One of the best things about the holiday season is how much effort people put into creating the best holiday displays. Inflatable snowmen, huge, elaborately decorated Christmas trees visible from the street, reindeer staged on the roof – there is no shortage of creative ideas. Even a simple light display can be all it takes to turn a cold winter street into a cheerful winter wonderland. Minnesota at Christmas loves to take part in these cheerful displays, and with this Christmas road trip through Minnesota, you’ll be able to experience some of the most magical holiday lights.
Google Maps This route starts in Duluth and works its way south, then hooks back up toward Sleepy Eye. It’s just over 400 miles, so it may take a few nights to see the whole thing. Feel free to do the entire route, or to use it to help you plan your own road trip. Use our map to light the way.
- Holiday Spirit in the Lights - Duluth
Google Maps Head over to an amazing light display in Duluth for the perfect way to kick off this road trip adventure. This light display is located on Park Point and is nestled right on the beach. You’ll walk through arches of lights before being greeted by the amazing sights and sounds of Lake Superior. Visit the areas website for more information. 3739 S Lake Ave, Duluth, MN 55802, USA
- Bentleyville - Duluth
Isaac Bowen/Flickr Duluth is lovely at any time of year, but there’s something about it that makes the holidays particularly special. Perhaps the display most worthy of a road trip is Bentleyville. With thousands upon thousands of glittering lights to walk through, it is a must-see. Free food and beverages add to the atmosphere, as do the thousands of cheery holiday celebrants who pass through this spectacular display of lights each year. 704 W Railroad St, Duluth, MN 55802, USA
- Plymouth Lights - Plymouth
Plymouth Lights - Christmas at the Fischer’s Place/Facebook Next up is Plymouth Lights in the Minneapolis suburb of Plymouth. This huge display will brighten up even the darkest winter night. Better yet, it’s programmed to play along with the radio. The lights are on for the entire month of December, except Christmas Eve. 16700 33rd Avenue North, Plymouth, MN, USA
- Trista Lights - Minnetrista
Trista Lights/Facebook A bit further south from Plymouth, the Trista Lights offer a trippy show to all who stop to see. It may be a newcomer, but the lights are nothing short of magnificent - definitely worth the stop. Check ’em out starting at 6:00 p.m. throughout the month of December. 4377 Trista Bnd, Excelsior, MN 55331, USA
- Kiwanis Holiday Lights - Mankato
Kiwanis Holiday Lights/Facebook Kiwani’s Holiday Lights may be a bit more off the beaten track than some of the displays on this trip, but it wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for good reason. This is one of the largest displays in Minnesota, with the elaborate lights taking over much of Sibley Park. Definitely, one to add to the bucket list. 903 Park Ln, Mankato, MN 56001, USA
- Celebrate the Light of the World - Willmar
Facebook Celebrate the Light of the World Celebrate the Light of the World kicks off on Thanksgiving night and runs nightly from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. until January. With more than 800,000 lights, this is one Christmas light display that is not to be missed. In fact, many have declared this light shop to be one of the best in the state! Plus, did we mention this light show is free?! Highway 71 South, Hwy 71 S, Willmar, MN 56201, USA
- Sleepy Eye Holiday Lights in Motion - Sleepy Eye
Facebook Sleepy Eye Holiday Lights in Motion We end this road trip in a BIG way with a visit to Sleepy Eye Holiday Lights in Motion. With over 300,000 lights, guests are able to tune in to 89.1 on the radio and drive through this synchronized light show. The music is also playing throughout the park too if you’d like to get out of your car and walk around! Minnesota 4, MN-4, Sleepy Eye, MN, USA
Do you agree that these are some of the most stunning Christmas lights displays in Minnesota? Is there anything you’d add to the list? Let us know in the comments section! If you’re hungry for more Christmas cheer, check out this list of the most charming Christmas towns in Minnesota.
Google Maps
This route starts in Duluth and works its way south, then hooks back up toward Sleepy Eye. It’s just over 400 miles, so it may take a few nights to see the whole thing. Feel free to do the entire route, or to use it to help you plan your own road trip. Use our map to light the way.
Head over to an amazing light display in Duluth for the perfect way to kick off this road trip adventure. This light display is located on Park Point and is nestled right on the beach. You’ll walk through arches of lights before being greeted by the amazing sights and sounds of Lake Superior. Visit the areas website for more information.
3739 S Lake Ave, Duluth, MN 55802, USA
Isaac Bowen/Flickr
Duluth is lovely at any time of year, but there’s something about it that makes the holidays particularly special. Perhaps the display most worthy of a road trip is Bentleyville. With thousands upon thousands of glittering lights to walk through, it is a must-see. Free food and beverages add to the atmosphere, as do the thousands of cheery holiday celebrants who pass through this spectacular display of lights each year.
704 W Railroad St, Duluth, MN 55802, USA
Plymouth Lights - Christmas at the Fischer’s Place/Facebook
Next up is Plymouth Lights in the Minneapolis suburb of Plymouth. This huge display will brighten up even the darkest winter night. Better yet, it’s programmed to play along with the radio. The lights are on for the entire month of December, except Christmas Eve.
16700 33rd Avenue North, Plymouth, MN, USA
Trista Lights/Facebook
A bit further south from Plymouth, the Trista Lights offer a trippy show to all who stop to see. It may be a newcomer, but the lights are nothing short of magnificent - definitely worth the stop. Check ’em out starting at 6:00 p.m. throughout the month of December.
4377 Trista Bnd, Excelsior, MN 55331, USA
Kiwanis Holiday Lights/Facebook
Kiwani’s Holiday Lights may be a bit more off the beaten track than some of the displays on this trip, but it wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for good reason. This is one of the largest displays in Minnesota, with the elaborate lights taking over much of Sibley Park. Definitely, one to add to the bucket list.
903 Park Ln, Mankato, MN 56001, USA
Facebook Celebrate the Light of the World
Celebrate the Light of the World kicks off on Thanksgiving night and runs nightly from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. until January. With more than 800,000 lights, this is one Christmas light display that is not to be missed. In fact, many have declared this light shop to be one of the best in the state! Plus, did we mention this light show is free?!
Highway 71 South, Hwy 71 S, Willmar, MN 56201, USA
Facebook Sleepy Eye Holiday Lights in Motion
We end this road trip in a BIG way with a visit to Sleepy Eye Holiday Lights in Motion. With over 300,000 lights, guests are able to tune in to 89.1 on the radio and drive through this synchronized light show. The music is also playing throughout the park too if you’d like to get out of your car and walk around!
Minnesota 4, MN-4, Sleepy Eye, MN, USA
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Christmas Lights In Minnesota October 30, 2021 Marisa Roman Can I ride the Polar Express in Minnesota? Spending Christmas in Minnesota means that you’ll have access to all of the wonderful holiday attractions during the season. Of course, this includes the incredible Polar Express train ride aboard North Shore Scenic Railroad! Kicking off in downtown Duluth, visitors will be able to board a colorfully decorated train before setting off onto a magical journey around Lake Superior. Listen to a Christmas story, sing carols, and even enjoy a visit with Santa Clause! What are the best outdoor activities in winter in Minnesota? Sure, winter in Minnesota can be quite cold, many of us know this to be true. But what if we told you there was a way to enjoy the wintertime in Minnesota outside? There are quite a few outdoor activities to enjoy in Minnesota when wintertime rolls around, starting with a snow tubing park called Elm Creek Reserve. This park lets guests snow tube, ski, snowshoe, sled, and so much more. Another great outdoor activity involves winter hiking! Check out the 11 most beautiful winter hiking trails in Minnesota. What will winter be like in Minnesota this year? According to the Farmers Almanac, winter in Minnesota is predicted to be freezing, so you might want to stay indoors for this one. Get ready to bundle up folks, because the predictions involve icy and snowy conditions all season long. While the Farmers Almanac says not to expect record snowfall this year, they do want you to be prepared for less-than accommodation winter weather conditions.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Christmas Lights In Minnesota
October 30, 2021
Marisa Roman
Can I ride the Polar Express in Minnesota? Spending Christmas in Minnesota means that you’ll have access to all of the wonderful holiday attractions during the season. Of course, this includes the incredible Polar Express train ride aboard North Shore Scenic Railroad! Kicking off in downtown Duluth, visitors will be able to board a colorfully decorated train before setting off onto a magical journey around Lake Superior. Listen to a Christmas story, sing carols, and even enjoy a visit with Santa Clause! What are the best outdoor activities in winter in Minnesota? Sure, winter in Minnesota can be quite cold, many of us know this to be true. But what if we told you there was a way to enjoy the wintertime in Minnesota outside? There are quite a few outdoor activities to enjoy in Minnesota when wintertime rolls around, starting with a snow tubing park called Elm Creek Reserve. This park lets guests snow tube, ski, snowshoe, sled, and so much more. Another great outdoor activity involves winter hiking! Check out the 11 most beautiful winter hiking trails in Minnesota. What will winter be like in Minnesota this year? According to the Farmers Almanac, winter in Minnesota is predicted to be freezing, so you might want to stay indoors for this one. Get ready to bundle up folks, because the predictions involve icy and snowy conditions all season long. While the Farmers Almanac says not to expect record snowfall this year, they do want you to be prepared for less-than accommodation winter weather conditions.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Spending Christmas in Minnesota means that you’ll have access to all of the wonderful holiday attractions during the season. Of course, this includes the incredible Polar Express train ride aboard North Shore Scenic Railroad! Kicking off in downtown Duluth, visitors will be able to board a colorfully decorated train before setting off onto a magical journey around Lake Superior. Listen to a Christmas story, sing carols, and even enjoy a visit with Santa Clause!
What are the best outdoor activities in winter in Minnesota?
Sure, winter in Minnesota can be quite cold, many of us know this to be true. But what if we told you there was a way to enjoy the wintertime in Minnesota outside? There are quite a few outdoor activities to enjoy in Minnesota when wintertime rolls around, starting with a snow tubing park called Elm Creek Reserve. This park lets guests snow tube, ski, snowshoe, sled, and so much more. Another great outdoor activity involves winter hiking! Check out the 11 most beautiful winter hiking trails in Minnesota.
What will winter be like in Minnesota this year?
According to the Farmers Almanac, winter in Minnesota is predicted to be freezing, so you might want to stay indoors for this one. Get ready to bundle up folks, because the predictions involve icy and snowy conditions all season long. While the Farmers Almanac says not to expect record snowfall this year, they do want you to be prepared for less-than accommodation winter weather conditions.
