It is huge. It is bright. Honestly, it’s basically just a bunch of lights on a metal frame, but for anyone who grew up in Western Pennsylvania, the Point State Park Christmas Tree is more of a landmark than a decoration. Every year, right where the three rivers meet, this massive structure goes up, and suddenly the Pittsburgh skyline feels "correct" again. If you’ve ever stood at the tip of the Golden Triangle in late November with a freezing wind whipping off the Monongahela, you know exactly what I’m talking about. It’s cold. It's often gray. But that tree makes the whole city feel a little warmer.
People call it the "Tree of Lights." Technically, that’s its official name, but nobody says that. Most locals just call it the Point State Park tree. It isn't a real evergreen—sorry to the purists—but rather a 100-foot-tall conical structure that’s been a staple of the holiday season since the 1980s. Duquesne Light Company usually gets the credit for making the magic happen. They’ve been the driving force behind the installation for decades. It’s a massive undertaking. You don’t just "put up" a tree like this; you engineer it.
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The Engineering Behind the Point State Park Christmas Tree
Most people think it’s just a pole with some string lights. It’s way more complex. We’re talking about a 100-foot-tall frame. It has to withstand the brutal wind gusts that funnel down the Ohio River. If you’ve ever walked out to the fountain in January, you know that wind can practically knock the breath out of you. The frame is anchored deeply. The sheer weight of the lights and the wiring is immense. There are thousands of LED bulbs—specifically around 150,000 of them if we're counting—and miles of electrical cable.
Back in the day, the tree used old-school incandescent bulbs. They were hot. They pulled a ton of power. In recent years, the switch to LEDs changed the look. Some old-timers complain the color isn't "as warm," but the brightness is undeniable. It cuts through the Pittsburgh fog like a beacon. The setup usually starts weeks before Light Up Night. You'll see the crews out there with cranes, meticulously checking every strand. Because let’s be real: nobody wants to be the guy who has to climb halfway up a 100-foot metal cone in a blizzard to fix a blown fuse.
The tree is actually built around the Main Fountain. Or, more accurately, it’s positioned right there at the confluence. Because the fountain is winterized and drained to prevent the pipes from freezing and bursting, the tree takes over that footprint. It turns a dormant summer spot into the center of the winter universe. It’s a clever use of space. You take the city's most famous summer landmark and swap it for a winter one.
Why This Tree Matters More Than the PPG Rink Tree
There is always a bit of a debate in Pittsburgh. Which tree is better? The one at the PPG Place ice rink or the one at the Point? The PPG tree is classic. It’s nestled in the middle of the glass skyscrapers, surrounded by skaters. It’s very "Postcard Pittsburgh." But the Point State Park Christmas Tree is different. It’s rugged. It’s exposed. It represents the rivers and the history of the land itself.
Think about the history of that spot. This is where Fort Pitt stood. This is where the French and British fought for control of the frontier. When you stand under those lights, you’re standing on some of the most historically significant ground in the United States. There’s a weight to it. The PPG tree is for the shoppers and the tourists. The Point tree is for the people who want to walk the park, clear their heads, and see the city reflected in the water.
There’s also the nostalgia factor. For a lot of families, the "real" start of Christmas isn't a calendar date. It’s the moment they see the tree glowing from the Fort Pitt Bridge as they come through the tunnel. That "coming through the tunnel" view is the best entrance to any city in America—don't fight me on this—and the tree is the crown jewel of that view during the holidays. It’s the first thing you see. It says, "You’re home, and it’s Christmas."
The Logistics of Light Up Night
Light Up Night is chaos. Pure, unadulterated, Pittsburgh-style chaos. If you're planning to go, you need a strategy. You can't just wing it. The crowds are massive. The Point State Park Christmas Tree is usually one of the final pieces of the puzzle to be lit. The evening is a staggered series of lightings across downtown. You have the Highmark tree (the one on the side of the building with the giant ornaments), the PPG tree, and finally, the Point.
- Parking is a nightmare. Don't even try the garages right next to the park. Park in the First Avenue garage or over on the North Shore and walk across the Roberto Clemente Bridge (if it's open) or the Andy Warhol Bridge.
- The wind is real. It’s always 10 degrees colder at the Point. Wear layers. Wear a hat. If you think you’re warm enough, you aren't.
- Timing. The tree lighting usually happens around 6:00 PM or 7:00 PM, but you want to be in position early. The best view isn't actually under the tree. It’s about 50 yards back so you can see the whole scale of it against the skyline.
There’s usually live music. There are food trucks. There’s a lot of "Yinzer" energy. It’s one of the few times a year where everyone in the region—from the suburbs to the city—actually congregates in one spot. It’s a shared experience.
Maintenance and the "Green" Transition
Let’s talk about the electricity. People wonder how much it costs to keep that thing running. Duquesne Light handles the bill, which is a pretty great gift to the city. By moving to LEDs, they cut the power consumption by something like 80%. It was a move for sustainability, sure, but also for reliability. LEDs don't break as easily in the wind.
The color scheme is also specific. It’s not a rainbow. It’s usually a mix of white and green lights, designed to mimic the look of a traditional tree while acknowledging its industrial, "electric" nature. It doesn't try to be a real tree. It’s a sculpture. That’s why it works. It’s honest. It’s Pittsburgh. We’re an industrial city, so our most famous tree is made of steel and wire. It fits the brand.
Common Misconceptions About the Tree
I hear a lot of weird rumors every year. No, the tree is not permanent. It gets taken down every January. No, you cannot climb it (people try, please don't be that person; the police are everywhere). And no, it isn't the tallest "tree" in the world, though it definitely feels like it when you’re standing at the base looking up.
Another thing people get wrong: they think the fountain is still running underneath. It definitely isn't. The water is gone. The tree is built on a platform that protects the fountain's infrastructure. If they left the water in, the ice would expand and ruin the pipes. So the tree is actually a functional cover as much as it is a decoration.
Making the Most of Your Visit
If you want to actually enjoy the Point State Park Christmas Tree without the Light Up Night stress, go on a Tuesday. Go at 9:00 PM. The park is quiet. The reflection of the lights on the ice or the wet pavement is incredible. You can hear the rivers moving. It’s peaceful.
- Bring a camera with a long exposure. If you want those "pro" shots where the lights look like stars, you need a tripod. The wind will shake your hands.
- Walk the perimeter. See the tree from the North Shore. The view from near Stage AE, looking back toward the city, gives you the tree with the skyscrapers behind it. That’s the "money shot."
- Check the weather. If it’s snowing, the Point is magical. If it’s raining, it’s miserable. There is zero cover at the Point. If the sky opens up, you’re getting soaked.
Honestly, the best way to see it is to grab a hot chocolate from a shop in Market Square and make the ten-minute walk down Liberty Avenue. You pass the hustle and bustle, and then you hit the open space of the park. The transition from the narrow city streets to the wide-open confluence is one of the best urban experiences you can have.
The Future of the Tradition
There’s always talk about changing things up. Some people want a "real" tree, like the one at Rockefeller Center. But where would you put it? The Point is too windy for a cut tree of that size; it would snap or tip. The metal structure is a necessity. Others want more high-tech light shows synchronized to music.
Personally? I think the simplicity is why it works. It’s a giant, glowing cone at the edge of the world. Or at least the edge of our world. It’s a constant. In a city that has changed so much—from steel mills to tech hubs—the tree stays the same. It’s a tether to the past.
When the lights finally go dark in early January, the city feels a little emptier. The "Post-Holiday Blues" hit harder when you drive past the Point and it's just a dark, empty field again. But that’s what makes it special. It’s temporary. It’s a season.
Practical Next Steps for Your Trip
- Check the official DCNR website for Point State Park before you go. They post alerts about park hours or construction that might block your path.
- Download a parking app. Use something like ParkPGH. It shows real-time availability in the garages. Don't waste an hour circling the block.
- Visit the Fort Pitt Museum while you're there. It's right next to the tree. Most people ignore it during the winter, but it's a great way to warm up and actually learn about the ground you're standing on.
- Dress for 10 degrees colder than the forecast says. The river wind is a different beast entirely.
The Point State Park Christmas Tree isn't just a holiday decoration. It’s a beacon for the city. It’s a reminder that even in the coldest, darkest months, there’s something bright at the center of it all. Whether you’re a local who’s seen it fifty times or a visitor seeing it for the first, take a second to stand at the very tip of the Point. Look at the water, look at the lights, and just breathe it in. It's one of the few things that still feels like "Old Pittsburgh."