Light Up Night Tops 5 Weekend Things To Do Around Upper St. Clair

UPPER ST. CLAIR, PA - An entire day of activities will kick off the holiday season in Pittsburgh and culminate in the annual Light Up Night festivities that bring tens of thousands of people Downtown.

The events include performances by national recording artist Andy Grammer, YouTube sensation Maggie Lindemann and local rock legend Joe Grushecky; tree-lighting ceremonies throughout the day; ice skating at the PPG Plaza rink and the traditional fireworks finale.

If you care to shell out $100, you can get a bird's-eye view of the fireworks as part of "Blast!" a new VIP event that includes a rooftop tour of the 64-story U.S. Steel Tower.

The 6th annual People's Gas Holiday Market returns to Market Square, with many holiday gifts available from multiple vendors. Children can get their picture taken with St. Nick there as well by visiting Santa's House.

Many Light Up Night activities are free.

Other weekend highlights:

• “The Color Purple,” Pittsburgh Broadway Series, Friday, 8 p.m.; Saturday, 2 and 8 p.m.; Sunday 1 and 6:30 p.m., Benedum Center, Downtown

This joyous American classic has conquered Broadway in an all-new “ravishingly reconceived production that is a glory to behold” (The New York Times). With a soul-raising score of jazz, gospel, ragtime and blues, "The Color Purple"gives an exhilarating new spirit to this Pulitzer Prize-winning story. This stunning re-imagining tells an epic story about a young woman’s journey to love and triumph in the American South.
“The Color Purple” tickets start at $30.

• WPIAL High School Championship Football Games, Saturday, various times, Heinz Field

The high school football season that began with sweltering practices in the summer sun will end on a November Saturday for eight teams involved in four WPIAL championship games. Four will go home disappointed, four will leave Heinz Field with the memories of victory the players will carry with them for life. The action kicks off with the 3A game pitting Aliquippa against Quaker Valley at 11 a.m. That contest will be followed by the 6A matchup between Pine Richland and Central Catholic at 2 p.m., the 5A game between Penn Trafford and Gateway at 5 p.m. and the 4A game between Montour and Thomas Jefferson at 8 p.m.

WPIAL High School Championship game tickets are $5 for students pre-sale and $10 for students and adults at Heinz Field.

• Let It Glow Christmas Celebration, Sunday, 3 p.m., The Waterfront, Homestead

The annual Let it Glow Christmas Celebration begins with Santa arriving at Town Center at 3 p.m. He and his merry friends will pose for pictures with children and their families until 6 p.m. Cupcake lovers will swoon for the mini cupcake tour around the center’s retail locations, featuring sweet delicacies from The Waterfront’s newest retailer, Cakery Square, owner and operated by former Steeler, Wes Lyons.
The event also will feature live music, strolling carolers dressed in traditional costumes, ornament decorating for the kids and free gift wrapping through the Girl Scouts. The festivities will culminate with the lighting of the 22-foot tree in the middle of Town Center at 6 p.m.
The Let It Glow Christmas Celebration is free.

• A Perfect Circle, Friday 8 p.m., Petersen Events Center, Oakland

It’s been six years since this rock supergroup, led by Tool frontman Maynard James Keenan and former Smashing Pumpkin James Iha, toured the East Coast, so this represents a rare opportunity to see the band live here. A Perfect Circle hasn’t released an album in 13 years, hasn’t released an album of new material in 14 years but remain popular enough to sell out basketball arenas when they perform.
A Perfect Circle tickets start at $43.

Photo: Associated Press.