Pittsburgh's annual Light Up Night has once again transformed the city into a holiday spectacle, with its 63rd iteration held on Saturday. Amidst the season's bustle, the city's downtown area has been meticulously decked out with thousands of lights and ornaments, ready to welcome residents and tourists to partake in the festive weekend. "I'm encouraging you right now to find that inner elf and get ready because we have the best holiday season lineup ever for you this year," Jeremy Waldrup of the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership said, per CBS News Pittsburgh.
The event began with the traditional tree lighting ceremony at 5 p.m. on Saturday at the City-County Building, featuring a 40-foot blue spruce, Pittsburgh's 109th official city tree. This year included a notable participant, 9-year-old brain cancer survivor Jax Hunyady, who was selected to light the tree at PPG Place at 6 p.m. as part of the American Cancer Society Tribute of Light Celebration.
In addition to the lights and trees, various music stages offered live entertainment, with alt-rock band The Fray headlining at the Xfinity Riverfront Stage. WTAE detailed the full schedule, including tree lighting, ceremonies, and a detailed breakdown of musical acts. New to the festivities, a dynamic light show named "The Three Sisters: Lighting of the Sister Bridges" illuminated the Roberto Clemente, Andy Warhol, and Rachel Carson bridges starting at 8 p.m., inspired by Indigenous cultures of Latin and Central America.
The Peoples Gas Holiday Market opened early on the more interactive front, featuring local shops like Love, Pittsburgh and Songbird Artistry. Visitors could support the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank at Santa's House, which is open for holiday wishes and photos. Meanwhile, the ice rink at PPG Place welcomed skaters to glide under the festive tree.
The night's culmination was marked by the "Supersized Zambelli Finale" fireworks at 9:30 p.m., which could be viewed from both within downtown and broadcast live for those celebrating from afar.
