Category Archives: Holiday

What the What is a “Weihnachtsmarkt” ?

Deutsch: Braunschweiger Weihnachtsmarkt

Deutsch: Braunschweiger Weihnachtsmarkt (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

A Weihnachtsmarkt is a traditional Christmas street market dating back to the late middle ages.  Yes folks, Halloween has passed, election day is over and it is time to begin the holiday celebrations.  Fortunately you don’t need a DeLorean to visit the Weihnachtsmarkt.  You can fire up your Prius, station wagon or SUV and take a short drive up 79 North to the Historic Harmony Weihnachtsmarkt.

This is the 22rd annual Harmony Weihnachtsmark which will be held at the historic Harmony Museum.  Lots of food, music and of course Chirstmas shopping – its a good excuse to get started on your holiday shopping and I promise it is much more charming that hitting the mall at 8am on black friday with a turkey hangover.

Here are the details for the market – more info is available on the Harmony Museum’s website here.

Saturday November 10th 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Sunday November 11th  12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Call 724-452-7341 or email hmuseum@zoominternet.net

Admission is $7 for adults, $5 for seniors, $3 for students and children under 6 free.

Admission includes: Museum, miniature train exhibit, vendors, artisans and craftsmen, antique show and sale, horse drawn wagon ride, weavers and quilters, wine and beer tasting, Santa and Mrs. Claus, kids crafts and activities and all day German style entertainment

Saturday Entertainment Schedule

Entertainment Tent

  • Burke’s Bavarian Brass – 11:30 to 2:30 p.m.
  • Alpen Schuhplattler Dancers – 3:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.
  • The Pittsburgh Swiss Singers – 3:30 t0 4:30 p.m.

In Stewart Hall

  • Wha-Ke-we-nn Dulcimers – 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
  • The Seneca Valley Girls Madrigals – Carol along with them as we celebrate the Tree Lighting!  5:30 at the Festival Entrance

Sunday Entertainment Schedule

Entertainment Tent

  • The Frank Palombi Band
  • 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
  • Alpen Schuhplattler Dancers
  • 1:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

All around the festival both Saturday and Sunday (weather permitting) look for Ron our strolling accordion player!

Antique Show Dealers

Stop in the Antique Show & Sale’s huge tent and see the beautiful items that over 15 high quality antique dealers have to offer!

Artisans and Vendors

  • Third Eye Imagery, Photography
  • Amanda Lee Glassware, Hand Painted Glassware
  • From the Heart Pure & Simple, Shampoos & Body Products
  • Wyatt McQueen, 18th Century Style Furniture
  • Faces by Christina, Face Painting
  • Brooke Espersen, Handcrafted Jewelry
  • Monika Dalrymple, Hand Tatted German Ornaments
  • The Enchanted Olive, Gourmet Olive Oils & Balsamic Vinegars
  • Nancy K Wallace, Author “The Christmas Cats”
  • Little Germany, German Christmas Foods, Steins, Nutcrackers, Toys
  • Theresa Stauffer, Hand Painted Wood Apples & Eggs, Ornaments
  • Hidden Treasures, Museum Reproductions, Hand Painted Boxes & Furniture
  • MP Pinecone Designs, Pinecone Wreaths, Garlands, Ornaments, Birdhouses
  • Stramba Farm Alpacas & More, Yarns, Felt, Hats, Socks, Rugs, Scarves
  • Margaret L Bickenheuser, Basketry & Seat Weaving
  • Rugs of Character, Handwoven Rugs from Recycled Materials
  • Ashgrove Soaps & Beeswax Ornaments
  • Lindsey Lee Creations, Hand Crafted Beaded Jewelry
  • James Kapusta, Shaker Oval Nesting Boxes & Carriers
  • Pine Knoll Clock Shop, Clock Repair, Restoration & Sales
  • Pine Knoll Herb Shop, Hand Crafted Soaps, Lotions & Dried Herbs
  • Apple Blossom Pottery, Hand Thrown High Fire Functional Stoneware
  • Pleasures of the Palate, Traditional German Roasted Nuts
  • Riverwood Trading, Hand Carved Wooden Treenware
  • Fred Threlfal, Map Maker, Colonial Prints
  • Honest Brothers, 18th Century Silversmith
  • Harmony Tin, Colonial Punched Tin Lanterns, Lamps, Ornaments, Leaves
  • Don Allaman, Stained Glass & Kiln Formed Decorative Glass Items
  • James Varley, Wooden Toys & Gifts
  • Claus & Truax, Leather Bottles, Mugs, Canteens, Buckets & Leather Goods
  • Irmgard Rebel, German Dolls & Teddy Bears, Embroidery
  • Bees in a Basket, Scented Beeswax Pinecones, Bars, Cinnamon Sticks
  • Everlasting Gardener, Aromatherapy, Herb Teas, Potpourris, Flavorings
  • Cinnamon Scents, Handmade Candles & Rustic Scrubs
  • Volant Mill Winery, Locally Made Fine Wines, Wine Tasting
  • Bill Fugate, Blacksmith
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Don’t Forget about Mom!

Compu-Mother's Day Card by Alternative Histories

Mother’s day is Sunday May 12.  You didn’t forget about that did you?  There are a ton of great ways to celebrate mom this weekend around Pittsburgh (fortunately for y’all my mom doesn’t read this blog so I can share these tips with you and she”ll still have no idea whats up – just a heads up that for Father’s day you are on your own – my dad – hi dad! – is one of IheartPGH most loyal readers.)

Great Gift Idea – Head over to the Children’s Museum – for about $15 the Saturday Light Brigade will help you record an audio CD card for your mom.

Martini Mama? Do you need a cocktail to survive quality time with mom? Then Wigle Whiskey has you covered. Take your mom to Wigle Whiskey for their Mother’s Day cocktail class.

Some shopping ideas for the weekend.  Looking for a way to spend the afternoon with mom? Or looking to pick up a unique gift? here are some ideas.

Moms get in free this weekend.

  • Pittsburgh Zoo – Moms get in free on Sunday when accompanied by a kid
  • The Clayton – Moms get in free on Saturday and Sunday
Lets Eat!
  • Brunch – Pop City Media has just published an extensive guide to brunch in the burgh
  • Cafe on Main – while this little gem didn’t make Pop City’s list – I think it is not to be missed for brunch.  Located on main street in Sharpsburg, Cafe on Main has an extensive and tasty brunch menu, mimosas on Sunday and snickerdoodle coffee.
  • Cereal Milk Panna Cotta with Caramelized Cornflakes and Strawberry Cream – Pittsburgh food blogger, The Brazen Kitchen, has posted the recipe and some amazing photos for this treat.
  • Baked French Toast Cups – recipe from With The Grains, if we gave awards for blogs, we would give With the Grains an award for prettiest blog – check out the recipe then spend some time checking out their other posts as well.

A huge thanks to Living Pittsburgh for the post on affordable Mother’s Day in Pittsburgh.

Image:  Compu-Mother’s Day Card by Alternative Histories available here.

Cafe on Main on Urbanspoon

14 Ways to Celebrate Valentine’s Day in Pittsburgh.

Photo via GrapeThoughts

We’ve updated this post for 2017 – There is still time to impress your Valentine! Pittsburgh Valentine’s Day Events for friends, families, lovers (and those who love to hate Valentine’s Day).

We’ve updated this post for 2014 – Checkout the 2014 Guide to Valentine’s Day in Pittsburgh.

We have searched high and low (ok, we read a lot of blogs and answered a lot of tweets) to bring you a list of 14 unique ways to celebrate February 14, 2012.  I had an annual Valentine’s Day tradition of pizza at Aiello’s in Sq. Hill with a dear friend who now lives in New Orleans.

This list includes something for everyone at every price point.  Do you have a Pittsburgh Valentine’s Day tradition? Something special planned that we should include on future lists?  Please share in the comments below.


Mad Lovin’ – MadMex Valentine’s Day Special

The folks at the Big Burrito restaurant group are good at special events – check out their latest newsletter for a run down of all of their restaurants – reservations are suggested.  ( I just looked at OpenTable for Tue. Feb 14 – there are a few seating left for early – before 5pm or late – after 9:30pm at Soba, Casbah, Umi.)

Should you need something on the wild/casual/affordable side – Mad Mex has a valentine’s day deal $35 gets you a four course dinner for 2.  And a deal that is sure to please those that are happily single, couples on a budget (or if you happen to be on a bad date) – MadMex has you covered with $6 Big Azz Margarita’s all day.  From what I can tell this deal is available at all Pittsburgh MadMex locations.