Oakland Winter Lights
This winter, we invite residents and visitors alike to rediscover Oakland through a season-long celebration of light, art, and community.
Running from December through February, Oakland Winter Lights transforms the neighborhood into a glowing destination where creativity meets connection, brightening some of the city’s darkest months with installations, displays, and experiences that bring people together.
Vote for Windows of Wonder Here!
Experiences
Ice Skating @ Schenley Skating Rink
Lace up your skates and slide into winter fun at the Schenley Park Skating Rink, offering a classic outdoor skating experience seven days a week . From spirited public skating sessions to themed events like Skate with Santa, Disco Night, and Valentine’s on Ice, the rink invites families, friends, and neighbors to enjoy festive activity under the winter sky. It’s the perfect way to embrace the season on the ice, connect with community, and make new winter memories.
Live Music @ Haven
HAVEN transforms live music into a fully immersive experience with dynamic, high-impact light shows that bring energy and movement to the stage all winter long. Each concert blends sound and light to create an atmosphere that feels electric yet intimate, drawing people together in a shared, after-dark experience. As part of Oakland Winter Lights, HAVEN’s performances highlight the power of creative spaces to build community, support artists, and keep Oakland active and connected throughout the winter months.
Glow Stop: Living Lights
“Living Lights” is a uniquely creative installation wherein trees are illuminated with sound responsive lights and custom curated patterns by local artist ProjectileObjects. This year you will find it in the trees that line Forbes Avenue along Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC.
Glow Stop: Love Glow
Returning this season is “Love Glow,” a beloved community piece by Naomi Chambers, originally featured during Glowland. You can view this piece in person on the corner of Fifth and Oakland set upon some construction trailers, bringing light to every corner.
Phipps Holiday Magic
The holiday season simply isn’t complete without a trip to Phipps Holiday Magic, where glowing gardens and festive displays make spirits soar. This year’s playful theme, “Wild Winter,” invites you into a wonderland of whimsical topiary wildlife and enchanting scenes at every turn.
Glow Stop: Projected Flow
Along Forbes, between Meyran and Atwood, you will find this year's newest addition to our Glow Stops. Projected Flow is visible along the entire block and lights up the iriquois building throughout the evenings to bring a little glow to the Oakland Neighborhood.
Winter Whitening Special @ Kukunas Prosthodontics
$300 off- Smile Bright This Winter! Give yourself the gift of a radiant smile this holiday season with our professional in-office dental whitening. Our safe, fast, and effective treatment lifts stains and brightens your teeth in just one visit—perfect for holiday photos, celebrations, and the New Year ahead. We will even include a take home kit so you can feel free to freshen up your winter pearly whites all year 'round!
Eats & Drinks
Tipsy Snowman Cocktail @ The Porch
Cozy up by the windows and enjoy looking out over Schenley Plaza while enjoying the Oakland Winter Lights featured cocktail, The Tipsy Snowman, at The Porch this season.
Smashed Waffle Winter Combo
Bite into Frosty's Peppermint Crunch waffle and sip on Frosty's Peppermint Bliss Latte to warm up with Smashed Waffles Winter Special!
Chocolately Winter Gifts & Bites @ The Milkshake Factory
Pick up some special winter treats at the Milkshake Factory and don't forget to look up and experience Projected Flow, a light installation on their building! Think peppermint cake pops, chocolate snowmen, hot chocolate bark, and more!
Winter Cocktail Menu @ Viva Los Tacos
The winter cocktail menu at Viva Los Tacos is full of creative options to fuel your evening. May we suggest the Wonderland Margarita or Starlight Sangria? Oakland Winter Lights approved!
Arctic Cosmo @ The Oaklander
Sip on this Oakland Winter Lights Cocktail while getting a view of Oakland from above. Spirits & Tales provides a unique experience with floor to ceiling windows atop the famed Oaklander Hotel. The Arctic Cosmo is a crisp and vibrant twist on the classic cosmopolitan. Smooth vodka meets the bright citrus notes of blue curaçao and fresh lime, finished with a splash of tart cranberry for a perfectly balanced, icy-hued cocktail. Refreshing, sophisticated, and visually stunning—your go-to for a cool, contemporary sip.
Events
Jan 24, 10am-4pm | Quiet Reading Party: Winter Read-a-Thon
Winter blues got you down? Why not treat your s(h)elf to a book-lover’s party where you’re encouraged to read and discuss what you’re reading with other bibliophiles! Included is also an assortment of free refreshments to help fuel your reading stamina and ramp up the cozy vibes. This program takes place at Carnegie LIbrary Main Branch in North Wing Music Room on the Second Floor.
Feb 7, 6pm-9:30 | Disco Night @ Schenley Skating Rink
Break out your best retro moves for Disco Night at Schenley Skating Rink, where classic roller-rink energy meets winter skating under the lights. Classic disco favorites over the speakers while skaters glide, spin, and dance their way across the ice in one of Oakland’s most playful winter traditions. Come celebrate Oakland Winter Lights as Disco Night adds music, movement, and after-dark energy to the season, inviting neighbors and visitors alike to experience winter in Oakland in a whole new way.