Phipps Holiday Magic

Pittsburgh's family holiday tradition is bigger, brighter and more breathtaking than ever!

“A dazzling display of color both inside and outside!”
– Pittsburgh City Paper

“Truly beautiful!”
– KDKA-TV

The holiday season simply isn’t complete without a trip to Phipps Holiday Magic, where glowing gardens and festive displays make spirits soar. This year’s theme, "Botanical Brilliance" highlights the beloved beauty of Phipps plants in various shapes and sizes, live topiary forms and more. Step inside and prepare to be dazzled as displays fill with marvelous metallics and eye-catching jewel tones. From perfect poinsettias to amaryllis, euphorbia and narcissus, each seasonal bloom is sure to bring you joy. Outside, our iconic Winter Light Garden transforms the night with radiant displays in vivid, glowing hues — a breathtaking spectacle sure to wow guests of all ages. 

“Celebrate the best time of the year at Phipps!”
– TribLIVE

“This must-see experience will be brighter than ever!”
– NEXTpittsburgh

New Features

Get ready to be dazzled by these new and exciting features:

• A warm greeting of trees glowing in radiant red embellished with poinsettia string lights;  
• 130 feet of magnificent magnolia garland amid warm white lights;  
• A ravishing red poinsettia tree standing at 10 feet tall topped with a gorgeous gold leaf arrangement;  
• two trees shining with gilded foliage and rotating sunburst toppers; 
• Red flora, green and white lights, and an animated starburst topper adorn a 12.5-foot-tall anthurium tree  
• decor in luxurious jewel tones surround an astonishing diamond-shaped sculpture lit from within 
• Adorable gnomes decorate a garden-themed tree with gloves, watering cans and seed packets; 
• Festive traditions like ice skating, ugly sweaters and more inspire the theme of charming trees  
• 4 topiary animals skate along a motion-activated frozen pond while snowflake lights shine above;  
• A color-changing snowflake tree creates an incredible view in the Outdoor Garden; 
• Glowing orbs, a gazebo lit in bright white, and a myriad of string lights beam brightly outside;  
• and much more. 

The new Garden Railroad: Fairies and Gnomes display is on view, too, featuring a fantastic forest of gnome and fairy realms, with dragonflies hovering above! Guests can watch these miniature fantasy characters hard at work in their villages while trains pass through the lush greenery. 

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Holiday Magic from the Air

Our new video gives you a bird's eye view of the tens of thousands of lights and countless trees, blooms and glowing panes of glass it takes to make Holiday Magic! come to life.

Bright Lights, Bright Future

Human and environmental health are connected. At Phipps, we are dedicated to showing that sustainable practices are good for people, good for the planet and making the world a more beautiful place.

• All of the lights used in our Winter Flower Show and Winter Light Garden are energy-efficient LEDs
• Since 2005, all of the electricity used at Phipps is renewable, some of which is produced on site.
• Since 2010, all of the carbon dioxide emitted in order to heat our buildings has been offset.
• From 2005 – 2016, Phipps reduced carbon emissions from heating, cooling and powering our buildings by 56% per square foot, which is double the Paris Climate Agreement target of 26 – 28% by 2025.

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Phipps Holiday Magic, designed by Associate Director of Exhibits Jordyn Melino along with Light Garden elements designed by Exhibit Lighting Project Manager Gregory Messmer, runs Nov. 20 – Sun., Jan. 10.   

Hours of Operation