3 *free* Pittsburgh-area events to do before the holiday season ends

Wallet tapped out but still looking to squeeze in some holiday fun?

Check out these free Pittsburgh-area events before the holiday season ends!

Steubenville Nutcracker Village

See more than 200 life-size nutcrackers — many of which are 5 or 6 feet tall.

The nutcrackers are displayed on the streets of Downtown Steubenville within a few blocks from Historic Fort Steuben.

You can see the nutcrackers day or night through Jan. 9.

Get more details here.

Pittsburgh gingerbread houses

Visit hundreds of gingerbread houses on display as part of the 23rd Pittsburgh Gingerbread House competition at the City-County Building, 414 Grant St. in Pittsburgh.

The display is free and open to the public through Dec. 31.

• Monday through Friday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Saturday and Sunday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (use Ross Street entrance)

Neighborhood displays

Drive local neighborhoods to see some really great displays! Here are some favorites:

• Moon Park: Check out the great display at Moon Park, along Ewing Road in Moon Township. The park is lit nightly from 5 to 10 p.m. through Jan. 7.
• 217 Maplewood Ave., Ambridge: One man puts at least 20,000 lights up around his Maplewood Avenue, Ambridge, home. Even some houses next door and down the street get into the fun. Park, walk and take some selfies!
• Corner of Forsythe Road and Crest Lane in Scott Township (near Carnegie boundary): This display dances to music. Parking is difficult due to the main road but there’s a spot or two that allows for a great view of the show, which has music cast on an FM station. A sign indicates what channel to turn to.
• Beaver County’s Frosty and Rudolph neighborhood: These Chippewa Township, Beaver County, neighborhoods display dozens of gigantic Frosty and Rudolph (and even some Clarice!) inflatables.
• Christmas Light Spectacular at Sts. Simon & Jude in Scott: The Sts. Simon and Jude Church parking lot at 1607 Greentree Road in Scott has been transformed into a musical lights display with dancing lights, music, Santa Claus, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Mrs. Claus and Elves. The show, which typically runs through the second weekend in January, is about 60 minutes and is looped continuously, so you can drive in at any time and you will not miss anything! The show is broadcast on FM radio channel 96.7, so turn your radio to that channel when you park. It’s free and open to the public.
• Woodland Ridge neighborhood in Moon: For more than 25 years, residents in the Woodland Ridge neighborhood have held a house decorating contest and celebration to usher in the holiday season. The neighborhood is located at Tiffany Ridge Drive and Thorn Run Road in Moon.
• Monticello Lights: Monticello Drive in Delmont — near Route 22 and Route 66.