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Light Up Night Shines Bright For Pittsburgh

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – The activities are already getting started for the 53rd annual Light Up Night celebration.

The cabins and houses are built in Market Square and Jeff Jimmerson will be taking the stage to kick things off shortly.

The weather has cleared up and it's the perfect family event to start the holiday season off right.

One event that many can't wait for is to skate around the tree at PPG Place.

Preparations are underway at Point State Park for the Santa Spectacular that will start around 7:15 p.m.

At 8:45 p.m., Santa will help light the Duquesne Light Tree.


Earlier Friday afternoon, officials held a tree lighting ceremony at the City County Building.

A 45-foot tall, Colorado blue spruce tree was donated to the city by the congregation of the New Life Family Worship Center of Pittsburgh.

Listen to County Councilwoman Heather Heidelbaugh and Santa on NewsRadio 1020:

Santa Spectacular

The tree is decorated with hand-made ornaments from students at local Pittsburgh schools as part of the City of Pittsburgh's All School Holiday Ornament Project.

And the tree lighting ceremony wouldn't be complete without the man in red himself, Santa.

KDKA's John Shumway asked Santa how Pittsburgh ranks on his naughty or nice list this year.

"The naughty-nice meter is pretty good for Pittsburgh," Santa says.

Mayor Luke Ravenstahl and his son, Cooper, helped count down to the tree lighting.

"It's an exciting day for us here in Pittsburgh. It gives me great pleasure to come back and light the tree one last time," Ravenstahl says.

Ravenstahl believes that the holiday season and all accompanying festivities are critical to Downtown Pittsburgh.

"Last year, with the newly redesigned Market Square we saw record numbers of people. It's a big boost to the local businesses and we want to encourage everyone to come Downtown," he says.

The tree lighting ceremony at the City County Building just begins the day of festivities.

The county tree will be lit at 5:30 p.m., the horns tree and unity tree to follow.

Listen to Rich Fitzgerald on NewsRadio 1020:

Santa Spectacular

For more information about all of the Light Up Night festivities and road closures, click here.

For more information about the Santa Spectacular, click here.

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