Dozens of children and other onlookers gathered on the City-County Building's portico on Friday afternoon, as Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl oversaw the lighting of the 56-foot holiday tree. Friday evening is the annual Light Up Night.
"Now is the time to enjoy the beautiful lights and décor that we all love and look forward to each year. A time when downtown fills with enthusiastic shoppers and visitors from all over," said Mayor Ravenstahl.
Ravenstahl announced that this holiday season, downtown parking garages will be free for shoppers. Starting at 4:00 PM on Fridays, free parking will be available all weekend in any of the nine Parking Authority garages. This starts November 18th and will end after downtown's New Year's Eve "First Night" celebration January 31.
"Of course, there is a cost to the Parking Authority to give free parking, but we believe that the economic impact and the positive taxes that will be generated by the activity here is well worth offering the free parking," said Ravenstahl.
Those losses are estimated to be between $200,000 and $250,000.
The 51st Duquesne Light Light Up Night is on Friday, November 18, starting at 5:00 PM.
The 2nd Horse-drawn Candlelight Carriage Parade is on Saturday, November 19, from noon to 9:00 PM.
More information on events can be found here.
