Thanksgiving weekend activities for families around Pittsburgh (2026)
Checked · Covers Nov 25 – Nov 29 · All times are local Eastern Time
We list 3 family events around Pittsburgh for Nov 25 – Nov 29. Each listing links to the organizer's own page.
Thanksgiving week events
Phipps Holiday Magic
- When
- Wed, Nov 25 – Sun, Nov 29 (Daily Nov 20 – Jan 10; timed tickets reserved in advance) · See site for daily hours
- Cost
- Timed tickets required (members and nonmembers); see site
- Ages
- All ages · Indoor
Pittsburgh's family holiday tradition: the glasshouse fills with poinsettias, amaryllis and topiary displays (theme: Botanical Brilliance), and the outdoor Winter Light Garden glows after dark.
✓ Checked Oct 31, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Zoo Lights Drive-Thru at the Pittsburgh Zoo
- When
- Fri, Nov 27 – Sun, Nov 29 (Select nights Nov 27 – Jan 3 (closed Nov 30, Dec 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 24, 25, 31 and Jan 1)) · 5–10pm
- Cost
- $45 per non-member vehicle ($40 members; $65 flex ticket); flat rate for everyone in the car
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Drive through the Zoo past holiday light displays; guests stay in their vehicles, and the Entrance Plaza is open for light refreshments and restrooms.
✓ Checked Oct 31, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Laser Holiday Magic at Kamin Science Center
- When
- Sat, Nov 28 – Sun, Nov 29 (Nov 28 – Dec 19 and Dec 21 – Jan 4 in the Buhl Planetarium; daily 2pm shows from Dec 21) · See site for show times
- Cost
- Laser show tickets $7 (members $6)
- Ages
- All ages · Indoor
A holiday laser show set to seasonal music in the Buhl Planetarium. Shows start promptly; no late entry.
✓ Checked Oct 31, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Frequently asked questions
What can families do around Pittsburgh over Thanksgiving weekend?
We list 3 family events for Nov 25 – Nov 29, including Phipps Holiday Magic (Pittsburgh, Nov 25 – Nov 29), Zoo Lights Drive-Thru at the Pittsburgh Zoo (Pittsburgh, Nov 27 – Nov 29) and Laser Holiday Magic at Kamin Science Center (Pittsburgh, Nov 28 – Nov 29).
Which Thanksgiving weekend events near Pittsburgh need tickets or registration?
1 event on our list says on the official page that it needs advance tickets, timed entry or registration: Phipps Holiday Magic (Pittsburgh). Book through each official page.
Our weekend search covers Phoenix Metro & Arizona for now, and more areas are coming soon. This guide is hand-checked the same way.
How we build this page: each event comes from the organizer's official website and shows the date we checked it. An event is called free only when its official page says so. Read how we verify listings.
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