10 Ways to Celebrate the Holidays in Minnesota

Every winter, Duluth’s Bayfront Festival Park transforms into “America's Largest Free Walk-Through Lighting Display," shining brightly with 5 million lights at Bentleyville "Tour of Lights." Visitors can enjoy hot cocoa, popcorn, and roasted marshmallows while marveling at the brilliant displays. Admission is free, but monetary donations, unwrapped toys, and non-perishable food items are appreciated.

It’s also a marvelous time of year to visit Kiwanis Holiday Lights in Mankato, featuring 1.5 million LED lights, animated displays, a skating rink, horse-drawn wagon rides, Santa Claus, live reindeer, ice sculptures, and more.

In Chaska, the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum's Northern Lights display puts towering trees and winter landscapes in the spotlight with colorful projections, synchronized sound and interactive installations. The new experience runs Nov. 20, 2026–Jan. 3, 2027, excluding Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Reserve timed tickets ahead. 

The GLOW Holiday Festival at CHS Field in St. Paul features more than 1 million lights, an Enchanted Forest and a Giant Slide from Nov. 20 through Jan. 3. 

Or hop in your car with some hot cocoa and see thousands of sparkling lights at drive-through displays at Sertoma Winter Wonderland in Baxter, Magic of Lights at the annual Winter SKOLstice in Eagan, Celebrate the Light of the World in Willmar, or Sever's Holiday Lights in Shakopee.

The CPKC Holiday Train rolls into Minnesota Dec. 11–18, 2026, with free concerts at 25 stops, including Winona, Wabasha, Minneapolis, St. Paul, Alexandria and Thief River Falls. Bring a food or cash donation to support local food banks, and check our Minnesota Holiday Train schedule to find a stop near you.

In Duluth, the North Shore Scenic Railroad's Christmas City Express begins with a holiday story, carolers and a visit from Santa at the Lake Superior Railroad Museum inside the Depot. Then families board a train for a 30-minute ride along Lake Superior, complete with hot chocolate and cookies.

See incredible holiday village displays at the Twin City Model Railroad Museum in St. Paul. The museum’s Night Trains dims the lights in the display area so buildings, streetlights, and trains can create a warm glow, all buried in fake snow with Christmas lights and decorations.  

Head north to Bemidji's First City of Lights festivities on Nov. 27 to see more than half a million lights, complete with a 50-foot-tall, animated Paul Bunyan Christmas tree, live music, a parade, fireworks, and more. Visitors can also tour illuminated homes and storefronts through the New Year during the Tour of Homes display contest.

Santa and his reindeer also pay a visit to the Holz Farm Old Fashioned Holiday in Eagan. Meanwhile, Mrs. Claus is planning on swinging by the Taylors Falls Lighting Festival.

Feel like you’re in the middle of a holiday TV movie at Northfield’s Winter Walk celebration on Dec. 10. The street is lined with hundreds of luminaries and festively decorated shops offering holiday specials.

Stroll through a European-style Christmas market to find unique gifts and holiday decorations, or sample European-inspired dishes at the European Christmas Market at St. Paul’s Union Depot. In Minneapolis’ North Loop neighborhood, the Minneapolis Christkindl Market at North Loop Green brings together alpine-style wooden huts, shimmering lights, European-inspired food and gifts from local vendors. Both markets run on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from Nov. 20 to Dec. 20.

In New Ulm, the Weihnachts Markt features live reindeer, shopping, live music, food vendors, and more on Nov. 27, the same day as the city's 38th annual Parade of Lights. 

The halls of Minnesota’s historic homes are decked for the holidays. Tour the Mayowood Mansion in Rochester or Hubbard House in Mankato, see elaborately decorated rooms and trees at Glensheen Mansion in Duluth or experience what the holidays were like for the keeper at Split Rock Lighthouse in Two Harbors.

In St. Paul, travel back in time to "A Gilded Age Christmas at the James J. Hill House (Nov. 28–Jan. 3), or head over to the Comstock House in Moorhead to channel holiday traditions from the Victorian era.

Celebrate at holiday-themed pop-up bars like the Down Through the Chimney (Nov. 25–Dec. 26) pop-up at Hotel Emery, the kitschy-cool Miracle at Puttery in Minneapolis, and the Jingle Bar at Lola's Lakehouse in Waconia, which opens on Nov. 6. Other TBC tipples from past seasons include the Northern Starlight Express in The Depot at The Renaissance Minneapolis Hotel, Travail Kitchen and Amusements in Robbinsdale, and Nico's Navidad at Nico's Tacos in Minneapolis.

Stroll through some of Minnesota’s most charming downtowns, find one-of-a-kind gifts from local shops and partake in festive holiday fun at Nisswa’s annual City of Lights Celebration (Nov. 27) or squeeze in a visit to downtown Stillwater for its Hometown for the Holidays weekends, happening from Nov. 27 through Dec. 20.

Discover a twist on holiday cheer in New Ulm with a 40-foot upside-down Christmas tree in German Park. The unique display is rooted in German tradition and celebrates New Ulm's rich history and community spirit — something you'll also find in spades at the area's historic Domeiers German Store. 

If more than 500 stores and tax-free shopping aren't reason enough to visit Mall of America, several holiday activities will delight visitors, including the Holiday Music Festival in the Huntington Bank Rotunda and The Candy Cane Institute that hosts Santa and his special workshop.

In Shakopee, the popular Junk Bonanza vintage market is hosting a holiday pop-up with dozens of vendors. The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum’s popular AppleHouse transforms into a festive boutique in November and December filled with seasonal décor, gifts, and gourmet treats. 

Channel your inner Clark Griswold by visiting one of Minnesota’s Christmas tree farms. Each festive property features its own personality, from quiet and peaceful to bustling holiday hubs with sleigh rides, family crafts, Santa Claus meet-and-greets and more. Be sure to check each farm’s opening dates and cutting availability before you go.

Take in a holiday classic, including "It's A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play" (Dec. 11–23) accompanied by lunch or dinner at The Saint Paul Hotel, "A Christmas Carol" (Nov. 11–Dec. 27) at the Guthrie Theater, or Loyce Houlton’s "Nutcracker Fantasy" at the State Theatre. The Minnesota Ballet adds a local twist (and a lumberjack) to the classic story with its performance of "The Nutcracker: A Duluth Tale" (Dec. 11–13) at the DECC in Duluth.

For the kids, catch "Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas!" (Nov. 3–Jan. 3) at Children's Theatre Company in Minneapolis or "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical" (Nov. 20–Dec. 27) at Stages Theatre Company in Hopkins. Circus Juventas is also presenting "A Hygge Holiday" (Dec. 4–13), a high-flying trapeze and acrobatics show featuring their award-winning youth circus school. 

Sip tea and enjoy treats like warm scones, canapés, cheesecakes, tea sandwiches and more. Book tea time at the Lowell Inn in Stillwater, the Mad Hatter in Anoka or The Saint Paul Hotel. Get your fill of holiday sweets and treats and leave the baking to someone else. Visit a local bakery, café or restaurant to pick up locally made cookies, cakes and other treats this season. 

Reserve tea experiences ahead, and check preorder deadlines for holiday cookies, cakes and other bakery treats, as some require advance reservations.