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South Side Kids Pittsburgh
150 S. 22nd St., South Side. clairepro.org/southsidekids
Santa Claus is coming to the South Side. Velum Fermentation will, on Sat., Dec. 14 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m., host the third annual Breakfast with Santa, organized by neighborhood collective South Side Kids. The breakfast serves families a free meal and invites children to pick a gift from a toy table, write a letter to Santa, and craft ornaments and Christmas cards.
A press release describes this year’s festivities at Velum as “a carnival-like setting … with a smorgasbord of breakfast and coffee selections” including from nearby Cup-Ka-Joe. Adults can support South Side Kids by ordering Cranbies, Velum’s newest cranberry sour beer, or donating new, unwrapped toys. Toys can be dropped off at Velum or Cup-Ka-Joe through Fri., Dec. 13, or donated through South Side Kids’ Amazon Wishlist.
Grist House Craft Brewery
10 E. Sherman St., Millvale. gristhouse.com
Fire Fest returns to Grist House on Sat., Dec. 14 from 12-10 p.m. The annual outdoor “celebration of beer and fire” keeps visitors warm with 10 fire-pits and specialty beer releases, including Mr. Toasty, a Bourbon barrel-aged Imperial Stout conditioned with coconut. Stave off the winter cold with fire performers, glass-blowing demonstrations, s’mores, a food truck line-up, and more.
Lawrenceville Corporation
Multiple locations, Lawrenceville. lvpgh.com
Enjoy two days of “scrumptious shopping” when the Lawrenceville Cookie Tour returns on Sat., Dec. 14, and Sun., Dec. 15 from 12-5 p.m. Presented by the Lawrenceville Corporation, the 26-year-old tradition invites holiday shoppers to stop in for free homemade cookies and snacks at businesses along Butler St. This year’s cookie tour stops include Redfish Bowl Studios, Mix Candle Co., Una Biologicals, Chantal’s Cheese Shop, and the recently opened Butler Street Derby. The Cookie Tour Cup also returns so tourgoers can vote for the business with the best cookie.
Radiant Hall Studios x Lawrenceville United
4600 Butler St., Lawrenceville. radianthall.org
Cookie tour — how about a cookie mall? Radiant Hall Studios will host a pop-up holiday market and cookie mall at the Estelle S. Campbell Boys & Girls Club, running alongside the Lawrenceville Cookie Tour. Stop in on Sat., Dec. 14 from 1-5 p.m. for a craft market featuring more than 50 artisans and makers, gifts and giveaways, caroling, and a tree lighting.
Row House Cinemas
4115 Butler St., Lawrenceville. rowhousecinemas.com
While you’re in Lawrenceville, get cozy with a holiday movie and all-day hot chocolate. On Sun., Dec. 15, Row House will screen seasonal classics It’s a Wonderful Life, Home Alone, The Muppet Christmas Carol, and The Holiday while offering hot chocolate (spiked or unspiked) at its concession stand. View movie times and buy tickets on the Row House website.
412 Food Rescue
412foodrescue.org
According to 412 Food Rescue, the winter holidays see a 25% increase in food waste, while also increasing food insecurity. The organization invites Pittsburghers to become Holiday Heroes by donating leftovers from corporate parties, dinners, and other events. 412 Food Rescue will deliver the uneaten food to families, neighbors, and local nonprofits, turning food waste into nutritious meals for those in need.
Call (412) 277-3831 or email becca@412foodrescue.org to set up a donation. 412 Food Rescue will provide guidelines and arrange for pick-up. You can also follow tips to produce a no-waste event and support 412 Food Rescue’s work by volunteering or making a cash donation.
Raising Cane’s
Multiple locations. raisingcanes.com
Raising Cane’s honors its namesake — a yellow lab named Cane — by giving back to pets this season. Through Jan. 5, 2025, the chicken finger chain hosts its annual Plush Puppies fundraiser. Pittsburgh-area customers are invited to purchase a limited-edition plush puppy dressed as a candy cane for $9.99. Cane’s will donate 100% of net proceeds to animal rescue Paws Across Pittsburgh. Plushes are also available online.
City Kitchen
145 Bakery Square Blvd., Larimer. citykitchenpgh.com
Korean fusion is the latest addition to City Kitchen, the Bakery Square spot featuring four restaurants. Seoulful, a new “culinary destination” and pop-up, was announced on the restaurant’s Instagram page. Described as celebrating “bold flavors and contemporary creativity,” the new concept offers dishes “crafted to transport your palate straight to Seoul,” featuring Korean veggie dumplings, K-Town barbecue chicken wings, a Kimchi grilled cheese, and a signature Kimchi Ramen. Try it for dine-in, delivery, or pick-up.
Balena Bagels
3805 Willow Ave., Castle Shannon. balenabagels.com
The South Hills welcomed a new bagel shop. Balena Bagels, according to its Instagram, opened to a sell-out crowd, offering a menu of bagels including plain, jalapeno cheddar, poppy seed, and za’atar-spiced, freshly made through a multi-day bake. Owner Audrey Brown — who chose the name Balena (meaning whale in Italian) to honor her Italian-Jewish roots — told Mt. Lebanon Magazine that an authentic New York-style bagel shop was missing from Pittsburgh’s southern suburbs.
This article appears in Dec 4-10, 2024.
