5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: Nov. 19-21
It’s Light Up Night weekend. There certainly will be plenty of holiday events happening in and around Pittsburgh. Enjoy.
Light Up Night
The 60th anniversary of Light Up Night is Saturday (yes, it moved from its traditional Friday night).
Highlights of the Downtown event, which begins at 4 p.m., include the City of Pittsburgh’s 106th Tree Lighting — a 60-foot spruce on Grant Street — at 5 p.m., followed by Zambelli Rooftop Fireworks. A second tree lighting will take place at 6 p.m. at Penn Avenue and Stanwix Streets with the Highmark Christmas Tree, followed by a second helping of Zambelli Fireworks.
There will be plenty of musical entertainment from rock ‘n’ roll to jazz at the BNY Mellon Stage, the Highmark Main Stage at Penn and Stanwix and the EQT Jazzmasters Stage.
The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra will perform concerts at 6:30, 7:15 and 8 p.m. featuring holiday music at Heinz Hall. The Peoples Gas Holiday Market in Market Square and the nearby UPMC Rink at PPG Place will also be open.
Details: downtownpittsburghholidays.com
Holiday lights
The 10th annual Holiday Lights at Kennywood opens Saturday as well as Sunday from 5 to 10 p.m.
More than 1 million lights will be illuminated. The West Mifflin park has Pennsylvania’s tallest Christmas tree — at 100 feet in height.
There will be light shows, a train display, petting zoo and new dining options.
Weather permitting, rides such as the Jack Rabbit and Gran Prix will be open, marking the first time a roller coaster will operate in winter.
Details: Kennywood.com
#TransformationTuesday ???????? Busy week preparing for… Holiday Lights. pic.twitter.com/PuSbxrLhwV
— Kennywood (@Kenny_Kangaroo) November 9, 2021
Donna Summer
“Donna: The Donna Summer Musical” is happening at 8 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Sunday at the Benedum Center, Downtown.
Tickets start at $33.
The show tells the story of “a girl from Boston with a voice from heaven” who “ risked it all to break through every barrier.” The performance will feature more than 20 of Summer’s classic hits, including “Love to Love You Baby,” “Bad Girls,” and “Hot Stuff.”
Details: trustarts.org
A Very Merry Pittsburgh
A Very Merry Pittsburgh opens Saturday at the Senator John Heinz History Center in the Strip District.
The exhibit features a section with family keepsakes, artifacts, film, and imagery that explore how Western Pennsylvanians celebrated major winter holidays, including Christmas, Chanukah, Diwali and Kwanzaa.
There will artifacts from popular department stores — Kaufmann’s, Macy’s, Horne’s, and Gimbels.
Santa Claus’ original chair from Kaufmann’s is part of the display. There is a mailbox where thousands of Pittsburgh children mailed their Christmas wish lists to the North Pole.
An interactive play area showcases retro toys such as Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots and Mr. Potato Head.
Santa Claus will be there from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Masks are required.
Admission is $18, $15 for seniors and free for ages 17 and under.
Details: heinzhistorycenter.org
All kids age 17 & under will receive FREE admission to the Heinz History Center and Fort Pitt Museum throughout November and December, thanks to support from community partner @HowardHanna Real Estate Services!
Reserve your tickets today at https://t.co/Lsugn9pERR pic.twitter.com/vux2GMDkwR
— Heinz History Center (@HistoryCenter) November 6, 2021
Winter show
Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Garden’s Holiday Magic! Winter Flower Show opens Friday.
The theme, “Sparkle and Shine,” includes a display of holiday trees and topiaries as well as floral designs of amaryllis, orchids and more than 1,600 poinsettias. The Winter Light Garden returns outdoors with orbs, trees, fountains, a tunnel of lights and a new ice castle display.
A Victorian holiday that’s reminiscent of when Phipps opened in 1893 will have oversized topiary ornaments hanging above and an 8-foot decorated tree rotating in a chiming music box.
Oversized gifts and toys will be displayed under a canopy of colorful lights. The new Garden Railroad: Bridges and Tunnels display is on view and features the sinkhole bus.
Admission is $19.95, $17.95 for seniors and students, $11.95 for ages 2-18, and free for children under 2.
Details: phipps.conservatory.org
Holiday Magic! Winter Flower Show and Light Garden returns Fri., Nov. 19! Tickets are now available for pre-sale. Learn more and reserve yours today: https://t.co/Fk1Nif42Vh pic.twitter.com/sS51RYwkjG
— Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens (@PhippsNews) November 10, 2021
JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a TribLive reporter covering the region's diverse culinary scene and unique homes. She writes features about interesting people. The Edward R. Murrow award-winning journalist began her career as a sports reporter. She has been with the Trib for 26 years and is the author of "A Daughter's Promise." She can be reached at jharrop@triblive.com.
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