A huge name for the headlining stage, a new home for Santa and all of the traditional favorites are set for this year’s annual Light Up Night celebration Downtown.
For the second year in a row, the main events will take place on Saturday, Nov. 19, culminating in a concert on the Xfinity Riverside Stage by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, whose hits include “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll” and “Bad Reputation.” Opening for Jett will be the Mr. Smalls All-Star Rolling Stones Tribute.
“We’re super excited for this show,” says Zak Szabo, program director at SteelCity Media, home of Q92.9, which will present the concert.
Saturday’s festivities will be capped off by a Zambelli fireworks spectacular.
New this year will be a replica of the Highmark tree in the form of a 1-ton, 8-foot-tall Prantl’s cake. The cake will be constructed in the Gateway Center lobby and will open to the public for pictures at 5 p.m. on Light Up Night. On Sunday, slices will be available for purchase, with proceeds benefiting the Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank.
PHOTOS BY RENEE ROSENSTEEL | PITTSBURGH DOWNTOWN PARTNERSHIP
Santa will receive a new house this year in the Heinz Hall Courtyard. Pictures are free with a donation to the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, and a Black Santa and a white Santa will be present for photos. Santa’s House will be open daily Wednesday through Sunday through Dec. 23.
The Heinz Hall Courtyard will also offer a Fred Rogers Selfie Garden, and across the street a variety of Holidays KidsPlay activities will be offered, from decorating a Mister Rogers sweater ornament to visiting with Pittsburgh Pirates mascots.
Black Market: Holiday Edition 2022, will return this year from Dec. 3-4 and Dec. 10-11 at 623 Smithfield St. The pop-up market will showcase gifts and goods from local Black-owned businesses and artists. Also returning will be the annual Gingerbread House Display and Competition, which is marking its 20th anniversary. The creations will be on display in the City-County Building lobby.
Friday’s events will include the opening of the Peoples Gas Holiday Market at 11 a.m., live music from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Pittsburgh Today Live singers at 5 p.m. in Market Square, and Merry Karaoke, an open mic show with prizes, until 9 p.m.
Also on Friday, the UPMC Rink at PPG Place will open to the public at 11 a.m., with an ice figure skating show at 4:45 p.m., a performance by the East End Kids at 5 p.m., and a Tribute of Light ceremony honoring those who have been affected by cancer at 5:30 p.m.
For a full schedule of events, visit downtownpittsburgh.com/holidays.