A good local vibe can trump national economic gloom this holiday season -- or so hope Downtown retailers and boosters as they head toward Light Up Night, plans for which were announced yesterday.

At Honus Wagner Sporting Goods on Forbes Avenue, doors will stay open until 10 p.m. on Nov. 21, when Light Up Night crowds Downtown could top 200,000.

"Going into this season, with the Steelers playing the way they are and the Penguins getting off to a good start, we'll be doing really well," said General Manager Tim Piett, gesturing to the floor-to-ceiling array of jerseys.

Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership officials said that on Light Up Night, curtains will rise on new Macy's window displays at 6:30 p.m. "They'll answer questions like: How does the shiniest tinsel sparkle in the night?" said Russell Schutte, regional director of stores for Macy's.

At 7:15 p.m. there will be a first-of-its-kind blue lighting of Market Square by UPMC Diabetes Centers. That's an example of what Jan Smith, chairman of the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership board, characterized as a "smarter" approach to sponsorships in this economic climate.

"We've been able to couple our goals with the goals of the sponsors," she said, noting multiple diabetes awareness events.

The traditional Toyota Tundra Santa Spectacular Show will move to the redone Point State Park and start at 8 p.m., when a Duquesne Light-powered tree will be lit by "Santa throwing fireballs," said Keith Clark, CBS Radio Pittsburgh vice president of programming and operations. That will lead into the Macy's Fireworks Finale at 9.

"Work your way through the detours because when you get here, it's certainly going to be a great event," said Rob Stephany, executive director of the Urban Redevelopment Authority, who viewed construction of Three PNC Plaza, new Downtown housing, and the North Shore Connector as signs of long-term lustre.

On weekends starting Nov. 22, the free Fifth Avenue Place Holly Trolley will shuttle shoppers, and on Saturdays free horse-drawn carriage rides will begin at One Oxford Center. Holiday movies will play at the Harris Theater, and a "Kids Crawl" will lead youngsters through the Cultural District Dec. 6.

With shopping centers reporting the lowest October sales in 35 years and unemployment at a 14-year high, the big question was: If people come, will they shop?

"Pittsburgh has weathered some tough economic times in the past, and I think we're going to be a lot more stable than some other cities," said Ms. Smith.

Missing from last year, though, will be the free Saturday parking that the Pittsburgh Parking Authority offered in its Downtown garages last year. This year, it opted to lower some all-day rates year-round rather than provide the free days.

"I do not believe it's going to stop people from coming Downtown," said Ms. Smith.

Metered spaces are still free on Sundays. One Oxford Center will offer free weekend parking in its garage, and the Macy's and Fifth Avenue Place garages provide free parking for those who buy things there.

Other Light Up Night sponsors this year include the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and the Building Owners and Managers Association. More information is at www.downtownpittsburgh.com.