PITTSBURGH — Downtown Pittsburgh’s holiday celebrations will bring familiar traditions back to Market Square this year while adding new attractions.
Setup is underway for the Peoples Gas Holiday Market, which is returning to Market Square following renovations to the public space. The market had previously been moved to the Cultural District while the work was completed.
“What a celebration that we can return back to Market Square, the new and revitalized Market Square,” said Ed Palombo of Peoples Natural Gas.
The market, now in its 15th year, will run from Nov. 20 through Dec. 24.
Another Pittsburgh holiday tradition, Highmark Light Up Night, is scheduled for Nov. 21. This year marks the 65th year of the celebration.
“At its heart, Light Up Night is about people, families and friends coming together downtown to welcome the holidays,” said Neil Parham of Highmark Health.
One of the biggest additions this year will be a partnership with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, which provides free books to young children.
“This year is a special year because we have the Dolly Parton Imagination Library partnering with us to have a place for kids in Market Square,” Pittsburgh Mayor Corey O’Connor said.
The space will give children a place to play while also allowing families to enroll in the program, which mails participating children a free book each month.
“As Dolly said, you can never get enough books in the hands of enough children,” said Dr. Mary Denison of Reading Ready Pittsburgh.
The celebrations are also expanding to Arts Landing in the Cultural District with a new seasonal attraction called “Highmark Winter Glow.”
Kendra Whitlock Ingram, president and CEO of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust said it will be a free, new seasonal attraction featuring a collection of light installations across the 4.5-acre Arts Landing public space.
“This is going to be a must-see holiday display,” she said.
City leaders say the expanded festivities are designed not only to celebrate the holidays but also to continue attracting people to Downtown Pittsburgh.
“It’s a great reminder of how special Downtown Pittsburgh is and how much we have to continue to build off that momentum so that more people choose to come,” O’Connor said.
Key Dates are listed below:
- Peoples Gas Holiday Market: Nov. 20-Dec. 24.
- Highmark Light Up Night: Nov. 21.
- Holiday KidsPlay & Selfie Garden: Nov. 21-Dec. 20.
- Santa’s House in Heinz Hall Courtyard: Nov. 21-Dec. 24.
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