Pittsburgh Holiday Light Displays 2011

Santa and his team of reindeer take off into the night sky. Fireworks explode over the Pittsburgh skyline. Bright tin soldiers march two-by-two. Colorful flowers bloom and grow. A paddle-wheel boat steams merrily down the river. Enormous dinosaurs stalk the night.

Welcome to the fantasy world of Pittsburgh holiday light festivals. Here, $5 to $15 a carload gets you a drive through acres of sparkling displays sure to put anyone in the holiday spirit. It's a great escape from the hustle and bustle of the holidays and makes a wonderful yearly family tradition. Most Pittsburgh area holiday light displays are open into January, so they are also a fantastic way to extend the holiday season.

Hartwood Celebration of Lights

Hartwood Acres, Indiana Township
November 18, 2011 - January 8, 2012
Sunday - Thursday, 6-10 p.m.; Friday & Saturday, 6-11 p.m.
Admission: $12 per Carload. Buses are $5 per person ($3 for nonprofit organizations). Proceeds benefit WTAE-TV's Project Bundle-Up.

Kennywood Holiday Lights

Kennywood Amusement Park, West Mifflin
December 2-4, 9-11 and 16-18, 2011 (Friday, Saturday & Sunday only)
Friday - Sunday, 5:00-9:00 p.m.
Admission: $12.99 per person; children 2 and under are free.

Christmas Light Up Celebration

Clinton, PA
November 17, 2011 - January 8, 2012
Open daily from 5:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. (including holidays)
Admission: $10 per car donation goes to support area charities

Oglebay's Winter Festival of Lights

Oglebay Resort - Wheeling, West Virginia
November 11, 2011 - January 8, 2012
Sunday - Thursday, 5:30-10:00 p.m.
Friday - Saturday, 5:30-11:00 p.m.
Admission: a onetime per car donation is requested; $20 donation includes Oglebay Lights DVD.
Trolley tours are offered for $10 per seat.

Overly's Country Christmas

Westmoreland County Fairgrounds, Greensburg, PA
November 18, 2011 - January 1, 2012
Sunday - Thursday, 5:30-10:00 p.m.
Friday - Saturday, 5:30-11:00 p.m.
Christmas Eve Hours, 5:30-9:00 p.m.
Weekday Admission: $10 per car or family van
Weekend Admission: $12 per car or family van
$15 per limousine, extended passenger van or minibus