The holiday season is here, and with it comes magical, twinkling lights brightening up our long winter nights. In the spirit of the holidays, there are large lights displays within easy driving distance to enjoy through the New Year!
Northern Lights Festival // Rochester, MN
Mayo Civic Center, 30 Civic Center Drive, Rochester MN
Hours: Weekends, December 2 – 18: Fridays – 11 AM – 8 PM, Saturdays, 10 AM – 8 PM, Sundays, 11 AM – 6 PM
Cost: $10 (Kids 5 -13), $15 (Adults)
Drawing its inspiration from the wintery North, the Northern Lights Festival is Minnesota’s newest holiday experience, proudly anchored at the Mayo Civic Center in Rochester. The Northern Lights Festival has something for people of all ages to enjoy; chances to eat and drink, enjoy our 25,000+ sq. ft. light park, shop in the Mini MN Christmas Market, winter storm yoga, countless photo ops (rumor has it Santa is making a few appearances), make-and-take experiences and more.
The Northern Lights Festival is put on by Fight For Something and made possible through the support of Experience Rochester.
Sever’s Holiday Lights // Shakopee, MN Lights Displays
3121 150th St. West, Shakopee, MN
November 24- January 1
Hours: Sunday-Thursday 5 pm – 9 pm; Fridays & Saturdays 5 pm – 10 pm
Cost: **ADVANCE TICKETS & RESERVATION REQUIRED- not sold on-site** $40 per vehicle up to 7 passengers
Sever’s Holiday Lights is a 0.5-mile drive-through-only holiday lights displays experience. With over 2.5 million lights on display, your whole family will love it! After driving through the show (vehicles are allowed to drive through more than once), stop to see the food and drink vendors for the whole experience.
Rotary Lights // La Crosse, WI
410 Veteran Memorial Drive, La Crosse, WI
November 25- December 31
Hours: 5 pm – 10 pm Every Day (** 5 pm- 9 pm on Dec 24, Dec 25; 5 pm – 1 am on Dec 31)
Cost: FREE
This classic holiday lights display is full of bright lights, music, and fun activities. Options to view the lights are mobility-friendly: walk, drive, or take a carriage ride (carriage rides: $20 per couple, $30 per family) through the lights displays. Kids will be thrilled to see Santa in the Santa House every night from 5-8 pm. Take a spin around the ice rink with FREE skate rentals available (weather permitting). Enjoy delicious FREE s’mores at the fire pit. See the Event Schedule for live music, and All Abilities Night (no loud music or flashing lights).
Winter Lights at Minnesota Landscape Arboretum // Chaska, MN
3675 Arboretum Drive, Chaska, MN
November 17- January 1- Select Nights Only- See Schedule
Hours: 5 pm- 10 pm
Cost: **ADVANCE TICKETS & REGISTRATION REQUIRED** $15 per person ages 16 and up. Kids 15 and under FREE.
Winter Lights at Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is a walking-only tour — 0.75 mi — through beautiful lights displays highlighting nature with trees, flowers, and more. S’mores kits are available for purchase, and there is a restaurant and snack/drinks bar on site as well.
Bentleyville Tour of Lights // Duluth, MN
700 Railroad St. Duluth, MN
November 19- December 26
Hours: Sunday- Thursday: 5 pm- 9 pm; Fridays & Saturdays: 5 pm- 10 pm
Cost: FREE Admission (Parking is $10 per vehicle); Guests are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item, or a new unwrapped toy to donate to the Salvation Army.
While a further drive from Rochester, Bentleyville is a whole holiday experience. Right on the shores of Lake Superior, this is the King of lights displays — over 5 million lights! This walking-only tour (fully handicapped accessible) offers FREE cookies, hot cocoa, freshly popped popcorn, and marshmallows to roast. Make sure to stop by to visit Santa & Mrs. Claus! When planning your trip to Bentleyville, make a weekend of it with some help from our Field Trip Friday- Duluth!
GLOW Holiday Festival // St. Paul, MN
CHS Field- 360 N. Broadway, St. Paul, MN
November 23- January 1
Hours: Sunday – Thursday: 5 pm- 9 pm; Fridays & Saturdays: 5 pm- 10 pm
Cost: **ADVANCE TICKETS & RESERVATIONS REQUIRED** Children age 13- Adults: $20.75; Children ages 4-12: $12.75; Children 3 and under: FREE
The GLOW Holiday Festival is at a new location this year: CHS Field in St. Paul! This event is packed with activities for kids and adults to enjoy. Check out the 150 ft snow slide (*extra fee), power the lights display by riding interactive bikes, play on Penguin Playground, and be surrounded by magical lights at the Northern Lights display. Stop for some s’mores at the campfire igloos, and don’t forget to check in with Santa! Food and beverage stations can be found throughout the event.
