The dazzling tree lighting at PPG Place has been home to a moving ceremony with the American Cancer Society for years.
When the nonprofit Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership moved Light Up Night to a Saturday, PPG Place and the American Cancer Society kept to its traditional Friday night event.
This year, Grayson Pulling, a six-year-old leukemia survivor from Youngstown, Ohio, will light PPG Place’s tree at the ice rink on Nov. 18 during the annual American Cancer Society Tribute of Light celebration.
The ceremony allows people to honor and remember loved ones who have been touched with cancer with a tribute of light. Learn more about making a donation here.
4:45 p.m. — RMU Island Sports ice figure skating show
5 p.m. — East End Kids performance
5:30 p.m. — American Cancer Society’s Tribute of Light Celebration
6 p.m. — UPMC Ultimate Holiday Tree Experience, lighting by American Cancer Society
6:30 p.m. — LED baton twirling performance by Natalie’s School of Champions
7 p.m. — Art Madness with George Williams; an exciting, live speed-painting show. The painting will be raffled off, and proceeds will be donated to the American Cancer Society
Pittsburgh Light Up Night 2022 marks 61 years since Pittsburgh first held a holiday-themed light up event. (In 1959, the city held its first light up event to celebrate the Pirates.)
This is your ultimate guide to doing ALL THE THINGS for Pittsburgh Light Up Night 2021! SHARE and BOOKMARK this page.
Remember: Pittsburgh Light Up Night is on Saturday, Nov. 19, this year. Some events do take place Friday, Nov. 18.
Visit Santa’s House at the Heinz Hall Courtyard. Get photos with Santa, and share your wish list with Santa.
Noon to 3, 4-7 p.m.
PPG Place
9 a.m. — Spirits of Giving from Around the World exhibit opens at PPG Place. The 16 life-sized Santas are on display in the windows of Two PPG Place along Fourth Avenue. 11 a.m. to midnight — Public skating opens at UPMC Rink at PPG Plaza 4:45 p.m. — RMU Island Sports figure skating show 5 p.m. — East End Kids performance 5:30 p.m. — American Cancer Society’s Tribute of Light Ceremony 6 p.m. — UPMC Ultimate Holiday Tree Lighting 6:15 p.m. — LED baton twirling performance 9 p.m. — Big Blitz Band concert
Market Square
11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. — Peoples Gas Holiday Market grand opening 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Live music on the stage 5 p.m. — “Pittsburgh Today Live” singers 5:30 to 9 p.m. — Merry Karaoke
Santa is everywhere! Find Santa near you in Western Pennsylvania.
Saturday, Nov. 19
Tree lightings, other ceremonies, fun, fireworks
5 p.m. — City of Pittsburgh Tree Lighting with Zambelli rooftop fireworks at the City-County Building; see the 20th annual Gingerbread House Display & Competition
5 p.m. — Prantl’s 1-ton Horne’s Tree replica cake at 2 Gateway Center! This 8-foot-tall burnt almond torte will honor a throwback to Pittsburgh holidays — a replica of the Horne’s Tree! Take selfies with the cake. Slices will be available on Sunday, with proceeds benefitting the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank.
6 p.m. — Highmark Christmas (Horne’s) Tree lighting with Zambelli rooftop fireworks at Stanwix Street and Penn Avenue
9:30 p.m. — Xfinity Fireworks Spectacular with “supersized” Zambelli finale, Allegheny Overlook on Fort Duquesne Boulevard
Duquesne Light’s Tree of Lights is gone. Here’s what’ll replace the iconic display.
Music and entertainment
Highmark Main Stage (Horne’s Tree) Stanwix Street and Penn Avenue 12 – 5 p.m. — Ultimate Disney Tribute Band 5:30 – 6 p.m. — Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers 6 p.m. — Highmark Christmas Tree lighting with Zambelli rooftop fireworks 6:20 – 6:50 p.m. — Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers 7:30 – 9 p.m. — Royce
Xfinity Riverside Stage Fort Duquesne Boulevard and Sixth Street 4 to 6 p.m. — Orange Music, featuring Isaiah Small 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. — Mr. Smalls All-Star Rolling Stones Tribute 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. — Joan Jett & The Blackhearts 9:30 p.m. — Xfinity Fireworks Spectacular with “supersized” Zambelli grand finale
Sounds of the Season Stage Market Square 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. — Wild Blue Yonder 2:15 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. — Paging Dr. Moon 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. — Con Alma presents Live Jazz
Cultural District Stage Penn Avenue and Seventh Street 2 to 3:30 p.m. — Miss Freddye 4 to 5 p.m. — Sierra Sellers 5:30 p.m. — Pickup Line
City of Pittsburgh Grant Street Stage 414 Grant St. 4 to 5 p.m. — Ben & Friends 5 p.m. — City-County Building tree lighting with Zambelli rooftop fireworks 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. — River City Brass and Santa’s arrival 7 to 7:45 p.m. — CAPA Jazz Band 7:45 to 8 p.m. — Salvation Army Band 8 p.m. — Light show
Oxford Center Stage 301 Grant St. 5:45 to 9 p.m. — Holiday music by Scott and Rosanna 5:45 p.m. — Tree lighting ceremony and Santa’s arrival 6 to 9 p.m. — Visit with Santa
It's Christmas 365 