A few steps away from the joyfully busy Christmas Village at the Dallas Arboretum is a mystical addition to Holiday at the Arboretum, Night Glow by AURORA. This serene beauty of this immersive light installation will be on view at the garden through Jan. 4. Created by AURORA and Lightware Labs, N ight Glow uses projection mapping to transform four areas of the garden into a transcendent winter wonderland. Follow the snow on The Drift Way to find the Christmas Village. The Drift Way turnsthe Paseo Extensioninto a softly illuminated walkway that evokes drifting snow, guiding visitors toward the warmth of the Christmas Village. The Lay Family Garden becomes Frost in Blossom, a poetic landscape where frozen petals shimmer and return to life, symbolizing growth and resilience. Centered in the Secret Garden is the Well of Renewal, a meditative experience blending light and sound to represent nature’s cycles. The Camp House and Fogelson Fountainarea glowing tribute to tradition with Heritage Eternal, blending greenery, gold tones, and classic holiday motifs. Opening Dec. 14 is a pop-up bar, the Mistletoe Lounge. With sweeping views of Night Glow, visitors aged 21 and up can soak up a more sophisticated festive ambiance with curated cocktails, private seating, and exclusive guest perks. The Mistletoe Lounge 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.” There is a view of Frost in Blossom from the Well of Renewal. Marshall Detwiler, the Dallas Arboretum’s Vice President of Marketing and Guest Experience, talks about the inspiration behind Night Glow by AURORA, the technical challenges of this new light installation, and the layers of artistry on display during the holidays at the Dallas Arboretum. NBC DFW:  What inspired Night Glow? Marshall Detwiler: 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. Partnering with AURORA, Dallas’s renowned light and new media collective, allowed us to bring that vision to life. Their ability to transform public spaces with immersive storytelling shaped the creative foundation for Night Glow. NBC DFW: Why did the Dallas Arboretum want to add this experience to Holiday at the Arboretum? MD: We wanted to introduce an elevated nighttime experience that felt both innovative and connected to the garden. Visitors have increasingly asked for new ways to enjoy evenings at the Arboretum, and Night Glow offers a level of artistry and immersion that complements our traditional displays. It also reinforces our mission of being a garden for all by creating something meaningful for families, couples, and art enthusiasts alike. NBC DFW: How did you decide where in the garden to locate The Drift Way, Frost in Blossom, Well of Renewal and Heritage Eternal? MD: Each location was chosen for the way its natural architecture could support the narrative of the installation. Water features, tree canopies, and historic structures all provide unique surfaces for projection and motion. Together, the four sites form a deliberate, walkable progression through the garden, creating a cohesive journey from one illuminated environment to the next. The Camp House and Fogelson Fountain are transformed into Heritage Eternal. NBC DFW: What equipment is used to create these four areas? And is it weather-proof? MD: Night Glow uses high-output projection mapping, specialty lighting, and sensor-driven environmental fixtures, all 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. The system was designed by Lightware Labs to ensure both artistic precision and operational reliability throughout the season. NBC DFW: What was the greatest technical challenge to creating Night Glow? MD: The most complex challenge was mapping projection art onto organic surfaces, which required advanced modeling and hours of onsite calibration. We also had to maintain consistency across multiple installation zones spread throughout the garden. Ensuring that each piece felt seamless, intentional, and integrated into the landscape was both the artistic and technical heart of the project. Night Glow by AURORA complements the Christmas Village, adding another layer of artistry to Holiday at the Arboretum. NBC DFW: How does Night Glow complement and/or contrast with the Christmas Village, 12 Days of Christmas and Merry Monochromatic? MD: Night Glow brings a contemporary layer of artistry that enhances, rather than replaces, our traditional holiday experiences. While the Christmas Village and 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. Merry Monochromatic adds yet another dimension indoors, creating a balanced blend of tradition, design, and innovation across the entire Arboretum. Learn more: Dallas Arboretum ...read more read less