5 Ways to See Holiday Lights in the Pittsburgh Area

PHOTO COURTESY KENNYWOOD

Halloween has come and gone, Thanksgiving is just a few short weeks away and it’s starting to look like the holiday season is here. This year, the Pittsburgh area will be illuminated with various seasonal light displays to bring holiday cheer and joy. Here are five ways to see the dazzling displays throughout the area.  

Kennywood Holiday Lights

Kennywood Holiday Lights is back again for another year starting Nov. 13. until Dec. 13. This year’s event will feature more than three million total lights, with more than 250,000 shimmering on Pennsylvania’s tallest Christmas tree. For the thrill seekers, many of the park’s popular rides will still be operating this holiday season. This year, an all new ice show will make an appearance, featuring singing, dancing, BMX stunts and ice skating. 

Tickets start at $19.99, to purchase and find more information, click here. Kennywood is located at 4800 Kennywood Boulevard and is open Friday to Sunday.  

Phipps Holiday Magic at Phipps Conservatory 

Phipps is bringing the holiday magic with its annual event, opening Nov. 20. This year’s theme is Botanical Brilliance, which “celebrates the beauty of plants through sparkling metallics, rich jewel tones and imaginative topiary displays,” according to its website. 

The conservatory and garden will feature a color-changing snowflake tree, motion-activated ice-skating animal topiaries, an illuminated diamond-shaped sculpture and more. 

Tickets must be reserved in advance. Admission is $29.95 for adults and $14.95 for children; members, students and seniors can get discounted tickets. You can purchase tickets and find more information here. Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is located at 1 Schenley Dr.

Winter Wonderlights at Pittsburgh Botanic Garden 

Winter Wonderlights at Pittsburgh Botanic Garden is promising you a brighter kind of winter. Starting on Nov. 27 and running through Jan. 2 a new architect-designed light experience will be hosted at the gardens. The estimated 60-minute illuminated trail will take you through the techno tunnel, field of wonder, immersive illuminations, disco forest and more.  

Tickets should be purchased in advance. Tickets are $17.99 for children and $23.99 for adults. To purchase tickets and find more information, click here. Pittsburgh Botanic Gardens is located at 799 Pinkerton Run Rd., and the operating hours and entry time vary by date.  

Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium Lights

While the weather in Pittsburgh this year has been particularly good to us, warm days won’t last forever. Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium will be putting on its annual Zoo Lights Drive-Thru from Nov. 27 to Jan. 3, so you can enjoy thousands of eco-friend lights without leaving the warmth of your vehicle when the temperatures do drop. 

The road trip will take approximately 35 minutes and will feature twinkling illuminated animals, yuletide scenes, familiar Pittsburgh icons and an area dedicated to the recent zoo babies. 

Tickets will be $40 per member vehicle and $45 per non-member vehicle. Ticket purchasing and more information can be found here. Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium is located at 7370 Baker St.;the event will be held from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.  

Downtown Pittsburgh Light Tour 

Every year, the Golden Triangle lights up in holiday spirit. Starting in mid-November, there will be various light displays and events like Highmark Light Up Night, Peoples Gas Holiday Market, Holiday Kidsplay & Selfie Garden and Santa’s House in Heinz Hall Courtyard, more information about which can be found here. 

If you don’t feel comfortable navigating the concrete jungle alone, Walk The Burgh Tours will be starting up their annual Holiday Lights Tour in late November. The tour starts at 5 p.m. and will last two hours. Adult tickets can be purchased for $29 and children 6-13 can purchase tickets for $16. For more information and to purchase tickets, click here. The tour will begin at 1049 Penn Ave.