Ring in the New Year Downtown
Time is ticking, but it’s not too late to secure plans to ring in 2013. Pittsburgh’s New Year’s Eve tradition since its inception in 1984, First Night Pittsburgh kicks off at 6 p.m. on New Year’s Eve. First up is the Dollar Bank Children’s Fireworks display, as well as a performance by Washington native turned “American Idol” star Adam Brock, with The Soul Band, on stage at Seventh Street and Penn Avenue, in Pittsburgh’s Cultural District.
The First Night Parade — featuring Pittsburgh Dad! — takes place at 8 p.m. and has a light theme this year. The full list of activities, which encompasses everything from live music to theater, dance, comedy, visual arts, children’s activities and even magic, is too long to include everything — more than 100 events are taking place in 45 different venues in the Cultural District. One thing is for sure — there is definitely something for everyone in the family to enjoy.
The evening is produced by the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust and sponsored by Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield. “We are grateful to Highmark for their continued support of the region’s largest New Year’s celebration that draws tens of thousands of visitors, and spotlights the success and growth of Pittsburgh’s Cultural District,” said Darcy Kucenic, director of Highmark First Night Pittsburgh for the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust.
Of course, the countdown to midnight commences with a Zambelli Fireworks display, as well as music by the Dirty Dozen Brass Band. It’s an opportunity to see the City of Pittsburgh in dramatic splendor, lit up and beautiful.
Festivities run from 6 p.m. until midnight. All-access Highmark First Night Pittsburgh 2013 buttons are $8 in advance and $10 at the door, children under 5 are free. Buttons are available at participating Giant Eagle stores, The Box Office at Theater Square, by calling the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust box office at 412-456-6666 or visiting firstnightpgh.org.