It may only be November, but signs of Christmas are already beginning to appear across Pittsburgh.
Holiday trees are popping up in storefront windows, decorations are going up Downtown and crews are preparing
Market Square for the return of one of Pittsburgh’s biggest holiday traditions.
This year, the Peoples Gas Holiday Market returns to the newly modernized Market Square after temporarily relocating to the Cultural District during construction last year. The market opens Nov. 20 and runs through Christmas Eve, featuring its familiar Alpine-style chalets and vendors offering gifts from local and international makers.
That opening leads directly into the 65th anniversary of Highmark Light Up Night on Nov. 21. This year’s celebration expands into Arts Landing, where Mount Lebanon native Daya will headline the Xfinity Holiday Jam before the night’s grand finale fireworks.
Arts Landing will also debut Highmark Winter Glow: An Arts Landing Light Experience, a new free seasonal attraction designed to illuminate the space throughout the winter.
Even Pittsburgh’s bridges are joining the celebration. Light Up Night festivities include a special bridge party, along with tree lightings, live entertainment, holiday shopping and fireworks throughout Downtown.
And that is only part of what’s planned. USA TODAY’s 2026 Pittsburgh holiday guide breaks down even more of the markets, tree lightings and seasonal events happening around the city.
For Pittsburgh, the holiday countdown is officially on.
This story was produced by reporter Gabby Sartori, [gsartori@usatodayco.com], with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the review, editing and publishing process. Learn more atcm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct. Find more from the Steel City on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Pittsburgh’s holiday season is taking shape ahead of Light Up Night
