Dazzling Nights: A Night Time Garden Experience
Pittsburgh Botanic Gardens welcomes guests of all ages with the return of Dazzling Nights for a second year.
With the help of Memoir Agency, this specialty light show brings friends and families together for a unique experience through a more peaceful side of Pittsburgh.
Tasty Treats in the Davidson Event Center
Before beginning your journey, you can stop by the Davidson Event Center to purchase holiday treats to enjoy throughout the walk. Treats include specialty hot chocolate from Pittsburgh Mobile Bars, as well as strudels, pretzels, hot dogs, Bratwurst, and Greek pastries. Some products will be available throughout the garden for purchase as well. The peppermint hot chocolate was a personal favorite of mine and really helped to introduce the holiday season during Dazzling Nights.
Experience
This isn’t your typical holiday light show event. Dazzling Nights embraces nature throughout the garden to enrich the experience for all who may enter. As I began on the path, I was immediately greeted with LED Christmas trees, overarching hanging lanterns, and joyful music in sync with the season.
No two parts of Dazzling Nights are the same. Throughout the garden, each experience blooms with a unique style specific to each area. From lights syncing to music to a laser show at the Lotus Pond, this is truly an encounter unlike any other. Other light shows during this time of year are either inside or a drive-thru. Walking through Pittsburgh Botanic Gardens during the night is a unique experience that I haven’t quite found anywhere else in the area and is an absolute must during the holiday season.
Interactions
Throughout the path are a few different opportunities to engage in the experience. Adjacent to the “Joyful” sign is a side path that takes you to a pavilion with lit-up circles to hop, skip, or even dance on. In the background, different holiday songs play to enjoy as you engage in this fun activity. All are welcome to participate.
Just past the Tunnel of Stars is the Lotus Pond, which features a special laser light show that begins every few minutes. This light show brings together colors of all variety while highlighting every aspect of the pond. Even if you come halfway through the segment, it is worth staying through a second round to enjoy all the effects.
Photo Opportunities
There will be plenty of photo opportunities throughout the garden, so make sure to have your camera ready for picture-perfect moments. Dazzling Nights is a perfect adventure with family, friends, or even a date night. This event is a one-mile walking tour and mostly outside, so please plan accordingly.
I enjoyed experiencing the different lights, music, and atmosphere at Dazzling Nights. Pittsburgh Botanic Garden does a great job highlighting the natural essence of the garden with the placement of every light display. I definitely enjoyed this special event and I hope you do too when you stop by.
The Welcome Center
After your beaming experience throughout the garden, take a stroll into the Welcome Center. Inside is a gift shop with a wide variety of nature-inspired holiday décor and gifts, perfect for crossing off your holiday shopping list. During a day trip to the garden, other exhibits are also available in the Welcome Center as well as a Cafe offering coffee, pastries, and lunch options.
About Pittsburgh Botanic Garden
Pittsburgh Botanic Garden is a non-profit organization. The ultimate goal of this facility is to be an outdoor public garden for everyone to enjoy as well as be a reflection of the plant life in the region. The garden is open year-round for guests of all ages to enjoy. To continue supporting Pittsburgh Botanic Garden, contributions can be made online. Other ways to support the garden include purchasing a yearly membership, which includes many perks, or taking a garden class offered for all ages.
Ticket and Parking Information
Dazzling Nights began on Friday, Nov. 24, 2023, and will run until Monday, Jan. 1, 2024. Every tour is self-guided and must have an advanced timed ticket, which can be purchased online. Children under two are free. Please arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled time when parking on site, and 30 minutes early if you’re using the shuttle from CCAC West Hills Center. On-site parking is available for a fee. No walk-ins or late entries are permitted. Additional information for Dazzling Nights and Pittsburgh Botanic Garden can be found online.
Pittsburgh Botanic Garden is located at 799 Pinkerton Run Rd, Pittsburgh, PA 15071.
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