Glow Holiday Festival
Holiday lights hit different in the midwest. Maybe it’s the snow that illuminates their beauty, but there’s something magical about how our state lights up for the season. This winter, bring the kids for a festive extravaganza or opt for a date night under a tunnel of lights. Here’s a guide to the very best displays, whether you want to get outside or cozy up in your car for a drive-through adventure. (Make sure to check online for up-to-date hours and dates as weather can have an impact.)
Drive-Through Delights
severs holiday lights
Lights in the Pines, Grand Rapids
Drive through the Itasca County Fairgrounds on Fridays and Saturdays Nov. 28-Dec. 23 for a magical holiday light display before stopping at the (indoor) North Pole Junction to sip hot cocoa, write letters to Santa, and see Mr. Kringle himself. visitgrandrapids.com
Magic of Lights, Eagan
Running late November through early January, this event at Viking Lakes features over 1 mile of LED lights, favorite characters, and digital animations. Wind through the displays while listening to coordinated music in the comfort and heat of your own car. Pro tip: Stop by the Winter SKOLstice event for ice skating, food, drinks, markets, and more. magicoflights.com
Sever’s Holiday Lights, Shakopee
Pile into the car to see over 2.5 million color-changing lights while listening to holiday music. In addition to the lights and displays, enjoy vendors and concessions, entertainment, and special guests like Santa and Mrs. Claus. Runs Nov. 27-Dec. 28. seversfestivals.com
Best for Kids
Glow Holiday Festival
Glow Holiday Festival, St. Paul
CHS Field doubles as a destination for holiday magic starting in November. Walk around and marvel at nearly 1 million lights and interactive displays of all kinds, explore an enchanted forest, visit Santa, and even ride a zip line and giant slide. There are food and drink options aplenty, as well as spots to warm up. glowholiday.com
Miracle at Big Rock, St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin
Leading this list in number of lights, Miracle at Big Rock is home to over 17 million. From Nov. 28-Jan. 3, visitors can ride a holiday train, warm up by a fire, try crafted cocktails and food trucks, visit Santa, race down the sledding hill, and explore the Christmas market inside a heated barn. The venue also offers drive-through nights to explore the grounds without leaving your cozy car. miracleatbigrock.com
Sam’s Christmas Village, Somerset, Wisconsin
Wander around the glow of 16 million lights at Sam’s Christmas Village, open Nov. 28-Jan. 1. Here, you can stroll through the wooded light tour, enjoy refreshments from the bar and grill, go sledding, see live reindeer, and explore a European-style Christmas market. Offering both walk-through and drive-through nights. samschristmasvillage.com
Date-Night Lights
Light Up Hudson, Hudson, Wisconsin
Enjoy beautiful holiday lights as you stroll Lakeside Park in Hudson—and explore the town’s charming shops and restaurants while you’re there. With a wave of his wand, Santa illuminates thousands of lights along the St. Croix River at the kickoff event on Nov. 28 from 7-8:30 p.m. travelwisconsin.com
Winter Lights, Chanhassen
Located at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, this indoor and outdoor experience celebrates the beauty of plants in winter. Make your way through tunnels, glowing gardens, and nature-inspired experiences on select evenings Nov. 20-Dec. 31. New this year is an indoor forest of 100 decorated evergreen trees. Keep your eye out for themed evenings, food, drinks, and live music. arb.umn.edu/2025-winter-lights
Worth the Trek
Photo by John Heino
Bentleyville Tour of Lights, Duluth
Celebrating its 22nd year, Bentleyville is one of the premier light displays in Minnesota and the largest free walk-through light display in the country. From Nov. 22-Dec. 27, walk through over 5 million lights while strolling the shores of Lake Superior. All visitors receive complimentary hot cocoa, coffee, cookies, popcorn, and marshmallows to roast over one of Bentleyville’s many fires. bentleyvilleusa.org
First City of Lights, Bemidji
A holiday destination since 1996, head to First City of Lights to see over 800,000 lights that span the downtown area and Lake Bemidji’s south shore. The kickoff “Night We Light” event on Nov. 28 features a holiday lights parade and lighting ceremony, Santa’s workshop, and fireworks. Make sure to snap a quintessential Minnesotan holiday photo with Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox while you’re there. firstcityoflights.org
Kiwanis Holiday Lights, Mankato
The Kiwanis Holiday Lights is one of the few venues offering walk-though and drive-through options. The event is located in Sibley Park, where you can admire live reindeer, walk or drive through lights that dance and sparkle to music, ride the holiday lights express train, get concessions to warm up, and visit Santa. kiwanisholidaylights.com
Neighborhood Lights
Onan Family Lights
Some Minnesota homeowners pull out all the stops and set up their own displays.
Here are a few noteworthy homes to check out—these displays are free, but donations are welcome.
Lights in the Country, Albany
Lights in the Country is a half-mile drive-through lights display with over 100,000 lights. Make sure to stay for the light show that plays to music. Keep an eye out for special dates with Santa visits and fireworks, too. facebook.com/p/Lights-In-The-Country-Albany-MN-100067224082501
Onan Family Lights, Delano
If you like clean lines and rhythms, this oh-so visually appealing synchronized light display is for you. With multiple hours of music available, you can use their website to pick the song you want to hear, then simply sit back and watch the show. onanfamilylights.com
Winter Wonderland, Shakopee
This display has become so large, the owners are starting to take over their neighbor’s yard. Walk through a path of amazing lights and displays that are all handmade. And don’t forget Santa meet and greets, crafts, hot cocoa, and cookies. facebook.com/shakopeewinterwonderland
