Outdoor Candlelight Events in Minnesota

Spend an evening outside and make the best of winter with these outdoor candlelight events in Minnesota! Walk, snowshoe or ski through candles, luminaries or lanterns.

We thought we would share several fun outdoor candlelight events coming up throughout Minnesota. The common thread is that each of them includes some sort of luminary or candlelight.

Some are hiking or walking, while others include snowshoeing or cross country skiing. Each event is unique with different scenery offered. Several are free, however some have a small admission or advance registration required to participate.

We have provided links to each event for more information. It’s also important to mention that the weather does not always cooperate, so check with the individual event if there’s no snow or bad weather conditions.

We are sharing this list a little early so you can plan ahead but also so we can get a longer list. If you know of others that we have not mentioned, please let us know as we would love to include them in our roundup.

December 2023

Dec 21: Dayton – Eastman Nature Center – Winter Solstice Luminary Trail

Celebrate the winter solstice and experience the beauty of the longest winter night by walking along a luminary lit trail. 

Dec 21: St. Louis Park – Westwood Hills Nature Center – Be The Light Winter Solstice Walk

 Follow the luminary walk through the forest guided by visual messages from the community. Discover artist created lantern sculptures expressing the peace of wild things. Light a candle in honor or memory of someone who struggles with or struggled with mental health. Gather around a fire in the glowing winter light while surrounded by a dreamy winter soundscape. 

Dec 31: Richfield – Woodlake Nature Center – Candlelight and Ice 

Follow hundreds of candle-lit luminaries on a walking trail through cattails, forest, and prairie. Warm up from the brisk winter evening with roasted marshmallows and hot cocoa by a crackling fire back at the amphitheater. Please note you must buy tickets ahead of time, no tickets will be available at the door.  

January 2024

Jan 1: Preston – Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park – First Day Candlelight Hike

Meet at the picnic shelter for a candlelight hike. See Historic Forestville lit up and hike under the moon along the river and through the woods. Telescopes will be set up to see some planets visible during this time of year.

While hiking along the trail discover some of the reasons why the dark sky is so precious. Snowshoes will be available to use for free. The event is free but a state park vehicle permit is required.

Jan 5: Plymouth – Luce Line State Trail – Candlelight Walk

Winter wonderland and flickering candles come together for a magical experience on the Luce Line State Trail during the candlelight hike! This self-guided, self-paced trail is two miles round trip, out and back. Refreshments will be at the east end of the candle lit portion near Vicksburg Lane.

Jan 5: Eagan- Lebanon Hills Regional Park- Forever Wild Family Friday

Forever Wild Family Friday on Friday, January 5 from 6-7:30pm at the Lebanon Hills Visitor Center. The theme is now Night Lights! Explore the park at night with lights! Go on a hike hunting for glow worms, play light up bowling (aka Northern Strikes!), and hear myths about our night sky around a glowing campfire. There will be s’mores from 7-7:30pm.

Jan 12: Fridley – Springbrook Nature Center – Lantern Light Hike

Bundle up and get ready to hike at Springbrook using the light of glowing lanterns to guide your way.  Listen for owls hooting, keep your eyes peeled for elusive nocturnal animals, and warm up by the fire along the way.  If snowpack allows, snowshoe rental will be available as supplies last.

Jan 13: Park Rapids – Itasca State Park – Itasca’s Evening Under the Pines: Julie and Bill Kaiser

Meet in the Jacob V. Brower Visitor Center Lobby. Warm up by the fireplace and enjoy the music of Bill and Julie Kaiser during the night of the Lantern Lit Snowshoe and Ski Event. From the northwoods of Minnesota, Bill and Julie perform a mix of bluegrass, folk, and original songs creating a mix of acoustic “folkgrass” music.

Jan 19: Hastings – Spring Lake Park Preserve – Trails by Candlelight

​Enjoy parks by flickering candlelight. A variety of cross-country ski, snowshoe, hiking and walking trails​ will be lit with hundreds of candles. Warm up with hot cocoa and crackling bonfires. Cocoa provided. 

Jan 20: Alexandria- Lake Carlos State Park- Candlelight Event: Snowshoe

Come enjoy an evening in the park by candlelight and moonlight. Snowshoe or walk the trail where you will be guided by the full moon, candles and lanterns. Then come warm up by the wood stove or enjoy snacks and refreshments in the Lakeview warming shelter. *The lit trail for this event will be on the snowshoe trail in the tamarack bog. No other trails will be lit as our summer hiking trails are ALL groomed ski trails and are closed for the season to all people and pets, except those on skis. Please stay off groomed ski trails at all times unless skiing. There is no cost for this event, but a Minnesota state parks vehicle permit is required to enter the park.

Jan 25: Faribault – River Bend Nature Center – Full Moon Luminary Snowshoe Hike

Enjoy the full moon with a luminary hike through River Bend. Trails are packed snow, participants are welcome to bring their own snowshoes or rent from River Bend! 

Jan 26: Mahtomedi – Gateway State Trail – Candlelight Walk

This walk along Gateway State Trail will be lit with hundreds of candle luminaries – from near Wildwood Elementary school to one mile down the trail (roundtrip will be a 2 mile walk). Enjoy bonfires for warmth and roasting marshmallows on both ends of the lit trail section; hot chocolate, cider and marshmallows will be available at the Stillwater Rd end. 

Jan 26: Bemidji – Lake Bemidji State Park – Candlelight Snowshoe

Explore the winter woods along a candle-lit trail! This year’s Candlelight Snowshoe starts and ends at the Visitor Center, where refreshments will be available. Stop along the way and warm up by the magical crackling of a toasty campfire. Snowshoes will be available for rent at $6.00/pair. All vehicles entering the park need a valid Minnesota State Park vehicle permit.

Jan 27: Norwood Young America – Baylor Regional Park – Candlelit Ski and Hayride Event

Join in the longstanding Carver County tradition and venture out to Baylor Regional Park for a wintery adventure! Glide through candlelit trails on cross-country skis, take a luminary lit hayride, and enjoy bonfire treats like cider & s’mores. Tickets are $5-$12.

Jan 27: Luvurne- Blue Mounds State Park- Candlelight Hike

Discover the beauty of Blue Mounds State Park on a winter night by the glow of candlelight. Enjoy a self-paced hike along a path lit by hundreds of luminaries starting at the picnic shelter. Need a break from the cold? Head inside the picnic shelter for a cup of piping hot cocoa or soak up the warmth of a toasty campfire.

February 2024

Feb 3: Minneapolis Luminary Loppet

Walk, snowshoe, or ski on the candlelit trail winding across Lake of the Isles. Experience 1,200 luminaries lining the trail with unique ice features and much more.

Feb 3: Hastings – Afton State Park – Candlelight Walk

This walk through Afton State Park will be lit with hundreds of candle luminaries for 3 mile loop trail. Enjoy bonfires at the visitor center and half way point. Come enjoy an evening in the park by candlelight! Snowshoe, ski, or hike the trail along the bluff top with beautiful views of the Mississippi River Valley, light by dozens of ice luminaries and the light of the full moon. Warm up at campfires at either end of the trail or enjoy some light refreshments by the wood stove in the warming shelter.

Feb 9: Fridley- Springbrook Nature Center – Lantern Light Hike

Bundle up and get ready to hike at Springbrook using the light of glowing lanterns to guide your way.  Listen for owls hooting, keep your eyes peeled for elusive nocturnal animals, and warm up by the fire along the way.  If snowpack allows, snowshoe rental will be available as supplies last.

Feb 9: Eagan – Lebanon Hills Regional Park – Trails by Candlelight

​Enjoy parks by flickering candlelight. A variety of cross-country ski, snowshoe, hiking and walking trails​ will be lit with hundreds of candles. Warm up with hot cocoa and crackling bonfires. Cocoa provided. 

Feb 10: New London – Sibley State Park – Luminary Hike

Enjoy the evening on a self-guided, lantern lit hike. The Pond View Interpretive trail will be illuminated for the evening. It is a 0.7-mile loop with a maximum grade of 7 percent over 190ft. Before or after hiking, drop by the campfire at the amphitheater to socialize and warm up. Light refreshments will be provided by the Sibley State Park Improvement Association.

Feb 10: Bemidji – Lake Bemidji State Park – Candlelight Ski

Tour the park trails by the warm glow of candlelight! Up to 5 km of easy and intermediate groomed ski trails will be lit from 6 pm to 8:30 pm for this magical night of skiing. Participants over the age of 16 who will be on skis will need a Minnesota Ski Pass, available at the park office. Refreshments will be served in the Visitor Center.

Feb 10: Park Rapids – Itasca State Park – Itasca’s Evening Under the Pines: Jim and Molly Bauer

Meet at the Jacob V. Brower Visitor Center Lobby, Enjoy music from Jim and Molly Bauer as they perform the night of the Lantern Lit Snowshoe and Ski event. Sit by the fireplace with Jim and Molly as they share stories along with familiar folk and folk rock songs.

Feb 10: Center City- Wild River State Park- Candlelight Ski/Snowshoe/Hike

Five miles of winter trails will be illuminated by candles to guide you through an annual winter tradition at Wild River! Snowshoers, skiers and walkers are welcome to take to the trails. Warm yourself next to an enormous bonfire and participate in activities throughout the park. Skiers (16 and older) need a $10 daily/$25 annual ski pass. Vehicles must display a $7 daily/$35 annual permit. 

Feb 15: Faribault – River Bend Nature Center – Full Moon Luminary Snowshoe Hike

Enjoy the full moon with a luminary hike through River Bend. Trails are packed snow, participants are welcome to bring their own snowshoes.

Feb 17: Norwood Young America – Baylor Regional Park – Candlelit Ski and Hayride

This wintery adventure is a longstanding Carver County tradition. Cross-country ski through candlelit trails, take a lumi-nary lit hayride and enjoy bonfire treats like cider and s’mores! Event admission includes ski equipment, luminary trail, snowshoeing, kick sledding, and more. (Age 8+ recommended for cross-country skiing) Fee: $5-$12.

Feb 17: Alexandria- Lake Carlos State Park- Candlelight Event: Snowshoe

Come enjoy an evening in the park by candlelight and moonlight. Snowshoe or walk the trail where you will be guided by the full moon, candles and lanterns. Then come warm up by the wood stove or enjoy snacks and refreshments in the Lakeview warming shelter. *The lit trail for this event will be on the snowshoe trail in the tamarack bog. No other trails will be lit as our summer hiking trails are ALL groomed ski trails and are closed for the season to all people and pets, except those on skis. Please stay off groomed ski trails at all times unless skiing. There is no cost for this event, but a Minnesota state parks vehicle permit is required to enter the park.

Feb 24: Frontenac – Frontenac State Park – Candlelight Ski and Hike

Snowshoe, ski, or hike the trail along the bluff top with beautiful views of the Mississippi River Valley, lit by dozens of luminaries and the light of the full moon. Warm up at campfires at either end of the trail or enjoy some light refreshments by the wood stove in the warming shelter. Refreshments provided by the Frontenac State Park Association volunteer group. Vehicles entering the park are required to have a State Park vehicle permit. 

Feb 24: Onamia – Mille Lacs Kathio State Park – Candlelight Event

Enjoy snowshoeing (skiing or hiking if conditions permit) by the light of the moon, with candle luminaries to help guide the way.

Feb 24: Waskish- Big Bog Recreations Area- Candlelight Snowshoe

Come out to beautiful Big Bog and spend a magical evening snowshoeing by candlelight under the stars. Start at the northern unit’s Old Caribou Camp trailhead and loop through the quiet north woods. Snowshoes will be available to borrow as first-come, first-served. Afterwards, warm up by a cozy fire.

Feb 24: Mankato- Minneopa State Park- Candlelight Hike

Discover the beauty of Minneopa State Park at night with a candlelight hike following the Minneopa Creek River Valley. The trails will be lit with hundreds of candle luminaries as well as the full moon to create a magical winter wonderland that takes you through some of the most scenic natural areas the park has to offer! The self-guided main loop is approximately 1-mile long and mostly flat. Weather and snow permitting, there may be additional illuminated trails to explore the state parks at night!

To join, please meet at the Group Camp Picnic Area next to the campgrounds anytime between 5 and 8 p.m. Staff ask visitors to carpool to save space for parking, since it is limited. This program is free to attend but requires a valid Minnesota Vehicle Permit. These may be purchased online or at the park office.

March 2024

March 8: Fridley Springbrook Nature Center – Lantern Light Hike

Bundle up and get ready to hike at Springbrook using the light of glowing lanterns to guide your way.  Listen for owls hooting, keep your eyes peeled for elusive nocturnal animals, and warm up by the fire along the way.  If snowpack allows, snowshoe rental will be available as supplies last.