THE SEASON BEGINS
A Great Big World, lasers, virtual reality skiing, more to brighten Light Up Night
The Grammy award-winning singing duo A Great Big World will “Say Something” about the holidays as the headliner for the Comcast Light Up Night celebration Downtown on Nov. 16.
Festivities begin at noon with the dedication of the creche at U.S. Steel Tower. Musical performances will start at 4:30 p.m., and the BNY Mellon Season Lights Countdown begin at 5:45 p.m.
The Highmark Tree Lighting ceremony will feature a brand-new Laser Show at 7 p.m., followed by the rooftop BNY Mellon fireworks finale at 10 p.m. at the corner of Penn Avenue and Stanwix Street.
Live music will echo from five stages, with A Great Big World performing their hits and holiday favorites on the Comcast Main Stage; YouTube sensation Ellie Duhé on Fort Duquesne Boulevard; James Tormé, son of singer Mel Tormé, on Liberty Avenue; and local icons Joe Grushecky and Jeff Jimerson on Stanwix Street.
Visitors can ski the Alps in XFINITY Experience’s virtual reality experience on the Andy Warhol Bridge at Fort Duquesne Boulevard, take free rides on the Holly Trolley and enjoy music by the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra at Heinz Hall. Images of activities will be displayed on big screens Downtown; people can submit their own images with the hashtag #LUN2018.
Holiday KidsPlay will offer free, handson activities at the Heinz Hall Courtyard all evening and continue every Saturday and Sunday during the holiday season from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. There will be a bonus day on Black Friday, Nov. 23.
The Peoples Gas Holiday Market will open that day with even more vendors. On Nov. 17, the Santa House, newly powered by sustainable fuel cell technology, will open and Daniel Tiger will visit. Children will be able to take free photos with Santa and Daniel Tiger, with donations going to the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. The holiday market will remain open through Dec. 23 but will be closed on Thanksgiving.
At the holiday market, visitors can channel their inner pop star at a Holiday Karaoke Contest on the Colcom stage. Every Monday and Tuesday evening, contestants compete to move on to the grand finale on Dec. 17. The grand prize $1,000.
For more information on Light Up Night: www.downtownpittsburghholidays.com/ light-up-night/.