If you need some holiday cheer and light to combat the cold December weather, consider taking part in the launch of Beautifully Lit — A Self-Guided Tour that starts at 5 p.m. Saturday at the Aurora installation at Mellon Square, Downtown.
This new tour will spotlight the city’s holiday light installations and the artists behind them amid a backdrop of Downtown Pittsburgh’s history and key locations, according to a Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy news release. The Colbys will perform there, too, from 5 to 7 p.m.
Visitors can pick up a passport at the conservancy’s welcome station at the Aurora installation and explore at their own pace through videos and QR codes accessible via smartphone.
Tour stops after Aurora, the new light-based artwork installation in Mellon Square created by Joshua Challen Ice, include:
- 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.
- Flowat Wood Street Station by Erwin Redl.
- Sister Bridges Lighting Display by Mikael Owunna and Marques Red.
Other musical highlights include a high-energy soul-stirring performance by the Deryck Tynes Gospel Singers at 7 p.m. at Aurora.
Visitors can keep warm with complimentary hot cocoa from the Mellon Square Hot Cocoa, Cart while supplies last, and free rides on the Mellon Square Holly Trolley — it connects Mellon Square, Market Square and the Cultural District — from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
The Benter Foundation and Eden Hall Foundation support the Aurora installation and ongoing holiday activities, according to the conservancy release.
To learn more about Aurora, visit the conservancy website pittsburghparks.org/msq.
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