'American Idol' Winner To Headline Pgh. Night Up Light Festivities

PITTSBURGH, PA — Details were unveiled Wednesday for the city's 62nd Light Up Night, the annual kick-off to Pittsburgh's holiday celebration that last year drew an estimated 90,000 people Downtown.

Highmark Light Up will occur Saturday, Nov. 18 from 5 p.m. to 9: 30 p.m. A day earlier, the UPMC Rink at PPG Place will open for the season; the rink's traditional large Christmas tree already has been put in place.

The musical headline will be Phillip Phillips, the singer-songwriter who won the 11th season of "American Idol" in 2012. His coronation song "Home" became the best-selling song in the history of the long-running program.

Tree lightings will begin at 5 p.m., and a Zambelli Fireworks show will conclude the event at 9:30 p.m.

Something new this year will be the spectacular new 601,440 color LED lighting system recently installed on the Roberto Clemente (Sixth Street), Andy Warhol (Seventh Street), and Rachel Carson (Ninth Street) Bridges.

In advance of Light Up Night, opening day at the UPMC Rink at PPG Place is set for Friday, Nov. 17. The Christmas tree at the ice rink is already in place for the season.

The Peoples Gas Holiday Market will also return to Market Square.

For a full list of Light Up Nights events and activities, click here.