s you probably suspected, the holiday season in Mt. Lebanon is going to look a little different this year, but Commercial Districts Manager Eric Milliron and the Mt. Lebanon Partnership have been working hard to ensure that the festivities will still be fun and engaging, but also safe.

Uptown’s Lebo Light Night, scheduled for Thursday, November 19, has evolved to include fewer crowd situations and more virtual elements. While we encourage the public not to congregate in Clearview Common for the annual tree lighting, it will happen around 7 p.m. and be broadcast live on Facebook.

At press time, Milliron and the Partnership were confirming details on virtual and in-person elements that could accompany the tree lighting, including a possible visit from Santa, a celebrity guest for the virtual ceremony, light shows projected onto municipal buildings and carolers or other performances, but you’ll have to check the Partnership website (below) for final details.

Milliron also announced a community-wide window decorating competition for businesses on Beverly Road and in Uptown, including a microgrant to help offset the costs of window displays. Businesses that apply before November 19 will be eligible to receive up to $50 toward décor and will secure their spot in the competition.

Residents can then go to the Partnership website to vote for their favorite storefront from November 19 to December 15, “Ten days before the fat man goes down chimneys,” says Milliron. The top three winners will receive cash prizes.

The Partnership will soon be announcing other ongoing holiday programs to help promote businesses. For example, the Partnership may revamp Love Lebo Bingo, which encouraged people to visit as many restaurants as possible over the summer, so that it will have a holiday spin. They also hope to feature short, virtual DJ sessions or “commercials” on individual businesses on their website for owners to talk to residents about their holiday offerings.

Finally, mark your calendars for shopping events like Small Business Saturday on Saturday, November 28, and Cyber Monday, on Monday, November 30. It’s been a hard year for everyone, but especially businesses, so it has never been more important to “shop small.”

Visit mtlebopartnership.org or facebook.com/MtLebanonPartnership for more information on municipal holiday events.