Film Pittsburgh Fall Festival
Film Pittsburgh Fall Festival.
Locally Sourced
Hanna Dausch, Four Vases, 2020. Courtesy of the artist.

9. Locally Sourced at Carnegie Museum of Art, November 20

Pittsburgh’s leading makers will be spotlighted via this new exhibition and virtual programming series. Featuring 19 makers working across clay, glass, metal, fiber, wood, paper and new technologies, Locally Sourced celebrates the diversity of Pittsburgh’s artisan community and the city’s legacy in manufacturing and craftsmanship. See 100 objects highlighting the transformation of raw and reclaimed materials into functional, durable and expertly-designed products — from 3D printed ceramics to eco-designs to home furnishings. Buy tickets.

Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership
Photo courtesy of the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership.

10. Peoples Gas Holiday Market and Santa Zoom: November 27, 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m.

Even though Light Up Night is not taking place, there are still plenty of ways to kick off the holidays Downtown. Prioritizing health and safety, the Peoples Gas Holiday Market is unveiling a newly reconfigured layout for outdoor shopping. Artisans from around the globe will sell one-of-a-kind handmade gifts in charming chalets, while musical acts will provide a festive soundtrack on the centerpiece stage. And the kiddos can chat with Santa during a real-time, split-screen video and broadcast experience.

11. Zoo Lights Drive-Thru at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium: November 27

Start a new holiday tradition by driving through the zoo at night with the entire family. Guided by a seasonal audio tour, you’ll be dazzled by thousands of environmentally-friendly LED lights transforming the site into a winter wonderland. The zoo will come to life with themed displays and classic frosted characters. Sing carols along the way and spread cheer to your favorite animal friends. The attraction is open select nights from November 27 through January 3. Buy tickets.

12. Handmade Arcade Virtual Marketplace: November 28

Rather than one weekend at the convention center, the independent craft fair will span nine days with a virtual marketplace. Featuring 130 makers, artists and crafters from around the region and country, the online shopping holiday experience will showcase a wide variety of handmade goods — from home decor to artwork to clothing for adults and kids. Augmenting the market will be immersive experiences such as behind-the-scenes studio tours, hands-on demonstrations and Meet the Maker Q&As. Learn more.

Letterpress Jess
Card by Letterpress Jess. Photo courtesy of I Made It! Market.

13. Shop Holiday Handmade: November 28 & 29

Pittsburgh’s I Made It! Market is teaming up with the Cleveland Bazaar and Akron’s Crafty Mart to jumpstart the holiday shopping season. The three regional markets will showcase 150 curated makers, artists and small businesses during a collaborative online event launching on Small Business Saturday. The rustbelt market will include meet-the-maker profiles and videos. A vendor catalog will be published in advance so shoppers can peruse the goods before the market goes live. Learn more.

For more events, go here.

Jennifer BaronEvents & Jobs Editor

Jennifer has worked at the Mattress Factory, Brooklyn Museum of Art and Dahesh Museum of Art and is co-author of Pittsburgh Signs Project: 250 Signs of Western Pennsylvania. She also is co-coordinator of Handmade Arcade. Musically, she is in a band called The Garment District and is a founding member of Brooklyn's The Ladybug Transistor.