The Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership, joined by Mayor Ed Gainey, Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato and multiple partnering organizations, came into Heinz Hall Thursday with horns sounding – thanks to the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra’s brass section – to announce the 63rd annual Highmark Light Up Night.
On Nov. 23, beginning at 4 p.m., Downtown will be a flurry of art installations, food and drink offerings, shopping at the People’s Gas 13th annual Holiday Market and the Black Market, featuring local Black-owned businesses, and more. Further details on the vendors are expected to emerge in the coming weeks.
“The holiday season in Pittsburgh makes for such a magical time,” said Ms. Innamorato Thursday. “It's always a joy to see our community come together to celebrate, to make memories and to safely gather in the heart of our city. For generations, Light Up Night has been a cherished tradition that truly kicks off the holiday season here in Pittsburgh.”
The night traditionally features all the buildings in the Golden Triangle leaving all the interior lights on and sometimes illuminated from outside.
At Xfinity’s Riverside Stage, The Fray, a multiplatinum band with hit songs including “Over My Head” and “How to Save a Life,” will be the night’s headliner, performing at 8:30 p.m., Erika Jay, radio host for Q92.9 FM, announced Thursday. Throughout the night, there will be live music on three different stages around Downtown.
Multiple art installations will be featured, including a light show on the Three Sisters Bridges over the Allegheny River done by multimedia art nonprofit Rainbow Serpent, representing the indigenous significance of the Three Sisters, said Mikael Owunna, co-founder of the nonprofit.
The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy will be setting up a two-story light display in Mellon Park titled Aurora, said Catherine Qureshi, president and CEO. Shiftworks Community + Public Arts will also be unveiling a permanent light installation of the Willet Window in the First Presbyterian Church, said Sallyann Kluz, executive director of Shiftworks.
“Every year we make this a great tradition for our city, our region, and the millions of people who come Downtown to see all this particular art,” said Mr. Gainey. “To the artists that are doing something this year, thank you for blessing our city and thank you for making it beautiful.”
Highmark, the event’s primary sponsor, plans to hold a holiday party along Stanwix Street and Penn Avenue, featuring a dance floor and an outdoor fire pit. For kids, there will be two Santas available for photos at the Heinz Hall Courtyard, as well as crafts and games on Liberty Avenue, among other activities.
The lighting of the Highmark Christmas Tree will take place at 9 p.m, and to end the night will be the Xfinity Fireworks Spectacular at 9:30 p.m.
In 2023, 2.2 million people visited Downtown throughout the holiday season, with 14,000 people coming to Market Square daily, said Shannon Baker, board chair at the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership.
“We are thrilled to bring you back much loved traditions as well as new [activities] that will surely inspire holiday memories for people of all ages,” said Jeremy Waldrup, president and CEO of the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership. “We're eager to welcome and reconnect visitors, workers and residents of all of our Downtown retailers, restaurants and cultural attractions, who all work hard to make the holidays so special throughout Downtown.”
A complete map of events is expected to be released in the coming weeks. More details about Light Up Night can be found on the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership’s website.
First Published: November 7, 2024, 6:39 p.m.
Updated: November 8, 2024, 10:45 a.m.
