Christmas time in Pittsburgh is downright magical, with a snowy setting, twinkling lights, and shop windows filled with holiday goodies. You know what would make it even better, though? A holiday party hosted by you.
You’ve probably already given some thought to entertainment and food, but if you’ve decided not to host at home this year, you might find yourself at a loss trying to find a venue for your annual Christmas events. Don’t fret! From a winterized outdoor patio to a historic building full of old-timey character, we have a space for any personality and any size group to get you started.
Especially if your love language is gift giving, it can be easy to go overboard on the holiday spending. Our affordable rental rates will save you so much money as a host that you might even be able to spoil your loved ones more than last year, without sacrificing the festivities and traditions you adore.
Ready to give the Giggster app a try and experience the holiday joy we can bring to your parties? Call us ol’ Saint Nick because we’re bringing everything on your wishlist tonight!
There’s nothing like the right event venue to get you in a holly jolly mood. Don’t wait for Santa to deliver- find your own festive event space right here on the Giggster app! Here are just a few of the hidden gems on our holiday wishlist this year:
For an event filled with festive cheer, bring your crew to a venue full of good beer! Pittsburgh’s breweries and taprooms are perfect for casual gatherings and large crowds—whether you want to tell everyone to swing by at their leisure throughout the afternoon or bring in a whole company staff at a set time.
Take the holidays as an opportunity to work on your team bonding or blow off some steam. A trip to a VR arena or other playful local attraction is a great way to celebrate in a non-denominational way. You don’t even really need to acknowledge Christmas at all, but you could always break into red and green teams if you can’t resist a holiday touch.
Take some inspiration from Europe’s Christmas markets and take your party outdoors. With firepits, hot bevvy stations, and live carols filling the frosty air, this event is sure to be more memorable than your average affair.
Dreaming of Christmas that felt like it did when you were a kid? Our pro tip would be to choose a venue that’s dripping with character. Our selection of historic buildings will lend some vintage nostalgia to your event, and can be dressed up or down to suit any theme. Want to amp up the drama? Take it back to the days of midnight mass and host a grand gala in a chapel with cathedral ceilings and echoing halls.
Not every party needs an extravagant banquet hall with lavish decor. Are you in charge of your work Christmas party? Keep things on brand and rent out an event atrium in a local office building. Centrally located, with various spaces for lounging and snacking, it’s everything you need in a simple package.
Exceptional Variety & Quality: With 39 fun spaces and private rooms to rent, the Giggster app is the only rental platform guaranteed to have your co-workers complimenting your party planning expertise. Book with us and ensure you’re beaming with pride by the end of the night.
Hassle-Free Booking: Your holiday party deserves the perfect venue, even if you don’t have hours upon hours to dedicate to the search. Not only is the Giggster app ready and waiting with an easy process to rent, but we also offer fully transparent pricing as low as $30/hour.
24-Hour Free Cancellation Policy: The holiday season often comes with a lot of conflicting plans and unexpected mishaps, as joyful as they are. We want to set you up to weather surprises with elegance and grace, so we’ve built flexibility into our rentals. As long as your party is more than 48 hours away at the time of booking, you have 24 hours (from the time of booking confirmation) to cancel for free.
Platform Protections: Is a stress-free Christmas the top of your wishlist this year? Remember to select a premium protection plan when finalizing your rental with us, and we’ll take over should any damage, disruption, or liability concerns arise. That way, you can choose the best venues we have to offer, like the infamous Multi-Level Urban Event Space with Art Studio & Rustic Warehouse, without those nagging anxieties in the back of your mind.
The perfect place to celebrate is not the only thing you need to make your next event a success. You also need to plan with the mind of a Pittsburgh local. Considering the ins and outs of city life will transform your holiday gathering for the better.
Advantages
A romantic stroll through the park, hand-in-hand, while the snow falls under the streetlights, would be the most memorable way to end your holiday celebration. Pittsburgh has some 160+ parks to choose from.
This city has a rich and diverse history, especially when it comes to the Industrial Revolution. Looking for a venue with an industrial flair? You’ll find plenty of ‘em here.
Arts lovers will find plenty to do in the city, from perusing local art galleries to heading to the symphony.
Disadvantages
Pittsburgh winters are cold, and yes, they do experience a fair bit of snowfall. This is great for getting everyone in the holiday spirit, but it does mean guests will be lugging around puffy jackets and clunky winter boots. Be sure you have a cloak room (or at least a rack in the foyer) where everyone can safely ditch their outdoor gear.
If you’ve ever woken up from a nightmare about being stuck in Pittsburgh traffic, you’re not alone. Rush hour congestion is real and only gets worse during holiday periods when everyone is bustling about trying to prepare.
Public transportation options are pretty limited, with trips happening at less-than-frequent intervals and only to main corridors and thoroughfares.
The Giggster app is your ultimate destination when you want to curate an unforgettable experience in a beautiful venue for your friends and family. We’ve already given you an overview of what a unique venue from our site could look like, but here’s an introduction to the most popular spaces across Pittsburgh.
Mansions – A Historic Holiday. If horse-drawn carriage rides up a snowy lane, towering Christmas trees in the foyer, and garland-wrapped bannisters fill your Christmas dreams, you cannot do better than a Victorian estate. From the moment your guests pull up the drive, they will be transported into another world, where Hallmark moments are plentiful and romance fills the air.
Wedding Venues – Not Just for Weddings. If you need a large space and good service to host a massive crowd, head straight to the shining stars of the event industry: wedding venues. These halls are used to ensuring every guest is accounted for, even when there are hundreds of them, and can help connect you with all the other event services you might need, like catering, linen rentals, and lighting.
Hip and Happening Bars – The Ol' Razzle Dazzle. Add some pizzazz to your party plans with a trip back to the early 1900s. From speakeasies of the roaring '20s to whiskey bars, this Pittsburgh throwback promises classic cocktails, little nibbles, and holiday jazz filling the lounge.
Coffee Bars and Bistros – Christmas Sweaters and Coffee. When we think of Christmas, we get that warm and cozy feeling of nostalgia and laughter with loved ones. Especially when paired with good company, nothing is more comforting than a steaming mug of java, or candy cane hot cocoa stacked with marshmallows, so why not take your party to a local cafe?
A good holiday host always has a few tricks up their sleeve. Here are some of our favorite ways to level up your Christmas celebration without driving yourself crazy in the process:
Have Yourself a Tasting – Almost everyone goes to a Christmas party with the expectation that they can fill their face with delicious food. And hey, there’s no shame in that game. This does mean, however, that there’s a bit more pressure to draft the perfect menu. If you’re going to have a feast fit for a king, you should probably try out your recipes ahead of time and make sure they're up to your holiday standards.
Turn Your Holiday Party on Its Head – If you want to set yourself apart from the rest (because there are so many social functions this time of year), don’t be afraid to be daring. It may sound crazy, but have you considered that you could hold your event year-round? Seriously, Christmas in July parties have been making a big splash lately. Have you been engaged for quite a while? Why not surprise your guests with a spur-of-the-moment wedding ceremony?
Do Some Holiday Reminiscing – If you want your Christmas parties to be everything that dreams are made of, you may want to think back on what you’ve enjoyed most about Christmases past. Maybe it’s adhering to the long-standing tradition of hanging mistletoe, soaking a rum cake for exactly 17 minutes, or having your Uncle Tom play the piano while someone shakes the jingle bells alongside him. No matter what Christmas means to you, this is where paying attention to all the little details will make all the difference.
Stock Your Bar with Specialty Drinks – Most good holiday parties are serving up tipples and libations. Coming up with a signature drink or a full cocktail menu is a fun way to play off your Christmas theme without going all out with red and green decor. Don’t forget a special option for the under-agers and your sober friends!
Christmas is expensive enough, despite everyone’s best efforts to keep consumerism at bay. You’ll still want to invest in an opportunity to gather with your loved ones, but if your budget is feeling spread a little thin, you’re not alone. Here are some easy ways to keep money in your bank account without compromising on your festivities.
Tap into your personal decor stash.
If you don’t mind digging through the basement bins and lending your Christmas decorations to the cause for a day or two before decking your own halls, you can pretty much eliminate your entire decor budget in one fell swoop.
Have a “Santa’s Workshop” pre-party.
Invite over your friends and work like elves, preparing just about anything you could possibly DIY rather than buy. Bake sugar cookies, make popcorn string garlands, pot poinsettias as centerpieces…you’d be surprised what you can do with some extra hands and holiday spirit.
Check out the offerings of local rental companies.
Did you know that many wedding and party rental vendors will bring in Christmas trees, faux garlands, lights, and the whole nine yards around the holidays? If the alternative is to go out and buy everything brand spanking new, you might save some precious pennies renting instead.
From a private dining room at a local restaurant to a historic house on snowy, sprawling acreage, the Giggster app is chock-full of amazing venues that will set the stage for your Christmas festivities. Connect with us today to create a memorable holiday experience that your friends, family, and coworkers are sure to love.
