Greensburg families can begin a season of local outings with a free evening at The Westmoreland Museum of American Art on Friday, November 13.

Winter Wonderland runs from 5 to 8 p.m., combining outdoor activity with a chance to step inside an art experience that brings winter landscapes to life.

The event takes place at 221 North Main Street, making it a convenient destination for an evening together without a general admission charge.

Choose a few highlights

The kickoff schedule includes music, balloon artistry, marshmallow roasting, art making and live demonstrations, with activities spread across the evening.

Families do not need to approach it as a checklist; choosing a few favorites can leave room to explore at a comfortable pace.

A student holiday concert is scheduled from 5:30 to 6 p.m., while live ice carving runs from 6 to 8 p.m.

Bell choir appearances and fire-and-flow performances add later options, so visitors should consult the full event schedule before deciding when to arrive.

Some performances have limited seating, and refreshments from the cash bar are separate from the free event.

Plan layers for the outdoor portions, especially when moving between a warm gallery and evening activities.

Paintings become an immersive visit

The same date marks the return of Winter Tales, on view from November 13, 2026, through January 18, 2027.

Inside the McKenna Gallery, projected imagery, animation and surround sound create an environment inspired by works in the museum’s collection.

Regional landscapes are part of the appeal, with scenes connected to Greensburg, Pittsburgh and the countryside giving the experience a sense of place.

Artists represented include William Coventry Wall, Charles W. (Bud) Gibbons, Henry Koerner and Ron Donoughe.

Selected original winter works are also displayed, offering a way to compare an artwork with its transformation through technology.

The exhibition is free during regular museum hours and does not require a reservation.

Because the experience uses sound and moving projections, families can review its description when deciding whether it suits a particular visitor.

More than one night to visit

For anyone unable to attend the kickoff, the season continues with free Winter Nights beginning November 20.

Those Friday evening programs run from 5 to 8 p.m. through January 15, with the museum closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

A December Holiday Mart and special late-December open days offer additional reasons to return, with details listed on the seasonal calendar.

Keeping those later dates separate from this week’s kickoff helps families choose a realistic outing rather than assume everything happens at once.

The museum is also collecting new, unwrapped Toys for Tots donations through December 13, giving visitors an optional way to support local children.

Make the trip easy

On-site parking is free, and the museum identifies its building and gardens as ADA accessible.

Wheelchairs are available on a first-come basis through the welcome desk, so visitors with specific needs can contact the museum before arriving.

Regular closures and holiday exceptions still apply outside special programs; check the location-and-hours page when planning a return visit.

For November 13, the simplest plan is to choose an arrival time, check the live schedule and leave enough time for both indoor art and outdoor entertainment.

A free local evening can be a welcome pause before the busiest weeks of the season, especially when the main attraction is time spent exploring together.

Winter Wonderland schedule

Winter Tales exhibition

Winter season overview

Location, parking and accessibility