The most wonderful time of the year is here! There’s nothing quite like the collective gasp when the community tree lights flicker to life for the very first time each year. To help you be a part of that magic, we’ve put together a big list of Minnesota tree lighting festivals, ceremonies and celebrations!
Gathering together under newly lit glowing lights to welcome the holidays as a community is a wonderful kickoff to the holiday season. Streets fill with music, storefronts shine a little brighter, and community traditions—some decades old, others newly created—begin to take center stage.
This guide to Minnesota’s tree lighting ceremonies brings together the most memorable and heartwarming events happening across the state. From charming small towns to lively city celebrations, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy the magic, community, and creativity that make our Minnesota holiday season truly unforgettable.
Did we miss your city or town? Just drop us an email and we’ll get it added!
Minnesota’s Best Tree Lightings and Holiday Festivities for 2026
This list of holiday tree lighting celebrations and ceremonies is alphabetized by city. Please let us know of any events we can add to this list!
Anoka
36th Annual Anoka Tree Lighting at Anoka City Hall River Plaza
Saturday, December 5
Anoka’s beloved tradition returns for its 36th year! The city is still finalizing this year’s details, but last year’s celebration included Santa and Mrs. Claus, horse-drawn trolley rides, bonfires, and live reindeer leading up to the big lighting.
Apple Valley
Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony at Apple Valley Municipal Center
Tuesday, November 24, 6:15–7 pm
Kick off Thanksgiving week with caroling, cookies, and cider as Apple Valley lights up its holiday tree at the Municipal Center (7100 147th St W).
Bemidji
Night We Light in Downtown Bemidji
Friday, November 27, starting at 6 pm
Bemidji’s day-after-Thanksgiving tradition starts with a lighted parade through downtown, followed by a “flip the switch” moment at the waterfront that lights up more than half a million lights. Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox get lit up too, plus there’s ornament making, caroling, food trucks, and a bonfire.
Blaine
Blaine Winter Celebration at Tom Ryan Park & City Hall Atrium
Sunday, November 29, 4–6:30 pm
Warm up by the bonfires with s’mores, visit Santa, stroll the Winter Wonderland Walk, and enjoy live music from the Red Rock Swing Band inside City Hall. Kids can also shop for gifts at the Kids Shopping Spree (registration required).
Breckenridge
Breckenridge Tree Lighting & Holiday Event at Family Community Center
Monday, November 30, 5–7 pm (tree lighting at 6 pm)
This free community event at 521 6th St N has activities both indoors and out, so dress for the weather!
Burnsville
Burnsville Winter Lighting Ceremony at Nicollet Commons Park
Wednesday, November 25, 6 pm
The night before Thanksgiving, Santa, Mrs. Claus, and the mayor help light up more than 100,000 mini lights, 230 snowflakes on the streetlights, and a 30-foot tree in Burnsville’s Heart of the City.
Carver
Gazebo Park Lights Up at Carver’s Gazebo Park
2026 date coming soon
Carver’s Gazebo Park lights up each year with live holiday music and a tree lighting. Check back for this year’s date!
Centerville
Annual Christmas Tree Lighting at Centerville City Hall
Monday, November 30, 6:30 pm
Bring the whole family to watch the tree light up the night sky, then warm up with free hot cocoa and light refreshments.
Champlin
Christmas at the Crossings at Mississippi Crossings
Friday, December 4, 4–7 pm (tree lighting at 6:30 pm)
Visit Santa until 6 pm, enjoy hot chocolate, cookies, and s’mores, and check out the 30-foot animated musical tree and walk-through light displays. Free for all ages!
Chanhassen
Chanhassen Tree Lighting Ceremony at City Center Park
Saturday, December 5, 5 pm
The tree lighting is back at City Center Park this year! Meet live reindeer, warm up by the bonfires, visit Santa, and check out the gingerbread house display.
Cook County (Grand Marais)
Oh Ole Night in Downtown Grand Marais
Friday, November 27 (parade at 5:30 pm)
Spend the day after Thanksgiving shopping downtown and following the new Community Treat Trail for free cider, cocoa, and holiday goodies. At dusk, Santa leads the parade down Wisconsin Street, then the community tree lights up in Harbor Park, followed by fireworks over Lake Superior. Stick around for photos with Murray the Moose in his Santa suit!
Coon Rapids
Community Tree Lighting Festival at Coon Rapids Civic Center
Saturday, December 5, 3:30–6 pm
This free celebration has a new home this year at 11155 Robinson Dr! Santa arrives at 4 pm, and you can enjoy cocoa and cookies, live music, fire pits, ornament making, and writing letters to Santa. The countdown to the tree lighting and fireworks is at 5:30 pm.
Dayton
Holidayton Celebration at Briana Scurry Field
Thursday, December 3, 6–8 pm
Dayton’s holiday celebration includes the tree lighting, Santa photos, food trucks, kids’ games, s’mores over the bonfire, and a holiday light parade.
Eagan
Eagan Community Tree Lighting at Eagan Community Center
Tuesday, December 1, 4–6:30 pm (tree lighting at 5 pm)
Enjoy free live music, meet Santa and Mrs. Claus, make crafts, and warm up with s’mores and hot cider. Kids can even play in the Blast Indoor Playground for free, and there’s Music Bingo after the lighting!
Edina
Tree Lighting & Small Business Saturday at 50th & France
Saturday, November 28, 5 pm
Shop and dine local all day, then head to W 50th St in front of Faherty (across from the Edina Theater) for the tree lighting. You’ll also find caroling, sleigh rides, a Santa meet and greet, and a performance by The Mistletones.
Elko New Market
Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at Elko New Market City Hall
Thursday, December 10, 6 pm
Gather at City Hall (601 Main St) for Elko New Market’s annual tree lighting ceremony.
Fergus Falls
Over the River Holiday Festival in Fergus Falls
2026 date coming soon
Fergus Falls celebrates the season each year with a holiday festival along the Otter Tail River. Check back for this year’s date!
Forest Lake
Hometown Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony at Lakeside Memorial Park
Friday, December 4, 4:30–7 pm
Forest Lake’s evening of holiday fun includes a petting zoo, hot chocolate, FREE pictures with Santa, bonfires and s’mores, live entertainment, and food trucks, all wrapped up with the tree lighting ceremony.
Harmony
Harmony Holiday Events at Selvig Park
2026 date coming soon
Harmony hosts a tree lighting and holiday festivities each year. Check back for this year’s date!
Lake Elmo
Light Up Lake Elmo in Downtown Lake Elmo
Saturday, December 5, 3–5 pm (tree lighting at 4:30 pm)
Enjoy caroling and a visit with Santa before the tree lights up downtown. Check out the event map and parking info before you go.
Lindström
Lindström Tree Lighting Festival at Memorial Park
Saturday, December 5, 4:30–6 pm
This free festival (even the treats and drinks are free!) is always the first Saturday in December at Memorial Park, next to the All-Veterans Memorial and Visitors Center.
Minneapolis (Downtown)
Shine On Minneapolis Holiday Tree Lighting at Peavey Plaza
Friday, November 27, 7 pm
NEW this year! Downtown Minneapolis is lighting an artist-made illuminated holiday tree on Peavey Plaza as part of the free Shine On Minneapolis Kickoff Block Party on Nicollet Mall (5–10 pm, between 7th and 12th Streets). Start the night at the IDS Center Crystal Court with kids’ crafts, mascot visits, and live music, then head to Peavey Plaza for the tree lighting. Stick around for the first official snowball toss, the World Marshmallow Roasting Championship, and a DJ dance party on the street.
Minneapolis (North Loop)
North Loop Tree Lighting at The Nordic
2026 date coming soon
The North Loop’s tree lighting at Nordic Plaza usually includes Santa and his elves, live music, and free hot drinks and donuts. Check back for this year’s date!
Minnetrista
4th Annual Minnetrista Holiday Tree Lighting at Minnetrista City Campus
Wednesday, November 18, 5–7 pm
Santa arrives on a fire truck for the tree lighting, followed by fireworks, hot cocoa, food, music, and fire troughs to keep you warm. Park at WRA Park (7201 County Road 110 W) and ride the shuttle, which runs every 10 minutes.
New Prague
New Prague Hometown Holiday in Downtown New Prague
Friday, December 4
New Prague’s big holiday night features Santa, a Parade of Lights, the tree lighting, fireworks, and a tree decorating contest. Shop local before then on Small Business Saturday / Crazy Days, November 28.
New Ulm
Official Tree Lighting with Mayor Kathleen Backer at German Park
Friday, November 27, 5 pm
Watch New Ulm’s famous 40-foot upside-down Christmas tree light up! Make a day of it with the Weihnachts Markt holiday market (noon–5 pm) and the 38th Annual Parade of Lights at 6 pm.
Oakdale
Tree Lighting with Santa at the Oakdale Discovery Center
Thursday, December 3, 6–7:30 pm (tree lighting at 7 pm)
Santa kicks things off by arriving on a decorated fire truck! Grab a free photo with him, then enjoy the bonfire, s’mores, refreshments, and music from the Tartan High School Choir at 4444 Hadley Ave N.
Ramsey
Community Tree Lighting at Ramsey City Hall
Tuesday, December 1, 5–7:30 pm (tree lighting at 6 pm)
New this year, you can shop handmade gifts from local artisans! You’ll also find Santa photos, kids’ crafts, hot cocoa and cookies, and the PACT Chamber Choir singing at the lighting. Bring a donation for Toys for Joy or Granny’s Closet.
Robbinsdale
Annual Tree Lighting at Robbinsdale City Hall
Tuesday, December 1, 6 pm
Sing carols, enjoy treats and hot apple cider, visit Santa, and watch the huge tree in front of City Hall light up. Bring a non-perishable food item or an unopened toy to donate!
Rogers
Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony at 21st Century Bank Event Center
Friday, December 4, 6 pm (tree lighting at 7 pm)
Enjoy hot chocolate, cookies, caroling, and special activities, and enter the raffle for a chance to flip the switch!
St. Joseph
JoeTown WinterWalk Festival in Downtown St. Joseph
Friday, December 4, 4–8 pm (tree lighting at 7 pm)
Stroll downtown St. Joe for Santa and Mrs. Claus, live music, luminaries, and treats before the tree lights up.
St. Paul
Mears Park Winter Lighting Celebration at Mears Park
Thursday, November 19, 4 pm
Lowertown kicks off the season as the lights in Mears Park glow for the first time this winter.
Rice Park Tree Lighting at Rice Park
Saturday, November 14, 5:30–6:30 pm
Enjoy live music, a selfie station, and hot cocoa and cookies as downtown St. Paul lights up Rice Park. After the lighting, catch the light shows every 15 minutes each night starting at 5 pm.
Holiday Tree Lighting and Movie Night at Union Depot
Saturday, December 5 (tree lighting at 6 pm)
Start with the 2027 Winter Carnival button unveiling at 4 pm and a concert by The Mistletones, then head outside for the tree lighting and fireworks. The night wraps up with a free holiday movie in the Waiting Room – The Polar Express.
Stillwater
Twinkle Party & Tree Lighting at Lowell Park
Saturday, December 5 (part of Twinkle Weekend, December 4–6)
Kids 12 and under get free twinkle lights, and there’s live music and historic trolley rides before Santa helps light the city tree.
Victoria
Light Up Victoria
Wednesday, December 2
Victoria lights up for the holidays! Check the city’s website for event details.
Waconia
Tree Lighting in the Park at City Square Park
Friday, November 27, 6–7 pm
Santa joins the tree lighting at the park gazebo, with hot cocoa and caroling. Bring a new, unopened toy for the Waconia Toy Drive!
Waverly
Waverly Holiday Tree Lighting at Waverly Village Hall
2026 date coming soon
Waverly celebrates each year with a holiday tree lighting ceremony. Check back for this year’s date!
Wyoming
Tree Lighting Ceremony at Railroad Park
Saturday, December 5, 4:30–6 pm
Enjoy light displays, Santa, refreshments, and entertainment as Wyoming lights its tree at Railroad Park.
Thrifty Tips for Attending Tree Lightings
Most tree lighting ceremonies are completely free! Here are a few ways to make the most of your festive outing:
- Pack Your Own Cocoa: Many events offer complimentary hot chocolate, but save yourself the line (and possibly fee) by bringing a thermos of your favorite homemade brew.
- Dress for Waiting: Even if the event is only an hour long, the most thrilling part is often the countdown, which requires standing still. Plan to dress in layers, especially for the kids!
- Bring a Letter: If the event features Santa, check if they accept “Letters to Santa.” This saves you a separate trip and is a cherished holiday tradition.
- Look for Free Activities: Most events list extra perks like free crafts, trolley rides, or concerts—plan your arrival time around the activity you want to hit the most.
We hope this guide helps you find the perfect way to start your holiday season!
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