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A New European Tradition in Market Square...
Inspired by the original Christkindlemarkt created in 1545 in Nuremberg, Germany, and the Christkindlmarket in Chicago, IL, the Peoples Gas Holiday Market™ brings a cherished German tradition with international flair and local charm to Downtown Pittsburgh. Visitors will be in for a one-of-a-kind holiday shopping experience as they stroll through an illuminated Market Square, weaving through the European-style wooden chalets, adorned with holly and illuminated with little white lights. It's the perfect atmosphere for families and friends to enjoy the magic of the season. The Peoples Gas Holiday Market™ grand opening is on Saturday, Nov. 24 and is a part of Downtown Pittsburgh's 2012 Holiday Saturdays. Courtesy of Peoples Natural Gas and thanks to our founding sponsors, Colcom Foundation and Laurel Foundation, the Peoples Gas Holiday Market™ will be open seven days a week through Sunday, Dec. 23, allowing visitors to re-visit Market Square for last minute holiday items!
November 24 - December 23
Market Square, Downtown Pittsburgh
Market Hours: Monday - Friday 11:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Saturday 11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Sunday 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Admission is FREE!
Bringing Pittsburgh's founding cultures to the Golden Triangle
The Peoples Gas Holiday Market will feature regional, national, and international vendors to showcase authentic gift items from around the world that can’t be found anywhere else in the City besides the Peoples Gas Holiday Market™! This is your chance to purchase quality collectibles and novelties from foreign countries such as Russia, Switzerland, and Italy. Shoppers will be entertained by a variety of performers, including local dance groups, choirs and carolers, showcasing Pittsburgh’s rich cultural heritage.
Make sure the kids visit Mr. and Mrs. Claus at their Pittsburgh home right in Market Square specially designed by Desmone & Associates Architects. Bring a non-perishable food item or make a cash donation benefiting the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank before jumping in line to get your picture taken with 'Jolly Old Saint Nick.' From shopping, music, and FREE high-quality entertainment, there is something for everyone to do at the Peoples Gas Holiday Market™!
Santa's House Special Hours:
Mon – Friday 12 noon – 3:00 p.m. & 4:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Saturday 12 noon – 3:00 p.m. & 4:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Sunday 12 noon – 4:00 p.m.
Market Merchants: Specialty Gift Items From Around the Globe!
Adar & Mimi - Specially de-signed hand-crafted one of-a-kind purses, custom embroidery, tutus and Snickelfritz children’s line pro-vide incomparable gift solutions for anyone on your shopping list.
Alpine Heritage - Traditional Austrian Kastenkrippen nativity scenes, including original Christkindl Nativity figurines symbolic to Austrian country folk art, displayed in front of ancient backdrops utilizing only natural materials, painted and hand-blown glass ornaments, Polish ceramics.
Artel - For nearly two decades, the Artel Collection has pro-vided the most creative, original and inspired assortment of egg pendants to Fabergé-type exhibits across the United States. Artel Egg pendants and lockets are manufactured by Russian master jewelers. Fashioned from .925 sterling silver, 24kt gold vermeil, fine Italian enamels and featuring an assortment of semiprecious stones and Swarovski crystals, each piece honors the traditions and styling of the master who created it.
Cha Ching Coin Jewelry - (Mon –Thurs. Dec 10-13); Distinctive coin jewelry made from only the most interesting rare and exotic coins found across the globe.
Euro Haus - Authentic old world collectibles, tapestries, jewelry and scarves from Turkey, Russia, and Austria. German Moravian stars and more.
European Folk Art - Hand-crafted collectibles from Poland including wooden Santas, eggs, chess sets, nesting dolls, ornaments and more.
Fabulous Homemade Cookies (Mon. – Thurs. Dec. 17 – 20): Just like your Grandma made them – these delicious gift packages of treats will make for the perfect way to tell that sweet someone in your life how much you care about them.
Gorilla Dust Designs - Specially designed jewelry utilizing resins and antique spoons, scrabble tiles and dominoes are hand-crafted into unique cherished keepsake items.
Ivana’s Igloo - Featuring candles, decorative candle pins, fragrant soaps and more.
Linda Barnicott Art & Gifts - 2006 Forbes Enterprise Award winner Linda Barnicott has been capturing and preserving the unique beauty of many famous sites and holiday scenes in and around the Pittsburgh Area for decades.
Little Bavaria – classic German-style favorites to enliven the atmosphere, including apple cider, strudels, dumplings, soft pretzels, and more!
Little Europe - Stunning handcrafted plates, hand-painted eggs, wooden toys, jewelry and Pirkenhammer porcelain treasures inspired by post-Cold War East-ern European countries including Slovakia, Poland, Russia and the Czech Republic.
Old German Christmas Authentic hand-blown and hand-painted painted glass ornaments crafted by artisans in Germany for over 150 years. With age-old styles, as well as newly created molds, Mario Hausdörfer and his family have a wide range of stunning Christmas ornaments, figurines and collectible German smokers, Nutcrackers and wood-crafts that make for the perfect holiday gift.
The Glass Haus - Presenting the work of some of the finest European glass artists including hand-crafted Burri Glass from Switzerland featuring a unique line of glass animals and the work of Pavel Molnar of Germany.
Style Truck - Women’s holiday accessories including hats, scarves, capes and gloves.
Trib Total Media Store - (Fri-Sun. weekly) Gifts for everyone on your list from newspaper subscriptions to sports memorabilia, cookbooks, holiday ornaments and more.
Vessel Glass Studio - (Mon. - Thurs. Dec. 3 - 6) Form and color have been the focal points of Drew Hine's work. His glassblowing artistry incorporates bright, vivid colors and his holiday collection ranges from traditional to contemporary.
Wagman Designs - Nature-inspired jewelry design piece shell and metals made from wood, glass, pearl, range from bold and modern, to elegant and classic.
*All vendors and available merchandise subject to change.
UPCOMING CULTURAL SHOWCASE STAGE PERFORMERS:
Wednesday, Dec. 19:
McKeesport Area High School String and Flute (12 – 2 p.m.)
AutoBahn (6 - 8 p.m.)
Thursday, Dec. 20:
Steven Thomas (12 p.m.)
Ambridge High School Steel Drum Band (5 - 6:30 p.m.)
Friday, Dec. 21:
Joel Lindsey (12 - 2 p.m.)
Hermie Granati & Harry Moran Dueling Pianos (6 - 8:00 p.m.)
Saturday, Dec. 22:
Pittsburgh Mandolin Society (12 - 2 p.m.)
Larry Cervi's East End Kids (2:30 - 3:30 p.m.)
Jamie Bruno Band (4 - 6 p.m.)
AutoBahn (6:30 - 8:30 p.m.)
Sunday, Dec. 23:
The Bt's (12 - 2 p.m.)
Carpel Center for the Arts (2:30 - 3:30 p.m.)
Capri (4 - 6:00 p.m.)
*All performers, dates, and times subject to change
Groups and individuals interested in performing on the Cultural Showcase Stage, please submit the Performer Application.
Interested in participating as a sponsor or vendor at Pittsburgh's first-ever Peoples Gas Holiday Market™?
Please direct inquiries to: pdp@downtownpittsburgh.com
Holiday Season of Events in Downtown Pittsburgh
FREE Holly Trolley Transportation
Saturdays through December 22
11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (Rides Begin at 11:30 a.m. on Nov. 24)
Every Saturday Throughout the Holiday Season, the Fifth Avenue Place Holley Trolley will be cycling through Downtown stopping at each stop approximately every 15 minutes. Trolley rides are Free! The trolley is hosted by Santa's little helpers!
Holly Trolley stops:
Fifth Avenue Place
Macy's
One Oxford Centre
Senator John Heinz History Center
The Rink at PPG Place
US Steel Tower (Pittsburgh Crèche)
FREE Horse-drawn Carriage Rides
Sponsored by Highwoods Properties
Saturdays through Dec. 22
One Oxford Centre
11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
The Rink at PPG Place
11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. & 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
(Evening Rides Begin Nov. 24)
One Oxford Centre is offering Free horse-drawn carriage rides this holiday season. There will also be free children's activities during this time...including Santa Claus! Rides Departing from One Oxford Center require a ticket. Tickets may be picked up at the desk in the lobby, where you'll also be give tne time for your ride. Tickets are first-come, first-serve and fill up rather quickly.
Fifth Avenue Place
Holiday Lunchtime Concerts
Fridays through December 21
12:00 p.m.
Live musical performances from some of Pittsburgh’s favorite artists bring the sounds of the season to life during the always entertaining Lunchtime Concert Series.
FREE Family Fun with the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh
Saturdays through December 15
Gift Certificate BONUS Days
Thursday, December 6 through Saturday, December 8
11:00 a.m. to Close
Amber Trunk Show at Crystal River Gems
Wednesday, December 5 through Friday, December 7
10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Make-A-Wish & Wish 99.7 FM Light Up A Child’s Life Campaign
Friday, December 14 & Monday-Tuesday, December 17-18
6:00 – 9:00 a.m.
Help make a child’s wish come true this holiday season! Stop by Fifth Avenue Place for the annual Make-A-Wish fundraiser with WISH Radio. Ron Antill and representatives from Make-A-Wish will be broadcasting live from 6 – 9 a.m. in Center Court, collecting donations and raising awareness for Make-A-Wish.
One Oxford Centre
Saturdays in the Centre
Saturdays through December 22
11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Santa Claus will be on hand to hear children’s holiday wishes. Children can participate in various activities, including face painting, balloon art, sand art, hat making and caricatures. The entire family can visit Pittsburgh Memories, an exhibit of historic photos celebrating Pittsburgh during the winter season. The exhibit will be open on Level One. Between activities, you might want to get some holiday shopping done. Free gift wrapping is available with any purchase from one of the Shops in the Atrium of One Oxford Centre. In addition, free horse-drawn carriage rides will be operating on Fourth Avenue. And, don’t forget that the Holly Trolley stops here! See the map on [page of Trolley Map] for more details on carriage rides and trolley stops. For more information on activities and events, visit www.shopoxford.com.
PPG Place Wintergarden
Mon. thru Thurs: 6:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Fri. 6:30 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Sat. 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Sun. 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Open all holidays, including Christmas Day & New Year’s Day
Spirits of Giving Around the World Exhibit
See the splendor of the holidays come alive during PPG Place’s breathtaking “Spirits of Giving Around the World” exhibit. This enchanting display of life-size Santas and original paintings captures a whole world of Christmas folklore and fantasy.
Capture memories of Christmases past in the Wintergarden where a tree larger than any from your childhood awaits you. Our spectacular 32-foot tree is adorned with magnificent ornaments and gifts symbolic of this most special season of giving and is surrounded by a unique train display. Exhibit is free to the public.
10th Annual Gingerbread House and Train Display
PPG Place Wintergarden and Two PPG Place
It’s “Home SWEET Home” once again at PPG Place this holiday season! Don’t miss this magnificent display of delicious dwellings created by area students, chefs, organizations and individuals. The houses are surrounded by a display of model trains created by local artist Don Jones. All houses are available to purchase with proceeds benefiting Children’s Hospital’s Free Care Fund.
Macys
Breakfast with Santa
Weekends through December 23
9:30 a.m.
Join Jolly Old St. Nick for an unforgettable buffet meal of breakfast favorites featuring french toast, bacon, fruit, eggs juice & more. Afterwards, score a seat at our holiday show, “Virginia’s Magical Christmas!” And, we’ll also have a special gift for each child takes home!
Santaland & The Children's Very Own Gift Shop
Nov. 16 – Dec. 24
Bring your children to visit with Santa and have their pictures taken for a memorable keepsake! After getting a picture with Santa, children ages 4-12 can shop in the Children’s Very Own Gift Shop, to purchase gifts for family and friends with help from Santa’s elves. A Pittsburgh tradition, for over 30 years.
Believe Campaign
Write a letter to Santa and help make wishes come true! Bring your stamped letter to Macy’s addressed to Santa at The North Pole, and drop it into our special Santa letterbox. For each letter received, we’ll donate $1 to the Make A Wish Foundation, up to $1,000,000. We’ll deliver them to the Post Office for mailing to Santa, and together we’ll collect a million reasons to believe! Visit www.macys.com/believe.
*Market images are by John Altdorfer, PDP Photographer
