The Illusionists - Magic of the Holidays.

Don’t miss this special holiday edition highlighting events this week and weekend in Pittsburgh: December 23-29.

Monday, December 23: Peoples Gas Holiday Market Extended Hours in Market Square
11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Still haven’t conquered that gift list? You’re in luck because the Peoples Gas Holiday Market has announced extended hours Downtown. Shop from more than two dozen artisans selling unique handmade ware, including gifts, decor and cuisine made right here in Pittsburgh and around the globe.

Peoples Gas Holiday Market. Photo by Renee Rosensteel.

Tuesday, December 24: Holiday Family Free Day at the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh and MuseumLab
10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Take a break from the holiday hustle to enjoy some creative family time. All visitors will enjoy free admission to both the Children’s Museum and the MuseumLab all day long. Pop into the MAKESHOP to climb inside a giant camera obscura, design a shadow puppet and make the invisible visible, create winter-themed slime using glitter, dye and fake snow, and join storytime sessions in the Art Studio.

Tuesday, December 24: Waves at the Harris Theater
7:30 p.m.
Written and directed by Trey Edward Shults, this new film features a talented ensemble cast that includes Sterling K. Brown from “This Is Us.” Set against the backdrop of South Florida’s vibrant landscape, the drama “traces the epic emotional journey of a suburban African-American family as they navigate love, forgiveness and coming together in the aftermath of a loss.”

Tuesday, December 24 and Wednesday, December 26: Chinese Food & Movies at Row House Cinema
Various times
If you love the Chinese food and a movie tradition, go all out and make it a two-day celebration at Lawrenceville’s indie cinema hub. The helpful Row House crew will take your order for Chinese food or sushi and will kindly deliver it to you in your seat as you watch festive flicks such as “Krampus,” “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” “The Muppet Christmas Carol” and “Die Hard.”

Phipps Family Fun Day. Photo by Rachel Lovas.

Thursday, December 26: Family Fun Days at Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Have you experienced Phipps’ captivating Winter Flower Show and Light Garden yet? If not, gather the entire clan and enjoy a day of fun activities amidst the shimmering flowers, plants and displays. Get crafty, pot a plant to take home and participate in educational projects that celebrate the holiday season.

Thursday, December 26: Holiday KidsPlay in the Heinz Hall Courtyard
11 a.m.-6 p.m.
The Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership and Fred Rogers Productions have unveiled an expanded schedule of free Holiday KidsPlay events Downtown. Take selfies with props from “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood,” sit on Mister Rogers’ iconic bench, decorate paper ornaments and learn all about electricity with the Carnegie Science Center.

Thursday, December 26: Ales & Asanas presents Holiday Happy Hour Beer Yoga at Penn Brewery
4-5 p.m.
Find your flow — and enjoy some frothy goodness. We could all use some time for mindfulness during this hectic holiday rush and Ales & Asanas is here to help you achieve balance. Join an all-level yoga session and incorporate a signature Penn Brewery ale into your final pose — and then stick around to enjoy happy hour specials.

Photo courtesy of Ales & Asanas.

Thursday, December 26: Lumaze at 31st Street Studios
Various times
Lumaze offers one million twinkling lights inside the 100,000-square-foot attraction, where you’ll encounter fairy tale characters, meandering trails and Santa’s misplaced presents. It’s especially geared toward kids although you’ll find live entertainment, bars, and local vendors selling crafts and goods.

Thursday, December 26: Pittsburgh Improv Jam at the Greer Cabaret Theater
10 p.m.
Watch as experienced veterans, eager rookies and courageous first-timers are placed on teams to create improvised comedic scenes based on audience suggestions. You truly never know what’s going to happen or who’s going to appear on stage. The improv show kicks off with a performance by Well Known Strangers and touring comedy acts.

Friday, December 27: The Illusionists: Magic of the Holidays at Heinz Hall
7 p.m.
Add some real magic to your holiday — and have your mind blown by the planet’s most remarkable illusionists. Packed with thrilling and sophisticated acts, this brand-new installment of the world-renowned blockbuster tour features mesmerizing close-up magic, mentalism, daring escapes and technological spectacles performed by master entertainers right before your very eyes.

Saturday, December 28: Penguins on Parade at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium
11:30 a.m.
What could be better than spending a Saturday morning with a colony of waddling penguins? Be there to witness the procession as the resident penguins parade along the pathway outside the PPG Aquarium. Make sure to get there early to score a prime viewing and photo app spot!

Photo courtesy of the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium.

Saturday, December 28: A Charlie Brown Christmas Live on Stage at the Byham Theater
5 & 7:30 p.m.
Join Charlie Brown, Snoopy and the entire lovable Peanuts gang to discover the true meaning of the holiday season — while staging their very own play and saving a sad tree. Featuring the unforgettable music of Vince Guaraldi along with a concert of beloved holiday carols performed by the Peanuts characters, this brand-new touring production brings to life the Emmy and Peabody Award-winning story by Charles M. Schulz.

Saturday, December 28: Dandy Andy: Warhol’s Queer History at the Andy Warhol Museum
3 p.m.
Join artist educators for this fascinating museum tour focusing on Andy Warhol’s queer identity. Learn about the King of Pop Art within the context of the historical gay rights movement and learn about the partners, colleagues and collaborators who helped to shape the artist’s prolific career path.

Saturday, December 28: Kwanzaa Celebration at Ryan Arts Center
6-9 p.m.
Celebrate Kwanzaa, arts and creativity in McKees Rocks. Enjoy a soul food dinner, join communal singalongs and hear live African drumming by Sankofa — all while learning about the seven core principles of Kwanzaa.

Sunday, December 29: Winter Flower Show and Light Garden at Phipps
10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Bask in the dazzling glow of this beloved Pittsburgh tradition before in closes. Its brightest exhibit in 126 years, Phipps’ 10 acres of illuminated outdoor gardens to rescue you from winter’s impending gloom. Wander through light tunnels, snap selfies with icy prism towers and don’t miss the dazzling eight-foot Rainbow Glow Tree boasting 150 shimmering limbs.

Photo courtesy of the Pittsburgh CLO.

Sunday, December 29: Pittsburgh CLO’s Forever Plaid at the Greer Cabaret Theater
2 p.m.
Sing your way into 2020 with this charming musical comedy about a 1950s all-male singing group who were killed in a car crash on their way to their first big gig. Directed and choreographed by Guy Stroman, the classic production features super-precise harmonies, extravagant choreography and a mix of nostalgia and wit. You’ll be tapping your toes when The Plaids are “miraculously revived to perform the concert-that-never-was.”

Looking for more events and live music? Read our top weekly and weekend events, Top 12 events in December you won’t want to miss, Pittsburgh’s top 13 kid-friendly events in December and 17 best concerts in December and January in Pittsburgh.

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.