Welcome to Pittsburgh! What do you want to do first? Not sure yet? Well what about plans for tomorrow?
…Well you still have time to decide… Where are you staying? You haven't booked a hotel yet?!?!
Join us as we light up the city and officially kick-off the Pittsburgh holiday season!
Highmark Light Up Night is returning Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022 as a part of a larger 61st Anniversary celebration. This year's festivities combine long-standing traditions and new holiday experiences with a supersized fireworks finale - an evening you won't want to miss!
Lights, Selfies, Action
Tree lightings begin Nov. 19 at 5 p.m. on Grant Street with the City of Pittsburgh’s Tree lighting and Rooftop Fireworks at the City-County Building, followed at 6 p.m. by the iconic Highmark Christmas Tree lighting and Zambelli Rooftop Fireworks at Penn Ave and Stanwix Street.
The Sphere Tree at Market Square, UPMC Ultimate Holiday Tree at PPG Plaza, as well as the trees One Oxford Centre, Allegheny County Courthouse, and others will also be lit up, spreading good cheer throughout the Golden Triangle.
The beautiful outdoor Heinz Hall Courtyard will be transformed into a child’s television dreamland with colorful backdrops and life-sized standees of popular characters from Fred Rogers Productions’ beloved children’s shows and other PBS favorites, including Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Peg + Cat, Donkey Hodie and Odd Squad.
Peoples Gas Holiday Market
Opens Friday, November 18, 2022 In Market Square, you'll find the picturesque Peoples Gas Holiday Market. Inspired by the original German Christkindlmarkts, the Holiday Market features national and local vendors housed in vintage, wooden chalets selling one-of-a-kind holiday gifts and remains open until December 23.
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May the Torte Be With You
When asked what the more iconic Pittsburgh dessert is, you will probably be told by someone that it’s the Burnt Almond Torte from Prantl’s Bakery. What’s better than a regular burnt almond torte? A mouthwatering one-ton torte! The eight-foot-tall, burnt almond torte cake will be a replica of the Highmark Tree.
This delectable creation will be constructed in the lobby of Two Gateway Center at the corner for Stanwix Street and Penn Ave, just across from the real tree. It will take three days to build and decorate but will be open to the public beginning at 5 p.m. on Light Up Night for up close photos and selfies. Slices of the cake will then be available for purchase on Sunday Funday, with proceeds benefiting the Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank.
Live Music
Spanning six stages and several genres of music, you'll find everything from national headliners Joan Jett and the Blackhawks and to local favorites like Joe Grushecky and The Houserockers. Find these and many other performances on pop-up stages throughout downtown and holiday carolers on stage at the Holiday Market. Follow the schedule below (headline performers, tree lightings and fireworks in bold) so you don't miss a thing.
6:30 - 7:45 p.m. Mr. Smalls All-Star Rolling Stones Tribute
8:30 - 9:30 p.m. Joan Jett & The Blackhearts
9:30 p.m. Xfinity Fireworks Spectacular with Supersized Zambelli Grand Finale
Highmark Main Stage (Stanwix Street & Penn Avenue)
12 - 5 p.m. Ultimate Disney Tribute Band
5:30 - 6 p.m. Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers
6 p.m. Highmark Christmas Tree Lighting with Zambelli Rooftop Fireworks
6:20 - 6:50 p.m. Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers
7:30 - 9 p.m. Royce
City of Pittsburgh Grant Street Stage (414 Grant Street)
4 - 5 p.m. Ben & Friends
5 p.m. City-County Building Tree Lighting with Zambelli Rooftop Fireworks
5:30 - 6:30 p.m. River City Brass & Santa’s Arrival
7 - 7:45 p.m. CAPA Jazz Band
7:45 - 8 p.m. Salvation Army Band
8 p.m. Light Show
Oxford Center Stage (301 Grant Street)
5:45 - 9 p.m. Holiday Music by Scott and Rosanna
5:45 p.m. Tree Lighting Ceremony & Santa’s Arrival
Sounds of the Season Stage (Market Square)
11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Wild Blue Yonder
2:15 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. Paging Dr. Moon
5:30 - 9:30 p.m. Con Alma presents Live Jazz
Cultural District Stage (Penn Avenue and Seventh Street)
2 - 3:30 p.m. Miss Freddye
4 - 5 p.m. Sierra Sellers
5:30 p.m. Pickup Line
The Rink at PPG Place
Venture over to PPG Place to ice skate around the beautifully decorated 66-foot illuminated Holiday tree on The Rink at PPG Place. The outdoor ice rink is open from the public starting Nov. 18 through Feb. 26, 2023, with special holiday hours for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's (we highly recommend reserving your tickets in advance).
Come celebrate unity, joy, and love the Pittsburgh way this holiday season!
Photo Credit: Kurt Miller
Santa's House and Pictures
What’s a holiday celebration without meeting the notorious Man in Red? Bring the kids and their wish lists because this year, they can visit with Santa in-person at his brand-new house in Heinz Hall Courtyard, thanks to BNY Mellon! Once again, families have the wonderful option for their young ones to visit with either a Black or White Santa. Just let Santa’s helpers know which you prefer!
One Oxford Centre
Get in the holiday spirit by watching the lighting of the One Oxford Centre’s 30-foot Christmas Tree. Children can share their Christmas wishes with Santa and even meet some of his reindeer from 6-8 p.m., then grab a bite to eat along with some of the city's best food trucks.
City-County Building
The beloved 20th annual Gingerbread house competition winners will be displayed in the lobby of the historic Pittsburgh City-County Building. Their 106th Official Tree, a 60-foot spruce from Lincoln Place with hundreds of ornaments as a tribute to the city's 90 neighborhoods, will be lit at 5 p.m.
Fifth Avenue Place
Fifth Avenue Place is the ultimate hub for family fun. Countdown for the Highmark Christmas Tree Lighting at 6 p.m., followed by two rooftop fireworks shows from Zambelli.
Heinz Hall
Don’t miss out on the three chances to catch free performances of holiday classics by the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra at 6:30, 7:15, and 8:05 p.m. Each performance will last about 30 minutes, but visitors are welcome to pop in at any time.
U.S. Steel Tower Plaza
See a larger-than-life nativity scene and the ONLY authorized replica of the nativity featured in Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome. The Pittsburgh Crèche, which measures roughly 64 feet wide by 36 feet long and features 20 life-sized figures, has been an attraction since 1999.
More Holiday Fun
There's so much to include during Light Up Night we can barely fit it into one blog. Some other highlights to check out Nov. 19 include:
Brew Gentlemen's Pop-Up Cocktail and Beer Garden at 625 Liberty from 2-9:30 p.m.
Pirates Mini-Fest (Stanwix and Ft. Duquesne) for a photo with Santa. Bring a donation to the Food Bank to score a free Pirates ticket.
Highmark Holiday Block Party all night long on Penn and Stanwix where you can win prizes and celebrating the holiday!
BLAST! VIP Party from 6:30-9:30 p.m. at Two Gateway Center (ticketed event)
Come celebrate unity, joy, and love the Pittsburgh way this holiday season!
