Whether it’s their heritage, the arts, or a holiday, Pittsburghers always have something to celebrate. The following is a list of upcoming festivals and/or events. For more information or additional events, call the Greater Pittsburgh Convention & Visitors Bureau at 800-366-0093 for updates, or visit the website at www.visitpittsburgh.com.

For more information for Laurel Highlands, call Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau at 800-925-7669 or check out www.laurelhighlands.org.

Other bureaus in the region that may be helpful also include Butler County Tourism & Convention Bureau at 866-856-8444, www.visitbutlercounty.com; Beaver County Tourism at 800-342-8192, www.co.beaver.pa.us; and Monroeville Convention Visitors Bureau at 800-527-8941, www.visitmonroeville.com.

The event dates are subject to change. The phone numbers may be used to verify dates.

DECEMBER 2005

PENGUIN PREMIER SHOW
National Aviary, North Side
ongoing
412-323-7235
Get up-close-and-personal with our NEW baby African Penguin “Stanley,” indoors in our atrium. www.aviary.org

SPORTSWORKS
Carnegie Science Center, North Side
Permanent Exhibition
412-237-3400
36,000 square feet of scientific fun completely dedicated to sports! Come and find out for yourself how your family and friends can discover the science in sports, push their bodies to the limit, and embark on wild virtual journeys. www.carnegiesciencecenter.org

RAPTOR ENCOUNTER
National Aviary, North Side
ongoing
412-232-7235
Meet one of the Aviary’s exciting raptors or owls, from the favorite Snowy Owl to a regal red-tailed hawk. Daily at 10:30 a.m. Free with general admission.

STARS OF THE PHARAOH
Carnegie Science Center, North Side
Henry Buhl Jr. Planetarium
Ongoing
412-237-3400
Journey back in time to explore the skies over Egypt and see how the stars guided the ancient Egyptians in the construction and alignment of the tombs and temples of their leaders.

MYSTERY OF THE NILE
Carnegie Science Center, North Side
Rangos Omnimax Theater
ongoing
412-237-3400
Mystery of the Nile is the story of the first expedition to navigate the entire Blue Nile and Nile river from its source in the heart of Ethiopia to the Egyptian coast of the Mediterranean Sea.

CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY
Carnegie Science Center, North Side
Rangos Omnimax Theater
through December 31
412-237-3400
Charlie and the chocolate factory features a 200,000-gallon-fake chocolate river and more than 110,000 chocolate bars specially prepared by Nestle for the film.

FLY FOR FUN
Allegheny County Airport
through December 31
412-466-1008
You can be the pilot or bring your camera and enjoy the view. Get a great view of the city.

GARDEN RAILROAD
Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, Oakland
through January 2006
412-622-6914
Dinosaurs discovered in Hidden Valley! Venture with our G-scale trains through the 1890s when dinosaur bones were discovered. See an archaeological dig and peer into a mysterious and misty valley of living dinosaurs.

MIFFY AND FRIENDS
Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, North Side
through January 1, 2006
412-322-5058
Beloved characters of the popular children’s book series comes to the Children’s Museum. Highlights of the exhibit include: a child-size Miffy house and garden, a puppet theater, craft and reading tables, a computer kiosk, a Miffy reading center, and an animal friends center.

STEELER SUNDAYS AT THE SPORTS MUSEUM
Heinz History Center Sports Museum
Every Sunday
412-454-6436
The popular show, hosted by KDKA sports Anchor Bob Pompeani, along with former Steelers defensive lineman Edmund Nelson, offers fans pre-game coverage. Come down and be a part of the audience from 11:00AM to Noon.

DOWNTOWN PITTSBURGH, A HOLIDAY TRADITION WITH A NEW TWIST
Downtown
through January 7, 2006
412-566-4190
Downtown holiday shopping and celebrations launched with Light-Up Night on the weekend before Thanksgiving. Entertainment by area attractions, performances, ice sculptures, and shopping. www.downtownpittsburgh.com

WINTER FLOWER SHOW
Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, Oakland
Late November-Early January 2006
412-622-6914
Phipps welcomes winter with an indoor flower display at the Schenley Park conservatory. Call for more information on this popular winter display. www.phippsconservatory.org

HOLIDAYS AT THE CARNEGIE
Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, Oakland
December 1-31
412-622-3131
See the annual Christmas tree exhibit illuminate The Carnegie’s elaborate interior while traditional Christmas carols echo throughout the great halls of this museum. A variety of concerts are performed. www.clpgh.org

HOLIDAYS AT THE NATIONALITY ROOMS
University of Pittsburgh, Oakland
December 1-31
412-624-6000
Start a new holiday tradition. Visit the Nationality Rooms and see them decorated for the season. The 26 rooms depict the city’s diverse ethnic heritage through authentic examples of architecture and decor from Eastern and Western Europe, Scandinavia, the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. www.pitt.edu/natrooms

CANDLELIGHT EVENINGS AT PHIPPS CONSERVATORY
Oakland
December 15-31
412-622-6914
Phipps will be dressed for the season with lights and festive decorations. The conservatory will remain open later on these evenings and special tours can be arranged. www.phippsconservatory.org

FIRST NIGHT PITTSBURGH
Downtown
December 31
412-201-7380
First Night Pittsburgh is an annual New Year’s Eve Festival, which celebrates the arts, cultural, and entertainment vitality of Pittsburgh. Downtown Pittsburgh is your stage to participate in a magical celebration. www.firstnightpgh.com

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