Pittsburgh Public Safety Makes Final Preparations for Light Up Night 2024
Annual Downtown event kicks off Saturday, November 23, 2024
Pittsburgh, PA – The annual Highmark-sponsored Light Up Night event is a uniquely Pittsburgh tradition designed to officially usher in the holiday season in the city.
The City of Pittsburgh's Department of Public Safety is proud to be a partner in helping to make Light Up Night 2024 a safe and festive experience for everyone.
"Light Up Night is one of my favorite nights of the year in Pittsburgh. It's an opportunity to gather with friends and family to enjoy the holiday sights and sounds in our city's vibrant Downtown corridor, and officially kick off the holiday season. Pittsburgh Public Safety's multiple departments will all be working hard to make the night safe and enjoyable for everyone," said Public Safety Director Lee Schmidt.
Pittsburgh Police, EMS, Fire, and Emergency Management and Homeland Security officials have been planning behind the scenes for months alongside the City of Pittsburgh's CitiParks, Special Events, and Public Works (DPW) departments, as well as the Parks Conservancy, to ensure maximum visibility and coverage by first responders and event volunteers throughout Downtown.
The Pittsburgh Bureau of Police will deploy more than 100 officers spread throughout different sectors of the Central Business and Entertainment Districts. The Bureau's EOD Unit (Bomb Squad) will be performing protective sweeps ahead of the events. Officers will be supported by multiple specialty units to include the Cycle Unit and Mounted Unit.
The City of Pittsburgh's REACH team, CURE, AIM, the Divine Nine, MAD DADS Pittsburgh, and the Prince Hall Masons will be spread out throughout Downtown to engage and connect with young attendees to ensure they are enjoying the events in a safe and responsible manner.
Pittsburgh EMS will have two medic units stationed Downtown, three motorcycle medics, and an additional EMS River Rescue boat on the waterways. The Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire's Fire Prevention Officer will be on site to inspect and monitor all of the event's fireworks installations.
There will be multiple street closures, with the earliest beginning at 12 p.m. on Friday, November 22 and reopening at 4 a.m. on Sunday, November 24.
The early closures are as follows:
- Fort Duquesne Blvd. westbound from Stanwix St. to Seventh St.
- Penn Ave. extension from Stanwix St. to the Gateway T-Station Triangle
- Roberto Clemente (Sixth St.) Bridge
- Penn Ave. from Fifth Ave. to Stanwix Street
Additional closures begin at 1 a.m. Saturday, November 23, and will continue throughout the day as events approach their start times.
Please pay attention to "No Parking" signs posted throughout the Downtown core.
Right on cue, the weather has already taken on a more wintry feel, with the National Weather Service forecasting highs in the mid-40s, dropping to lows in the high-30s on event night.
As always, safety and security is everyone's responsibility. Light Up Night participants can assist first responders in this effort by reporting any suspicious or unusual behavior to police stationed downtown, OR by simply scanning the QR code below to send any photos or videos to help with the investigation of any incidents that may occur.
For a full list of Light Up Night events, maps, and schedules, please visit https://downtownpittsburghholidays.com/highmark-light-up-night.
The Department of Public Safety wishes everyone a happy, healthy, and safe holiday season!
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