The holidays are fast approaching, and December will be here before we know it. There are tons of holiday-centric activities in the city, of course, but don’t forget about the suburbs and the counties surrounding Allegheny. From parades to decorated barns and tractors, we hope this list encourages you to find a new tradition this holiday season.Westmoreland CountyOpening night of Overly’s Country Christmas, Nov. 21 Running from Nov. 21 through Dec. 30, Overly’s Country Christmas has been a seasonal tradition for generations of families for 68 years. Located on Westmoreland County Fairgrounds, Overly’s offers carriage rides, food vendors, lights and much more family-friendly fun, including a talking Christmas tree you can speak with in real time. No advanced tickets are required. A complete schedule of hours of operation can be found here. Greensburg Salem High School band members perform in the Greensburg Holiday Parade. Photo courtesy of the City of Greensburg. Greensburg Holiday Parade, Nov. 23 A more-than 60-year-old tradition, the Greensburg Holiday Parade will occur on Saturday, Nov. 23, at 5 p.m. Floats from local businesses, clubs, scouts, sports teams and church groups will take to the streets of downtown Greensburg starting in front of the Westmoreland Museum of American Art and ending just before Main Bowling Center. The Greensburg Holiday Parade is free to attend and family-friendly. MORE HOLIDAY LIGHTS 13 holiday light displays to visit in the Pittsburgh area by NEXT staff November 19, 2024November 19, 2024 Irwin Christmas Cookie Tour, Dec. 6Irwin, Pa., is known as the “biggest little town in Pennsylvania” by those who live there. Patrons of this year’s cookie tour are encouraged to walk through the illuminated lights of Irwin while sampling cookies from local businesses such as Gato Taco & Tequila, White Tree Cafe & Coffeehouse, Gift Basket World and more. Additional details can be found here.Church volunteers representing a live Nativity scene. Photo courtesy of Word of Life Church.Return to Bethlehem at Word of Life Church, Dec. 6-8For those looking to experience what it may have been like the night Jesus was born, immerse yourself at Return to Bethlehem. This indoor walking tour features live animals, entertainment while you wait for your tour and scenes representing the journey to Bethlehem. This event is free and open to all ages. Tours begin at 6 p.m. each night and will continue until 9 p.m. No tickets are required.Washington CountyCanonburg’s Old Fashioned Christmas, Dec. 6-7Featuring a Christmas Market, a visit from the Grinch and live reindeer, Canonsburg Old Fashioned Christmas is a two-day celebration with fun for everyone. A complete list of events, times and further details can be found here.A volunteer preparing a holiday feast in the outdoor kitchen at the Bradford House. Photo courtesy of Bradford House.Holiday Harvest Cooking Demo at Bradford House, Nov. 30Learn how pioneers and early settlers prepared meals for the holidays at the Bradford House in downtown Washington. The cooking demonstration will begin at 10 a.m. and run until 4 p.m. No advanced tickets are required.Deck the Barn’s Lighted Christmas Drive Thru, Dec.12-14 Tractors, trucks and machinery, oh my! This unique light display takes you through the Washington County Fairgrounds, which feature trucks and farm equipment decked out for the holidays. After the drive-thru, guests are invited to make smores, get pictures with Santa, explore the petting zoo and more. Ticketing and other information can be found here.“Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol” at Little Lake Theatre, Dec. 13-21Brought to life at Little Lake Theatre in Canonsburg, “Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol” is a timeless Christmas classic. It follows the trials and tribulations of Ebenezer Scrooge’s deceased business partner Jacob Marley, rather than Scrooge. To redeem himself for a lifetime of wrongdoing, Marley must find a way to redeem Scrooge. The show is recommended for those 10 years and older. Advanced tickets can be purchased online. Butler County Free Holiday Light Drive-thru, Nov. 23-Dec. 25Immerse yourself in a free Holiday Light Drive-thru display at Odd Fellows Loop at Alameda Park. The lights will be on beginning at 6:30 p.m. and will turn off at 9 p.m. No registration is required — it is simply a community display of lights. Additional details can be found here. Photo courtesy of Enchanted Lights in Freedom, Pa.Enchanted Lights: A Magical Christmas Stroll, Nov. 29-Dec. 31When the outdoor weather is just right, take an outdoor stroll at Enchanted Lights in Freedom. Smores, cocktails and holiday light displays bring this unique event together in Butler County. Ticket information and other details can be found on the Enchanted Lights website.Miracle on Main Street, Dec. 5 Beginning in 2015, Miracle on Main Street was born from a vision of a flourishing Zelienople during the Christmas season. The dream has since become a reality with caroling, a live Nativity, cookie decorating and much more. Additional details about the free event can be found on the Miracle on Main Street website.Harmony Silvester Celebration, Dec. 31The Harmony Silvester Celebration is a fun New Year’s Eve celebration with a German twist. Taking place in Harmony Square, this family-friendly event starts with a 5K race and ends with a ball drop with other activities in between. Additional event details can be found here.Allegheny County Christmas in Guyasuta, Nov. 30 by Cristina HoltzerCamp Guyasuta is a 175-acre camp in O’Hara owned by the Laurel Highlands Council and frequented by scouts, schools and other groups in the region. On Nov. 30, ride through the camp’s light display or take to the climbing wall under the stars. Join the bonfire and write letters to Santa or shop at the Camp Trading Post holiday market. Tickets are $20 per person Nov. 24-29 or $25 per person at the door.West Point Ballet “Nutcracker,” Dec. 13-15 by Roman HladioRun by Cuban ballet dancers Cynthia Castillo and Damien Martinez, West Point Ballet is once again putting on “The Nutcracker.” Dancers will take the stage at Moon Area High School for their weekend of performances. Performances are on Friday, Dec. 13, and Saturday, Dec. 14, at 6 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 15, at 2 p.m. Tickets are available on West Point’s website.South Hills Community Chanukah Celebration, Dec. 28by Cristina HoltzerLight the Menorah and celebrate Chanukah with singing, food and family-friendly activities at the Jewish Community Center South Hills at 345 Kane Blvd. in Scott. Festivities run from 5 to 7 p.m. More information.The Latshaw Pops Orchestra and singers perform with Santa. Photo courtesy of Darlan Erlandson.The Holidays at The Oaks Theater, various dates from Nov. 22-Dec. 28 by Cristina HoltzerOakmont is one of the most festive towns in Allegheny County, from its annual parade to house tours to the decorations along Allegheny River Boulevard. The Oaks Theater’s holiday programming this year includes free showings of seasonal favorites like “The Santa Clause” on Nov. 22 and “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York” on Nov. 30. Don’t miss the Oakmont Hometown Christmas celebration at the theater after the parade on Nov. 23. Santa will be there with cookies from Oakmont Bakery, a candy guessing game and more. Then on Dec. 8, catch the 2024 Sounds of Christmas performance by the 22-piece Latshaw Pops Orchestra conducted by Maestro Bruce Lauffer. Check the Oaks calendar for even more events like “The Polar Express” Cinebrunch and “It’s a Wonderful Life.” The post Pittsburgh area holiday fun beyond the city limits appeared first on NEXTpittsburgh.