An Up North guide to holiday lights, festivals, tree lightings and more

It’s the 2024 holiday season — depending on who you ask.

But the day after Thanksgiving means numerous holiday kickoff events in communities across Northern Minnesota and the start of most holiday light shows.

Below is a list of lights, festivals and parades celebrating the holidays in the region.

Notice an event or light show we missed? Email us!

Aitkin

Fish House Parade

What: Parade

When: Nov. 29

Where: Downtown Aitkin

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Baxter

Sertoma Winter Wonderland

What: Drive-through lights

When: 5:30-8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, Nov. 28-Dec. 21, and Dec. 24-31

Where: Northland Arboretum

Cost: $15/vehicle in advance or $20/vehicle at the gate

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Bemidji

First City of Lights

What: Parade and fireworks to kick off drive-through or walk-through lights

When: Night We Light Nov. 29, lights season-long

Where: Downtown Bemidji; various locations

Cost: Free

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Biwabik

Weihnachtsfest

What: Holiday festival

When: Dec. 7

Where: Carl Shuster Park

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Bovey

Small Town Vintage Christmas

What: Holiday festival
When: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 7
Where: Bovey City Hall

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Brainerd

Hometown Holidays

What: Tree lighting, window displays and Small Business Saturday deals

When: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Nov. 30

Where: Downtown Brainerd

Cost: Free

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Chisholm

Bringing Light to Chisholm

What: Holiday festival
When: 5 p.m. Dec. 5
Where: Downtown Chisholm

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Kiwanis Club's Holly Jolly

What: Family event
When: 4-7 p.m. Dec. 12
Where: Minnesota Discovery Center
Cost: Free

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Cohasset

Light the Night

What: Holiday festival
When: 5-7 p.m. Dec. 5
Where: Cohasset City Hall

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Deer River

Winterfest

What: Holiday festival
When: Dec. 7
Where: Various locations

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Detroit Lakes

Parade of Lights

What: Tree lighting and parade

When: 5:30-6 p.m. Dec. 2

Where: Downtown Detroit Lakes

Cost: Free

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Duluth

Bentleyville Tour of Lights

What: Walk-through lights

When: 5-9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 5-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Nov. 23-Dec. 28

Where: 700 W. Railroad St.

Cost: Free; parking $10/vehicle

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Larger Than Life Lights

What: Walk-through lights

When: Friday-Saturday Dec. 6-21

Where: Lake Superior Zoo

Cost: $5/member, $10/non-member, free for ages 2 and under

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Exhibition Drive Holiday Sound and Light Show

What: Drive-through lights

When: 5-10 p.m. Nov. 29-Dec. 31

Where: 2725 Exhibition Drive

Cost: Free

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Grand Marais

Oh Ole Night

What: Holiday festival

When: 5:30-10 p.m. Nov. 29

Where: Downtown Grand Marais

Cost: Free

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Holiday Harbor Village

What: Holiday festival

When: Dec. 6-7

Where: Downtown Grand Marais

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Grand Rapids

Lights in the Pines

What: Drive-through lights

When: 5-9 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Nov. 22-Dec. 21, and Dec. 22-23

Where: Itasca County Fairgrounds

Cost: $10/passenger car or truck, $25/ small transportation bus or van

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Hibbing

Winter Wonderland Yuletide Festival

What: Holiday festival
When: 3-7 p.m. Dec. 12
Where: Hibbing Public Library

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Nisswa

City of Lights

What: Holiday festival

When: Nov. 29, beginning at 11 a.m.

Where: Downtown Nisswa

Cost: Free

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Northome

5th Annual Christmas Parade

What: Parade
When: 5 p.m. Dec. 7
Where: Downtown Northome

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Park Rapids

Heartland Lakes Yuletide Sampler and Community Tree Lighting

What: Holiday festival

When: Nov. 29

Where: Downtown Park Rapids

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Local News

Hibbing woman dies after self-inflicted fire; St. Louis County authorities seek missing man near Greaney

Plus: State lawmakers are considering bills to address Greater Minnesota housing needs; MnDOT has several road construction projects planned in the Northland; and the Minnesota Public Facilities Authority awarded grants to five Northland communities.

Some MN lawmakers pledge to defend LGBTQ+ people in face of federal actions

An 8-1 U.S. Supreme Court decision is likely to put a conversion therapy ban in Minnesota in jeopardy, and bills are aiming to keep it in place without restricting speech.

No vote on MN bill to require insurance coverage for infertility treatments

The bill would require state-funded programs including Medical Assistance and MinnesotaCare to cover the costs of infertility health care, such as in vitro fertilization.

Groups pitch idea of using wind power to generate ammonia fertilizer

Ammonia is the key to nitrogen fertilizer, and almost all ammonia in Minnesota, nearly 1 million tons per year, is imported from Gulf Coast states and internationally.

Authorities in St. Louis County seek missing man near Greaney

The St. Louis County Sheriff's Office states Clayton Leroy Nukala Jr. was last seen walking toward the woods in a white bathrobe on April 12, 2026.

Hibbing woman dies after appearing to set herself on fire

Officers from the Hibbing Police Department responded to a report of a woman threatening to set herself on fire.

MN lawmakers seek to protect wild rice from pesticides

The bill seeks to integrate wild rice waters into the ag department's pesticide management plan, developing better practices to monitor pesticide distribution, use and disposal.

Lawmakers push bills to address Greater Minnesota housing shortage

Two bills aim to expand housing-related infrastructure, including sewers and water lines, and support workforce housing through grants to cities and tribal nations.

North Star Students: N-K's Maddy, Abby Koivisto are 'shining examples'

Their schedules are booked solid, and graduation is only a few weeks away, but seniors Maddy and Abby Koivisto are engaged in class every day and always willing to lend a hand.

Reforest Bemidji sees 'overwhelming response'; Red Lake Nation College gets $7M grant

And: Minnesota-based nonprofit says Big Tech fight reminiscent of Big Tobacco crackdown; and National Weather Service offering free weather spotter classes.

Roseau

Night of Lights

What: Drive-through or walk-through lights

When: 5-8 p.m. Friday-Sunday, Dec. 6-22, Dec. 23, and drive-through only Dec. 24

Where: Pioneer Farm, west of Roseau on Highway 11

Cost: Free

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Wadena

Christmas in Wadena

What: Drive-through or walk-through lights

When: 5:30-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 5:30-10 p.m. Friday-Sunday, Nov. 28-Jan. 1

Where: 414 SW Third St.

Cost: Free

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Walker

Festival of Lights

What: Holiday festival

When: Nov. 29-30

Where: Downtown Walker

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