PITTSBURGH -- It was a magical night Friday in downtown Pittsburgh as the city celebrated the official kick-off of the holiday season with the 49th Annual Light Up Night.

The ceremonial unveiling of Macy’s department store windows got the celebration started along Smithfield Street. Spectators got a behind-the-scenes look at the journey of a child's letter to Santa. Five fun-filled holiday animated displays trace the trail of the letter from the mailbox, through a "naughty" or "nice" mail sorter, to a whimsical device that gives it wings to fly to its final destination -- Santa Claus at the North Pole.

"Macy's is proud to continue the tradition of presenting animated holiday windows in our downtown Pittsburgh store," said Russell Schutte, senior vice president and regional direct of stores for Macy's.

The Highmark Light Up Night March, a new event featuring the Mt. Lebanon and Franklin Regional High School marching bands, stepped off from Macy's after the window unveiling and performed at PPG Plaza before traveling to the Clemente Bridge.

Highmark Blue Cross Blue hosted the Unity Tree Lighting Celebration around the same time, with a magic show by Illusionist David Lawrence.

"The Unity Tree has been a Pittsburgh tradition since 1953 when it was first introduced by Horne's department store," said Mary Anne Papale, director of community affairs for Highmark.

The Light Up Night Bridge Party, another Light Up Night enhancement, featured performances by No Bad Ju Ju and Johnny Angel and the Halos. There were food vendors and children's entertainment on the bridge.

PPG Place Plaza hosted a performance by the CLO Mini Stars and The Tribute of Light/Plaza Tree Lighting. Al Dowe and Etta Cox Trio and country band The Stickers also performed at PPG Place Plaza.

Throughout the evening, One Oxford Centre hosted free horse-drawn carriage rides, photos with Santa and children's activities, including the opportunity to see live reindeer.