Your Holiday Headquarters for Family Fun!
If you’re looking for places to go during the holiday break, fun activities for families, or the best things to do in Pittsburgh, Carnegie Science Center is the place for family experiences this season!
Fast track your cherished holiday traditions and see your favorite models in the Miniature Railroad & Village®, including Forbes Field and Primanti Bros. Prepare for liftoff in Buhl Planetarium and be dazzled by a festive holiday laser light experience. Cinematically board The Polar Express and travel to the North Pole at The Rangos Giant Cinema. Catch more holiday classics on the only Certified Giant Screen in Pittsburgh, and dash to an event that suits your holiday season needs.
Let the holiday magic unfold at the Science Center!
Exclusive $10 Tickets for College Students!
Ready to dive into the enchanting world of Pixar? For a limited time only, we’re offering an exclusive $10 ticket to explore The Science Behind Pixar exhibition and enjoy General Admission to Carnegie Science Center! This incredible deal is available only to college students with a valid student ID. Step into the shoes of your favorite Pixar characters and relive the magic of Toy Story, the adventure of Finding Nemo, and the heroics of The Incredibles.
The discount is valid through Jan. 5, 2025, and is applied when you buy your ticket onsite at the Ticket Counter.
Please note, limited to one discounted Admission per valid student ID, no discount for online sales. The Science Center is located on Pittsburgh’s North Shore and is accessible by public transportation.
The Science Behind Pixar Exhibition
Toy to the World! Dive into the world of Pixar through virtual sets and videos to learn how these iconic films come to life. Separate ticket required.
Laser Holiday Magic
Enjoy the magic of the holiday season with a festive laser celebration that’s perfect for the whole family. This show features traditional and contemporary versions of beloved holiday tunes. Sing along!
Gift an Experience!
From a week-long summer adventure to exploring 50+ Pixar interactives, and from far away galaxies to exploring five floors of interactive exhibits, give the gift of an experience this holiday season with a Carnegie Science Center e-Gift Card!
The Polar Express (3D)
Showing Fri., Nov 29–Tues., Dec. 24 on select dates
Journey beyond your imagination this holiday season at The Rangos Giant Cinema as we present The Polar Express 3D, a Christmas classic that takes moviegoers on a magical, heartwarming adventure to the North Pole.
Holiday Camps
Thurs.–Mon.,
Dec. 26–30
9 am–3 pm
For ages 6–11
Get ready for messy fun as you create your own little snowy world in a globe, sled race Sphero robots, construct LEGO® contraptions, and soar like a superhero!
21+ Night: Happy New Yinz
Fri., Jan. 10
6–10 p.m.
Experience a party atmosphere on all four floors the Science Center after hours and under the lens of specific popular themes. Adults ages 21+.
Miniature Railroad & Village®
Keep your holiday traditions on track with a visit to the Miniature Railroad & Village®! Spot new animations and reimagined favorite models. Explore Pittsburgh’s iconic Miniature Railroad at the Science Center.
XPLOR Store
Looking for unique holiday gifts this season? Save BIG with our special discount days online and in-store!
Things to Do in Pittsburgh
As one of the best attractions in Pittsburgh and a top-notch destination for family activities in Pittsburgh, Carnegie Science Center features a variety of kid’s activities and children museum exhibits. If you’re looking for places to visit in Pittsburgh or things to do in Pittsburgh this week, we’ve got you covered!
For fun stuff to do in Pittsburgh, experience Carnegie Science Center’s exhibits, live demonstration shows, and more!
Curious about must-do things in Pittsburgh? Check out hundreds of animations and amazing models of Pennsylvania landmarks in the Miniature Railroad & Village®. Build to your heart’s content in Bricksburgh. Make a splash at the water table in Little Learner Clubhouse. Explore a Martian settlement and discover what it takes to thrive in Mars: The Next Giant Leap®.
So many of our exhibits are among Pittsburgh top things to do! Snap a selfie with C-3PO, R2-D2, and other favorite Hollywood robots in the Robot Hall of Fame. Marvel at sight and sound in a Buhl Planetarium laser show. Plus, meet slithering, hopping, swimming animals in the H2Oh! Field Station.
Don’t forget to stop by Highmark SportsWorks® located right next door! Turn sports practice into a science experiment in the newest exhibit Motion Lab. Throw a pitch while being recorded on a high-speed camera. Then head to the Playback Station to compare your motions to Pittsburgh Pirates closer David Bednar in slow motion. Test out other sports-related actions in this new permanent exhibit.
The Science Behind Pixar
Venture into the creativity behind Woody, Sulley, and all your favorite Pixar characters with 50 hands-on activities.
The Rangos Giant Cinema
A movie experience like no other. With digital 4K clarity and Dolby Atmos surround sound, you will feel like you are in the movie.
Dining & Culture Guide
Northside & North Shore
Food, drink, entertainment, and more!
Miniature Models and Memories Sweepstakes
Contest Dates: Now–Dec. 27
Share your most beloved memory in Miniature Railroad & Village® to be entered to win a behind-the-scenes tour of the exhibit, tickets to Locomotion Weekend and an exclusive prize pack.
Locomotion Weekend
Sat.–Sun.,
Jan. 18–19, 2025
10 am–4 pm
Included with General Admission
See a rail yard full of guest train displays owned and operated by model train enthusiasts.
2025 Summer Camps
Summer Camp registration opens in early February!
Check out the camp offerings!
Sensory Sensitive Science Events
Discover how we can help make a visit more accessible with our special sensory-friendly events!
Events for All Ages
Our special public event activities are included with a general admission ticket. There’s no shortage of fun things to do at Carnegie Science Center. Explore our upcoming Special Public Events for the whole family!
Mars: The Next Giant Leap®
Embark on a 300-million-mile journey to Mars and arrive in a Martian settlement where you will discover the many facets of space exploration.
USS Requin (SS 481)
Come aboard to learn how 80 men used their expertise, humor and sheer ingenuity during the submarine's lengthy defense and scientific missions.
Fab Lab Public Workshops
Have you ever wanted to experiment with a 3D printer? Want to learn how to use a laser cutter?
Miniature Railroad & Village®
Take a walking tour of western Pennsylvania at the world-renowned Miniature Railroad & Village®.
Laser Shows
Be dazzled by lasers to popular music or holiday themes, from Stranger Things to Pink Floyd, there’s something for everyone.
Bricksburgh
Take on the roles of architect, artist, engineer, and builder at brick activity tables, stocked with thousands of bricks!
Little Learner Clubhouse
Explore this nature-inspired hub for free-play and hands-on activities, featuring a Water Table and Button Wall!
H2Oh Field Station
Full of lively, swimming, hopping, and slithering animals that demonstrate the delicate balance of life and water on our planet.
Searching for Pittsburgh events? Check out our daily calendar to see what’s happening at the Science Center today. Carnegie Science Center is a local favorite among destinations for safe family activities, fun things to do in Pittsburgh, unique things to do in Pittsburgh, and especially things to do in Pittsburgh with kids.
Pittsburgh Region. Next is Now.
If you do not live in Pittsburgh, we encourage you to explore the opportunities available here. Pittsburgh offers an opportunity to solve the world’s biggest problems. Here, innovators can enjoy their work and their life outside of it – living purposefully, building companies and communities and making an impact. The region gives people space to be authentic, do things their own way and receive support. Here you can become iconic. Learn more at: https://pittsburghregion.org/ 
