10 Reasons to Visit Pittsburgh in January – Enjoying Winter

Tubing at Boyce Park

You don't have to drive all the way out into the mountains to enjoy Pittsburgh activities during the winter. Allegheny County's Boyce Park offers their own dedicated skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing hills during the winter months- perfect for those who want to get outside without the drive!

Although we advocate going to proper mountains for skiing and snowboarding, the snow tubing hills at Boyce Park makes for a great afternoon out in town when snow is on the ground.

Laurel Ridge Cross-Country Ski Center

Although downhill skiing may be one of the most popular winter activities in the area, there really is a lot to do if you want to get outdoors during the month. At the Laurel Ridge Cross Country Ski Center, you can get out and explore a winter wonderland via snowshoe or cross country skis!

Dry January at Two Frays Brewing

In the mood to start the year off with Dry January, but still want a beer? Head over to Two Frays Brewing in Garfield during January to try one of their numerous NA beers available on draft. They're truly the leader in local non-alcoholic beer production and have some tasty gems to try!

The Phipps Orchid and Tropical Bonsai Show

If you are in need of warmer thoughts this January, take a trip to Phipps Conservatory for their annual Orchid and Tropical Bonsai Show which starts on January 10th in 2026! This year's theme is Blooming With Love and is sure to offer quite the romantic time.

Try a New Spot During Pittsburgh Restaurant Week

Pittsburgh Restaurant Week takes place a couple of times each year, and the winter edition of this one is on January 12th to 18th in 2026. This one typically features dozens of participating restaurants with menu specials.

So if you need an excuse to go out and try a new restaurant, this is it.

Butler County Restaurant Week

Butler County is also getting in on the restaurant week fun, and from January 23rd to February 1st, you can check out stellar specials at restaurants in the county.

From Pocha by Kye-Won in Saxonburg to Union Brothers Brewing in Harmony, many stellar dishes will be highlighted during this fun food-centric event.

Garfield First Friday

It is always fun to get out and explore Garfield and Friendship for their monthly First Friday festivities, aptly named Unblurred. Explore local businesses and art galleries that are open late and shop, eat, and drink your way around the neighborhood from 3 to 11 pm on January 2nd!

Crapteka by Apteka

One of our favorite restaurants in Pittsburgh, the vegan Eastern European restaurant Apteka, does something special each January. For three weekends only, they roll out their aptly named “Crapteka” menu- namely, vegan junk food of vegetable-based burgers, fries, and sunflower seed milkshakes with some incredible flavor combinations.

In 2026, Crapteka will run on weekends from January 23rd to February 8th. But be warned, if you want to visit this one be prepared for the lines as this one is quite popular!

Sports in Pittsburgh

January is always a bit of a slower month for sports (if the Steelers don't make the playoffs, at least). The final regular season game for the Steelers is home against the Ravens on the 4th at 1pm- so head to Acrisure to cheer them on!

Although football could be light this month, the Pittsburgh Penguins season is in full swing with home games on the 1st, 8th, 10th, 13th, 15th, 17th, 29th, and 31st, plus numerous away games that you can enjoy from local restaurants and bars.

Finally, Pitt basketball is still going strong with home games on the 3rd, 10th, 17th, and 24th as well.

Shows in Pittsburgh

January is often a quieter month for concerts in Pittsburgh, but thankfully our local ensembles have many performances.

The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra has something for you throughout January with Harry Potter and the Half-Bloom Prince in Concert on the 10th and 11th, Sibelius' Second from the 16th to 18th, Spacek Plays Dvorak on the 23rd to 25th, and Rodgers & Hammerstein's South Pacific starting on the 30th.

The Benedum Center will be hosting Clue through the 6th and Wicked on select dates starting on the 14th.

The Pittsburgh Opera will be performing Curlew River at the Calvary Episcopal Church in Shadyside on the 24th, 27th, and 30th.