A few steps from the bustling Christmas Village at the Dallas Arboretum, a new winter wonderland has arrived. Night Glow by AURORA, a projection-mapping light installation, will grace the garden until January 4.
Night Glow: A Living Canvas
Created by AURORA and Lightware Labs, Night Glow transforms four distinct areas of the Arboretum into shimmering scenes:
- The Drift Way – a softly illuminated walkway that evokes drifting snow and guides visitors toward the Christmas Village.
- Frost in Blossom – a poetic landscape in the Lay Family Garden where frozen petals shimmer and return to life, symbolizing growth and resilience.
- Well of Renewal – a meditative experience in the Secret Garden that blends light and sound to represent nature’s cycles.
- Heritage Eternal – a glowing tribute to tradition in the Camp House and Fogelson Fountain area, mixing greenery, gold tones, and classic holiday motifs.
“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,” said Marshall Detwiler, Dallas Arboretum’s Vice President of Marketing and Guest Experience.
The Mistletoe Lounge: An Adult-Only Destination
Opening on December 14, the pop-up bar, the Mistletoe Lounge, offers a sophisticated festive ambiance with sweeping views of Night Glow. The lounge is open to guests aged 21 and up 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.”
The lounge features curated cocktails, private seating, and exclusive guest perks, providing a refined experience that complements the family-friendly atmosphere of the Christmas Village.
Technical Mastery Behind the Light
Night Glow’s four sites were chosen for their natural architecture, which supports the narrative of the installation. “Each location was chosen for the way its natural architecture could support the narrative of the installation,” Detwiler explained.
The installation uses high-output projection mapping, specialty lighting, and sensor-driven environmental fixtures. All components are professionally rated for weather resistance and installed inside protective housings to withstand wind, moisture, and temperature swings. Lightware Labs designed the system to ensure artistic precision and operational reliability throughout the season.
The most complex challenge was mapping projection art onto organic surfaces. “The most complex challenge was mapping projection art onto organic surfaces, which required advanced modeling and hours of onsite calibration,” Detwiler said.
Complementing Holiday Traditions
Night Glow adds a contemporary layer of artistry that enhances, rather than replaces, traditional holiday experiences at the Arboretum. “Night Glow brings a contemporary layer of artistry that enhances, rather than replaces, our traditional holiday experiences,” Detwiler noted.
While the Christmas Village and the 12 Days of Christmas gazebos celebrate classic holiday charm, Night Glow introduces a modern, immersive counterpoint that gives guests a new way to explore the garden after dark. The indoor Merry Monochromatic exhibit adds yet another dimension, creating a balanced blend of tradition, design, and innovation across the entire Arboretum.
Key Takeaways
- Night Glow by AURORA is a projection-mapping installation featuring four themed areas, open through January 4.
- The Mistletoe Lounge, opening December 14, offers an adult-only, cocktail-focused experience with views of Night Glow.
- Technical challenges included mapping onto organic surfaces and ensuring weather-resistant, long-term outdoor equipment.
The Dallas Arboretum’s Holiday season now offers visitors a rich tapestry of light, music, and refined hospitality, ensuring that both families and couples find something memorable to enjoy.
Closing
As the holiday lights glow and the Mistletoe Lounge fills with curated cocktails, the Dallas Arboretum reaffirms its mission to be a garden for all. Whether strolling through a snow-drifted path or sipping a specialty drink, guests can savor the season in new and inspiring ways.
