Mercy Medical Center Illuminates Downtown Baltimore with 150th Anniversary Holiday Light Display at Preston Gardens

The physicians, nurses and staff at Mercy Medical Center have announced the opening of an enhanced Holiday Lights Exhibit, which will illuminate Preston Gardens in downtown Baltimore through Wednesday, January 1, 2025.

“This year's display bridges our storied past and bright future as Mercy celebrates 150 years since our founding by the Sisters of Mercy in 1874," said Dr. David Maine, President and CEO of Mercy Health Services. "Serving the people of Baltimore as a beacon of hope and healing has been our privilege for generations and will be for many more years to come.”

For nearly 30 years, Mercy has partnered with the Baltimore City Department of Public Works and the Downtown Partnership to present holiday decorations at Preston Gardens along St. Paul Street. This year's expanded display features 47 illuminated trees, 10 light posts, and two archway tunnels spanning two city blocks across from Mercy's Mary Catherine Bunting Center.

Created by Image Engineering, this year’s exhibit showcases state-of-the-art DMX LED lights synchronized to holiday music broadcast via speakers throughout the gardens. The celebration includes projection mapping displaying animated holiday-themed digital images commemorating the hospital's 150th anniversary on the Preston Gardens brick façade.

"Each night, the Preston Gardens walkway will transform into a winter wonderland for Mercy employees, families, local residents, and downtown workers—truly a gift for the people of Baltimore," said Sister Helen Amos, RSM, Executive Chair, Mercy Board of Trustees. "This display stands as one of the largest and longest-running holiday downtown exhibitions."

The display is free and open to the public. The special DMX light display and projection mapping will run nightly from 5 to 9 p.m. The grounds are monitored by Mercy security with support from the Downtown Partnership Public Safety Team and the Baltimore City Police Department.