Pittsburgh, PA

It’s that time of year already…it’s Light Up Night! Aww and it’s snowing too…how appropriate!

The festivities are taking place in a variety of places, including downtown and Station Square.

Here’s some highlights for what’s going on tonight:

6 a.m. – 10 p.m. PPG Place Wintergarden and Two PPG Place
PPG Place Holiday Displays (open for the season through Jan. 7)
The “Spirits of Giving Around the World” display captures holiday traditions around the globe. The “5th Annual Gingerbread House and Train Display” feature delicious dwellings created by local students, chefs, organizations and individuals – all surrounded by a unique train display created by a local artist, Don Jones.

9 a.m. – Midnight Bessemer Court, Station Square
The Fountain at Bessemer Court Holiday Shows
Hear the sounds of the season set to our spectacular waltzing water fountain show. Shows are every 20 minutes. This is the final day for the Fountain at Bessemer Court until Spring 2008.

10 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. YWCA, 305 Wood Street
YWCA of Greater Pittsburgh Presents “A Holiday Bazaar”
Find beautiful, unique handcrafted products and personalized services offered by local women-owned micro-businesses. Children’s activities, holiday music, gift-wrap services, and refreshments also available.

11 a.m. – Midnight PPG Plaza
The Rink at PPG Place Downtown Pittsburgh’s only outdoor skating rink opens for the season

Noon US Steel Plaza
The Pittsburgh Creche Dedication
This nativity scene is an actual replica of the one in St. Peter’s Square
in Rome, Italy. Be sure to visit Pittsburgh’s own symbol of Christmas.

4:30 – 9 p.m. Market Square, Heinz Hall Courtyard & Corner of Fifth Avenue & Smithfield Street
Unite for Diabetes Scavenger Hunt & Sweepstakes
Join the worldwide movement and Unite for Diabetes. This year, you can help the University of Pittsburgh Diabetes Institute and
America on the Move recognize the first-ever World Diabetes Day by participating in the Unite for Diabetes Scavenger Hunt & Sweepstakes. Navigate your way through the Light Up Night festivities by following the Unite for Diabetes Trail. Stop by any of
the Unite for Diabetes booths to pick up a scavenger hunt map and sweepstakes entry form. You can also participate in family-friendly activities including children’s crafts, a football toss and a Unite for Diabetes photo opportunity. To learn more about the Unite for Diabetes campaign, visit http://www.prideofpa.org

4:30 – 9 p.m. Market Square
Market Square Happenings
Sponsored by Duquesne Light and the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership Stop by the Square for glow sticks at Duquesne Light’s booth, catch a glimpse of the Fifth Avenue Place Holly Trolley, record holiday greetings with Comcast, participate in a Unite for Diabetes scavenger hunt, purchase tickets to holiday shows at the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust booth and hear live music and entertainment on the Market Square stage. Also, visit booths sponsored by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Flexcar, Pittsburgh 250, Geico and the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Giveaways, prizes, children’s activities (face painting, games), food vendors (kettle korn, roasted nuts, funnel cakes, hot dogs) and much more.

5 – 8:30 p.m. Food Court, Two PPG Place
Harry & Hermie’s Dueling Pianos
Join the fun as Harry Levicky and Hermie Graniti perform your favorite hits in this hand-clapping, foot-stomping performance.
5 p.m. Bessemer Court, Station Square

NIGHT LIGHTS Light Up!
A holiday tradition, Station Square lights up an outdoor walk-through light display called NIGHT LIGHTS. More than 10,000 light bulbs create the new displays and feature several animated components. Begins on Light Up Night and will continue through Christmas Day.

7 p.m. Market Square
Duquesne Light Market Square Lighting of the Trees
Watch as this popular gathering spot is illuminated like never before! The winner of Duquesne Light’s “Light Up Night Sweepstakes”
will illuminate the square with Mayor Luke Ravenstahl and Morgan O’Brien, President and CEO of Duquesne Light. It’s a sight to see this Light Up Night. Don’t forget to stop by Duquesne Light’s booth for one of their popular glow sticks. To register your child for the sweepstakes, go to http://www.duquesnelight.com

8 p.m. Pittsburgh Public Theater, O’Reilly Theater
This Wonderful Life
Life truly is worth living in this one-man theatrical twist on the classic holiday film, It’s a Wonderful Life. http://www.ppt.org

9 p.m. Gateway Center Corridor
Macy’s Fireworks Finale
Join us for the evening’s finale as the sky bursts with color set to festive holiday music.

For a full schedule of events, visit the Downtown Partnership’s website.
PPG Place’s website.
Station Square’s website.

And since I’m supposed to link back to a previous post, check out the Bodies…Exhibition controversy with an additional editorial note from a surgeon in the comments section.

Pittsburgh, Light Up Night, Christmas, PPG Place, Station Square, holiday, Downtown Partnership