Tag Archives: pittsburgh things to do

Pittsburgh Botanic Gardens’ Dazzling Nights holiday lights show

Pittsburgh Botanic Garden wants to dazzle your holiday season nights.

The nonprofit Pittsburgh Botanic Garden, located in Collier and North Fayette townships, says its Dazzling Nights event transforms the botanic garden “into a stunning winter wonderland featuring a million dazzling lights, shining forests, magical displays, music and beautiful sculptures.”

The organization bills it as a 65-acre “journey of awe-inspiring light experiences.”

The walk-through lights display offers a stunning 30-foot-tall tree, perfect for a selfie or group photo.

Interactive lights on the ground will light up as visitors walk on them.

Visitors will walk through a “forest of light and fog as if walking through the aurora borealis.”

They’ve even got a 65-foot-long tunnel of “wondrous light.”

And, of course, there is festive music and snow.

Food and drink are available for purchase.

Dazzling Nights is open Nov. 27 through Jan. 1 (closed Christmas Day). First entry is at 5:30 p.m., and last entry is at 9 p.m. No guests will be admitted after 9:10 p.m.

Tickets must be purchased for a specific time and date and are not available at the door. Tickets are $25 for adults and $22 for children (plus fees). Children 2 and under are free.

Limited, on-site reserved parking is available for a fee. Complimentary off-site parking and a shuttle are provided. Off-site parking is located at the CCAC West Hills Center (1000 McKee Rd, Oakdale, PA 15071).

Visitors using the shuttle are asked to arrive at the shuttle stop 30 minutes prior to their timed ticket entry time. Handicapped parking is available on-site on a first-come, first-served basis with a valid disability parking permit displayed.

More details here.

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Downtown Pittsburgh holiday season must-dos

Missed Light Up Night? Still want that selfie with all the trees? Check out these spots to hit on a fun “holiday day” in Downtown Pittsburgh! See the map below. These are listed in no particular order so that you can customize your own holiday fun!

Downtown Pittsburgh

  • See the Horne’s tree. Yes, it’s now called the Highmark Tree, formerly the Unity Tree (that name needs to come back. Maybe Highmark Unity Tree). This is the crème de la crème of Pittsburgh holiday season decorations. The tree beautifully sparkles at the corner of Stanwix and Penn along the corner of the former flagship Horne’s department store building. While decorated windows and shopping no longer exist here, the tree can serve as a great backdrop for that holiday season selfie!
    • Tip: Stand near the Pittsburgh Regional Transit’s Gateway Station for a fuller shot of the tree.
  • Shop the Holiday Market at Market Square. Find more than 30 artisans and vendors at Pittsburgh’s mini version of a German Christmas market, complete with adorable chalets. Local artists, such as Linda Barnicott, display everything from ornaments to paintings, and other artisans have wearables (gloves, sweaters, hats), edibles (baked goods and more), smellables (is this even a word?) (candles) and more. While at Market Square, check out the dazzling lights, sphere tree and entertainment.
  • Get a group photo with the large ornament at K&L Gates Center. The huge red ornament is up! Check it out in front of the main entrance to K&L Gates Center at 210 Sixth Ave.
  • See the 107th Pittsburgh Christmas tree. Check out the ornaments depicting each of the city’s neighborhoods.
  • Skate at PPG Place. This rink is larger than New York City’s Rockefeller Center! Enjoy the PPG Place tree and ice rink before or after dinner. Check out details and prices here. Not an ice skater? Stop by for a selfie of the dazzling tree with all of its colorful designs!
  • Visit the Pittsburgh creche. It’s the only authorized replica of the creche at the Vatican. That’s a big deal for Catholics.
  • Visit Point State Park to see the snowflakes. After more than 30 years, Duquesne Light turned off the lights of the recognizable tree at the confluence of Pittsburgh’s three rivers. A new display is expected in 2024, but in the interim, Duquesne Light gave the Point some holiday flare.
  • Spot the Pittsburgh area landmarks at the Carnegie Science Center train display. Popular Pittsburgh area landmarks — Kaufmann’s building, Mister Rogers’ house, etc. — dot the landscape of this adorable train display. Don’t rush through it — watch day turn to nighttime! Also, while at the science center, check out the holiday laser lights show. Admission is required for the science center.
  • See Santa Downtown. Check out Santa’s schedule and give him a visit.