5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: Nov. 15-17

The Steelers are off, but there’s still plenty going on this weekend.

Animal magnetism

The Pittsburgh Pet Expo is Friday through Sunday at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Downtown. There will be a diving dog competition and pet costume contest, as well as chicken races, hermit crab races, stunt dogs, a cat show and an exotic bird show.

Billed as the largest consumer pet trade show on the East Coast, the event features competitions, demonstrations, adoptions, giveaways, continuous stage shows and shopping.

More than 250 vendors will offer pet-related products and services, in addition to shelter and rescue organizations with pets for adoption.

Details: pghpetexpo.com

The @TheDogStopPgh stage is full of entertainment and knowledgeable pet speakers! The full schedule is online now: https://t.co/arXT4CoJza #pghpetexpo pic.twitter.com/BQZCoosVB8

— Pittsburgh Pet Expo (@PittPetExpo) November 12, 2019

Picture perfect

National Geographic returns to Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Oakland with 50 images of animals in nature. The exhibit – “National Geographic: 50 Greatest Wildlife Photographs” — opens Saturday.

Details: carnegiemnh.org

Merry Pittsburgh

“A Very Merry Pittsburgh” opens Saturday at the Senator John Heinz History Center in the Strip District. The exhibit will fill the first floor gallery with a collection of family keepsakes, artifacts, film and imagery. It explores how local families have celebrated winter holidays, including Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa, throughout the years.

One holiday tradition included Christmas windows at Pittsburgh’s major department stores.

There will be decorations from Kaufmann’s Santaland, including Santa’s original chair, oversized Mr. and Mrs. Claus ornaments and the mailbox where thousands of Pittsburgh children mailed their Christmas wish lists to the North Pole.

Details: heinzhistorycenter.org

No trip to Santaland is complete without a visit from old Saint Nick. Meet Santa on select dates, beginning this Saturday, Nov. 16, in the A Very Merry Pittsburgh exhibit!

All dates are listed on our website: https://t.co/uFuTWRXRIJ pic.twitter.com/3MdtjyKaEc

— Heinz History Center (@HistoryCenter) November 13, 2019

Beer, wine, gambling

Drop by the Rivers Casino on the North Side for brews, vino and slot machines and table games. The casino is hosting “Hops and Vines” on Saturday in the Event Center.

There will be over 50 varieties of beer and wine from some of the best local breweries and wineries in Pittsburgh.

Details: riverscasino.com

THIS Saturday is the Hops and Vines Fest that features over 50 varieties of beer and wine from the best breweries and wineries around Pittsburgh! Join us 2PM-6PM in the Event Center. ? ?

TICKETS ➡️: https://t.co/QVTc1x1B8R pic.twitter.com/Cgnvjg64p4

— Rivers Casino Pittsburgh (@WinBigRivers) November 11, 2019

Headspace meditation

Look to de-stress with “The Dot,” a giant inflatable bubble that can be found Friday and Saturday in Schenley Plaza.

Headspace, a company that features a mindful meditation app and online programming, is partnering with the city to launch its Happy Healthy America tour in Pittsburgh. The Headspace event features programming through an interactive series of rooms in The Dot, including live meditation.

Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, who is partnering with Headspace, was scheduled to make periodic appearances. His injury in Thursday night’s game against Cleveland may impact whether he can visit.

Details: headspace.com/pittsburgh

??? Hey #Pittsburgh. Come get happy, stress less and sleep soundly with Headspace this weekend in Schenley Plaza.

Details: https://t.co/wlGeDWD7RD pic.twitter.com/z1NvA7J2Cm

— Headspace (@Headspace) November 12, 2019