Pittsburgh International Airport is celebrating the holiday season with activities this week that include new shopping options, school choral concerts and the much anticipated Holiday Open House shopping event on Dec. 3.
“We are excited to welcome students, travelers and shoppers to the airport during this festive season,” said Bob Kerlik, vice president of media relations. “In the spirit of the holidays, we are thrilled to offer a unique shopping and dining experience to residents from around the region.”
This is the third consecutive year for the Airmall at Pittsburgh International Airport to welcome the public to shop in the airside terminal, typically open only to ticketed passengers. The holiday open house will feature free parking, in-store specials, visits from Santa and his elves, and live music throughout the day. The scheduled events from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. include:
10 a.m.-2 p.m.: A balloon artist and a juggler delights shoppers
11 a.m.-3 p.m.: Elves handing out free shopping bags and treats
11 a.m.-4 p.m.: Lovebettie performs classic holiday tunes
1-3 p.m.: Disco, the National Aviary’s African penguin, visits
2-5 p.m.: A visiting artist sketches caricatures of shoppers and travelers
The event will showcase the airport’s distinctive mix of more than 30 local and national retailers and more than 20 dining options, including the newly opened Farm Fresh Deli, The Strip Market and the second Martini bar just opened in the landside terminal.
Shoppers interested in attending the holiday open house should register in advance by midnight Dec. 1 at www.flypittsburgh.com/openhouse and plan to arrive by 5 p.m. with a valid government-issued photo ID. Shoppers are also encouraged to post their adventures on social media with the hashtag #LetsShopPIT.
Starting this week, Airmall’s new POP-OPPs program will offer airport customers an innovative shopping experience through a series of custom-designed kiosks featuring Pittsburgh favorite Sarris Candies and an assortment of fragrance giftsets and beauty products from Collezioni – The Beauty Gallery. In addition to enhancing the airport’s retail offerings, the POP-OPPs program will reveal local brands and innovations beginning in spring.
Also on Dec. 1, strolling models will wear the latest fashions from the airport shops. A street team will hand out copies of Runway Magazine, an exclusive publication highlighting the airport’s shopping and dining scene.
Finally, the airport will begin its annual holiday concert series featuring school choirs and bands from around the region performing on Ticketing level in the Landside terminal almost every day from Dec. 1-22. A full schedule of groups and performers can be found at www.FlyPittsburgh.com/performingarts.
