See where to take the family to enjoy the beautiful holiday lights with this big list of Minnesota Holiday Light Shows!
One of my favorite parts of the holiday season is viewing the beautiful holiday lights. Our family’s tradition when I was a child was to drive around and see beautiful Christmas light shows after the Christmas Eve service.
It’s so fun to oooh and ahhh over the lights from the comfort of your vehicle. Thankfully this tradition can continue today!
We’ve mentioned several holiday light displays already here at Thrifty Minnesota, but we thought it would be helpful to put the MN holiday lights displays all together in one spot for easy reference.
While there are lots of Twin Cities Christmas lights shows in the areas near Minneapolis and St. Paul, it’s definitely not the only location!
There are amazing holiday light shows all throughout the state of Minnesota at churches, city parks and even private homes and businesses.
Most of these Minnesota holiday lights shows are drive-thru events, while a few are available to walk-through. Plus, many of them are FREE!
If you know of any light displays that are missing from our list, please e-mail chrysa@ thriftyminnesota.com with the details and we’ll get them added!
Minnesota Holiday Lights List
This list is alphabetized by city. Please let us know of any attractions we can add to this list!
Albany | Lights in the Country
- 11/25 – 1/9, Monday – Thursday 5 – 10 pm, Friday – Sunday 5 pm – 11 pm
- FREE
- Drive-thru
Albertville | Mr. Creed’s Lights
- November 25 – January 8, Sunday – Thursday 5 – 10 pm, Friday and Saturday 5 pm – 12 am
- FREE
- Drive-thru
Anoka (Anoka County Fairgrounds) | Holiday in Lights
- December 9 – 11, 5 – 9 pm
- FREE
- Drive-thru
Apple Valley | Ray’s Holiday Light Show
- 12845 Eveleth Ave, 5-10 pm nightly
- FREE
- Drive-thru
Apple Valley | Martinson’s Holiday Lights
- 15381 Drexel Way, Sunday-Thursday 5-10 pm, Friday & Saturday 5-11 pm
- FREE
- Drive-thru
Apple Valley | Penguin Choir
- 114036 Flagstone Trail, Daily 5-1o pm
- FREE
- Drive-thru
- Tune to 99.1
Baxter (Northland Arboretum) | Sertoma Winter Wonderland
- November 24 – December 31 (select dates), 5:30 – 8:30 pm
- $20/vehicle
- $10 advance tickets available at Cub Foods, SuperValu, and Northland Arboretum
- Drive-thru
Bemidji | First City of Lights
- November 25 – January 1, 5 – 10 pm
- FREE
- Drive-thru or walk-through
Bloomington (Mall of America) | Universe of Light
- 11/12 – 1/2, Fridays through Sundays, 8 pm and 9 pm
- FREE
Bloomington | Winter Lights Tour
- Grab the map of 50 Bloomington addresses with festive decorations.
- FREE
- Drive-thru
Bloomington (Martin Luther Senior Living & Care) | Holiday Lights Drive-Thru
- 11/25 – 1/2, 5 – 10 pm
- FREE
- Drive-thru
Brooklyn Park | Holiday Lights Tour
- 12/1 – 12/31, 5 – 10 pm
- FREE
- Pick up a map of participating houses at the CAC or view the map HERE (interactive or PDF)
- Drive-thru
Burnsville | Big Oak Drive Lights
- 2012 Big Oak Drive, 11/24 – 1/1, 5:30 – 10 pm nightly
- FREE
- Turn your radio to 91.9 FM
Chaska (Minnesota Landscape Arboretum) | Winter Lights
- November 17 – January 1 (select dates), Monday – Thursday 5 – 9 pm, Friday – Sunday 5 – 10 pm
- $10/person for members, $25/person for non-members, ages 15 and under free
- Walk-through
Chaska | Snook Family Lights
- 1188 Wildwood Way, 11/27 – 1/6, Sunday – Thursday 5 – 10 pm, Friday – Saturday 5 – 11 pm
- FREE
- Drive-thru
Chaska | Christmas on Savanna
- 4441 Savanna Trai, 11/20 – 12/25, Sunday – Thursday 5 – 10 pm, Friday – Saturday 5 – 11 pm
- FREE
- Drive-thru
Circle Pines | Barno Family Lights
- 11/26 – 1/3, Sunday – Thursday 6 – 10 pm, Friday – Saturday 6 – 11 pm
- FREE
- Drive-thru
Coon Rapids | Christmas Tree Walk and Tree Decorating Contest
- 12/1 – 12/24, 5 – 9 pm
- FREE
- Walk-through
Coon Rapids | Holiday Lighting Contest
- FREE
- Drive-thru
Crystal | Crystal Light Show
- 6404 38th Avenue N, 11/25 – 1/2, 5 – 10 pm
- FREE
- Drive-thru
Delano | Delano Light the Night
- 11/25 – 1/1, 5 – 10 pm
- FREE
- Drive-thru or Walk-thru
Delano | Delano DeLights
- 12/2 – 12/25
- FREE – At Individual Homes in Delano
- Drive-thru (Map to follow at link above)
Duluth | Bentleyville Tour of Lights
- November 19 – December 26, Sunday – Thursday 5 – 9 pm, Friday – Saturday 5 – 10 pm
- FREE
- Walk-through
Duluth (Glensheen Mansion) | Spirit of the Lights
- 11/26 – 12/31 (Fridays and Saturdays), 5 – 8 pm
- Additional dates: 12/26-12/31
- FREE
Duluth (Lake Superior Zoo) | Larger Than Life Lights
- 2725 Exhibition Drive, November 25 – December 31 (select dates), 5 – 8 pm
- $5/member, $10/non-member
- Walk-through
Duluth | Exhibition Drive Holiday Sound & Light Show
- November 25 – December 31, Sunday-Thursday 5-10 pm, Friday and Saturday 5-11 pm
- FREE
- Drive-through
Farmington (Dakota City Heritage Village) | Christmas in the Village (confirmed)
- December 3 and 4, 10 – 11, 3 – 8 pm
- $5/person, 5 and under free
- Walk-through
Forest Lake | Langness Lights
- 11/26 – ??, Monday – Thursday 5 – 9 pm, Friday – Saturday 5 – 9:30 pm
- FREE
- Drive-thru
Fridley | City of Fridley Winter Lights Contest
- Maps available online or at City Hall starting 12/16.
- FREE
- Drive-thru
Glencoe | Christmas on Birch
- 11/26 – 1/1, Sunday-Thursday: 5:30-9, Friday-5:30-10
- FREE
- Drive-thru
Ham Lake | Shenandoah House on the Hill
- 13817 Shenandoah St NE
- 5:00 – 9:00 pm (sometimes 19:00)
- FREE
- Drive-thru
Hugo (Adelaide Landing Neighborhood) | Holiday Exterior Illumination
- 11/26 – 1/1, 5 – 10 pm
- Free
- Fundraiser for the Hugo Good Neighbors Food Shelf – donate online
- Drive-thru; see a map HERE
Inver Grove Heights | Light Up the Heights
- FREE
- Drive-thru
Lake Elmo (Rockpoint Church) | Valley Lights
- 11/26 – 12/31, 5 – 10 pm
- FREE
- Drive-thru
Lakeville | Holiday Lights Tour
- See the map
- FREE
- Drive-thru
Long Prairie (River of Life Church) | Light the Night
- 12/3 – 12/5, 12/10 – 12/12, 12/17 – 12/19, 5 – 8 pm
- FREE
- Drive-thru
Mankato (Sibley Park) | Kiwanis Holiday Lights (confirmed)
- November 25 – December 31, Sunday – Thursday 5 – 9 pm, Friday – Saturday 5 – 10 pm
- FREE
- Drive-thru or Walk-through
Maple Grove | Rotary Holiday Light Display
- At the skate loop in Central Park
- FREE
- Walk-thru
Maple Grove | Birchview Road Christmas Wonderland (7153 Birchview Rd)
- 11/26 – 1/31
- Santa Claus greets cars on Fridays and Saturdays in December
- FREE
- Drive-thru
Marshall (Independence Park) | Light Up the Night
- 11/26 – 12/26, 5 – 9 pm
- FREE
- Drive-thru (Saturday and Sunday from 5 – 7 pm) or Walk-through
Minneapolis (Armatage Neighborhood) | Armatage Holiday Light Tour
- 12/10 – 12/19, 5 – 8 pm
- FREE
- Drive-thru or walk-through
Minneapolis | Lights on Washburn
- 5205 Washburn Ave. S., 4:30-10 pm nightly
- FREE
- Drive-by or Walk-by
- Tune radio to 104.9
Minnetrista | Trista Lights
- 12/3 – 12/4, 12/11, 12/17, 12/25, 12/31, 5 – 9 pm
- FREE
- Drive-thru
North Suburban Holiday Light Map
- Includes Arden Hills, Mounds View, New Brighton, Roseville, St. Anthony, and Columbia Heights
- You can vote for your favorites here.
Owatonna | Havana Lights
- 11/25 – 1/1, dusk – 10 pm
- FREE
- Drive-thru
Plymouth | Plymouth Lights
- 12/1 – 12/31 (except 12/24), Sunday – Thursday 5:30 – 9:30 pm, Friday – Saturday 5:30 – 10 pm
- FREE
- Drive-thru
Princeton (Riverside Park) | Light Up Princeton (confirmed)
- November 26 – December 25, 6 – 9 pm
- FREE
- Drive-thru
Ramsey | Holiday Lights Contest
- FREE
- Drive-thru
Ramsey | Loss Family Light Show
- 5635 156th Lane NW – 5-10pm daily
- FREE
- Drive-thru
- Tune to 95.1 for music
- Select a song at https://lossfamilylights.remotefalcon.com/
Roseau (Roseau City Park) | Nights of Lights
- 12/9 – 12/11, 12/16 – 12/18, 12/22 – 12/23, 5 – 7 pm
- FREE
- Drive-thru
Roseville | Candy Cane Lane
- 1994 Herschel St, 12/1 – 1/9, 4-9 pm
- FREE
- Drive-thru
Sartell (Lake Francis Park) | Country Lights Festival
- 12/1 – 12/31, dusk – dawn
- FREE
- Walk-through
Shakopee (Sever’s) | Sever’s Holiday Lights
- November 24 – January 1, Sunday – Thursday 5 – 9 pm, Friday – Saturday 5 – 10 pm
- $25/car or $40/car of 8+ on weekdays, $35/car or $50/car of 8+ on weekends
- Drive-thru
Shakopee (Valleyfair) | Christmas in Color
- November 18 – January 2 (closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day), 5:30 – 10 pm
- Get Discount Tickets HERE
- Drive-thru
Sleepy Eye (Sportsman’s Park) | Holiday Lights in Motion
- 11/25 – 1/1, 5 – 10 pm
- FREE
- Drive-thru
St. Michael | Holiday Lights on 20th St
- 11/26 – 12/31, Sunday – Thursday, 5:30 – 9 pm, Friday – Saturday 5:30 – 9:30 pm
- FREE
- Drive-thru
St. Paul (Cathedral of St. Paul) | Cathedral Illuminated: The Manager
- 12/15 – 12/19, 6 – 9 pm
- FREE
- Drive-thru or walk-through
St. Paul (Mears Park) | Holiday Lights
- FREE
- Walk-through
St. Paul (CHS Field) | GLOW Holiday Festival
- 11/18 – 1/2
- Get Discount Tickets
- Walk-through
St. Paul (Rice Park) | Holiday Lights
- 11/19 through February
- FREE
- Walk-through
St. Paul | Holiday Lights on York Ave
- 11/26 – 12/31, 5 – 10 pm
- FREE
- Drive-thru
Stillwater (Downtown Stillwater) | Wintertime in Stillwater
- 11/26 – 3/20, 5 – 10 pm
- FREE
- Walk-through
Waconia (The Winery at Sovereign Estate) | The Spirit of Winter (confirmed)
- November 18 – December 30 (closed Mondays, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve), Sunday, Tuesday – Thursday 4 – 8 pm, Friday – Saturday 4 – 9 pm
- $10/person, 4 and under free
- Walk-through
Wadena | Christmas in Wadena (confirmed)
- November 24 – January 1, Monday – Thursday 5:30 – 9 pm, Friday – Sunday 5:30 – 10 pm
- Free
- Drive-thru or walk-through
Wayzata (Wayzata Community Church) | The Christmas Story in Lights
- 12/3 – 12/5, 12/10 – 12/12, 12/17 – 12/19, 5 – 8 pm
- FREE
- Drive-thru
Willmar (Robbins Island Regional Park) | Celebrate the Light of the World
- 11/25 – 1/1, 5 – 10 pm
- FREE
- Drive-thru
Woodbury| Holiday Lights of Woodbury
- 11/24 – 1/1, Sunday-Thursday 5 – 10 pm, Saturday & Sunday 5 – 11pm
- Santa will greet visitors and hand out candy canes to kids 12/16 and 12/23 7-8pm
- FREE
- Drive-thru
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- About the Author
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Laura is a former high school English teacher turned avid deal shopper following the birth of her first child. Now she’s a work-from-home mom of six which keeps her plenty busy!
Laura grew up in southern Minnesota and has called the Twin Cities home for over fifteen years. On the off chance she gets some free time you’ll find her with her nose in a book, spending time with family and friends, or enjoying a hot cup of coffee.
Steven Beaumont says
Hello,
Many people have shown an interest in observing my holiday light display so I’m providing the information below.
The schedule is daily 12/18-1/10
5:00 – 11:00 pm on Monday-Thursday
5:00 – Midnight on Friday-Sunday
Address is:
229 21st Avenue South
South Saint Paul, MN 55075
The display is choreographed to music which is broadcast on 97.1 FM
Links to what the show will look like this year similar to the 2015 display, please note that the Big Ash trees were replaced three years ago
o https://vimeo.com/169037197 – 2015 – Trans-Siberian Orchestra – Christmas Canon
o https://vimeo.com/151365295 – 2015 – Tran Siberian Orchestra – A Mad Russian’s Christmas
o https://vimeo.com/174597837 – Christmas Lights 2015 – Eric Cartman Sings Oh Holy Night
o https://vimeo.com/172919648 – Christmas Lights 2015 – Coca Cola Christmas Theme
o https://vimeo.com/167971123 – 2015 – Skrillex – First Of The Year Equinox (Note: Starts on New Year Eve as it’s not exactly holiday music I did this for the teenagers)
o https://vimeo.com/92787098 – 2012 Christmas Light Show – Joy To The World – Mannheim Steamroller South Saint Paul-AVI
Ali says
Will Eric Cartman singing O Holy Night be in the lineup this year? I would love to see that!
Anonymous says
Lights in the Country – Albany MN
36252 245th Ave, Albany, MN 56307
https://m.facebook.com/Lights-In-The-Country-Albany-MN-101976015106791/
http://www.albanymnchamber.org/holiday-lights-display.html
Kim Young says
Light Up Princeton is listed (thank you!) but with the wrong dates. Should be:
Open nightly
November 26 – Dec. 25
6-9 pm
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/507259477740478
Laura says
Thank you!
Roger palmer says
How can I get on your list of light displays, I have a big light display in rush city please let me know, thanks
Chrysa says
Hi, Roger. Just email chrysa @ thritftyminnesota.com
Rachel says
Bloomington MN is hosting its first Winter Lights Tour. Map will be available starting 12/9/2022. There is an awards contest too!
https://www.bloomingtonmn.gov/pr/bloomington-winter-lights-tour
Vitali Gueron says
Thank you for this great list!