Kickstart 2025: Discover 17 Fun-Filled January Events for Family Fun in Pittsburgh!

Frick Winterfest 2023 by Nancy Andrews/Annie O’Neill Photography.

Although January can be chilly and dreary in Pittsburgh, it’s also an excellent time to partake in various local indoor events such as theater shows, films, and expos. For those willing to brave the elements, there are abundant opportunities to celebrate winter in Pittsburgh. (Be sure to check out our recent guide to outdoor activities.)

Here are just a handful of family-friendly events occurring this January in Pittsburgh:

Saturdays and Sundays in January: Penguins on Parade at the Pittsburgh Zoo, 11:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. 

Every weekend until Feb.23, weather permitting, the Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium’s penguins will parade outdoors for everyone to witness. Arrive before 11:30 a.m. to secure a good viewing area. The temperature needs to be between 25 and 45 degrees Fahrenheit, and other factors may influence the parade. Hence, please check here for updates prior to your visit. This experience is included with zoo admission.

Wednesdays in January: Youth Open Studio at the Andy Warhol Museum

The Andy Warhol Museum’s drop-in Youth Open Studio is open from 4-8 p.m. on Wednesdays. Students in middle and high school can access screens, ink, transparencies, printers, and Photoshop. To secure a spot, please send an email to [email protected].

Jan. 4: “Mufasa” Sensory-Friendly Screening at The Lindsay Theater, 9:30 a.m.

The Lindsay Theater and Cultural Center in Sewickley is presenting a sensory-friendly screening of “Mufasa: The Lion King.” “Mufasa” serves as a prelude to 2019’s “The Lion King,” highlighting Simba’s father, Prince Taka (also known as Scar), Sarabi (Simba’s mother), and other beloved characters on an extraordinary adventure across the Pride Lands. Tickets for this and all sensory-friendly showings at The Lindsay are discounted to $8.75 each. Sensory-friendly screenings are tailored to ensure that everyone can enjoy a relaxed, unhurried movie experience.

Jan 10 and 25: Dew After Dark at Seven Springs

What could be better than night skiing with older children? Night skiing paired with an additional burst of energy. Seven Springs is organizing Dew After Dark from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on two occasions in January (and twice in February), offering free Mountain Dew for skiers, a DJ, and additional entertainment, along with opportunities to win various prizes. This event is complimentary, though a lift ticket is needed for skiing, snowboarding, or tubing. Explore the details here.

Jan. 11: Trivia for Kids Live Podcast at the Greer Cabaret Theater

This leading podcast is taking to the road this winter, with KC and the team stopping at Bellevue Elementary and then heading to the Greer Cabaret for some local excitement! This family-centered, favored podcast takes the fun on the go with a live, engaging show. Your children can put their knowledge to the test with quizzes on family-friendly subjects. Tickets are $20. (If you enjoy podcasts, be sure to check out the Kidsburgh podcast as well!)

Jan. 15: Sensory-Friendly Time at the National Aviary

For those who find a typical visit to the aviary too overwhelming, this low-key event is the ideal option. Upon arrival, children receive a KultureCity bag filled with essentials like headphones and fidget toys, which are always available for borrowing at the Aviary. Kids are encouraged to touch biofacts like feathers and eggs, along with enjoying interactive play areas. Registration is necessary for this special event.

Jan. 16: Free Puppet Workshop with the Center for Creative Reuse

TheEast End Food Co-Op is thrilled to present the artistic talents of the Center for Creative Reuse during this enjoyable, complimentary occasion. Participants will receive all necessary materials to construct their own rod or shadow puppets, along with a character sheet to give them life with distinctive traits and personalities. Determine the puppet’s aspirations and desires, contemplate their companions and adversaries, and select their preferred snack or musical artist. The only constraint is their creativity! Discover further information here.

Jan. 16-17: “Cat Kid Comic Club” at the Byham Theater

This amusing musical interpretation of Dav Pilkey’s “Dog Man” spin-off series, “Cat Kid Comic Club,” is guaranteed to amuse both children and adults. Cat Kid and Molly Pollywog have initiated an incredible club to instruct 21 lively baby frogs on how to craft their own comics. Tickets are priced between $12-$30.

Jan. 17-26: “Looking Forward: The Ruby Bridges Story ” at the New Hazlett Center for Performing Arts

In 1960, a six-year-old named Ruby Bridges became the first African American student to enroll in an all-white elementary school in New Orleans. Experience her extraordinary journey as she paves the way for countless generations. Tickets are priced at $39 for adults and $19 for children. The performance on Jan. 17 has a pay-what-you-can option. A sensory-friendly performance is scheduled for Jan. 25.

Jan. 17-18: Teen and Tween Paint Parties at Vintage Max Mercantile

The region’s latest independent bookstore is organizing two painting events. On Friday, Jan. 17, youths aged 14 and above are invited from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. to engage in a guided painting experience where they will produce a kitty-themed canvas, with proceeds benefiting Whisker Wonderland, a local cat rescue in Bellevue. Tweens between the ages of 9-13 will have their own event from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 18. During the teen event, some kittens will be present for petting (no kittens will be at the tween event, though proceeds will still support the rescue). Parents should note there’s also an adult paint night on Jan. 18. The fee for these activities is $40. Please register here.

Jan. 18-19: Piratesfest 2025

Though the opening day is still a few months away, it is never too early to get excited about the 2025 baseball season. Join us at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on both days for autograph signing, interactive games, bounce houses, face painting, and plenty of family fun. Admission is free, but registration is highly recommended.

Jan. 18-19: Winterfest at The Frick

There’s no better way to celebrate a wintry January than at Winterfest, The Frick Pittsburgh’s annual festival. Activities abound for guests of all ages, including live performances, art-making workshops, historic home tours, tasty treats, and cozy drinks from The Café at the Frick. Explore our guide to the entire event here. Many activities are free, while tickets for touring the Clayton House are merely $5.

Jan. 20: An MLK Day Celebration Through Art & Advocacy at the Kelly Strayhorn Theater

The KST’s yearly day of contemplation, unity, and creative expression commences with activities in the lobby, followed by performances in the theater. Featured will be faculty from the Hill Dance Academy Theatre, Guardians of Sound’s Hip Hop Orchestra, and students from the Los Sabrosos Dance Company.Entry is “pay what inspires you” ranging from $0-$25. On the evening of the 20th, the 18th annual Let Freedom Sing Concert will honor the social justice legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through vocal and instrumental performances alongside spoken word. Tickets for the occasion are similarly “pay what inspires you” between $2-$50.

Jan. 20: Youth Poet Laureate Ceremony at City of Asylum

Join us in honoring local talent and the 2024–2025 Youth Poet Laureate of Allegheny County, Oluwatobiloba Olaore, along with this year’s Youth Poet Ambassadors Vanshika Jain, Linda Kong, Monroe Law, and Sarah Voigt. The youthful poets will showcase pieces that they have crafted and polished during sessions led by professional poets over the previous months at City of Asylum on the North Side from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Discover additional details about the event here. Additionally, find out more about Olaore and the Youth Poet Laureate initiative right here.

Jan. 25: “Game Changers” board game workshop at the Kamin Science Center

Explore the art of board game creation and the role players have in it! From the regulations to the layout of the board, families will have the chance to design their own game that they can enjoy repeatedly even after the workshop concludes. They will discover how mathematics and patterns can influence a game and its participants, in addition to how to incorporate their creative flair into the game’s regulations. The fee for up to seven participants is $65 for members and $70 for non-members, so gather the entire family for that fee. A minimum of one adult is mandatory per group. This activity is suggested for ages 6 and above. Sign up here.

Jan 27: Sensory-Friendly Period at Phipps Conservatory

In partnership with the Autism Connection of Pennsylvania, join us at the Conservatory at 5:30 p.m. for a self-directed visit to appreciate the Orchid and Tropical Bonsai Exhibition: A Moment of Beauty and the Garden Railroad. To guarantee a serene stroll throughout the Conservatory, sounds and lights will be subdued. Attendees will receive a social story via email offering a detailed description of the experience prior to their visit. Please acquire tickets here. Members of Phipps also enjoy a discount.

Jan. 28: Ink This! Comic Book Art Workshop for Teens at CLP

This session is aimed at teenagers and adults who have started to refine their comic illustration abilities. Facilitated by Incubator Comics, the workshop is complimentary and takes place from 3:30 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. at the Homewood branch of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. Discover additional information here.

Seeking more enjoyment this winter? Be sure not to overlook our newsletter, and anticipate our extensive guide to the entire winter season, arriving soon!