sale at Bar Marco (Strip District)
- 💵 Thriftmas at Remix Market (North Hills)
- 🌟 Avant-Garde Art Pop-Up & Holiday Soirée (Bloomfield)
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Thank you to our newest City Cast Pittsburgh Neighbors Mark D., Lisa L. Caroline F., and Maggie A.
📣 Here’s why Lisa L. became a member:
“I’ve been to a few events and had such an enjoyable time. This is a great way to stay connected to a wide assortment of Pittsburgh activities that I wouldn’t have known about any other way.”
Thank you so much, Lisa! 🥹
Reminder: City Cast Pittsburgh Neighbors get curated event recommendations AND invites to members-only meetups like happy hours and walking tours. Plus, if you join TODAY, you get our exclusive beanie!
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