A walk through the Pittsburgh Botanic Garden in winter feels quietly surprising. Not just because the paths glow or the trees shimmer against the dark, but because this land has lived many lives. Once shaped by heavy industry, its 460 acres have been carefully restored into a place where nature, design, and time now work together.

Each winter, that transformation is especially visible during Dazzling Nights—an experience that feels less like a traditional holiday light show and more like an invitation to slow down, step outside, and notice how the natural world moves, even in the cold.

A Winter Art Experience That Moves With the Wind

At the heart of this year’s experience is Momentum, a two-part kinetic installation by artist Patrick Shearn. His work is known for responding to something we rarely see but constantly feel: wind.

Rather than standing still, these sculptures shift, ripple, and breathe with the air around them. It’s art that never looks quite the same twice—and that’s exactly the point.

The Artist Behind the Motion

Shearn’s creative path began far from gardens and forests. Early in his career, he worked in film, including creature effects on Jurassic Park. Over time, his focus moved away from imagined worlds and toward the real forces shaping our own. Wind became his medium.

Today, his large-scale kinetic sculptures appear around the world, designed to make invisible movement visible and gently remind viewers that nature is always at work.

Two Installations, Two Ways to Experience the Garden

At the Pittsburgh Botanic Garden, Momentum unfolds in two distinct spaces, each offering a different way to connect with the landscape.

• Elevated Reflection
  Floating above the Lotus Pond, this sweeping canopy stretches across 1,500 square feet. Made from ultra-lightweight fabric, it reflects the sky during the day and transforms at night into a softly glowing form that ripples across the water. The effect is calm and almost meditative—like watching light drift across the surface of a lake.
• Vivid Echo
  Set within the Garden of the Five Senses, this installation brings the experience closer to eye level. Thousands of fabric streamers move together in the breeze, many marked with handwritten messages from local community members. As the wind passes through, those notes sway and flutter, turning shared thoughts into something you can actually see and feel.

Art Designed for a Restored Landscape

What makes these installations especially meaningful is how naturally they fit into the garden’s story. This land has been reclaimed and healed, and the art seems to respect that history. Nothing feels permanent or imposed. The sculptures respond to the contours of the Allegheny Plateau, changing with every shift in weather.

Instead of dominating the space, the art feels like a quiet collaborator—one that listens as much as it moves.

What to Know Before You Go

If you’re planning a visit, a little preparation helps make the evening more enjoyable:

• Dress for a walk. The experience covers about a mile through forested paths made of gravel and woodchips. Comfortable, sturdy shoes are a must.
• Plan for the shuttle. Parking is primarily off-site, with frequent shuttles to the garden entrance. Giving yourself an extra 20 minutes helps keep the evening relaxed.
• Warm up along the way. The Davidson Event Center offers a cozy pause, complete with seasonal favorites like hot cider and pierogies—small comforts that feel especially welcome on a cold night.

A Slower, More Thoughtful Way to Experience Winter

Dazzling Nights works because it doesn’t rush you. Instead of a quick drive-through spectacle, it encourages visitors to walk, look up, listen to the wind, and notice how light and movement interact with the landscape.

It’s a reminder that winter doesn’t put nature on pause—and that sometimes the most memorable seasonal experiences come from simply stepping outside and letting yourself be part of the scene.

Dazzling Nights returns to the Pittsburgh Botanic Garden from November 28, 2025 through January 3, 2026, lighting up the landscape on winter evenings.