Pause Beneath a Golden Canopy in The Palazzo’s Luxury Wing
The Wishing Tree is a 20-foot indoor art installation in the Luxury Wing of Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian Resort. Inspired by an Italian olive tree, the sculpture combines a pale cast-bronze trunk with thousands of shimmering brass leaves and colorful glass birds.
Visitors can pause beneath the canopy, make a private wish, take photographs, or rest on the circular seating surrounding the installation. Seeing the tree does not require an attraction ticket, hotel stay, restaurant reservation, or shopping purchase.
The tranquil indoor setting makes The Wishing Tree an easy addition to the many free things to do in Las Vegas. It is most worthwhile when combined with the Grand Canal, St. Mark’s Square, the Venetian architecture, shopping, dining, or another activity inside the resort.
Older descriptions promoted a QR-code experience that allowed visitors to speak a wish and activate an augmented-reality effect. Grand Canal Shoppes does not currently advertise that feature, so visitors should enjoy the tree primarily as a visual art installation and photo location.
Last reviewed: July 20, 2026. Shopping-center hours, lighting, audiovisual effects, seating access, special events, photography rules, parking, and visitor policies can change.
The Wishing Tree Quick Facts
- Cost: Free to see and photograph from publicly accessible shopping-center areas.
- Reservations: Not required for an ordinary visit.
- Location: Retail Level 2 in the Luxury Wing of Grand Canal Shoppes, near The Palazzo side of The Venetian Resort.
- Address: 3377 S. Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89109
- Grand Canal Shoppes Phone: (702) 414-4525
- Sunday–Thursday Hours: 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
- Friday–Saturday Hours: 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
- Height: Approximately 20 feet.
- Design: An olive-tree-inspired cast-bronze sculpture with thousands of brass leaves and colorful glass birds.
- Experience Type: Indoor public-art installation, photo location, and seating area.
- Time Needed: Approximately 10 to 20 minutes.
- Best For: Public-art enthusiasts, photographers, couples, shoppers, architecture fans, and visitors exploring The Venetian and Palazzo.
- Pets: Grand Canal Shoppes permits service animals only.
- Backpacks: Grand Canal Shoppes currently states that backpacks are not allowed.
- Parking: The Venetian Resort has paid self-parking and valet parking. Review the Las Vegas parking fees guide before visiting.
- What May Cost Extra: Parking, transportation, shopping, dining, gondola rides, professional photography, and nearby ticketed attractions.
What to Expect at The Wishing Tree
The Wishing Tree stands in the center of a polished indoor shopping corridor beneath a circular opening in the ceiling. Its pale trunk and twisting branches spread over a circular planter and seating area, creating a quieter gathering place within the Luxury Wing.
The installation includes:
- A cast-bronze trunk inspired by an Italian olive tree
- Thousands of individually produced brass leaves
- Glass birds in several bright colors
- Integrated illumination around the tree and ceiling
- Flowers and greenery around the base
- Circular public seating beneath the canopy
The metallic leaves reflect the surrounding lights and change in appearance as visitors walk around the sculpture. The birds add small areas of red, blue, green, pink, and other colors among the gold-toned foliage.
The installation is not enclosed behind glass or located inside a ticketed gallery. It occupies an open public area of the shopping center, with luxury stores and resort walkways surrounding it.
Visitors should not expect a museum attendant, guided presentation, formal exhibit labels, scheduled admission time, souvenir station, or staffed wish-taking booth.
How The Wishing Tree Was Designed
The Wishing Tree was introduced as a centerpiece of a renovated section of Grand Canal Shoppes. Square Peg Design developed the installation for Brookfield Properties, with HKS serving as the project architect.
The sculpture was designed to resemble an olive tree commonly associated with Mediterranean and Italian landscapes. Its branching canopy and reflective leaves help connect the modern Luxury Wing with the broader Venetian theme of the resort.
The original project incorporated audiovisual effects intended to produce a changing natural atmosphere around the tree. Lighting can create the appearance of movement, sunlight, shadow, and shifting color across the leaves and surrounding ceiling.
The design firm originally described a natural-background audiovisual sequence occurring every hour. Grand Canal Shoppes does not currently publish a performance schedule, so an hourly light or sound presentation should not be guaranteed.
Individual lights, projected effects, bird sounds, or other audiovisual elements may be subtle, inactive, undergoing maintenance, or operating differently from older descriptions.
How to Make a Wish at the Tree
No formal process is required. Visitors can stand or sit beneath the canopy, think of a wish, take a photograph, or simply enjoy the installation.
Grand Canal Shoppes currently encourages visitors to:
- Make a wish beneath the tree
- Pose for photographs
- Take couples or family pictures
- Share images through Grand Canal Shoppes’ social channels
- Attend occasional special events held near the installation
An earlier augmented-reality program allowed visitors to scan a QR code and use a phone-based experience connected with their wish. That interactive program is not currently described on the official Wishing Tree page.
A QR code may occasionally appear for a temporary promotion, contest, social-media campaign, or seasonal event. Do not assume that scanning it will activate the tree or project a spoken wish into the canopy.
The tree does not dispense printed wishes, guarantee a light show after every wish, or physically display personal messages on its leaves.
How to Find The Wishing Tree
The Wishing Tree is on Retail Level 2 in the Luxury Wing of Grand Canal Shoppes. It is positioned closer to The Palazzo side of the resort complex than to the main Venetian casino entrance.
From The Palazzo
Follow signs for Grand Canal Shoppes and the Luxury Wing. The tree occupies a central open area surrounded by luxury retailers.
From The Venetian
Follow resort signs toward Grand Canal Shoppes, Retail Level 2, and The Palazzo. The resort and shopping complex are extensive, so allow extra walking time.
From St. Mark’s Square
Continue through the retail corridors toward the Luxury Wing and The Palazzo. The Wishing Tree is not beside the main indoor canal or St. Mark’s Square.
From the Parking Garages
The Venetian and Palazzo garages connect with different parts of the resort. Follow posted signs toward Grand Canal Shoppes and Retail Level 2 rather than relying only on the nearest casino entrance.
Visitors who become disoriented can ask a mall employee, retailer, resort employee, or security officer for directions to The Wishing Tree in the Luxury Wing.
Best Time to Visit
Morning and Early Afternoon
Earlier visits may offer lighter pedestrian traffic and more open seating around the base. This can make it easier to photograph the complete tree without large groups in the background.
Late Afternoon and Evening
Evening visits may provide a livelier atmosphere as the shopping center, restaurants, shows, and resort become busier. Integrated illumination may also be more noticeable when surrounding light levels are lower.
Weekends and Holidays
Friday and Saturday evenings, major conventions, holiday weekends, and special-event periods can bring heavier pedestrian traffic. Visitors seeking an unobstructed photograph should allow additional time.
During Special Events
Grand Canal Shoppes occasionally uses the area beneath the canopy for free music, art demonstrations, promotional events, calligraphy, photographs, seasonal decorations, or other programs.
These events can add value but may temporarily limit seating or clear photo angles. Check the current Grand Canal Shoppes events schedule when planning a visit around a specific program.
Tips for Photographing The Wishing Tree
- Use a wide-angle setting: The branches spread well beyond the central trunk, so a wider camera view helps capture the complete canopy.
- Try a vertical composition: Portrait orientation emphasizes the 20-foot height and the ceiling above the branches.
- Step back from the seating area: A wider position can include the full tree, planter, ceiling opening, and surrounding architecture.
- Photograph the details: Close-ups of individual birds and reflective leaves can be more distinctive than another full-tree image.
- Use available light: The installation and shopping corridor are already illuminated. Flash can create harsh reflections on the metallic leaves.
- Wait for a clear moment: The tree occupies an active mall walkway, but brief gaps between groups may provide a cleaner image.
- Respect seated visitors: Do not ask strangers to move, photograph them closely without permission, or block access to the benches.
- Keep walkways open: Avoid placing tripods, bags, strollers, or lighting equipment across the retail corridor.
- Ask about professional photography: Portrait sessions, commercial shoots, tripods, lighting stands, models, and extended productions may require property approval.
Other Things to See at Grand Canal Shoppes
The indoor canal winds through the shopping center beneath painted skies and Venetian-inspired architecture. Watching the gondolas from public walkways is free, while riding a gondola requires a paid ticket.
The large indoor square includes detailed facades, restaurants, shops, the canal, and changing entertainment. Walking through and enjoying the architecture is free.
The colorful Amore installation is another public photo location on Retail Level 2 in the Luxury Wing near Louis Vuitton. Access may be affected by temporary promotions or events.
Grand Canal Shoppes contains more than 160 stores and restaurants. Browsing public areas is free, but merchandise, meals, drinks, shows, and other experiences cost extra. Explore the Las Vegas shopping malls guide for additional shopping destinations.
Visitor Tips and Property Policies
- Visit during mall hours: The Wishing Tree should not be promoted as a 24-hour attraction.
- Use the correct destination: Ask for The Wishing Tree in the Luxury Wing on Retail Level 2.
- Do not expect the old QR experience: The augmented-reality wishing feature is not currently confirmed by Grand Canal Shoppes.
- Check for special events: Free music, demonstrations, contests, or seasonal activities may occasionally occur beneath the tree.
- Do not touch the sculpture: Keep hands, children, bags, food, and drinks away from the trunk, branches, leaves, birds, lighting, and landscaping.
- Keep seating available: Do not occupy large sections of the circular bench with photography equipment or personal belongings.
- Leave backpacks elsewhere: Grand Canal Shoppes currently states that backpacks are not permitted.
- Bring only permitted animals: Grand Canal Shoppes currently allows service animals rather than ordinary pets.
- Allow extra walking time: The Venetian, Palazzo, and Grand Canal Shoppes form a very large resort complex.
- Wear comfortable shoes: A visit can involve substantial walking through casinos, retail corridors, bridges, and parking garages.
- Do not block stores: Keep retailer entrances, emergency routes, elevators, escalators, and main walkways clear.
- Secure valuables: Keep phones, wallets, purses, shopping bags, and camera equipment under direct control.
The Wishing Tree FAQ
Q: Is The Wishing Tree free?
A: Yes. No separate attraction ticket, hotel reservation, or shopping purchase is normally required to see and photograph the installation during Grand Canal Shoppes’ public hours.
Q: Where is The Wishing Tree?
A: It is on Retail Level 2 in the Luxury Wing of Grand Canal Shoppes, near The Palazzo side of The Venetian Resort.
Q: What are the current hours?
A: Grand Canal Shoppes currently lists Sunday through Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Q: Is The Wishing Tree open 24 hours?
A: No 24-hour attraction access is currently published. Visit during Grand Canal Shoppes’ regular operating hours.
Q: How tall is the tree?
A: The installation is approximately 20 feet tall.
Q: Is it a real olive tree?
A: No. It is an olive-tree-inspired cast-bronze art installation decorated with thousands of brass leaves and colorful glass birds.
Q: How many leaves are on the tree?
A: Published sources disagree on the precise number, with descriptions ranging from more than 3,400 to more than 3,700. It is safest to describe the canopy as containing thousands of brass leaves.
Q: Can visitors still scan a QR code and speak a wish?
A: The QR-based augmented-reality experience appeared in older promotions but is not currently described on the official Wishing Tree page.
Q: Does the tree produce a light-and-sound show?
A: The original design included integrated audiovisual effects, but Grand Canal Shoppes does not currently publish a guaranteed show schedule. Lighting or sound effects may be subtle, intermittent, changed, or unavailable.
Q: Can visitors sit beneath the tree?
A: Public seating surrounds the installation, subject to availability, events, maintenance, and current property access.
Q: Are backpacks allowed?
A: Grand Canal Shoppes currently states that backpacks are not allowed.
Q: Are pets allowed?
A: Grand Canal Shoppes currently permits service animals only.
Q: Is parking free?
A: No. The Venetian Resort has paid self-parking and valet parking. Rates, validation, and policies can change.
Q: Where are the rideshare pickup areas?
A: Grand Canal Shoppes currently identifies rideshare locations on Retail Level 2 of The Venetian self-parking garage and at the lower-level lobby of The Palazzo Tower.
Q: Is The Wishing Tree worth a special trip?
A: It may appeal to public-art fans, photographers, couples, and visitors interested in resort design. Most visitors should combine it with the canals, St. Mark’s Square, shopping, dining, or another Venetian attraction.
