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Experience the sparkle this holiday season in Pittsburgh!
There’s something magical about the holiday season – especially in Pittsburgh. Magnificent holiday displays, spectacular decorations and, of course, dazzling lights add to the sparkle of the already beautiful city.
Whether you’re in the comfort of your car or bundled up outside, check out this list of places to enjoy holiday lights in and around Pittsburgh.
Downtown Pittsburgh Holiday Displays
Downtown Pittsburgh has no shortage of holiday fun, including stunning decorations and light displays. Market Square features more than 150,000 LED lights and an incredible 35-foot tall, illuminated Sphere Tree, as well as the People Gas Holiday Market. The 65-foot-tall PPG Place Christmas Tree, located in the center of the ice rink, is a sensational site to see.
Stroll through the Cultural District and experience larger-than-life light projections on various Downtown buildings. Book a Walk the Burgh Holiday Lights Tour to fully enjoy Downtown’s festive ambiance while learning about the city’s history.
Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
Nov. 18, 2022-Jan. 8, 2023 (closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day) Walk through a glowing glasshouse this season at Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens! Experience Phipps’ Holiday Magic! Winter Flower Show and Light Garden with marvelous poinsettias and holiday trees illuminated with sparkling ornaments and tree toppers, a dazzling, icy display in the Victoria pond room, and more.
This year's show also features a North Pole-inspired display brought to life with polar bear topiaries, purple, blue and green lighting, and an abundance of glistening snowfall lights. Enjoy the vibrant colors of the new display in Winter Light Garden that features a tunnel of neon orange and green rope lights alongside planters of gleaming mesh flowers in bold tones of yellow, pink, orange and red.
Tickets are on sale for Phipps members Nov. 2 and for the general public on Nov. 9.
GLOWLAND
Nov. 18-Dec. 17, 2022 Pittsburgh's Oakland neighborhood will be aglow for a monthlong winter festival with art installations, live music and lights throughout. GLOWLAND will be anchored by Impulse in Schenley Plaza, a free and interactive art installation of playable seesaws that create sound and light in ever-changing compositions. The fun continues into Oakland's business districts with music, entertainment, vendors, games and more!
GLOWLAND begins with a ticketed kickoff party Nov. 18 which includes cocktails, silent disco, food and more! Be on the lookout for Small Business Saturday celebrations, a family-friendly closing weekend and more GLOWLAND events throughout.
Nov. 27, 2022-New Year's Day Pittsburgh Botanic Garden promises to immerse you in the wonder of the holidays for their Dazzling Nights event, perfect for families, friends and date nights. Have fun stepping on interactive lights, explore a forest of light and fog and journey through a 65' tunnel of light on before taking a photo to remember at their towering tree.
If you get cold or hungry on your trek, don't worry. Toasty seasonal beverages are available along with holiday inspired nibbles. Remember to dress warm and wear good shoes, as Dazzling Lights takes place entirely outdoors.
Fridays-Sundays starts Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022. Open Dec. 26-Jan. 1, 2023 You’ve been to Kennywood for summer family fun and the spooky season Phantom Fall Fest, but have you enjoyed the park for the holidays yet?
Make your season sparkle with a visit to Kennywood during Holiday Lights! This festive event features more than one million twinkling lights, holiday-themed food and drinks and the tallest Christmas tree in the state. Visitors can stroll through the park and enjoy select rides, seasonal entertainment and a visit with Santa.
Zoo Lights Drive-Thru at Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium
Select Nights Nov. 25-Dec. 30, 2022 Drive through the grounds at night for a festive, holiday excursion during Zoo Lights! Marvel as the zoo turns into a winter wonderland with more than 100 animal lights, classic characters and lots of carols along the way. Safely experience the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium from a warm car while following along with a themed audio tour.
Tickets are $50 per vehicle ($40 for Member vehicles) for this 45-minute experience, and all tickets must be purchased in advance online. Tickets go on sale on Nov. 1.
Dec. 9-22, 2022 Enjoy a unique drive-in laser show at North Park! Hosted by Allegheny County, the 45-minute light show is synchronized with holiday music for a relaxing and joyful holiday experience. The light show takes place at the North Park Pool Parking Lot on South Ridge Drive, and visitors remain in their cars for the duration of the show.
Various time slots are available throughout the week. Tickets are available for online purchase with a $20 charge per vehicle.
Nov. 8, 2022-Jan. 10, 2023 A short drive from Pittsburgh in Wheeling, West Virginia, is Olgebay’s Winter Festival of Lights, an incredible drive-through attraction and holiday-light experience!
The Winter Festival of Lights is one of the nation’s largest holiday light shows featuring 300 acres of dazzling lights and 90 lighted displays. Drive along the six-mile route and tune in to a variety of audio experiences for an unforgettable holiday adventure.
Nov. 18, 2022-Jan. 1, 2023 Previously located at the Butler County Fairgrounds, this year the Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland Light Show has a new home at Coopers Lake in Slippery Rock. Enjoy custom-built light displays dancing in perfect synchronization with the festive music playing on the radio in your car. Unforgettable displays include a 300’ drive-through RGB tunnel and 50’ RGB light tree.
This year’s theme, “Favorite Tales”, features custom-built, giant LED displays showcasing scenes from your favorite fairytales. Don’t forget to end the night at Santa’s Village! Sip some hot cocoa, write your letter to Santa at the letter writing station, and meet the jolly elf himself!
Nov. 17-Dec. 30, 2022 In the hectic rush of the holidays, it’s time to slow down, get out of your car, and stretch your legs! This Westmoreland County tradition has been operating since 1956. Enjoy this walk-through Christmas village for good, as Overly Country Christmas exists to raise money for charitable causes.
Though the Overly Country Christmas Village may not be as extravagant as some other displays on this list, it’s still worth a stroll through, especially if you’re looking to avoid the huge crowds some of the other events on this list can draw. Like any good country Christmas, Overly’s Country Christmas Village is simple and comforting. Tickets start at $5/person.
