Indulge in winter whimsy and experience a bright and joyful holiday season with Beautifully Lit, a self-guided tour of lights, art, and history.
Presented by the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, Shiftworks, and the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, this self-guided tour covers seven locations—a mix of temporary light installations and illuminated Pittsburgh treasures—all conveniently located within a few blocks of each other.
Pick up a passport at the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy info station at the spectacular Aurora in Mellon Square. Take the tour at your own pace as you learn through video by accessing via the QR code signage or visiting pittsburghparks.org/msq/#lit-tour.
Each installation not only illuminates the city in a magical, whimsical way, but also spotlights the artists and history behind them.
The seven tour stops include:
- Aurora, a new light-based artwork installation in Mellon Square by Joshua Challen Ice
- The Willet Window at First Presbyterian Church
- Lighting the Way, a new light-based artwork installation on Coffey Way by Rob Long
- The Puddler, artist unknown
- 168 Lightbulbs, by Jim Campbell
- Flow at Wood Street Station by Erwin Redl
- Sister Bridges Lighting Display: The Three Sisters by Mikael Owunna and Marques Redd
Aurora: Illuminating the Holiday Magic of Mellon Square (540 Smithfield Street)
A dazzling new light installation by artist Joshua Challen Ice, Aurora transforms Mellon Square into a festive holiday spectacle. This artwork captures the spirit of the season, blending colorful lights with the architectural beauty of Mellon Square.
The Willet Window (First Presbyterian Church, 320 Sixth Avenue)
This stunning stained glass window, crafted by the Willet Stained Glass Studios, is a breathtaking piece of artistry depicting Biblical scenes with vibrant colors and intricate designs.
The Puddler (300 Sixth Avenue)
The Puddler, a stained glass artwork built into the facade of the 300 Sixth Avenue Building was fabricated by Harriton Carved Glass Company in 1939, the artist remains unknown. The piece features animated sparks from the hot metal, serving as a glowing tribute to Pittsburgh’s steel-making heritage. (The Puddler is not currently lit.)
168 Lightbulbs (601 Wood Street)
Artist Jim Campbell’s unique light-based artwork featuring 168 individual light bulbs on the exterior of the Wood Street Gallery and Station plays with light and shadow, creating mesmerizing visual patterns.
The Three Sisters (Spanning the Allegheny River on the Three Sisters Bridges (Rachel Carson, Andy Warhol, Roberto Clemente))
Artists Marques Redd and Mikael Owunna’s The Three Sisters display draws inspiration from indigenous crops—squash, maize, and beans, known as the Three Sisters—and global goddesses Oya, Oshun, and Yemaya. Each bridge represents one crop and one goddess, merging cultural narratives in a vibrant celebration of unity and heritage. The installation runs through December 31st.
Lighting the Way (Coffey Way (between Wood and Smithfield Streets))
A new light installation by artist Rob Long, Coffey Way is transformed into a luminous alleyway, guiding passersby with dynamic patterns and changing colors that evoke a sense of journey and discovery.
Flow (601 Wood Street)
Artist Erwin Redl’s immersive light installation uses LED lights to transform the Wood Street Station into a captivating display of color and movement, evoking the dynamic energy of urban life.
Celebrate Beautifully Lit’s official launch on Saturday, December 14th. A special Mellon Square Holly Trolley from 5:50pm – 8:30pm will loop from Mellon Square > Market Square > The Cultural District and back. The Colby’s will be playing live music starting at 5pm while you warm up at The Mellon Square Hot Cocoa Cart. At 7pm, Deryck Tines Gospel Choir will bring the spirit of the season to Aurora.
Check out Beautifully Lit and bask in the glow of all those tingly good holiday feelings. Learn more here.
This content was provided by a local, independent contributor to Made in PGH, a lifestyle blog.
