For Immediate Release
November 7, 2008
Contact:
Brooke Rinier
(412) 325-0161
(724) 493-9093 cell
brinier@downtownpittsburgh.com
PITTSBURGH, PA - The holidays are right around the corner and Downtown Pittsburgh is gearing up for one of the most memorable holiday seasons ever. We're encouraging people to once again experience the holiday season Downtown by exploring the city's unique destinations, shopping at our exclusive retail venues, and enjoying the sights, sounds and delectable tastes of our neighborhood. Despite ongoing construction of the North Shore Connector Project, holiday festivities will continue Downtown, with some location changes and enhancements.
The 48th annual Light Up Night® celebration, presented by UPMC Diabetes Centers, officially kicks off the holiday season on Friday, Nov. 21. Supporting sponsors and partners include: the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Macy's, Santa Spectacular, and the Building Owners and Managers Association. Light Up Night® draws an estimated 200,000 visitors each year, engaging the young and the young at heart in a rich variety of activities. Special holiday events and exhibits will begin early in the day and continue throughout Downtown over the course of the evening. Festivities conclude with the Macy's Fireworks Finale at Point State Park at 9 p.m.
You won't want to miss Macy's magical new window display and unveiling at 6:30 p.m. Market Square will be illuminated with a special UPMC Diabetes Centers Lighting Ceremony at 7:15 p.m., along with the Unite for Diabetes Scavenger Hunt and Sweepstakes. Additional Market Square happenings include: various children's activities, live entertainment, food vendors and booths sponsored by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Trib Total Media, Zipcar, The Art Institute of Pittsburgh, Geico and Get Go. Beginning at 8 p.m., catch the magical arrival of Santa as Toyota Tundra's Santa Spectacular Show, powered by Duquesne Light, moves its activities from its former location at Gateway Center, to the newly renovated Point State Park.
For a complete listing of Light Up Night® events and road closures, visit www.DowntownPittsburgh.com. Check for Port Authority bus schedules and affected routes at www.PortAuthority.org.
If you're looking for a unique holiday experience, you'll find it in Downtown Pittsburgh. Shop, dine or play at some of the region's top-notch restaurants, retail shops and cultural venues. From Light Up Night® through First Night, Dec. 31, Downtown will be bustling with holiday cheer.
Saturdays in the City begin Nov. 22, with free horse-drawn carriage rides sponsored by the Shops of One Oxford Centre and a Downtown Holiday Film Celebration at the Harris Theater, presented by the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Pittsburgh Filmmakers and the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership. Saturdays in the City runs Nov. 22 - Dec. 20. For a listing of holiday movies and details about the free horse-drawn carriage rides, visit www.DowntownPittsburgh.com.
With all the exciting shopping destinations located Downtown, we want to make sure that shoppers can get to all of them. Look up as you stroll through Downtown during the holidays to find our way finder banners, which will guide you to destinations for shopping, dining and more. The free Fifth Avenue Place Holly Trolley is also back this year, with eight convenient stops to get you around town. And, you'll be greeted by jolly merry-makers who will guide you to various points of interest Downtown. The free Fifth Avenue Place Holly Trolley is scheduled to run Saturdays and Sundays, Nov. 29 - Dec. 20. For more information, visit www.FifthAvenuePlacePA.com or www.DowntownPittsburgh.com.
Additional Saturdays in the City events include the Nov. 29 Celebrate the Season Parade presented by Macy's and WPXI-TV, and the Kids Holiday Crawl in the Cultural District on Dec.6.
"Downtown is the center of the region and it offers a unique holiday experience that cannot be matched by any mall," said Michael Edwards, Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership President and CEO. "Our neighborhood boasts eclectic restaurants, specialty retail shops and a world-class Cultural District, not to mention free Holly Trolley and horse-drawn carriage rides, ice skating and holiday movies at the Harris Theater. You can experience all this and more, while making a new holiday tradition with family and friends."
So you don't miss any of the holiday happenings this season, we've created the 2008 Holiday Guide. This handy, whimsical guide is the official resource for events and activities planned throughout Downtown from Light Up Night® through First Night, Dec. 31. A downloadable version will be posted on www.DowntownPittsburgh.comthe week of Nov. 10. And, thanks to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 180,000 households will receive the guides in their Sunday, Nov. 16 newspaper. Copies will also be available the week of Nov. 17 through the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership and at various Downtown merchants and hotels.
About the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership
The Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership (PDP) is a dynamic, nonprofit organization comprised of business and community leaders, property owners, civic organizations, foundations and residents who provide energy, vision and advocacy for Downtown Pittsburgh. Working collaboratively with its partners, the PDP strives to create a positive Downtown experience for residents, workers and visitors alike. The PDP's strategic initiatives include clean and safe services, transportation, housing and economic development and advocacy. For more information, visit www.DowntownPittsburgh.com.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
