For Bethel Park resident Alexandra Meier, Light Up Night is the one event in Pittsburgh she looks forward to each year to kick off her holiday season.
“The spirit of Christmas as well as the spirit of community that we have in Pittsburgh is strengthened…with the city of Pittsburgh celebrating the holidays together,” Meier said in a phone interview Monday evening.
Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership (PDP) will host events throughout the night of Nov. 20, including performances on the Roberto Clemente Bridge, the opening of Peoples’ Gas Holiday Market and the unveiling of the windows display at the Kaufmann’s building.
Music artists such as JoJo, Daya Rock, Beauty Slap and Nevada Color will perform on the Roberto Clemente Bridge starting at 6 p.m. The event on the bridge will end with a fireworks display.
“It’s probably my favorite firework show ever,” Meier said.
Also, to start the shopping and gift-giving season off, Peoples’ Gas Holiday Market opens in Market Square for the 4th year. This year’s village includes 30 vendors of internationally inspired, locally crafted gifts and will run daily from Nov. 20 through Dec. 23.
The iconic window displays at the Kaufmann’s building along Fifth Avenue through the corner of Smithfield Street will once again make an appearance and will be unveiled at the Light Up Night at 6:30 p.m. This tradition was in question when the downtown Macy’s store closed its doors. For years, the windows at the Kaufmann’s building were used as a display during the Christmas season, and this year, seven new windows were designed by the local cultural groups.
“I think the city takes pride in the fact that we do this each year,” Meier said.
In addition to the PDP’s events, Jacqueline’s Salon on 310/330 Grant Street is participating in the Light up Night festivities with their own vision on capturing the holiday spirit.
For the past six years, salon owner Jackie Capatolla and her staff plan an opportunity for a young girl to model on Light Up Night. They named the event “Light up the Fashion.”
“I wanted to start giving back at the salon… I like to give somehow [to] different charity events,” Capatolla said in a phone interview Monday afternoon.
Jacqueline’s Salon teams up for the special night with fashion designer, Debbie Weiss for wardrobe and the Make-A-Wish foundation. She explained the girl chosen from Make-A-Wish will get to be a part of a photoshoot with hair and makeup done by Jacqueline’s Salon.
Capatolla is excited for what this can do for the young girl’s confidence and to have fun.
“Just to make this girl feel special and give her something to look forward to,” Capatolla said. “Give her a little bit of confidence and see how much they come out of their shell.”
Capatolla feels the city really comes together to make Downtown nice for the holiday season.
“Downtown Pittsburgh has really come a long way as far as kicking off the holiday…trying to bring people and the community together,” Capatolla said. “The most important thing to me about it is to be able to give back and make a difference.”
“Light Up the Fashion” starts at 6 p.m. at 310/330 Grant Street. For more information on the events and times presented by PDP, visit downtownpittsburgh.com.
