PHOTO BY DAVE DICELLO

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If you’re looking to get glowing this holiday season, you’ve come to the right place. From the lights of Kennywood to the decor and holiday market Downtown, we’ve curated some of our favorite ways to take in the season’s lights — Pittsburgh style. 

PHOTO: KENNYWOOD

Kennywood Holiday Lights
Beyond strolling through more than 2 million twinkling lights, plus gazing upon the tallest Christmas tree in the state, there’s so much to do at the iconic amusement park in West Mifflin. Visitors can add on a buffet dinner that includes a meet-and-greet with Santa Claus or purchase a Speedy Pass, which allows guests to make up to five virtual reservations for rides. Speaking of rides, a number of the park’s attractions, including the Jack Rabbit, Merry-Go-Round, Kangaroo and Noah’s Ark, will be running during the holiday event, weather permitting. Santa arrives nightly in Thomas Town, where he’ll take photos with all the good little boys and girls. There’s also a tree lighting ceremony around the lagoon and a strolling holiday band, plus a dance party at the Kennyville Stage. Plan to come hungry — and thirsty. Festive food, such as turkey legs, cobbler, fresh donuts and hot drinks are available at the Lagoon Holiday Shops, while the Beer Garden offers seasonal brews, hot toddies and other specialty drinks. 

• Price: Tickets as low as $19.99 
• Duration: Varies
• Get tickets 

Holly Jolly Hunt
If you’re searching for a good time, and like some good-natured competition, you won’t want to miss the Holly Jolly Hunt. An app-based scavenger hunt that you can play anywhere of your choosing, Holly Jolly Hunt allows you and your besties to explore the city and look for holiday related items, both traditional and not so traditional. Participants will take photos through the app to score points for their scavenger hunt team and perform fun, holiday challenges — sometimes to comedic effect. Your score will appear on a leaderboard compared to other teams across North America. 

• Price per ticket: From $20 per group (up to 10)
• Duration: Varies
• Get tickets 

Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium Lights
Take in the wonder of the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium without even leaving your car; the much-anticipated Zoo Lights Drive-Thru lets visitors stay cozy in their vehicle as they take a timed drive through thousands of environmentally friendly LED lights. New this year is the slower-paced, Walk-Thru Zoo Lights experience, which includes yuletide entertainment, photo opportunities, special holiday snacks and music. Santa Claus also will be on hand to listen to last-minute wishes.

• Price per ticket: $40 per member vehicle, $45 per non-member vehicle for Drive-Thru; $18 per adult and $15 per child for Walk-Thru
• Duration: 30 to 45 minutes for Drive-Thru; time varies for Walk-Thru
• Get tickets for Drive-Thru, Get tickets for Walk-Thru

Pittsburgh Holiday Lights Tour
Whether you’re new to the city or just looking to get reacquainted with it, the Pittsburgh Holiday Lights Tour is a great way to take in Downtown in all its bedecked and bedazzled glory. Beginning at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, the family-friendly (and dog-friendly!) small-group is guided by an expert, with quick stops to see the lights and decorations at some of Pittsburgh’s landmark buildings, among them the US Steel Tower, Heinz Hall and the Omni William Penn Hotel. The tour’s grand finale ends at Market Square, where participants can take in the Peoples Gas Holiday Market and warm up with some hot chocolate.

• Price: From $29.95
• Duration: Two hours
• Get tickets 

THREE GNOMES WELCOME GUESTS IN THE GALLERY ROOM AT PHIPPS CONSERVATORY’S WINTER FLOWER SHOW. | PHOTO BY JAMIE FAITH SHEPPARD

Holiday Magic! Winter Flower Show and Light Garden at Phipps Conservatory
Phipps Conservatory in Oakland is beautiful any time of year, but especially during the holidays. On Nov. 17, the Holiday Magic! Winter Flower Show and Light Garden returned to the conservatory with the theme of “Season’s Greenings.” Visitors to The Winter Flower Show will find new displays featuring holiday trees adorned in jewel tones, detailed props and the conservatory’s signature floral arrangements, including amaryllis, orchids and 21 varieties of poinsettias. Outside, the Winter Light Garden is a wonderland, with a 7-foot tree decked out in warm white lights; a floral color scheme of light pink, blue and silver in planter boxes around a frosty tree comprised of LED orbs; a Winter Solstice-inspired display with glowing ring frames and whimsical gnomes constructed from dried plant material. Kids (OK and adults, too) won’t want to miss the new “singing tree” in the Winter Light Garden that reacts to your caroling. 

• Price: Tickets range from $21.95 to $27.95 for adults, $13.95 to $15.95 for children and $19.95 to $25.95 for seniors. 
• Duration: Varies
• Get tickets 

A Dream Christmas in Pittsburgh
Book your group a private walking tour that goes behind the scenes of some of Pittsburgh’s most beautifully decorated properties. Led by a professional local guide, the Dream Christmas in Pittsburgh tour, which begins at St. Mary of Mercy Church on Stanwix Street, includes stops at city’s own Glass Castles, aka PPG Industries’ six-building complex, the Peoples Gas Holiday Market at Market Square and the Fourth Avenue Historic District. 

• Price: From $216.95; price varies by group size
• Duration: Two hours
• Get tickets