It’s more than common knowledge that Pittsburgh is an incredible city to both live in and visit, offering a scenic, clean city with a number of incredible historic landmarks and hotspots to see. However, during the holidays, the city takes on a new level of appeal, as it offers an incredible amount of activities, events, and attractions to check out.

Whether you are a regular resident who is looking for a nice date idea, a local family searching for a fun family event to attend, or a visitor absolutely clueless and curious as to how you’ll spend your time in the city this holiday season, you will find something you can do to make some amazing memories.

Spread a little holiday cheer and spend this season like a true yinzer. Below are a number of ideas offered around the city that anyone of any age can try out. Whether you want to see just one or them all, you won’t regret the memories you’ll make.

1. Ice skating at Pittsburgh’s MassMutual ice rink at PPG Place

A favorite every year, PPG Place takes its usual fountain display and replaces it with a massive Christmas tree surrounded by an amazing ice rink. Truly one of the most well-received holiday traditions, grab a friend, some family members, or a hot date and head down to PPG Place for some hot cocoa and a holiday ice skating experience in a rink that is 67% larger than Rockefeller Center’s famous New York rink. Come skate anytime between now and February 25th.

2. Attend Highmark’s First Night celebration

Annually, Highmark holds for nearly 50,000 attendees its First Night, a culmination of over 150 events throughout the Cultural District over the course of one day. Including a variety of music and art performances, ice sculptures, and other family activities, the day culminates in the midnight raising of the Future of Pittsburgh ball. It truly is a spectacular way to celebrate the new year.

3. Check out PPG Wintergarden’s exhibitions

One of the more unique options, every year, PPG Wintergarden displays its “Spirits of Giving From Around the World” exhibition. This is an incredible look at a number of life-size Santas and original paintings showing traditional holidays for a variety of countries and areas around the world. Additionally, find an amazing “Gingerbread House and Train” exhibition inside PPG’s doors, showcasing an impressive collection. Check out these displays between now and January 6th.

4. Shop around at People’s Gas Holiday Market

Located in the always popular Market Square, head down and shop around this amazing shopping village, completely illuminated and filled with a number of international and local stands boasting plenty of gift options. Grab a bite to eat anywhere inside Market Square, which hosts a variety of restaurant options. Catch the Holiday Market November 17th through December 23rd downtown.

5. Enjoy the Cultural District’s Holiday Performances

Catch a number of amazing performances downtown in the Cultural District, such as classics like the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre's production of The Nutcracker, Pittsburgh CLO's A Musical Christmas Carol and Midnight Radio's Variety Hour Holiday Spectacular presented by Bricolage Production Company and Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra’s Highmark Holiday Pops. All of these are incredible performances performed by talented people who will make your holidays just a little bit brighter.

6. Visit Kennywood's Holiday Lights

Each year during the holiday season, Pittsburgh’s famed Kennywood Park turns its classic park into an incredible wintery display, with a Gingerbread Express ride and almost two million lights. Kennywood impressively presents a 5:45 p.m. tree lighting, lagoon light shows every half hour, live performances throughout the park as well as a number of gingerbread house exhibits. Definitely try a trip here out this holiday season through December 23rd, as well as between December 26th and 30th.

7. Take a drive through Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland

Located in Butler just outside of Pittsburgh, this new holiday attraction is a massive light and sound display. Over three miles long, you simply drive through the attraction in your car and take in the spectacular show that was first installed in the Big Butler Fairgrounds in 2015. Catch the impressive display, along with a number of other rides, snacks, and pictures with Santa anytime between now and January 7th.

8. Snap a picture at Point State Park’s Christmas Tree Made of Lights

Although already lit earlier this year, the Duquesne Light Company’s annual Tree of Lights stands tall at the famous Point State Park downtown. The tree will stand for the next month or so, and proudly sits at the intersection of Pittsburgh’s three rivers, where the fountain normally rests. Take a stroll to the tree and see a beautiful viewpoint of the city.

9. Take a stroll through Phipps Conservatory’s Winter Flower Show

Each year, Phipps Conservatory, normally populated by thousands of beautiful plants and greenery in decorative, maze-like settings, hosts its Winter Flower Show. Among the beautiful winter flowers, rests a number of gorgeous Christmas trees decorated head to toe. Additionally, Phipps offers an incredible outdoor Light Garden from 5:00 onward as nighttime in the city sets in. Don’t miss this amazing opportunity by Phipps, open until early January.

10. See US Steel Plaza's larger-than-life Nativity Scene

Truly a unique addition to Pittsburgh, ever since 1999, the US Steel Plaza at 600 Grant Street reveals the beloved Pittsburgh Creche. This is one of the largest Nativity Scenes, and the world’s sole replica of the Vatican’s St. Peter’s Square Nativity Scene located in Rome. Catch an incredible display of life-like figures depicting the beautiful scene, and often incredible choruses and musical groups performing in front of it.

11. Catch a free ride on the Holly Trolley or a horse-drawn carriage tour

You won’t want to miss this amazing tour of hotspots around the city during the holidays in an amazing free ride. The Holly Trolley runs Saturdays and Sundays from now through December 23rd between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m., stopping at Fifth Avenue Place, PPG Place, the Creche at US Steel Tower, Heinz History Center, and KidsPlay. Likewise, you may also choose to try out a horse-drawn carriage ride anytime through December 23rd, running from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. as well as 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. You will board beside PPG Place Plaza, on Fourth Avenue.

12. Don’t miss the traditional Nationality Classrooms in the Cathedral of Learning

Another very worldly offering, each year, the magnificent Cathedral of Learning at the University of Pittsburgh in Oakland transforms its Nationality Classrooms into the holiday styles of each country they are representative of. There are 26 rooms in total, and they show Pittsburgh’s various ethnic heritage roots from across Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Scandinavia, and Africa. See these incredible displays on weekends now through January 7th, with the exception of December 23rd, 24th, 25th, 31st, and January 1st.