“This town looks amazing, I used to come to her in the 80s and there was nothing,” yelled a man walking down 5th Avenue.
Pittsburgh celebrates Christmas by hosting its annual Light Up Night in Downtown Pittsburgh Nov. 22. Light Up Night is free and contains music, activities, food and shopping. Light Up Night is for people of all ages and is designed to bring some Christmas cheer to Pittsburgh natives.
“Christmas is our favorite holiday, so being able to just get out and go see the lights in the city is something that makes Christmas feel like it is here,” said Jamie Bohatch.
Bohatch studies radiology technology at California University of Pennsylvania, and her boyfriend, Josh VanDivner, proposed to her in front of the PPG Christmas tree Friday evening. Bohatch said getting engaged at Light Up Night will be one of her all-time favorite Christmas memories.
“My family and I go every year, it helps us get into the Christmas spirit, and my dad loves fireworks,” said James Steindl, a student at Penn State Fayette. “I brought my friend who doesn’t care for Christmas, but even he was impressed by the lights all over the city.”
There were events scheduled throughout the day, starting with the U.S. Steel Tower Dedication of the Crèche and ending with a firework show directly after Adam Lambert’s performance on the Comcast mainstage.
“I wish I saw Adam Lambert perform. I love Queen and it would’ve been cool to see their frontman,” said Harlyrae Geary, an 18-year-old from southwestern Pennsylvania.
Light Up Night was only the start of Pittsburgh’s holiday festivities. There will be more events all season long, including Kennywood’s Holiday Lights, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre’s production of The Nutcracker and Santa Claus, who will appear all over the city for pictures and more.
Published by Caitlin Srager