Light Up Night is an annual family festival held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, marking the unofficial start of the Christmas holiday season. The event transforms the city's downtown area with extensive holiday decorations, including Christmas lights and trees. A key tradition involves the skyscrapers and buildings throughout the downtown core keeping their lights illuminated all night, which gives the festival its name. The celebration typically attracts over 200,000 attendees who enjoy late-night shopping, street vendors, and complimentary hot beverages and treats.
The festival is notable for its scale and role in community celebration, serving as a major civic event that brings together residents and visitors. It supports local retailers and creates a festive atmosphere that officially kicks off the holiday period in the region. The combination of fireworks, musical performances, and the collective lighting ceremony makes it a significant cultural occasion for the city.
Recently, Light Up Night has been featured in local news due to the upcoming 64th annual event in 2025. Headlines have covered the full schedule of activities, including music and fireworks, and provided practical information on transportation and safety for attendees. Reports also noted infrastructure updates, such as the reopening of the Mon Incline, to accommodate the large crowds and ensure smooth access to the festival.
Latest related news
- Traffic: Mon Incline reopens ahead of Light Up Night - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2025-11-22 06:23 · Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
- Pittsburgh’s 64th annual Light Up Night: Schedules, transportation, safety and other things to know - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2025-11-22 04:05 · Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
- 15+ things to do this weekend in Pittsburgh, from Light Up Night to comedy in a sauna - NEXTpittsburgh 2025-11-19 20:00 · NEXTpittsburgh
- The full Light Up Night 2025 schedule brings music and fireworks - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2025-11-18 17:00 · Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
- Justin Fabus - Pittsburgh Magazine 2025-11-16 20:38 · Pittsburgh Magazine
- TREE LIGHTING, ENTERTAINMENT & GINGERBREAD DISPLAY ON LIGHT UP NIGHT - City of Pittsburgh, PA (.gov) 2025-11-13 16:00 · City of Pittsburgh, PA (.gov)
- The Calling will headline Pittsburgh's Light Up Night on Nov. 22 - WTAE 2025-11-12 16:00 · WTAE
- Fighting food insecurity the goal of Light Up Night, Pittsburgh's holiday season - TribLIVE.com 2025-11-06 16:00 · TribLIVE.com
- Pittsburgh’s 63rd Light up Night kicks off holiday season - WPXI 2024-11-24 12:17 · WPXI
- Light Up Night 2024: Your full schedule of festivities - WTAE 2024-11-22 16:00 · WTAE