10 Fun Christmas Markets in Pittsburgh to Check Out

Peoples Gas Holiday Market

The Peoples Gas Holiday Market takes place in Market Square each holiday season and runs from the Friday before Light Up Night through Christmas Eve. 

The market features several dozen booths built for the occasion, with many permanent and rotating vendors found throughout the season. Local artists and seasonal classics can be found alongside food vendors, a couple of alcohol purveyors, and more!

So whether you're looking to pick up an ornament, a handmade gift, a piece of Pittsburgh art, or more, the Peoples Gas Holiday Market should be on your radar every holiday season!

When downtown for the Holiday Market, be sure to walk all over to enjoy the downtown Pittsburgh Christmas decorations. For more information about this year's vendors, click here.

Handmade Arcade

If your holiday shopping involves supporting independent artists, it is hard to beat a trip to Handmade Arcade, which takes place at the convention center each December (typically the first weekend on Friday and Saturday).

The event is always a sight to behold as nearly 300 vendors can be found in the convention center halls selling thousands of handmade goods of all types.

But when visiting, be sure to get to this one early as the crowds can become quite intense as the day goes on!

• Note: Generally speaking, the Friday evening shopping event and early morning hours on Saturday require paid tickets to attend. Those who visit on Saturday must register for free timed entry tickets for the remaining shopping session.

For more information about Handmade Arcade and to check out this year's lineup of vendors, click here.

I Made It! Market

Want to support more local artists at another popular holiday show? I Made It! Market is coming back in December for another shopping experience.

Over 60 artists will head down to Rockwell Park on December 9th in 2023 for a Last Minute Market (from 12 to 5 pm). While not the largest event during the holiday season, you get yet another chance to support our area artists here!

For more information about the I Made It! Market and to check out this year's lineup of vendors, click here.

Holiday Market at Sweetwater Center for the Arts

Sewickley's own Sweetwater Center for the Arts (where we took an incredible cooking class a while back!) is getting into the holiday market festivities with its own event running on select hours from November 30th to December 3rd. 

November 30th's event is a ticketed preview party with food and wine plus a first look at vendors. December 1st will also include transportation to Sewickley for their annual Light Up Night, Johnny Angel will be performing on the 2nd, and Big Springs Spirits will be offering a ticketed boozy brunch on Sunday the 3rd!

For more information about the Holiday Market at Sweetwater Center for the Arts, click here.

Lawrenceville Cookie Tour

Okay, so perhaps the Lawrenceville Cookie Tour isn't a Christmas market in the traditional sense, but it is one of our favorite holiday shopping events all the same.

The reason for this is that from 12 to 5 pm on December 9th and 10th, dozens and dozens of stores in Lawrenceville will be opening up for visitors and serving up trays of cookies to shoppers. Eating cookies while checking out new-to-you local businesses? Well, what more could you ask for?

For more information about the Lawrenceville Cookie Tour and for a complete list of participants this year, click here.

Bushy Run Battlefield Christmas Sale

Bushy Run Battlefield is a historic site from Pontiac's Rebellion located in the Laurel Highlands. Each December, they typically offer an indoor Christmas market featuring libations, homemade baked goods, colonial clothing, handmade accessories, jewelry, and more for sale. In 2023, the Christmas Sale will take place on December 9th from 12 to 4 pm!

For more information about Bushy Run Battlefield's Christmas Sale, click here.

Nationality Rooms Open House

The Nationality Rooms at the Cathedral of Learning are one of our favorite places to visit every holiday season, and the first Sunday in December is always a special one for the annual Open House.

This event, running from 12 to 4 pm on December 3rd in 2023, features an array of live music and performances from various cultural groups. In addition to the festivities, many groups will sell handmade goods and more during the event!

For more information on the Nationality Rooms Open House, click here.

Winter Artists Market at Fermata

Want to support local artists with a cold beer in hand? The Winter Artists Market at Fermata in Ambridge is for you!

On December 15th, check out the creations from just under 10 local artists, listen to live music, and grab a bite to eat from Stunt Pig for a fun all-around market experience.

For more information on the Winter Artists Market, click here.

Weihnachtsmarkt at Eleventh Hour Brewing

Did you know that Eleventh Hour Brewing has a secret German village in the back room? This one used to be a showroom for a gaslight company owned by Charles Brown III (creator of what is now the Bayernhof Museum in O'Hara Township).

This portion of the building only started opening up for brewery-related events in 2023, and for the holidays, they are opening a Weihnacthsmarkt on December 9th! Head down to the brewery from 12 to 11 pm for a pint of beer, shop from local artists and enjoy some food!

For more information on the Weihnachtsmarkt at Eleventh Hour, click here.

Pittsburgh Vegan Expo Holiday Market at Velum

In the mood for a vegan holiday market? Head over to Velum Fermentation on December 10th from 3 to 7 pm to enjoy this fun one from the Pittsburgh Vegan Expo!

Meet Mrs. Claus and rescue dog elves, watch dance performances and listen to a live DJ, and shop at their vegan-focused holiday market with gifts, food, desserts, and, of course, beer!

For more information about the Pittsburgh Vegan Expo Holiday Market, click here.

Do you have a favorite Christmas market in Pittsburgh? Comment below to share!