As November quickly barrels toward its end, Pittsburgh and the surrounding towns are slowly become a winter wonderland of eye-catching Christmas displays, twinkling lights, and Santa sightings. Make your holiday season even more magical by turning an ordinary day into one filled with Christmas magic when you visit one or more of these eight enchanting Christmas towns around Pittsburgh.
- Indiana
Facebook/It’s A Wonderful Life Festival Indiana earns top billing for enchanting Christmas towns for several reasons. The quaint town holds the title of the Christmas Tree Capital of the World, making it the ideal place to find the perfect Christmas tree. Stroll down the cozy main street - Philadelphia Street - of downtown Indiana and you’ll quickly discover the second reason Indiana earns top billing. You’ll feel as though you’re strolling down the streets of Bedford Falls, the backdrop for It’s A Wonderful Life, starring Indiana native and beloved actor Jimmy Stewart. Indiana’s also hosting the It’s A Wonderful Life Festival every weekend until December 23.
- Greensburg
Facebook/Overly’s Country Christmas Greensburg comes alive with the Christmas spirit all season long. Overly’s Country Christmas features a stunning drive-through Christmas light display and old-fashioned village. After you’ve meandered through the light display, head toward the village, where you can indulge in good food, horse and carriage/wagon rides, rides for the kids, and go Christmas shopping at a cozy shop. Overly’s Country Christmas runs through January 1, 2017
- Bedford
Facebook/Old Bedford Village Embrace the magic of the season in Bedford, a charming small town that looks as though it’s been painted on an old-fashioned postcard. Bedford. Tour companies, such as Richard Claycomb Guided Bus Tour, welcome visitors to join its Magical Christmas tour of Bedford, featuring an old-fashioned Christmas dinner and a holiday concert. Or, stop by the nearby Old Bedford Village, hosting Candlelit Christmas December 3 and 10 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. The Candlelit Christmas will include hot cider and holiday music.
- Sewickley
Facebook/Explore Sewickley Celebrate Yuletide in Sewickley, a season-long event that features such activities as Small Business Saturday on November 26, Light Up Night on December 2, a Santa parade December 3, and Holiday Breakfasts with kids’ favorite princesses and superheroes (Buddy the Elf, for example). Visit Santa and climb aboard a horse drawn carriage ride on weekends during December. Sewickley also treats visitors to free parking Monday through Friday after 1:30 p.m. and all weekend long.
- Clinton
Facebook/Christmas Light Up Twinkling lights illuminate Clinton’s annual Christmas Light Up Celebration, a spectacular light display. Drive through the lit display or climb aboard a cozy hayride and let someone else do the driving so you can enjoy the lights. Christmas Light Up Celebration runs through January 1, 2017. A $10 donation from each car is requested.
- Hermitage
Facebook/Kraynaks A trip to Hermitage, home to the holiday store Kraynak’s, is an annual Christmas tradition for many western Pennsylvanians. Stop by Kraynak’s Christmasland through December 31 for a unique holiday adventure. Stroll through Christmasland, spectacular Christmas displays with decorated trees, twinkling lights, and beloved characters. After you’ve visited Christmasland, peruse the store itself to tick items off of your Christmas list.
- Lawrenceville
The Joy of Cookies While technically not a town but a neighborhood in Pittsburgh, Lawrenceville kicks up the Christmas spirit with its annual The Joy of Cookies Cookie Tour, slated for December 1 through December 4 this year. Wear comfy shoes because you’ll be stopping, if you complete the whole tour, at 40 different businesses for cookies and maybe to do some Christmas shopping. The Cookie Tour follows Butler Street and visitors will be invited to stop at one of the 14 “Take a Break stops” to have dinner, to toast the holidays with a drink, or to warm up with hot coffee.
- Butler
Yelp/Susan T. Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland, a magical Christmas light display with animation and music, calls Butler home. Stop by the Butler County Fairgrounds to begin a new family tradition. After driving through the light display, stop by Santa’s Village, where you can get your picture taken with Santa, enjoy a snack, or ride on the teacups. Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland runs through January 8, 2017.
Get in the holiday spirit when you visit one of these eight charming Christmas towns around Pittsburgh then keep those spirits high all season long by checking out these Christmas light displays.
Facebook/It’s A Wonderful Life Festival
Indiana earns top billing for enchanting Christmas towns for several reasons. The quaint town holds the title of the Christmas Tree Capital of the World, making it the ideal place to find the perfect Christmas tree. Stroll down the cozy main street - Philadelphia Street - of downtown Indiana and you’ll quickly discover the second reason Indiana earns top billing. You’ll feel as though you’re strolling down the streets of Bedford Falls, the backdrop for It’s A Wonderful Life, starring Indiana native and beloved actor Jimmy Stewart. Indiana’s also hosting the It’s A Wonderful Life Festival every weekend until December 23.
Facebook/Overly’s Country Christmas
Greensburg comes alive with the Christmas spirit all season long. Overly’s Country Christmas features a stunning drive-through Christmas light display and old-fashioned village. After you’ve meandered through the light display, head toward the village, where you can indulge in good food, horse and carriage/wagon rides, rides for the kids, and go Christmas shopping at a cozy shop. Overly’s Country Christmas runs through January 1, 2017
Facebook/Old Bedford Village
Embrace the magic of the season in Bedford, a charming small town that looks as though it’s been painted on an old-fashioned postcard. Bedford. Tour companies, such as Richard Claycomb Guided Bus Tour, welcome visitors to join its Magical Christmas tour of Bedford, featuring an old-fashioned Christmas dinner and a holiday concert. Or, stop by the nearby Old Bedford Village, hosting Candlelit Christmas December 3 and 10 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. The Candlelit Christmas will include hot cider and holiday music.
Facebook/Explore Sewickley
Celebrate Yuletide in Sewickley, a season-long event that features such activities as Small Business Saturday on November 26, Light Up Night on December 2, a Santa parade December 3, and Holiday Breakfasts with kids’ favorite princesses and superheroes (Buddy the Elf, for example). Visit Santa and climb aboard a horse drawn carriage ride on weekends during December. Sewickley also treats visitors to free parking Monday through Friday after 1:30 p.m. and all weekend long.
Facebook/Christmas Light Up
Twinkling lights illuminate Clinton’s annual Christmas Light Up Celebration, a spectacular light display. Drive through the lit display or climb aboard a cozy hayride and let someone else do the driving so you can enjoy the lights. Christmas Light Up Celebration runs through January 1, 2017. A $10 donation from each car is requested.
Facebook/Kraynaks
A trip to Hermitage, home to the holiday store Kraynak’s, is an annual Christmas tradition for many western Pennsylvanians. Stop by Kraynak’s Christmasland through December 31 for a unique holiday adventure. Stroll through Christmasland, spectacular Christmas displays with decorated trees, twinkling lights, and beloved characters. After you’ve visited Christmasland, peruse the store itself to tick items off of your Christmas list.
The Joy of Cookies
While technically not a town but a neighborhood in Pittsburgh, Lawrenceville kicks up the Christmas spirit with its annual The Joy of Cookies Cookie Tour, slated for December 1 through December 4 this year. Wear comfy shoes because you’ll be stopping, if you complete the whole tour, at 40 different businesses for cookies and maybe to do some Christmas shopping. The Cookie Tour follows Butler Street and visitors will be invited to stop at one of the 14 “Take a Break stops” to have dinner, to toast the holidays with a drink, or to warm up with hot coffee.
Yelp/Susan T.
Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland, a magical Christmas light display with animation and music, calls Butler home. Stop by the Butler County Fairgrounds to begin a new family tradition. After driving through the light display, stop by Santa’s Village, where you can get your picture taken with Santa, enjoy a snack, or ride on the teacups. Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland runs through January 8, 2017.
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