Free and Affordable Pittsburgh 12/16: A Little Something for Everyone!

No matter what you're into - family fun, movies, sports, eating or or shopping, we've got you covered! On this week's Free & Affordable Pittsburgh segment on Pittsburgh Today Live, we highlight four great ways to get it all done for less, including pics with Santa, playing with Pirates, catching a free flick, yummy treats, or gifts that don't cost you a thing! Learn a bit more about each of the things mentioned on this week's show!

Free Pics with Santa

Sunday, December 18, 2011
Hours: 10:00am- 1pm
Price: Free to attend

The sights, sounds and smells of the Strip are fabulous this time of year! If you're looking for an affordable (and by affordable, we mean FREE) way to get some facetime with Santa this season, head to the Pittsburgh Public Market this Sunday. Bring your camera and snap away while your kids visit with the big guy himself... and maybe you can use the opportunity to get a little holiday shopping in as well! Santa will start out at the Public Market, and then make his way through the rest of the Strip District.

Screenings of "It's a Wonderful Life"

Sunday, December 18 - Thursday, December 22, 2011
Hours: Sunday 5pm & 8pm, Mon - Thurs 8pm
Price: Free to attend

It's a rare opportunity to catch a classic film on the big screen, much less for FREE! Regent Square Theater is showing "It's a Wonderful Life" this Sunday and every evening through Thursday. Down on his luck businessman, George Bailey, learns what life would have been like if he never existed. This one is sure to get you into the true holiday spirit! The theater will also be accepting non-perishable food donations to help support the East End Cooporative Ministry's food drive.

22nd Annual PirateFest

Saturday, December 17 - Sunday, December 18, 2011
Hours: Saturday 10am-7pm, Sunday noon-5pm
Price: $12 for adults, $4 kids ages 14 and under

Calling all baseball fans! The Pirate's annual PirateFest, an interactive baseball carnival held at the David L. Lawrence Convention center is this weekend. Your admission gets you free autographs with Pirates Players, including Andrew McCutchen, Neil Walker, Jose Tabata and more, as well as Pirates alumni Doug Drabek, Andy Van Slyke and more. You'll also find youth baseball clinics, a singing competition (want to sing the Star Spangled Banner at a Pirate's home game?), Pirates games, bouncy houses, a rock climbing wall, and lots, lots more! Any fan who donates blood for their Holiday Blood Drive on Saturday will receive free admission to the event.

Feed it Forward

Restaurant.com
Now through December 25, 2011 (while quantities last)
Cost: Free

Feed it Forward, a dedicated giving website of Restaurant.com, allows individuals to give FREE $10 Restaurant.com electronic gift cards to whomever you wish! You can give up to 40 gift cards per day... every day, throughout the holiday season. Certificates are redeemable at restaurants that participate in the Restaurant.com program, and there are many in Pittsburgh to choose from. You can give via email, or even via Facebook! You can only give to each recipient once during the Feed if Forward campaign.

What We're Talking About In Best Of

Let's face it. We live in Pittsburgh, and while it's not snowing yet, one thing we can count on is the white stuff falling SOMETIME during the winter. With snow brings great sledding opportunities, and in Travel & Outdoors we're telling you about the best places to get out there and race downhill during the snowy winter months, some of which won't cost you a cent!

Plus, the Holidays aren't complete without some sweet treats! In Food & Drink, we're talking about some of the best local independent bakeries and shops where you can find the most delicious Holiday desserts!