Check out Pittsburgh's 2012 Light Up Night schedule

PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh's 52^nd annual Light Up Night will kick off the holiday season on Friday, Nov. 16.

Details of the anticipated event were announced by the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership.

“Downtown will be decorated in its holiday best, welcoming thousands of people to celebrate the holiday season,” said Jeremy Waldrup, President and CEO of the PDP. “With new events and long-time traditions, we will showcase downtown Pittsburgh and highlight all the attractions and amenities available to visitors during one of the region’s most cherished traditions.”

Light Up Night will start at noon, when Mayor Luke Ravenstahl lights the City-County Building Tree. The Dedication of the Pittsburgh Crèche, the only authorized replica of the Crèche in St. Peter’s Square in Rome, will also take place at noon in the plaza outside of the U.S. Steel.

Concert performances begin at 5 p.m. throughout the entire Golden Triangle. The most renowned musical entertainers, from the velvet undertones of smooth jazz to contemporary rock beats, country rhythms and classic oldies standards will ring in the holiday season on the Northwest Savings Bank Market Square Stage, the Trib Total Media Bridge Party and the brand new EQT Plaza Jazzmasters Stage on the EQT Plaza.

The magical evening concludes with a dazzling Theatrical Fireworks Production launched from the Warhol Bridge at 9:38 p.m.

2011's event attracted more than 800,000 visitors and generated $21 million economic impact.

Friday, Nov. 16 Ceremony Schedule:

12 p.m. City-County Building Tree Lighting by Mayor Luke Ravenstahl

12 p.m. U.S. Steel Tower Dedication of the Crèche

5:30 p.m. Allegheny County Court House Lighting by County Executive Rich Fitzgerald

5:45 p.m. One Oxford Centre Tree Lighting

6:00 p.m. PPG Plaza American Cancer Society Tribute of Light Tree Lighting

6:15 p.m. Macy’s Windows Unveiling

7 p.m. Highmark Unity Tree Lighting with Rooftop Fireworks

7:30 p.m. Market Square Season of Lights Lighting by Santa Claus

Friday Nov. 16 Performance Schedule:

Northwest Savings Bank Stage in Market Square:

5 p.m. Johnny Angel and The Halos

7:15 p.m. Santa Claus officially lights Market Square Season of Lights

7:45 p.m. Joe Grushecky and The Houserockers

EQT Jazzmasters Stage at EQT Plaza:

5 p.m. Al Dowe & Etta Cox Trio 3

6:30 p.m. Kenny Blake Quartet

8 p.m. Roger Humphries Quintet

Trib Total Media Bridge Party (Clemente Bridge):

5 p.m. The Stickers

6:30 p.m. The Billy Price Band

8 p.m. No Bad JuJu

9:38 p.m. Light Up Night Fireworks, Warhol Bridge

Saturday, Nov. 17 Performance Schedule:

Rink at PPG Place:

Noon to 2 p.m. Mascot Skate

Northwest Savings Bank Stage in Market Squar:

Noon NoMad

1:45 p.m. Vanessa Campagna

3:30 p.m. The Granati Brothers

6 p.m. Totally 80s

7 p.m. BOB FM Holiday Wedding

7:30 p.m. Jeff Jimerson and Airborne 5

More Details:

Santa Claus Officially Lights Market Square Season of Lights:

Light Up Night heralds the official Downtown arrival of the Jolly Big Guy. Santa Claus will flip the giant switch to light Market Season of Lights. The dazzling show was designed by the international company that lights the Disney Castle and Eiffel Tower and includes 150,000 LEDs, plus a 33-foot, one-ton sphere tree. Made possible by the Colcom Foundation and the PDP, the Market Square Season of Lights is a gift to the City for the enjoyment of thousands of holiday season visitors. Nightly choreographed shows are scheduled every thirty minutes from 5-10 p.m. through Jan. 6, 2013.

Light Up Night Fireworks Celebration:

No other City has a greater passion for fireworks! Fireworks have been ingrained into the culture of the City of Pittsburgh and our region for decades. Set to launch promptly at 9:38 p.m. from the Warhol Bridge, the show will include dynamic special effects choreographed to a holiday soundtrack broadcast live on 3WS-94.5 FM.

RIVER CLOSURE: The Allegheny River will be closed from 7:30 p.m. until 10:30 p.m. and will re-open under the direction of public safety officials following all required clearances. The closure shall be in effect from the Roberto Clemente Bridge to the Rachel Carson Bridge from mile markers .6 to .8 on the Allegheny River.

52nd Annual Light Up Night and Holiday Season Partner Venue Highlights:

Fifth Avenue Place:

Explore Pittsburgh’s own North Pole at the Fifth Avenue FREEZE! Catch live ice carving shows and pose for a photo next to glistening life-sized carvings of Santa, Rudolph and more. Kids can test their skills at Arctic games and create their own personalized “Ice Paintings” with the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh. Frosty and holiday character friends will dance along to holiday music by the Roger Barbour Jazz Quartet and the Max Leake Trio.

Downtown's most iconic tree, the Unity Tree presented by Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield lights at 7 p.m. with help from America's most beloved mailman, Mr. McFeely, singing "It's a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood" and the rhythmic drumbeats of the Pittsburgh Steeline Drumline.

Macys:

Experience the spectacular Macys Holiday Window Unveiling Celebration from 6:15 – 6:45 p.m. Meet outside where the Franklin Regional Marching band kicks-off the festivities, followed by very special guest performances by gospel singer/songwriter Travis Malloy, iHeart Radio pop sensations “For The Foxes” and rising pop star, Jasmine V. The all-star line-up continues with Pittsburgh Football stars, Maurkice Pouncey and special Guest host, Ryan Mundy, along with the children from Make-A-Wish Foundation and the man of the hour, Santa Claus! In store, watch an excerpt of “The Nutcracker” and compete for fun trivia and giveaways with Radio Disney. Bring a camera for photos with the Kool-Aid Man and enjoy face painting, balloon art, and more.

One Oxford Centre:

Take photos with Santa Claus, enjoy face painting, balloon art, sand art and caricatures. Experience Pittsburgh Memories, an exhibit of historic photos celebrating Pittsburgh during the winter season and enjoy holiday music by the Rick Gallagher Trio.  

Participate in the official lighting of the Centre’s 30-foot Christmas Tree at 5:45 p.m.

PPG Place:

Enjoy the festivities at the PPG Place during the Robert Morris University Island Sport Center’s on-ice interpretation of Polar Express, CLO Mini Stars, American Cancer Society Tribute of Light/ Plaza Tree Lighting, holiday exhibits and live entertainment in the food court.

Bottom Dollar Food “Sounds of the Season” Parade:

Strike up the bands! The Bottom Dollar Food Sounds of the Season Parade, led by the “Piggy Bank Blimp,” steps off at 5 p.m. and brings holiday cheer to spectators across the region. Bells will be ringing and the crowds will be singing as local area high school bands march their way down the City streets to kick-off the first Holiday Saturday in Downtown Pittsburgh.

A Wedding to Remember on the Northwest Savings Bank Market Square Stage:

After the parade, Santa will witness the 96.9 BOB FM Light Up Night® Nuptials winners, Leah and Matt of Carnegie, in marriage. With thousands of their “closest friends” in attendance, Leah and Matt will enjoy a one-of-a-kind wedding ceremony beneath the Market Square Season of Lights.

Light Up Night Community Commitments:

Presents for Patients:

Founded in 1984, Presents for Patients has provided gifts and visits to 460,324 patients and has expanded throughout six states. The mission of the program is to put a smile on the face of a nursing home patient while introducing members of the community to their local long-term care facilities. At the beginning of each campaign, patients are asked what they would like for Christmas, which is then given to the individual(s) who “adopt” that patient. The Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership (PDP) is happy to join WPXI-TV in providing local patients with presents this season.

Operation Santa Claus:

The PDP is supporting the efforts of media partner Trib Total Media and the Salvation Army for this special campaign to raise funds to provide complete holiday dinners to hundreds of thousands of needy families across Southwestern Pennsylvania. Children in those families also receive coloring books, crayons and a new or gently-used storybooks as well.

WPXI