It’s one of the biggest event weekends of the year in Pittsburgh: the Downtown Partnership’s Light Up Night. But there are things to do beyond the season lights. Here are five fun ideas for you.

Holiday happenings

This weekend is the unofficial start of the holiday season with the city’s annual Light Up Night on Saturday throughout Downtown. In addition, the UPMC Rink at PPG Place opens Friday at 10 a.m. Fun fact: It’s 67% larger than the Rockefeller Center ice rink in New York and two-thirds the size of a standard National Hockey League rink. Tickets are $9-$12.

Also on Friday, the 12th annual market Peoples Gas Market in Market Square opens at 11 a.m., with vendors housed in wooden chalets.

Kennywood’s Holiday Lights opens at 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The West Mifflin park’s seasonal event has more than 2 million lights and will feature a new Santa Claus experience in Thomas Town.

There will be 20 rides open. Each night will feature a tree lighting of Pennsylvania’s tallest Christmas tree, which stands at 100 feet with more than 125,000 lights. There will be entertainment, local celebrity readings of “The Night Before Christmas,” a model train display, strolling bands and food.

Tickets start at $19.99.

Details: ppgplace.com or peoples-gas.com or kennywood.com

Pittsburgh Shorts

Film Pittsburgh presents Pittsburgh Shorts from Friday through Sunday, showcasing 119 short films including dramas, comedies and “Chiller Theater” selections in person at the Harris Theater, Downtown. Films will also be available virtually.

The shows start at 6:15 p.m. Friday, 1 p.m. Saturday and 12:30 p.m. Sunday. It closes Sunday night with a screening of the “Best of the Fest,” which are all the award-winning films.

The weekend also includes a script competition with readings by Pittsburgh actors at 5 p.m. on Sunday.

A filmmaker conference begins at 11 a.m. on Friday and 9 a.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. on Sunday, all at the Even Hotel, Downtown.

Tickets are $18. The afternoon shows at 3:30 p.m. and 4:45 p.m. on Nov. 18 are free in collaboration with Light Up Night.

Details: FilmPittsburgh.org

Bach Choir

The Bach Choir of Pittsburgh presents “A Passion, Considering Matthew Shepard” at the Bitz Opera Factory at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday and 4 p.m. on Sunday in the Strip District.

The concert will feature a fusion oratorio composed by Craig Hella Johnson that celebrates the life and chronicles the tragic death of Shepard, who was murdered 25 years ago.

The choir is led by executive director Gordon Davidson.

The performance will include members of the Academy Chamber Orchestra.

Each year, the Bach Choir of Pittsburgh produces a three-program concert season that is presented in unique venues in and around Pittsburgh.

Tickets range from $15 to $35.

Details: bachchoirpittsburgh.org

Dual happenings

The Carnegie Science Center on the North Shore will show the classic 1987 film “Planes, Trains and Automobiles” (rated R) at 5:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Saturday at the Rangos Giant Cinema Theater. At 7 p.m. on Saturday, a SkyWatch demonstration will be held in the center’s Buhl Planetarium & Observatory.

In the film, Steve Martin plays Neal, who just wants to fly home to Chicago for Thanksgiving with his family. All he gets is misery in the form of Del Griffith, played by John Candy, a loud-mouthed salesman, who leads Neal on a wild goose chase. The cinema, located inside the museum, has a 70 x 38-foot screen with surround sound.

SkyWatch begins in the planetarium and then heads to the rooftop for a stargazing session (weather permitting).

Tickets are $12 for each event.

Advanced registration is encouraged.

Details: CarnegieScienceCenter.org

Go with the flow and see Planes, Trains and Automobiles at The Rangos Giant Cinema this Sat., Nov. 18 at 5:30 or 8 pm! https://t.co/bhembShTQI pic.twitter.com/Z4EAecP9Pk

— Carnegie Science Center (@CarnegieSciCtr) November 15, 2023

‘The Flying Dutchman’

The Pittsburgh Opera presents “The Flying Dutchman” at 7:30 p.m. Friday and 2 p.m. on Sunday at the Benedum Center, Downtown.

The opera, with music and libretto by Richard Wagner, tells the story of a sailor cursed to roam the seas. Kyle Albertson is making his Pittsburgh Opera debut in the role.

“Wagner’s thunderous score brings this haunting tale to life with all the power of a stormy and turbulent sea,” as described by the Pittsburgh Opera.

The show is run 2 hours and 47 minutes. Tickets start at $15, half off for ages 6 to 18.

Details: pittsburghopera.org

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