GLOWLAND | Pittsburgh's Premier Winter Lighting Festival
Illuminating Oakland Nov. 20-Jan. 2
Let it Glow. Let it Gloooooooow. Ok, now that that's stuck in your head, it's time to learn about GLOWLAND:
Entering its second year, GLOWLAND enlivens the Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh through light, art, music and play through a variety of interactive installations and special events. It's perfect for winter family fun, date night and friend groups to check out. Powered by the Oakland Business Improvement District (OBID), GLOWLAND illuminates two square miles of the Oakland civic and commercial district, including this year’s signature installation, EXPosure, at Schenley Plaza.
EXPosure
Nov. 20, 2023-Jan. 2, 2024
EXPosure is the highlight of GLOWLAND for the 2023 holiday season, located in Schenley Plaza. If you enjoyed the light up, musical seesaws in 2022, EXPosure is taking the artistic expression to the next level with an even more engaging display.
This participative installation is composed of three self-inflated vinyl spheres, ranging from 8’ to 15’ feet in diameter. By moving a light source in front of their faces, visitors generate a creative, artistic and living projection of themselves as their faces become a brush to play with the light and their self-image.
Be sure to bring your camera: these interactive displays foster togetherness and will make for some of your favorite pics of the family and your loved ones during the holiday season. What will you create with EXPosure?
GLOWLAND Signature Events
Besides the EXPosure art installation, this year's GLOWLAND features a variety of events from the wonder of a drone light show to parties and play days. Mark your calendars for:
GLOW Ball (21+)
- Dec. 1, 7-10 p.m.
- Wear your best glowing attire, light up the night and be ready to dance at the Pittsburgh famous PAA building. Enjoy themed signature cocktails, savor bites from Oakland’s finest food purveyors and experience GLOWLAND.
- Saturdays Dec. 2-30
- Head to the Schenley Plaza lawn every Saturday during GLOWLAND to interact with the installation EXPosure, participate in lawn games and other activities, groove to live DJ’s and stroll through Oakland’s business district.
- Dec. 9, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
- Bring the whole family for a full day of free activities! Activities include: story time, live music, face painting, balloon art and a glow in the dark puppet show.
- Dec. 9, 4-8 p.m.
- Glow Run through GLOWLAND light features and cultural buildings! This twilight event will take participants on a brand new course through some of Oakland’s most iconic buildings! Finish the night with live music on the Schenley Plaza lawn.
- Dec. 16, 8:30-9:30 p.m.
- Presented by Sky Elements: A custom drone light show, set to an electrifying soundtrack, will illuminate the night sky and captivate the audience.
Historical Walking Tours
PHLF Historic Walking Tours will illuminate the rich history of Oakland, as well as serve as an opportunity for visitors to explore the sights and sounds of this year’s GLOWLAND celebration. Tours are guided and ticketed for $30/person, which includes a $10 gift card to participating businesses. Check out this year's Historical Walking Tours:
- Dec. 15, 6:30-7:45 p.m. Schenley Park to Schenley Plaza
- Dec. 16, 5-6:15 p.m. Mellon Institute to Schenley Plaza
- Dec. 17, 5-6:15 p.m. Schenley Farms Historic District
While You're There
It's easy to make a visit to GLOWLAND into an entire trip on your next visit to Pittsburgh. GLOWLAND is centrally located next to other top Pittsburgh attractions in the Oakland neighborhood, and is a five-minute walk from Phipps Conservatory & Botanical Gardens, Carnegie Museums of Art & Natural History, Heinz Chapel, the Cathedral of Learning and Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum. Many of these locations also do their own holiday programming, making it a wonderful weekend trip of lights and magic!
Also nearby you can find great places to eat like The Porch at Schenley and Primanti Bros' Oakland location and find nearby neighborhoods like Shadyside and Squirrel Hill perfect for holiday shopping. Stay at The Oaklander or Hilton Garden Inn in Oakland to make your trip even easier!
Learn More
Visit the GLOWLAND website for more info. Follow more from GLOWLAND and the companies and organizations that make this unique event possible by liking Oakland Business Improvement District, Lucion Media and Wireframe Public Art on social media.
GLOWLAND is sponsored by UPMC Health Plan, University of Pittsburgh, Lighthouse Electric, and Elmhurst Group, with support from Carnegie Mellon University, Visit Pittsburgh, Wexford Science + Tech, and University Partners.
