It's that time of year again: The avenues of downtown and the streets of so many neighborhoods are transformed into a winter wonderland of lights, with numerous holiday light shows and displays opening soon this season.
Here's your guide to the most dazzling (and downright entertaining) Christmas lights and festivities happening around Pittsburgh this season:
Kennywood Christmas Lights: November 14th to January 4th
Kennywood celebrates the sparkling season with more than 3 million lights, over 25 rides and an all-new entertainment program. Meet Santa Claus, Rudolph and his friends from the North Pole. Explore Gingerbread Junction and ride the Gingerbread Express. Enjoy Christmas treats and hot drinks. Tickets start at $19.99.
Phipps Conservatory & Botanical Gardens: Wild Winter Holiday Magic, November 14th to January 4th
Phipps Conservatory decorates inside and out for its winter flower show extravaganza. Topiary reindeer stroll through a winter wonderland of snowy lights, white poinsettias and blue flora. This year's playful Wild Winter theme invites you to a wonderland of glowing icebergs, topiary polar bears and more. Inside you'll find vibrant amaryllis, delicate orchids and a spectacular array of poinsettias. Outside, the popular winter light garden is transformed into a dazzling spectacle. Children will find the garden train particularly appealing, with its “Age of Dinosaurs” theme. Timed tickets are $22.95, $20.95 for seniors and $13.95 for ages 2-18. A sensor-inclusive event is planned for November 17th.
Overly's Country Christmas, Greensburg: November 20th to December 30th
Overly's Country Christmas is a unique, walk-through Christmas village where over 300 volunteers tirelessly give their time each season to bring Overly's Country Christmas to life. Admission is $25 per carload (up to eight people) or $5 per person. Have your kids heard the jokes about Henny Hemlock the talking Christmas tree? Families can drive through or park and walk directly to the Christmas Village. Overly's beautiful light displays have been open since 1956 and sparkle with more than a million lights. Run primarily by volunteers, this non-profit organization offers old-fashioned traditions and treats. Sing Christmas carols around the campfire, enjoy the model train exhibit, have your photo taken with Santa (in the days leading up to Christmas), go on a wagon ride, or shop for gifts at the C. Edgar & Sons General Store.
Downtown Pittsburgh: Holiday fun November 21st through December 24th, plus skating through January/February
Where else can you ice skate under a 65-foot-tall Christmas tree and sip on mulled wine at the Christmas market? Downtown Pittsburgh has it all, with over 150,000 LED lights (yes, you read that right) and the towering PPG Place Christmas tree right in the middle of an ice skating rink, as well as numerous other trees and light displays. Check out our complete guide to free Light Up Night fun, the Christmas market and more. Families can skate around the brightly lit tree at PPG Place through March 1st. In January there are special offers such as Tuesday Family Night and Wednesday Half Price Student Night.
Holiday Lights Mini Golf, Fun Fore All, November 21st to January 3rd
Fun Fore All transforms its two mini golf courses into playable, walk-through Christmas spectacles. Children can compete with their families and experience an interactive Christmas exhibition. Tickets are $15 for one class, $20 for two classes and are free for children 2 and under with a paying adult. Ten percent of all admissions go to The Highmark Caring Place.
Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium, Wild Illuminations: A Holiday Lantern Experience, November 22 to January 11
Wild Illuminations combines everything we love about the Asian Lantern Festival and Zoo Lights. Stroll through the zoo's walkways filled with glowing hand-crafted silk and steel structures and more than a million twinkling lights. Plan-ahead tickets are $23-29 for adults and $19-24 for ages 2-13. Flex tickets are $32.
Clinton Christmas Lights Celebration, November 22nd to January 3rd
The 1-mile ride through a wooded light display at Clinton Community Park — created by a team of volunteers with a lot of holiday spirit — has been a holiday favorite since 1993. Set your GPS to 600 Clinton Park Drive, Imperial, Pennsylvania to find this beautiful 1 mile long display of lights through a beautiful wooded setting. Proceeds from the $10 admission per vehicle (cash only) will be donated to local charities.
Kamin Science Center: Laser Holiday Magic in the Buhl Planetarium, November 28th to December 31st
This festive laser celebration features traditional and modern versions of popular Christmas songs. Sing along as vibrant animations and beautiful abstracts dance above your head. Tickets are $7 for non-members and $6 for Science Center members.
Prepare for a mile of pure holiday splendor at Dazzling Nights, where the Pittsburgh Botanic Garden shines in all its glory. New immersive experiences this year include a 50-foot-tall tree at Shimmering Square where you can enjoy warm beverages and holiday treats, a journey through a tunnel of illuminated stars, 30-foot-tall light walls at the Luminary Trail, nighttime snowfall at Snow and Glow, the nighttime Brilliance spectacle around the Lotus Pond and more. Grab your tickets, lace up some sturdy shoes and prepare for a night of festivities.
Butler County: Enchanted Lights, November 28 to December 30 (select dates)
Visit Butler for this outdoor vacation walking experience for the whole family. Stroll through a winter wonderland of twinkling lights, festive decorations and lots of holiday cheer. Enjoy hot chocolate and roasted s'mores around the campfire with friends and family. You can find out all the details here.
North Park Holiday Laser Show, December 17-23
Allegheny County Parks is once again hosting their popular Holiday Laser Show. In the North Park Pool parking lot, you can stay in the comfort of your car and enjoy this 45-minute light show with Christmas music. (Scroll down here for dates, details and tickets). Organizers ask that you arrive 30-45 minutes before your time slot in order to park. Tickets go on sale December 1st at 10 a.m. (and sales are fast) for $30 per vehicle. As space is limited, consider booking early. Performances take place at 6:30 p.m., 8:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m
Outside the Pittsburgh region:
Oglebay, West Virginia: Festival of Lights Drive-Thru Experience, November 13th to January 4th
It's quite a drive for most Pittsburghers, but this annual event is worth a visit. Starting at dusk every evening through January 5 (including holidays), you'll find more than 100 illuminated attractions along a six-mile ride route, as well as a 70-foot welcome tree, Santa's Village and more. The drive-in experience is $20 per car Monday through Thursday evenings and $30 per car on Friday and Saturday evenings. This will give you a valid vehicle pass for the entire holiday season. For information about the Festival of Lights package, which includes an overnight stay, click here.
Lakemont Park, Altoona: Lakeside Christmas Lights, November 14th to January 4th
“Holiday Lights on the Lake” is a must-see for families with its festive displays beautifully placed along the lake. It's a perfect evening for all ages to get into the spirit of the season while supporting local sponsors and causes.