Holiday Lights in Minnesota - A Big Alphabetized List!

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!

Through the season we mention 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 to see in the areas near Minneapolis and St. Paul, it’s definitely not the only location!

There are light displays all throughout the state of Minnesota at churches, city parks and even private homes and businesses.

MN Holiday Lights Display - White Star on Branch.

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

Thursday, 11/27 – 5 pm
FREE
Drive-thru

Albert Lea | Carter Christmas Lights Show

11/18- 12/30, 5-9pm, Friday and Saturday 5-10pm
FREE
Drive-thru

a house with red and green christmas lights.

Albertville | Mr. Creed’s Lights

November 29 – January 14, Sunday – Thursday 5 – 9 pm, Friday and Saturday 5 pm – 11 pm
FREE
Drive-thru

Martinson's Holiday Lights in Apple Valley decorated with festive holiday lights, featuring a large illuminated tree shape with a star on top in the front yard. Blue and white arches and snowflakes adorn the house's eaves and roofline, creating a bright and cheerful display.

Apple Valley | Martinson’s Holiday Lights

November 28 – January 3, Sunday – Thursday 5 – 10 pm, Friday and Saturday 5 pm – 11 pm
FREE
Drive-thru

Apple Valley | Ray’s Holiday Light Show

12845 Eveleth Ave, from 11/27 to 1/3
Monday-Thursday 5:00-10:00, Friday-Saturday 5:00-10:30.
FREE
Drive-thru

Sertoma Winter Wonderland | Baxter (Northland Arboretum).

Baxter (Northland Arboretum) | Sertoma Winter Wonderland

November 27 – November 29 and December: 4-6, 11-13,18-20, 24-31 (visit website for more information), 5:30 – 8:00 pm
$20/vehicle, cash or check only
$15/vehicle advance tickets available at Cub Foods- Baxter and Brainerd
You can also purchase passes on their website
Drive-thru

Bemidji | First City of Lights

November 28, 6 pm
FREE
Drive-thru or walk-through

a house decorated with christmas lights.

Bloomington (Martin Luther Senior Living & Care) | Holiday Lights Drive-Thru

11/28 – 1/4, 5 – 10 pm
FREE
Drive-thru

A house with a snowy yard decorated with colorful cartoon character cutouts celebrating a festive scene. The house is adorned with multicolored lights, and the scene is illuminated against a dark night sky.

Bloomington | Winter Lights Tour

Grab the map of 50 Bloomington addresses with festive decorations
The 2024 map is now available.
FREE
Drive-thru

Burnsville | Christmas Lights on Big Oak Drive (2012 Big Oak Drive)

November 27 – January 1, Sunday- Thursday 5 pm- 10 pm, Friday- Saturday 5 pm- 10:30 pm
FREE
Drive-thru

A brick pathway at Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is adorned with vibrant holiday lights and leads to a festive building. Illuminated trees and shrubs line the path, creating a colorful, welcoming scene on a clear night.

Chaska (Minnesota Landscape Arboretum) | Winter Lights

November 20 – December 31 (select dates), 4:30 p.m. – 9 p.m. daily
$10/person for members, $25/person for non-members, ages 15 and under free
Walk-through

Chaska | Snook Family Lights

1188 Wildwood Way, 11/28- January 7th, Sunday – Thursday 5 – 10 pm, Friday – Sunday 5 – 11 pm
FREE
Drive-thru

A festive house adorned with colorful Christmas lights, featuring a large tree with a glowing red star on top. Smaller lit-up trees and arches create a vibrant display in the front yard against the night sky.

Coon Rapids | Holiday Lighting Contest

FREE
Drive-thru (Map to follow mid-December at link above)

Crystal | Crystal Light Show

6404 38th Avenue N, 11/27 – 1/2, 5 – 10 pm
FREE
Drive-thru

Dalton | Pioneer Village Tour of Lights

November 27 – January 1, Daily 5 – 10 pm
FREE
Walk-through or Drive-thru

Delano | Delano Light the Night

11/28 – 1/31, 5 – 9 pm
FREE
Drive-thru or Walk-thru

Bentleyville Tour of Lights Duluth Minnesota.

Duluth | Bentleyville Tour of Lights

November 22 – December 25, Sunday – Thursday 5 – 9 pm, Friday – Saturday 5 – 10 pm
FREE
Walk-through

Duluth (Lake Superior Zoo) | Larger Than Life Lights

December 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20 – 5 pm – 7:30 pm
$5/member, $10/non-member, two and under free
Walk-through

The house at Exhibition Drive Holiday Sound & Light Show in Duluth Minnesota is decorated with bright Christmas lights. The lights outline the roof and windows, creating a festive glow. A Christmas star shines above, and a snowman decoration is visible in the front yard. Snowflakes are patterned at the bottom edge.

Duluth | Exhibition Drive Holiday Sound & Light Show

November 28- December 25, 5-10pm
FREE
Drive- through

Magic of Lights car driving through display.

Eagan | Magic of Lights

November 21- January 3, Mon-Thu: 5:30-9 PM, Fri-Sun: 5:30-10 PM
Advance tickets are Weekday (Mon-Thur): $31.05 per car (gate price active on Nov 21), Any Day (Mon-Sun): $36.23 per car , Party Bus at $67.28 any day – At the gate tickets are $6-$7 more. Check out Magic of Lights discount ticket options HERE.
Drive through

A two-story house is festively decorated with numerous colorful Christmas lights and inflatable figures, including snowmen, Santas, and reindeer, creating a vibrant holiday display against a dark evening sky.

Excelsior | Kirsten’s Lights on Minnewashta 3821 Linden Circle

11/25 to 1/5 from 3 – 10:30 pm except windy and rainy days.
FREE
All donations go to the Animal Humane Society of MN.

Christmas in the Village at Dakota City.

Farmington (Dakota City Heritage Village) | Christmas in the Village

December 6, 7, 13, & 14, 2025, 3 – 8 pm
Admission tickets available online or at the admission gate on the day of event
Walk-through

Fergus Falls | Festival of Lights

12/3- 12/13, 4:45 – 9 pm
FREE
Drive-thru and Walk-through

The house at Langness Lights in Forest Lake Minnesota is decorated with bright red and white Christmas lights. The display includes a large star-topped tree, snowflake patterns, candy canes, and illuminated arches. The lights are vibrant against the night sky.

Forest Lake | Langness Lights (Pending Confirmation)

Starts 11/29- 12/31, 6 – 9 pm nightly
FREE
Drive-thru

Fridley | City of Fridley Winter Lights Contest

Maps available online or at City Hall starting 12/12.
FREE
Drive-thru

Hugo (Adelaide Landing Neighborhood) | Holiday Exterior Illumination

11/28 – 12/31, 5 – 10 pm
Free

Inver Grove Heights | Light Up the Heights

All Holiday Season
FREE
Drive-thru

Valley Lights | Lake Elmo (Rockpoint Church).

Lake Elmo (Rockpoint Church) | Valley Lights

11/28 – 12/31, 5 – 10 pm
FREE
Drive-thru

Kiwanis Holiday Lights | Mankato (Sibley Park).

Mankato (Sibley Park) | Kiwanis Holiday Lights

November 28 – 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

Marshall (Independence Park) | Light Up the Night

11/28 – 1/1, 5 – 9 pm
FREE
Drive-thru (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 5 – 7 pm) or Walk-through)

Trista Lights in Minnetrista features a house adorned with vibrant holiday lights, predominantly blue and red, illuminating the night. The decorations include a glowing Christmas tree shape and candy cane lights on the lawn, creating a festive and colorful display.

Minnetrista | Trista Lights

12/5, full schedule coming to their website soon
Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 5-9pm
FREE
Drive-thru

North Suburban Holiday Light Map

Includes Arden Hills, Mounds View, New Brighton, Roseville, St. Anthony, and Columbia Heights
The updated 2025 map will be available on December 5.

Pelican Rapids | Peteyville

11/28 – 1/4, Dusk until 11pm
FREE
Drive-thru / Walk-thru

The house at Plymouth Lights is brightly decorated with colorful Christmas lights in a snowy night scene. Trees and bushes are adorned with lights, featuring a "Remember Jesus" sign. Snowflakes are visible in the air, adding a festive touch to the winter landscape.

Plymouth | Plymouth Lights

12/1 – 12/31 (except 12/24), Sunday – Thursday 5:30 – 9:30 pm, Friday – Saturday 5:30 – 10 pm, no display on December 24
FREE
Drive-thru

Princeton (Mille Lacs County Fairgrounds) | Light Up Princeton

November 29 – December 21, Thursday through Sunday 6-9pm and Christmas Eve: 5:30-8:00 pm
FREE
Drive-thru

A cozy wooden cabin at Roseau Nights of Lights is decorated with glowing string lights and a large star. A sign reads "Merry & Bright." Snow covers the ground, and two wooden trees frame the entrance, creating a festive winter scene at night.

Roseau (Roseau City Park) | Nights of Lights

Friday – Sunday, the last two weeks of December, 5 pm – 8 pm
FREE
Sleigh Rides and Santa every night
Drive-thru (12/24-12/27)or Walk-through (12/19-12/24)

Roseville | Candy Cane Lane (Pending Confirmation)

Map will go live on December 5th
FREE
Drive-thru

The house at Holiday Lights on 20th Street in St. Michael decorated with vibrant blue Christmas lights features snowflakes, stars, and a large "Merry Christmas" sign. An illuminated Christmas tree and various festive patterns adorn the front yard, creating a bright, festive nighttime display.

St. Michael | Holiday Lights on 20th St

11/29 – 12/31, Sunday-Thursday 5:30pm – 9:00pm, Friday-Saturday 5:30pm – 10:00pm
FREE
Drive-thru

family looking at light display at GLOW Holiday Festival in St. Paul.

St. Paul (CHS Field) | GLOW Holiday Festival

November 20 – January 4
Get Discount Tickets
Walk-through

Rice Park Holiday Lights, St. Paul, Minnesota.

St. Paul (Rice Park) | Holiday Lights

November 15, 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
FREE
Walk-through

A large tree adorned with blue and white lights stands in Mears Park at night. The scene is illuminated by the vibrant lights, with benches and a pavilion in the background. The surrounding trees and grass are dimly lit.

St. Paul (Mears Park) | Holiday Lights

Tree Lighting Ceremony is 11/23, end date is not listed but in past years the lights stay on through 12/31
FREE
Walk-through

St. Paul | Holiday Lights on York Ave

11/29 – 12/31, 5 – 10 pm
FREE
Drive-thru

A tree at the Sartell Country Lights Festival is adorned with multicolored Christmas lights stands beside a calm Lake Francis at dusk. The shoreline is decorated with festive lights, and the reflections shimmer on the water, creating a serene holiday scene.

Sartell (Lake Francis Park) | Country Lights Festival

11/28 – 12/31, dusk – dawn
FREE
Walk-through

Sever's Holiday Lights | Shakopee (Sever's).

Shakopee (Sever’s) | Sever’s Holiday Lights

November 27 – December 28, every day 5 – 9 pm
Ticket prices are available online
Drive-thru

Holiday Lights in Motion | Sleepy Eye (Sportsman's Park).

Sleepy Eye (Sportsman’s Park) | Holiday Lights in Motion

11/27 – 1/31, 5 – 10 pm
FREE
Drive-thru

Aerial view of the Spirit of Winter event at Sovereign Estate Winery in Waconia with a snow-covered landscape with trees and buildings adorned in colorful holiday lights, including green, red, blue, and purple. The illuminated display creates a festive and vibrant atmosphere in the night.

Waconia (The Winery at Sovereign Estate) | The Spirit of Winter

November 21 – December 31 (closed Monday-Tuesday, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve), Wednesday-Thursday | 4pm-8pm, Friday-Saturday | 4pm-9pm, Sunday | 4pm-8pm
Family Season Pass for $50, $15 per car or $50 for large buses/limos/etc. on Wednesday nights.
Walk-through/Drive Through

The Christmas in Wadena house brightly decorated with Christmas lights, featuring an illuminated tree-shaped pole, American flags, and various light displays. The decorations cover the house and surrounding trees, creating a festive and colorful scene at night.

Wadena | Christmas in Wadena

November 27 – January 1, Monday – Thursday, 5:30 PM to 9:00 PM, Friday – Sunday, 5:30 PM to 10:00 PM
Free
Drive-thru or walk-through

A nighttime scene with holiday lights decorating trees and structures. Illuminated bushes and geometric shapes are spread across a lawn, creating a festive atmosphere under a dark sky.

White Bear Lake | Holiday Lights on Bloom – 2631 Bloom Rd.

November 07 – February 7, 5:30 – 9:30 pm daily
Free
Drive-thru

At Willmar's Celebrate the Light of the World, a large Christmas tree decorated with colorful lights stands by a light display reading "Celebrate The Light" in the foreground. The scene is set in a dark outdoor area.

Willmar (Robbins Island Regional Park) | Celebrate the Light of the World

11/27 – 12/31, 5 – 10 pm
FREE
Drive-thru

St. Croix Falls (Wisconsin) | Miracle at Big Rock

November 28-January 1, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays: 5 PM – 9 PM, Fridays and Saturdays: 4 PM – 10 PM
Drive-thru and select walk-through nights.

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About the Author
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Hannah

Hannah is a married mom of 3 kiddos in the Twin Cities. Born and raised here in MN, she loves finding deals and special events to share with others.

Hannah enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading books, going on road trips up north, singing along with the radio and finding new thrift stores to shop! Hannah is also a fierce advocate for people with disabilities and is always on the lookout for more sensory friendly opportunities in the Twin Cities.