Pittsburgh’s holiday season kickoff event is two weeks away.

City stakeholders gathered in Heinz Hall this morning, Thursday, Nov. 6, to announce the dates of and events attached to this year’s Light Up Night and other seasonal festivities. In its 64th year, the Highmark Christmas Tree at the corner of Stanwix Street and Penn Avenue will be set aglow on Saturday, Nov. 22.

“As you all know, things are a little bit different this year,” says Jeremy Waldrup, president and CEO of event organizer the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership. “Market Square, which has been a fixture of the holiday season for almost 15 years, is under a little bit of construction.”

To account for the lack of space, the People’s Gas Holiday Market will move to three lots at the intersection of Seventh Street and Penn Avenue in the Cultural District: Agnes R. Katz Plaza, the Cultural Trust Oasis and the lot across from the Benedum Center for the Performing Arts.

The Three Rivers Arts Festival and Pittsburgh’s Oktoberfest — which is also hosted by the Downtown Partnership — have made similar moves this year, but it hasn’t affected attendance. Waldrup tells NEXTpittsburgh that this year’s Oktoberfest generated revenue “very comparable to” or “slightly up from last year,” even though construction pushed it out of Market Square.

Holiday festivities brought over 3 million visitors Downtown last year.

The PPG Place Christmas tree and skating rink are already installed and ready for Light Up Night, which is Saturday, Nov. 22, this year. Photo by Roman Hladio.

“But that doesn’t mean Market Square won’t be on the map this holiday season,” Waldrup says. “Starting on Light Up Night, Market Square will transform into a Yinzer wonderland with free, family-friendly activities thanks to our friends at Space Bar and Citizens Bank.”

Starting at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 22, two Downtown stages will set the tone for the night. At the intersection of Penn Avenue and Stanwix Street, the Highmark Main Stage will feature Pittsburgh CLO Mini Stars, Joe Grushecky and The Houserockers and Kahone Concept, alongside the Highmark tree-lighting ceremony. 

The Xfinity Riverside Stage at the intersection of Fort Duquesne Boulevard and Sixth Street will feature Slim Tha DJ, Justin Fabus and a to-be-announced headliner.

It will also be the host site for the firework finale at 9 p.m. and the Sister Bridge Lighting ceremony at 8 p.m.

Following the installation of LED light fixtures on the Sister Bridges in 2023, the Light Up Night debut of new displays has become a Pittsburgh tradition, of sorts. This year’s display is titled “Three Scores in Blue” by local visual artist Shikeith.

Allegheny County commissioned the piece with support from Shiftworks Community + Public Arts. County Executive Sara Innamorato says the display draws inspiration from the jazz musicians — like Mary Lou Williams, Bill Strayhorn, Art Blakey and Ahmad Jamal — who helped shape the Steel City’s cultural identity.

A trial lighting of “Three Scores in Blue” by Shikeith, which will debut on the three Sister Bridges on Light Up Night, Saturday, Nov. 22. Photo by Roman Hladio.

“Each bridge becomes like a line of music, together forming a melody that flows across the Allegheny River,” Innamorato says. “It’s a reminder that art, like our rivers, connects us to our past, to each other and to the creativity that truly defines our region.”

For more information on Light Up Night, including the full calendar of events and a map, visit the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership’s website.