Fireballs, Fireworks & Lots Of Lights Usher In Start To Holiday Season

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- The skating rink at PPG Place to Market Square and over to Point State Park - all of them were filled with tens of thousands of people Friday night celebrating the start of the holiday season.

Pittsburgh knows how to throw a party.

And tonight - there were two of them going on at the same time. And both were capped off with fireworks!

From Market Square to Oxford Centre, there was music.

And from the Highmark Unity Tree Lighting - complete with drummers and Mister McFeeley - to the tree at the PPG rink to the Fischer family from Uniontown, there were plenty of lights at Light Up Night.

The Fischers were wearing strings of lights around their necks.

"We power them by battery packs. No matter how cold it is, we keep them in our pockets," said Celeste Fischer. "We wear them down every year."

"We've actually had people come up and take pictures with us," added Maria Fischer.

Janaysha Stinson, 5, from the Hill District waited in line to ride a carriage.

"It's warm this year," said Keisha Stinson, of the Hill District. "Last year, is was kind of cold; so the weather is really nice."

"It's a beautiful night, and it's a great event," said Jenny Gollick, of Lawrenceville. "Check out the Christmas tree and get in the holiday spirit."

And we learned something else important, Santa Claus may wear red but he's a black and gold fan.

At the Santa Spectacular, Santa threw out the fireballs again that always amaze the crowd. And, of course, the night wrapped up with not one, but two fireworks shows.

In summary, the holiday season kicked off in Pittsburgh Friday evening with lights, big crowds, lights, fireworks, lights, fireballs, Santa and more lights.

RELATED LINKS:
Holiday Season Kickoff Important To Downtown Businesses, Retailers (11/16/12)
The Holiday Guide