Free and Affordable Pittsburgh 11/18: Holiday Fun!
By Rachel Booth
The holiday season kicks off with a bang this weekend, and on this week's Free & Affordable Pittsburgh segment on Pittsburgh Today Live, we highlight four great events and activities in the area including Light Up Night, and lots more holiday fun. Learn a bit more about each of the things mentioned on this week's show!
2011 Light Up Night – Light Up Weekend
Various Locations around Downtown Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA
Friday, November 18 & Saturday, November 19, 2011
Hours: Friday from 5pm until 10pm (Pittsburgh Crèche Dedication and City of Pittsburgh Tree Lighting are at noon), Saturday from noon until 9pm.
Price: Free & Open to the Public
http://www.downtownpittsburgh.com/duquesne-light-light-up-night
Light Up Night – Light Up Weekend is the kickoff to the Downtown Holiday season, and one of the largest holiday celebrations in the nation! Best of all, most of the activities you'll find won't cost you a cent. Highlights include life sized ice sculptures & carving shows, tree lightings, a synchronized light show at Market Square, the unveiling of Macy's holiday window displays, family activities and crafts, horse drawn carriage rides, trolley rides, a spectacular fireworks display, the 2nd Annual Horse Drawn Carriage Candlelight Parade and lots more fun
for everyone!
Opening of The Rink at PPG Place
PPG Plaza
Between Fourth Avenue & Third Avenue
Downtown Pittsburgh, PA
412-394-3641
Hours: Monday –Thursday: 11am to 10pm
Friday & Saturday: 11am to midnight
Sunday: 12pm to 8pm
Price: $7 for adults, $6 for children & seniors, $3 for skate rental
http://www.ppgplace.com/rink
The holiday season doesn't truly start until The Rink at PPG Place opens for the winter season. The Rink is the quintessential center-city ice skating rink - think Rockefeller Center in the 'Burgh. In fact, the rink itself is actually larger than the one at Rockefeller Center! Complete with a 60 ft. decked out tree in the center, it's definitely one of those memory-making kind of rinks. The price may not be the least expensive in the Pittsburgh area, but when you weigh the value of the experience against the cost, this is a definite bargain. Plus, starting in January you'll find student discounts on Wednesdays, family discounts on Tuesdays, and for those that work or live Downtown, a monthly lunch pass for only $25!
Hartwood Acres Celebration of Lights
Hartwood Acres
Saxonburg Boulevard Entrance
Pittsburgh, PA
412-767-9200
Hours: Open every night, including holidays
Sunday – Thursday: 6pm to 10pm
Friday & Saturday: 6pm to 11pm
Price: $12 suggested donation per car
http://www.alleghenycounty.us
Head north of the city for the most spectacular light show in the region! Opening this weekend and running through January 8, Hartwood Acres Celebration of Lights is a 3.2 mile stretch of twinkling holiday displays through Hartwood Acres Park in the North Hills, including the historic Hartwood Mansion decked out in lights. Prepare to be wowed by over 2 million lights and over 400 displays ranging from 3 to 40 feet tall. One of the great highlights is the tunnel of lights – this amazing display makes you feel like you're entering another universe. Proceeds go to Project Bundle Up and other local charities.
ESSpa Kozmetica BOGO Black Friday Event
ESSpa Kozmetika
17 Brilliant Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA
412-782-3888
Hours: Sale starts at 11:30pm on Thanksgiving Day (November 24) and ends at 2am on Black Friday
Price: 100% matched gift certificates, no matter what the denomination
www.esspa.net/black_friday_sale.html
Black Friday is the busiest shopping day of the year. We all know major retailers offer deep discounts on all sorts of products, but we've found a great local deal to kick start your shopping extravaganza. ESSpa Kozmetika, a nationally renowned local spa is offering their famous Black Friday BOGO deal. When you buy an ESSpa gift certificate, you receive a 100% matched bonus gift certificate. If you spend $1,000, you ge $2,000. If you spend $25, you get $50. The sale is limited to the first 152 people, but the invite in the link above guarantees your spot. Plus, one lucky shopper will win an iPad!
What We're Talking About In Best Of
Take a look at the Best Of section – this week, you'll find a Family Guide to Holiday Volunteering. Talk about affordable; it's a gift you can give that doesn't cost a cent, but makes such a huge impact on peoples' lives, including your own.
You'll also find great recommendations for holiday movies and ideas for entertaining your out-of-town guests the night before Thanksgiving!
Rachel Booth & Heather Walsh are local bargain experts and Co-Founders of Living Pittsburgh.com, Pittsburgh's go-to bargain website for free, affordable & discounted events, activities, products & services. Visit Living Pittsburgh for even more great 'Burgh bargains!
