What does Thanksgiving mean to you? For some, the holiday is a chance to eat a home-cooked meal and an opportunity to see family or friends. Others may volunteer at their local food bank or participate in their community’s turkey trot.
Thankfully, there are also plenty of ways to enjoy your Thanksgiving Break by embracing the arts! We hope you can catch a few of these events in Pittsburgh.
1. BLACK ON BLACK LOVE
November 18-27 and beyond, Pittsburgh Cultural Trust
Looking to add some visual arts to your agenda? Visit 820 Gallery and see BLACK ON BLACK LOVE by BOOM Concepts. The multidisciplinary aesthetic survey identifies different expressions of Black love and how its force is shared, extended, created, embraced, honored, interpreted, and protected within and amongst the Black Community.
2. Symphony Splendor: Holiday Fantasy Tour
November 18-27, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
Let the winter holiday countdown begin! You can be part of the celebration by joining the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra for their Holiday Fantasy Tour in Shadyside. This year, the rooms have been redecorated and a new collection of heirloom glass ornaments will be on display.
3. Henry Evans in THE ENCHANTED CARDS OF BUENOS AIRES
November 18-27 and beyond, Liberty Magic
If you play your cards right, you can be among the first to see Henry Evans in The Enchanted Cards of Buenos Aires—an American premiere. Deck after deck, cards transform, suits change, and aces fly over the course of this incredible performance.
4. Les Misérables
November 22-27, PNC Broadway in Pittsburgh
“Do you hear the people sing?” Well, you can if you attend Les Misérables at the Benedum Center. If you’re curious to learn more about the performance, you can do so by attending our pre-show talk, called Creative Conversations. This event will be held one hour before the November 23 performance and is free to all ticket holders.
5. Thanksgiving Tradition: Strauss Family Favorites
November 25-27, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
Add another tradition to your Thanksgiving with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. Their performance, titled Thanksgiving Tradition: Strauss Family Favorites, will include a Klezmer Concerto, a Vivaldi Concerto and traditional celebratory melodies from the Music Director’s home country of Austria. You can prepare for the concert by listening to the music here.
6. A Very Electric Christmas
November 25, Dentons Cohen & Grigsby TRUST PRESENTS Series
Are you one of those people who just can’t wait for the winter holidays to start? If you are, you won’t want to miss Lightwire Theater’s A Very Electric Christmas. Audiences of all ages will treasure this magical and captivating tale of family, friendship, and hope set to timeless holiday hits.
7. One Man Stranger Things: A Parody
November 26, Dentons Cohen & Grigsby TRUST PRESENTS Series
Prepare to have your upside down turned right sight up. One Man Stranger Things: A Parody, will give you a good laugh while reminding you why you binged the popular television show.
8. Mark Milovats in Concert: Christmas Wonderland
November 27, Markem Entertainment Group
Here’s another must-see for you holiday lovers. Mark Milovats, American singer and entertainer, will be performing holiday hits like “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” and “Sleigh Ride” as well as pop standards like “Copacabana” and “My Way.”
9. Mr. Messado’s SCHOOL OF MAGIC FOR THE YOUNG AND YOUNG AT HEART
November 27 and beyond, Liberty Magic
You can make your Thanksgiving Break magical with Mr. Messado’s School of Magic for the Young and Young at Heart. This 60-minute spectacular, featuring a combination of stunning magic and clean comedy, is full of interactive wonder.
Please note: although we are highlighting a few Thanksgiving bright spots, we also cannot overlook the problematic nature of this holiday. In an effort to lift up the history of Indigenous peoples, we would like to acknowledge that the Cultural District is located on the ancestral lands of the Osage, Shawnee, and Monogohela peoples. If you are interested in learning more about how to celebrate Thanksgiving respectfully, please check out this helpful resource.
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