There's always one thing that triggers the holiday spirit: Maybe it's the holiday window displays, a visit with Santa, classic holiday movies or shopping. All of those are part of the Downtown holiday kickoff festivities at Light Up Night, which switches on Friday.

Light Up Night has its traditions, but it also has some new attractions this year, like the Duquesne Light Market Square Lighting of the Trees at 7 p.m. Because of construction at Point State Park, the official tree-lighting ceremony has moved to a new site. "We thought we'd really showcase Market Square and move the lighting ceremony there this year," says Hollie Plevyak, vice president of marketing and communications for Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership. Point Park will still be lit up but not accessible to pedestrians this year.

Another new element: The University of Pittsburgh Diabetes Institute is sponsoring the United for Diabetes Scavenger Hunt and Sweepstakes -- a trail through the Light Up Night festivities with prizes and activities designed to teach about healthier lifestyles. Participants can stop at booths at locations around Downtown, where they can pick up maps for the trail, along with free pedometers to measure their progress.

		More information For a complete listing of Light Up Night events, go to downtownpittsburgh.com.

Santa's traditional arrival Downtown is the highlight of CBS Radio Pittsburgh's annual Santa Spectacular stage show, running from 6:30 to 7 p.m. at Liberty Avenue and Gateway Center. Other Santa Spectacular events include music and dance performances, the lighting of the Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Unity Tree and a fireworks-to-music display. CBS Radio also presents Santa's Winter Wonderland, a pre-Santa Spectacular warm-up party at Gateway Center from 3 to 7 p.m.

Another local holiday tradition is the unveiling of Macy's animated Christmas window displays, which have a Cinderella theme this year. The countdown to the opening starts at 7 p.m.

The Renaissance Pittsburgh Hotel on Sixth Street is also creating a holiday window display with Santa, reindeer and gingerbread houses,

Kids can make a stop at the Virtual North Pole at Fifth Avenue Place from 5 to 8 p.m. and e-mail their wish lists to Santa.

Among this year's musical performances: The CLO Mini-Stars will perform at PPG Plaza at 5 p.m.

Another holiday favorite -- ice skating at the PPG Place rink -- reopens for the season Friday at 11 a.m.

The Gingerbread House and Train Display, featuring edible gingerbread creations by local chefs, returns to PPG Wintergarden. Sale proceeds go to the Children's Hospital Free Care Fund.

Market Square activities include live music on the Market Square stage, a Duquesne Light glow stick giveaway and kids' activities. There are also family activities planned at key Downtown locations, including Oxford Centre, PPG Place and Fifth Avenue Place.

Across the river at Station Square, there's live entertainment and a visit from everyone's favorite "Peanuts" comic strip characters on tap. Charlie Brown and Snoopy will make their entrance at the end of the Jingle Bell Rock singers performance at 7:30 p.m. and will do a meet-and-greet from 8 to 10 p.m.

Santa arrives at 5 p.m. and will hold court at the Freight House Shops from 5:30 to 10 p.m.

Other Station Square events include a performance by Mark Milovats and the Santa Belles at 6 p.m., the Jingle Bell Rock show at 8:30 p.m., the lighting of the tree in Bessemer Court and colorful holiday fountain shows and the Night Lights holiday light display. WSHH-FM will broadcast live from Station Square from 3 to 7 p.m.

The Senator John Heinz Pittsburgh Regional History Center will add to the overall glow with the inaugural lighting of the original Heinz Ketchup sign in its new home atop the History Center building.

The Macy's Fireworks Finale will cap off the Light Up Night festivities at 9 p.m.

Light Up Night is just the beginning. Other Downtown events happening throughout the season include classic holiday movie screenings at the Harris Theater on Saturday afternoons at 2 and 4:15 p.m. The lineup: "A Christmas Story" (Nov. 24), "Miracle on 34th Street" (Dec. 1), "The Polar Express" (Dec. 8) and "White Christmas" (Dec. 15). Tickets are $6 and are on sale at the Box Office at Theater Square or by calling 412-456-6666.

The Shops at One Oxford Centre are sponsoring horse-drawn carriage rides every Saturday. Rides leave from the PPG Rink from noon to 3 p.m. Evening rides will leave from Oxford Centre from 4 to 8 p.m. Saturdays in December. The evening rides are designed to give Downtown visitors the full effect of the light displays at night, Plevyak says.

The Partnership is making it easy for shoppers to get around Downtown on weekends. The Free Fifth Avenue Place Holly Trolley will run Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., making stops at key locations throughout Downtown and Station Square.