First Night Tops 5 Weekend Events Around Peters

PETERS TOWNSHIP, PA - It’s certainly no secret as to what the number one event is in Pittsburgh on New Year’s Eve. It’s Highmark First Night Pittsburgh, the annual arts-focused celebration produced by the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust.

Culminating with the city's countdown to midnight and raising of the Future of Pittsburgh Ball, the six-hour celebration sprawls downtown's renowned 14-block Cultural District — inside theaters, galleries, and unique spaces and along city streets on outdoor performance stages.

Acclaimed national artists and Pittsburgh's vibrant artist community ring in the new year for revelers with live music, dance, theater, visual arts, comedy, magic, kids' activities, and a signature parade along with two Zambelli Fireworks displays, at 6 p.m. and midnight.

Highmark First Night Pittsburgh admission buttons are $10 per person. Kids 5 and under are free.

Other weekend highlights:

• Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Cleveland Browns, Dec. 31, 1 p.m., Heinz Field

Just because the Steelers already have clinched the second seed in the AFC playoffs and the Browns have clinched the number one pick in next year’s NFL draft, don’t think this game lacks compelling questions to be answered. Will Steelers coach Mike Tomlin give most of his veteran players the day off to avoid injury risk? Can Cleveland avoid going 0-16 for the season? Given the frigid forecast, will any fans actually show for the game?

Steelers-Browns tickets start at $45.

• Cirque Dreams: Holidaze, Dec. 29, 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 30, 2 and 7:30 p.m., Benedum Center, Downtown

A specially themed holiday show, Holidaze sees various Christmas ornaments magicked to life as the seasoned troupe of 30 performers from over 12 different countries combine their talents into 20 acts, transforming themselves into costumed characters and perform astonishing feats that celebrate the holiday season with spectacle, imagination and whimsical joy.
Cirque Dreams: Holidaze tickets start at $40.25.

• Three Rivers Classic, Dec. 29, 4:30 p.m.; Dec. 30, 4:30 p.m., PPG Paints Arena

College hockey returns to the arena for the 5th Annual Three Rivers Classic. The event features two action-packed days of NCAA Division 1 men’s hockey featuring Robert Morris University, Boston College, Quinnipiac University and Ferris State University.
Three Rivers Classic tickets start at $16.75.

• Jesse Mader, Dec. 31, 10:30 p.m., Club Cafe, South Side.

Mader’s brings his rapid fire vocal delivery, poppy hooks and edgy urban content to Pittsburgh. This New Year’s Eve show features special guests Tarra Layne (a Pittsburgh native), DJ Climax, Crazie A and Jeoh.
Jesse Mader tickets start at $12.

Photo: Associated Press.