Dallas Arboretum Lights Up Holiday Season with Night Glow by AURORA

Dallas Arboretum is lighting up the holiday season with Night Glow by AURORA, an immersive projection‑mapping spectacle that will stay on display until January 4.

The Night Glow Experience

Night Glow, created by AURORA and Lightware Labs, transforms four distinct garden areas into a transcendent winter wonderland. The installation uses high‑output projection mapping, specialty lighting, and sensor‑driven fixtures that are engineered for long‑term outdoor use. Every component is professionally rated for weather resistance and installed inside protective housings to withstand wind, moisture, and temperature swings.

Four Illuminated Destinations

• The Drift Way turns the Paseo Extension into a softly illuminated walkway that evokes drifting snow, guiding visitors toward the warmth of the Christmas Village.
• Frost in Blossom turns the Lay Family Garden into a poetic landscape where frozen petals shimmer and return to life, symbolizing growth and resilience.
• The Well of Renewal centers the Secret Garden in a meditative experience that blends light and sound to represent nature’s cycles.
• Heritage Eternal transforms the Camp House and Fogelson Fountain area into a glowing tribute to tradition, mixing greenery, gold tones, and classic holiday motifs.

Behind the Light

Marshall Detwiler, the Dallas Arboretum’s Vice President of Marketing and Guest Experience, said, “Night Glow was inspired by the idea of treating the Arboretum as a living canvas, where light and motion could reveal new dimensions of beauty already present in the landscape.” He added that “Partnering with AURORA, Dallas’s renowned light and new media collective, allowed us to bring that vision to life.” The most complex challenge, Detwiler explained, was “mapping projection art onto organic surfaces, which required advanced modeling and hours of onsite calibration.” He emphasized that the installation “offers a level of artistry and immersion that complements our traditional displays.”

A Night‑time Destination for Adults

Opening on December 14 is the pop‑up Mistletoe Lounge bar, which offers sweeping views of Night Glow. The lounge is designed for guests aged 21 and older, providing curated cocktails, private seating, and exclusive guest perks. It is open on select evenings of Holiday at the Arboretum and requires a separate add‑on ticket, available in limited quantities. “With so many families visiting the Arboretum during the holidays, we also wanted to create an exclusive holiday date‑night destination for adults,” said Sabina Carr, President/CEO of the Dallas Arboretum. “The Mistletoe Lounge offers a refined, joyful space where guests can savor the season in a new way.”

Complementing Tradition

Night Glow is intended to enhance, rather than replace, the Arboretum’s traditional holiday displays. “While the Christmas Village and 12 Days of Christmas Gazebos celebrate classic holiday charm, Night Glow introduces a modern, immersive counterpoint,” Detwiler noted. The event also includes Merry Monochromatic indoors, creating a balanced blend of tradition, design, and innovation across the entire Arboretum.

Key Takeaways

• Night Glow runs through January 4, featuring four illuminated garden zones.
• The Mistletoe Lounge bar opens December 14 and requires a separate ticket.
• The installation was engineered for weather‑resistant, long‑term outdoor use.

The Dallas Arboretum’s blend of light art, seasonal traditions, and adult‑oriented hospitality promises a memorable holiday experience for families, couples, and art enthusiasts alike.