Festivities for the NHL Winter Classic begin today, here’s some highlights to enjoy the next week or so:
Friday, December 24
Public Skate at the community rink (parking lot between Heinz Field and State AE): 3-9 p.m. Santa will be there between 4 and 6 p.m.
Saturday, December 25
Public Skate at the community rink: 12-9 p.m.
Sunday, December 26
PAHL Youth Hockey: 8:40 a.m. – 2:50 p.m.
Public Skate at the community rink: 7-8:20 p.m.
Monday, December 27
PAHL Youth Hockey and Hockey is for Everyone games: 9 a.m.-2:50 p.m.
Public Skate at the community rink: 3-4:20 p.m.
PIHL (High School) Hockey: 9:40-11:40 p.m.
Hockey Hall of Fame and Pittsburgh Penguins Trophy Display at the Carnegie Science Center and Sports Works (Through December 31, times vary)
Ice Carving Displays at North Shore Riverftont Park (Through December 30, dawn-dusk daily)
Brighton Heights Deck Hockey: 8 a.m.
Tuesday, December 28
Penguins vs. Thrashers: 7 p.m. at the Consol Energy Center
PAHL Youth Hockey: 12-1:20 p.m.
Public skate at the community rink: 3-4:20 and 6:30-7:50 p.m.
Pittsburgh Firefighters vs. Police: 8-9:20 p.m.
Pittsburgh Celebrity Game: 9:30-10:50 p.m.
Wednesday, December 29
Elite Tournaments: 1-5:30 p.m. at the Consol Energy Center
PAHL Youth Hockey: 7:30 a.m.-2:50 p.m.
Public Skate at the community rink: 3-4:20 and 6:30-7:50 p.m.
PIHL (High School) Hockey: 8 – 11:50 p.m.
Thursday, December 30
Riverftont Park: Installation of two life-sized ice sculptures: 2-5 p.m.
Robert Morris and The Baby Pens doubleheader at the Consol Energy Center: 3 p.m.
City of Pittsburgh Pep Rally: 12 p.m., Market Square
PAHL Youth Hockey: 8:30-9:50 a.m. and 8-11 p.m.
USA Hockey (Clinics): 10 a.m.-12:50 p.m.
Penguins Skating School: 1-2:45 p.m.
Public Skate at the community rink: 3-4:20 and 6:30-7:50 p.m.
Friday, December 31
Alumni Game at Heinz Field: 9:30-11 a.m.
Penguins open practice at Heinz Field (ticket from Alumni game required): 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
NHL Spectator Plaza (Art Rooney Way, outside Heinz Field): 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
First Night Pittsburgh, Cultural District: 6 p.m.-midnight
The Art of Play Exhibit at the Warhol (time unknown, I’m guessing it will be presented all day and during the First Night festivities)
PAHL Youth Hockey: 8 a.m.-12:20 p.m.
Elite Tournament: 12:30-4:50 p.m.
Hockey is for Everyone Game: 5-6:20 p.m.
Public Skate at the community rink: 6:30-8, 8:10-9:30 and 9:40-midnight
Saturday, January 1
2011 NHL Winter Classic at Heinz Field: 1 p.m.
NHL Spectator Plaza (Art Rooney Way, outside Heinz Field): 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Elite Tournament: 8-11 a.m.
PAHL Youth Hockey: 11:10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Public Skating at the community rink: 4:10-5:40 and 6-7:30 p.m.
PAHL Youth Hockey: 9:10-11:10 p.m.
Sunday, January 2
PAHL Youth Hockey: 7:30-8:50 a.m. and 1:30-2:50 p.m.
Hockey if for Everyone Game: 9-10:20 a.m.
Elite Girls: 10:30-11:50 a.m.
PIHL (High School) Hockey: 12-1:20, 7-9 and 9:10-11:10 p.m.
Click here to get a 2 for 1 coupon from PNC for the public skating rink and click here for the fan guide to the Winter Classic (including fulls schedule and map). Full details about each days events are available here.
