Step Into a Holiday Movie in Minnesota's Charming Towns
Looking for small-town charm straight out of your favorite made-for-TV holiday movie? Plan a trip to Bemidji, Ely, Nisswa, Northfield or Stillwater for festive downtowns, cozy places to stay and holiday celebrations worth building a getaway around.
Bemidji
How to Celebrate
Get into the holiday spirit with Bemidji’s popular First City of Lights, featuring more than half a million lights across Paul Bunyan and Library parks, downtown and Lake Bemidji’s south shore. The Night We Light celebration kicks off the festivities Nov. 27, 2026, with an illuminated parade, lighting ceremony and fireworks.
Where to Stay
Find a cozy winter getaway with gorgeous knotty pine ceilings, large stone fireplaces and picturesque log cabins surrounded by snow in the historic Ruttger’s Birchmont Lodge on Lake Bemidji or rent your own cozy cabin at Kohl’s Resort with fireplaces, hot tubs and other amenities.
If you would rather stay at a bed and breakfast, Lake Bemidji has homemade hot cocoa and a delicious breakfast, including their signature dish, the Monte Cristo French toast. Other dishes include cranberry-orange scones, wild-rice sausage, Dutch baby pancakes and more.
Where to Eat & Drink
During your stay, warm up with a hot cocoa, ginger maple latte or another seasonal drink at Cantabria Coffee. Tutto Bene is a great spot for date night and serves Italian favorites in a cozy setting.
For a taste of local beer, swing by Bemidji Brewing and try their oatmeal stout with bold flavors of roasted coffee, molasses cookies and dark chocolate or their espresso porter with aromas of cocoa and dark fruit.
Where to Shop
Purchase a cozy blanket for two at Bemidji Woolen Mills or showcase your Minnesota pride with a sweatshirt from 218 Clothing & Gift. Stroll through the aisles of Four Pines Bookstore to find your next read, discover something sweet at Chocolates Plus or load up on holiday gifts at Compass Rose.
Ely
How to Celebrate
Popular with outdoor enthusiasts, Ely is a gateway to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. During the holidays, the town gets into the spirit with decorated storefronts, festive windows and seasonal shopping.
Wander the streets to find charming displays, and you may even be lucky enough to catch fresh snow falling. Visit the holiday boutique at Grand Ely Lodge’s Festival of Trees to shop or see festive trees and wreaths.
Where to Stay
The Grand Ely Lodge, Timber Trail Lodge and the Stay Inn offer roaring fireplaces, beautiful log cabins and cozy vibes.
Where to Eat & Drink
Warm up at Northern Grounds, a popular coffee shop with a Northwoods theme. It’s also home to the Ely Wine Society, which hosts seasonal wine tasting events with experts from around the country.
The menu at Insula features comfort classics with a local spin, including a wild rice pot pie; a walleye sandwich; a forager burger made with sweet potatoes, mushrooms and beans; or a bowl-o-rama salad with wild rice, mixed greens and Minnesota maple balsamic tempeh.
The Boathouse Brewpub serves a variety of in-house-brewed beers, such as their chocolate rye porter and blueberry blonde.
Where to Shop
In Ely, you’ll find something stylish yet hearty to keep you warm during a Minnesota winter. If you’re looking for new hiking gear, outerwear and more, head to Wintergreen. Their gear is inspired by Minnesota’s Boundary Waters, and the company relies on local labor to design, cut and sew their goods.
Find some of the heartiest winter boots at Steger Mukluks, a downtown staple and widely reverred brand.
Hit the hills or the trails this winter at Northern Toboggan, where they produce handcrafted wooden toboggans, sleds and snowshoes that are just as beautiful as they are practical in Minnesota’s winters.
Nisswa
How to Celebrate
Nisswa’s annual City of Lights celebration fills downtown with holiday cheer on Nov. 27, 2026. Gather around warm bonfires with hot cider and mini donuts, listen to carolers, visit Santa and cap the night with fireworks illuminating the winter sky.
Where to Stay
When you picture a winter getaway in Minnesota, you think of knotty pine, roaring fireplaces and cozy lodges. Grand View Lodge and Quarterdeck Resort in Nisswa welcome you with on-site amenities, including restaurants, outdoor recreation, events and more. For a fun night out with friends or a romantic dinner for two, dine inside Grand View Lodge’s popular outdoor igloos.
Where to Eat & Drink
Finding a hot cup of coffee or cocoa is essential in a Minnesota winter. Sip your favorite cozy drink at StoneHouse Coffee & Roastery or Adirondack Coffee. Treat yourself to a special dinner or have a romantic night out at Cru or Bar Harbor Supper Club on your getaway.
Where to Shop
When shopping up north, it’s impossible not to stop at Buffalo Plaid or find delicious gifts at Loide Oils & Vinegars. Anchored In offers unique finds for everyone on your list, and shopping in downtown Nisswa at the charming shops, restaurants and breweries lining Main Street is hard to beat.
Northfield
How to Celebrate
Downtown Northfield is a dreamy spot during the holidays. It served as the filming location for Hallmark’s "Love Always, Santa" in 2016, and its annual Winter Walk draws crowds downtown, where horse-drawn carriages and carolers make their way along streets illuminated with candles. Visitors clutching cups of hot cocoa can meander among the town’s charming businesses, restaurants and coffee shops on Dec. 10, 2026. This family-friendly event also features appearances by Santa Claus, Rudolph and Frosty the Snowman.
Where to Stay
Near the colleges of St. Olaf and Carleton is the cozy Contented Cottage Bed and Breakfast tucked away on a bluff. Located on the Cannon River downtown is Froggy Bottoms River Suites to put you in the middle of all the fun.
Where to Eat & Drink
The Ole Store is a Scandinavia-inspired restaurant in the middle of a small neighborhood that serves up comfort classics with a twist like the church basement wild rice soup, beet reuben or black bean burger.
Locals love Hogan Brothers for their delicious hoagies made with fresh honey cracked-wheat bread and their signature sauce, an olive oil vinaigrette. Warm up with a cup of homemade beer cheese soup, chili or one of their daily offerings.
Where to Shop
The decorated storefronts will draw you in with their festive displays, but their wide array of stores will make it easy to find something for everyone on your list at Northfield Olive Oils & Vinegars, Measuring Cup, Content Bookstore, Northfield Yarn or The Rare Pair.
Stillwater
How to Celebrate
Downtown Stillwater becomes even more charming and magical during the holidays with its annual City Tree Lighting and the Hometown for the Holidays celebration that runs from Nov. 27 through Dec. 20, 2026. Find in-store specials, horse-drawn carriages, holiday carolers in festive Victorian holiday costumes and a visit from Santa Claus himself.
Where to Stay
There is a wide variety of places to stay in Stillwater, from boutique spots like the Lora or Hotel Crosby to Water Street Inn. Stillwater is also home to several bed-and-breakfasts, such as the Rivertown Inn, Aurora Staples Inn and Ann Bean Mansion.
Where to Eat & Drink
Located downtown, Domacin Wine Bar has an extensive wine list and cozy, romantic vibes to boot. Inside the Lora is Feller, a romantic spot with views of downtown Stillwater. Some menu favorites are the bison ribeye, Feller burger, and smoked trout fritters. Make time for tea in the historic Lowell Inn's classic dining room; reservations are required at least 24 hours in advance.
Where to Shop
Downtown Stillwater is home to more than 50 unique and independently owned shops so it’s a great spot to get all your holiday shopping done in one spot. Find something for the kids at Gullywubbles, showcase your Minnesota pride at Minnesota Made, Lake and Company or Sota Clothing and find something for the at-home chef at Stillwater Olive Oil Co., Pinch N’ Rub, or Alfresco. For something truly unique, browse through several antique shops like the Midtown Antique Mall, the stacks at Valley Bookseller or pour your own candle at Carpe Noctem Candle Co.
