Headliner announced for Pittsburgh's Highmark Light Up Night
Alternative rock band The Fray, known for "How to Save a Life" and other hits, will be the headliner for the 63rd annual Highmark Light Up Night.
The group will perform at 8:30 p.m. on the Xfinity Riverfront Stage on Fort Duquesne Boulevard and Sixth Street on Nov. 23.
Hosted by the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership, it will be the fourth year that Light Up Night — the unofficial start of the holiday season — is happening on a Saturday.
Prior to that, it was held on a Friday.
"The holidays are an incredible opportunity to welcome people of all ages and from all corners of the region to Downtown for cherished Pittsburgh traditions, along with some new experiences that will make the season even brighter," Jeremy Waldrup, president and CEO of the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership, said in a statement.
Light Up Night will begin at 4 p.m. with family-friendly activities at the Highmark Holiday Block Party at Penn Avenue and Stanwix Street. The Pirates Parrot and Pierogies mascots will appear, and there will be holiday-themed face painting, balloon artist stations, inflatables, backyard games, prizes and pierogi races. There will also be photo opportunities with Santa Claus.
Fifth Avenue Place will be the site of a snowman, Christmas tree, Snoopy, a snowflake and Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer ice carvings with a live ice-carving show by carver Rich Bubin of Ice Creations.
Crafts will be happening at the Holiday KidsPlay area at 600 Liberty Ave., and the Heinz Hall Courtyard's selfie garden will feature life-size cutouts of characters and scenes from Fred Rogers Productions. The city's 22nd annual Gingerbread House Competition Display in the City-County Building lobby will be open.
New this year, Tech25 at Smithfield United Church and Strawberry Way is happening from 5:30 to 9 p.m. and feature art, an organ recital, youth sports tournaments, a workforce resource fair and outreach programs focused on anti-violence.
On the Highmark Main Stage, rock band Meeting of Important People will play at 4 p.m. followed by local music legends Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers at 6 p.m. and then Hugo Cruz & The Caminos.
On the Xfinity Riverside Stage, disc jockey Arie Cole will be spinning tunes for the "Five at Five" Sixth Street Bridge party from 4 to 6 p.m. The Buckle Downs will perform at 6:30 p.m. before The Fray at 8:30 p.m.
The Sounds of the Seasons Stage in Market Square will have live music all day.
The Blast! VIP Party is from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Two Gateway Center. Tickets can be found here.
The holiday window competition opens on Light Up Night, where shoppers can vote on the store with their favorite display via a QR code on the business's window or online before Dec. 18. Spirit of Giving Around the World, also known as Santas of the World, opens with 16 life-size Santas at One and Two PPG Place.
There will be tree lightings beginning at 5 p.m. at the City-County Building. The city's 109th tree is a 40-foot blue spruce from Springdale.
At 6 p.m. in PPG Plaza will be the UPMC Ultimate Holiday Tree Lighting and American Cancer Society Tribute of Light Celebration — the tree stands more than 66 feet tall and features more than 100,000 lights.
At 7 p.m. on Stanwix Street and Penn Avenue, the Highmark Christmas tree lighting takes place. The tree at the corner of the former landmark Horne's department store is more than 100 feet tall and adorned with more than 2,500 LED lights and 2,000 ornaments.
At 8 p.m., the lighting of the three Sister Bridges is happening at the Roberto Clemente, Andy Warhol and Rachel Carson bridges.
There will be rooftop fireworks throughout the evening with the Xfinity Fireworks Spectacular by Zambelli at the Allegheny Overlook on Fort Duquesne Boulevard happening at 9:30 p.m.
On the Friday before Light Up Night — Nov. 22 — the Pittsburgh Crèche, a replica of the crèche once found outside of Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome, will be blessed. This crèche features 20 life-sized figures.
The 13th annual Peoples Gas Holiday Market opens at 11 a.m. in Market Square, where there will be Merry Karaoke from 5 to 9 p.m. The Rink at PPG Place will also be open.
