Holiday Lights Guide 2025: 13 places to see sparkling light displays in the Pittsburgh area

It’s that time of year again: The avenues of Downtown and the streets of so many neighborhoods are being transformed into a winter wonderland of lights, and a great many holiday light shows and displays will soon be opening for the season. 

Here’s your guide to the most dazzling (and downright fun) holiday lights and festivities happening around Pittsburgh this season:

Kennywood Holiday Lights: Nov. 14 through Jan. 4

Kennywood celebrates the sparkly season with more than 3 million lights, 25-plus amusement rides and an all-new entertainment lineup. Meet Santa, Rudolph and his pals from the North Pole. Explore Gingerbread Junction and ride the Gingerbread Express. Savor holiday-themed treats and hot drinks. Tickets start at $19.99.

Phipps Conservatory & Botanical Gardens: Wild Winter Holiday Magic, Nov. 14 through Jan. 4

Phipps Conservatory decorates inside and outside for its extravagant winter flower show. Topiary reindeer stroll through a winter wonderland of snowfall lights, white poinsettias and blue flora. This year’s playful theme, “Wild Winter,” invites you into a wonderland of glowing icebergs and topiary polar bears and more. Inside, find vibrant amaryllis, delicate orchids and a spectacular showcase of poinsettias. Outside, the popular Winter Light Garden transforms into a dazzling spectacle. Kids will find the Garden Railroad especially appealing with its Age of Dinosaurs theme. Timed tickets are $22.95, $20.95 for seniors, $13.95 for ages 2-18. A sensory-inclusive time is planned for Nov. 17. 

Overly’s Country Christmas, Greensburg: Nov. 20 through Dec. 30

Overly’s Country Christmas is a unique, walk-around Christmas Village where each season, over 300 volunteers tirelessly give of their time 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 of Henny Hemlock, the talking Christmas tree? Families can drive through or park and walk directly to the Christmas village. Open since 1956, Overly’s beautiful light displays sparkle with more than a million lights. This nonprofit, operated mainly by volunteers, offers old-fashioned traditions and treats. Sing carols at the bonfire, enjoy the model train display, have your picture taken with Santa (in the days before Christmas), take a wagon ride or shop for gifts in the C. Edgar & Sons General Store. 

Downtown Pittsburgh: Holiday fun from Nov. 21 through Dec. 24, plus skating through Jan/Feb

Where else can you ice skate under a 65-foot-tall Christmas tree and get a whiff of mulled wine at the holiday market? Downtown Pittsburgh pulls out all the stops with over 150,000 LED lights (yes, you read that right) and the towering PPG Place Christmas Tree smack in the middle of a skating rink, plus multiple other trees and light displays. Check out our full guide to free Light Up Night fun, the Holiday Market and more. Families can skate around the brightly lit tree at PPG Place until March 1, with specials in January including Tuesday Family Night and Wednesday Half-Price Student Night.

Holiday Lights Mini Golf, Fun Fore All, Nov. 21 through Jan. 3

Fun Fore All turns its two miniature golf courses into playable, walk-through holiday light extravaganzas. Kids can compete with their families while experiencing an interactive holiday display. Tickets are $15 for one course, $20 for two courses, free for ages 2 and younger with a paid adult. Ten percent of all admissions goes to The Highmark Caring Place.

Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium, Wild Illuminations: A Holiday Lantern Experience, Nov. 22 through Jan. 11 

Wild Illuminations combines all we love about the Asian Lantern Festival and Zoo Lights. Stroll through zoo paths filled with glowing handmade silk and steel structures, plus more than a million twinkling lights. Plan Ahead Tickets are $23-$29 for grownups, $19-$24 for ages 2-13. Flex tickets are $32.

Clinton Christmas Light-Up Celebration, Nov. 22 through Jan. 3 

The one-mile cruise through a wooded light display in Clinton Community Park — set up by a team of volunteers with lots of holiday spirit — has been a holiday favorite since 1993. Set your GPS to 600 Clinton Park Drive, Imperial, Pa., to find this beautiful, one-mile light display through a gorgeous wooded setting. Proceeds from the $10 admission per vehicle (cash only) are shared with local charities.

Kamin Science Center: Laser Holiday Magic at Buhl Planetarium, Nov. 28 through Dec. 31

This festive laser celebration features traditional and contemporary versions of beloved holiday tunes. Sing along while vibrant animations and gorgeous abstracts dance above your head. Tickets are $7 for non-members, $6 for Science Center members.

Pittsburgh Botanic Garden: Dazzling Nights, Nov. 28 through Jan. 3

Prepare yourself for a mile of pure holiday sparkle at Dazzling Nights, where Pittsburgh Botanic Garden goes full glow-up. New immersive experiences this year include a 50-foot tree at “Shimmering Square” where you can enjoy warm beverages and holiday treats, a trip through a tunnel of illuminated stars, 30-foot walls of light at the “Luminary Trail,” nightly snowfall at “Snow and Glow,” the nighttime “Brilliance” spectacular around the lotus pond and much more. Grab your tickets, strap on some sturdy shoes, and prepare for an evening of festivity.

Butler County: Enchanted Lights, Nov. 28 through Dec. 30 (select dates)

Head up to Butler for this outdoor, holiday walk-through experience for the whole family. Stroll through a winter wonderland of twinkling lights, festive decorations and plenty of holiday cheer. Enjoy hot chocolate and roast s’mores around the campfire with friends and family. Get all the details here.

North Park Holiday Laser Show, Dec. 17 through Dec. 23 

Allegheny County Parks is once again hosting their popular Holiday Laser Show. At the North Park Pool parking lot, you can stay cozy in your car while enjoying this 45-minute light show synchronized with holiday music. (Scroll down here for dates, details and tickets). Organizers ask that you arrive 30-45 minutes before your time slot to get parked. Tickets go on sale Dec. 1 at 10 a.m. (and they go quickly) for $30 per vehicle. Space is limited, so consider booking early. Showtimes are at 6:30 p.m., 8:00 p.m., and 9:30 p.m.

Beyond the Pittsburgh area: 

Oglebay, West Virginia: Festival of Lights Drive-Thru Experience, Nov. 13 through Jan.  4

It’s a bit of a drive for most Pittsburghers, but this annual event is worth a visit. Beginning at dusk each evening through Jan. 5 (including holidays), you’ll find more than 100 lighted attractions along a six-mile driving route, plus a 70-foot welcome tree, Santa’s village and more. The drive-thru experience costs $20 per car Monday through Thursday nights and $30 per car on Friday and Saturday nights. That gets you a vehicle pass good throughout the holiday season. For info on the Festival of Lights package that includes an overnight stay, click here. 

Lakemont Park, Altoona: Holiday Lights on the Lake, Nov. 14 through Jan. 4
Holiday Lights on the Lake is a must-see for families, with their festive displays beautifully set along the lake. It’s a perfect evening for all ages to soak in the spirit of the season, while supporting local sponsors and causes.