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With poinsettias, evergreens and a sparkling outdoor Winter Light Garden, our classic holiday exhibit reaches new heights of magic and wonder.

With seasonal blooms, twinkling lights, aromatic greens and other adornments, Phipps invites you to “come home for the holidays” as the guests of honor at Winter Flower Show. Adding even more enchantment to one of Pittsburgh’s most beloved family traditions, a brand new outdoor Winter Light Garden exhibit shines nightly with scores of whimsical LED light forms.

After being welcomed by a Victorian-style hearth in Palm Court, you  can expect to enjoy the following Winter Flower Show sights: elaborate wreaths decorated by staff horticulturists and educators; an 1893 World’s Fair-themed Garden Railroad; a cheerful woodland where bears and cardinals trim a tree against a yellow moon with Santa’s silhouette; and Phipps’ own traditional cut fir decorated with thousands of LED lights. And, as always, colorful poinsettias, amaryllis, paper whites and other favorites will be incorporated into each scene.

The Winter Light Garden will then extend the holiday fun into the Outdoor Garden, where you  will be dazzled by glowing orbs, “dripping” icicles, luminous trees and a brilliant fountain of light as you follow meandering pathways through a winter wonderland. Featuring energy-efficient technology in keeping with our  commitment to sustainability, all lights used are LED.

Winter Flower Show, designed by Bob Vukich, and Winter Light Garden, designed by studio i, run through Jan. 6, 2013. Daily hours are 9:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Winter Light Garden will be open from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. nightly. We will close at 5 p.m. on Dec. 24 and reopen at 9:30 a.m. on Dec. 26. Admission costs $12 for adults, $11 for seniors (age 62 and up) and students (with ID), and $9 for children (ages two-18). Members and kids under two enter free.

*Inclement Weather Advisory
Winter Light Garden may be subject to temporary closures in the event of heavy rains or other inclement weather conditions.

Toys for Tots
Phipps is proud to be a collection site for Toys for Tots. We encourage you to donate new, unwrapped toys now through Dec. 12th in the Phipps Welcome Center.

Beyond Winter Flower Show

Please also join us for the following family friendly events:

Poinsettias and Pointe Shoes
Fri., Nov. 30, 2012
6 and 7:30 p.m.
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to explore Winter Flower Show and see vignettes from Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre’s rendition of The Nutcracker on the very same night. Tickets for this one-night only engagement go fast; purchase yours today!



Saturdays with the Sugar Plum Fairy
Sat., Dec. 15 and 22, 2012
10:30 a.m.
Phipps and Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre present 30-minute creative movement classes and story time sessions with a dancer in costume, free with Conservatory admission and appropriate for children of all ages.



Santa Visits
Saturdays and Sundays, Nov. 24-Dec. 23, 2012, plus Fri., Nov. 23 and Mon., Nov. 26, 2012
11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Bring little ones, or the entire family, to pose for a festive photo with Santa, free with admission.



Brunch in Bloom
Sundays, Nov. 25-Dec. 30, 2012
Seatings available at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Discover one of Pittsburgh’s best-kept foodie secrets as you indulge in some of the freshest local, sustainable and seasonal flavors around town. Make your reservation today!



Gifts and Greens Market
Nov. 29 and 30; Dec. 1, 2012
Thurs. & Fri., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sat.,10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Peruse a large selection of fresh, aromatic evergreens and gifts for loved ones in our holiday boutique at Phipps Garden Center in Mellon Park. Free and open to the public!



Holiday Tea
Nov. 30 and Dec. 1, 2012
Seatings available at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Make your reservation to enjoy a formal English-style tea with scones, tarts and finger sandwiches within a quaint Victorian library setting at Phipps Garden Center in Mellon Park.



Candlelight Evenings
Nov. 25, 2012-Jan.6, 2013
Extended Hours: Open until 10 p.m.
Winter Flower Show is even more enchanting at night as glowing candles light the walkways and live music fills the air. Experience the magic for yourself as we remain open until 10 p.m. daily from Nov. 25-Jan.6.



Family Fun Days
Dec. 26-30, 2012
11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Seeking something fun, yet educational to do with the kids while they are on winter break from school? Join us for discovery stations, crafts, plant potting and much more, all free with Conservatory admission.



New Year's Eve Family Celebration
Dec. 31, 2012
6-9 p.m.
Ring in 2013 with the whole family at Phipps and participate in an early countdown at 8:45 p.m. All activities are free with paid Conservatory admission.

Photo credits: Denmarsh Photography Inc., Paul g. Wiegman.



Other Featured Exhibits & Events

Summer Flower Show:
Glass in the Gardens
April 27 – Oct. 6, 2013
The dazzling glass creations of artists working in Pittsburgh and Pennsylvania will make our gardens shimmer and shine all summer long. Highlights include lifelike floral forms, whimsical long-legged birds, rotating stained-glass towers, and a large, articulated woolly mammoth skeleton.
Butterfly Forest
April 20 – Sept. 2, 2013
Like flowers that fly, our butterfly residents will enchant nature-lovers of every age. Watch as gorgeous species such as Monarchs and Zebra Longwings emerge from their chrysalises to flutter among cheerful, bug-friendly blooms.
Party in the Tropics
Select Fridays in 2013, starting Feb. 8
7 – 11 p.m.
Ages 21+
Gather your friends and get ready to dine, drink and dance the night away at Phipps! Make our paradise your own as you indulge in sweet and savory morsels, taste unique cocktails, and dance to the beats of a live DJ in our Tropical Forest Conservatory. Entry is free with Conservatory admission.
Butterfly Weekend
June 1 and 2, 2013
Saturday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
In celebration of one of nature’s most important pollinators, Phipps and Carnegie Science Center are hosting Butterfly Weekend on June 1 and June 2. This two-day celebration will give visitors a chance to learn about the life cycle of butterflies and discover why these amazing insects have a remarkable ability to navigate, orient and migrate.
Farmers at Phipps
Wednesdays, June – October 2013
2:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Refresh your food shopping experience! Visit our sustainably managed front lawn to browse organic and Certified Naturally Grown fruits, vegetables and more from local farms.
Inspire Speakers Series
Second Thurs. of every month, Oct. 2012-June 2013
5:30-8:30 p.m., except where noted
Green Building Alliance (GBA) and Phipps are collaborating to host a monthly speaker series at the new Center for Sustainable Landscapes (CSL) on our Oakland campus. Join us to enjoy captivating presentations from local and national experts  on the subject of healthy, high-performance green buildings. Registration with GBA is required.
Floral Notes: Jazz in the Garden
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
6:30 – 9 p.m.
Ages 21+
As the summer heats up, enjoy an evening of cool jazz surrounded by colorful flowers and lush plants. Relax in our Outdoor Garden with the live music of Pittsburgh’s own Elevations and Velvet Heat as you savor small bites and delicious drinks.
Garden Variety:
A Farm-to-Phipps Dinner
Sunday, July 21, 2013
6:30 – 9 p.m.
Enjoy a rustic yet elegant farm-to-table dinner experience with fresh, handpicked selections from our region’s farms. If you love a food adventure, you won’t want to miss this chance to join local growers and artisans for this one-of-a-kind meal.
Tropical Forest India
Now Open
Explore our new exhibit showcasing one of the most botanically rich regions of the world. Highlights include an Ayurvedic healing garden, spice and tea market displays, a stunning temple facade on Special Events Hall, and more!