Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens presents its traditional Winter Flower Show themed this year around “The Nutcracker, A Fresh Arrangement” through Jan. 8. Poinsettias, amaryllis and ivy along with twinkling lights and aromatic greens will deck the halls. Cut trees will be decorated to symbolize the different dances of the “The Nutcracker” ballet. The conservatory at One Schenley Park is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and until 10 p.m. through Saturday for Candlelight Evenings. Admission is $12 for adults, $11 for senior citizens age 62 and older and for students with valid ID, $9 for children ages 2 to 18, and free for children younger than 2. Call 412-622-6914 or visit http://phipps.conservatory.org.

National Aviary, 700 Arch St., hosts the Holiday Bird Show, starring Fleury the snowy owl, daily at noon and 3 p.m. through Monday. Extra fees may apply. The aviary is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. It will be open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday because of New Year’s Eve. General admission is $13 for adults, $12 for senior citizens, $11 for children ages 2 to 12, and free for children younger than 2. For reservations, call 412-323-7235 or visit www.aviary.org.

Children’s Museum, 10 Children’s Way, Allegheny Square, presents “How People Make Things” through Feb. 5, and “Tough Art” through Jan. 16. Make one-of-a-kind holiday gifts in the Studio through Saturday. The museum will be closed Sunday, New Year’s Day. Regular hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. Admission prices are $12 for adults, $11 for children ages 2 to 18 and senior citizens, and free for children younger than 2. Parking is $5 for non-members; on-street, metered parking also is available. Call 412-322-5058 or visit www.pittsburghkids.org.

Carnegie Science Center next to Heinz Field on the North Side, hosts the sixth annual MessFest from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, featuring a variety of hands-on activities available only once a year, including getting slimy with oobleck, encasing a raw egg in packing materials then dropping it over the outdoor railing to see whether it breaks, creating Steelers’ noisemakers, finger painting, and making sidewalk chalk out of plaster of Paris and tempera paint. Holiday hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. today and Friday; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. The Miniature Railroad and Village is open for the season, and the new laser show “Holiday Magic” runs through Jan. 8. Admission is $17.95 for adults and $11.95 for children ages 3 to 12. Most activities are included in the admission price, but some, like Omnimax films, cost extra. Call 412-237-3400.