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

Skating on the trail in the Arctic Glacier Winter Park at The Forks in Winnipeg, Canada, on Dec. 28, 2018.
Lorie Shaull
Skating on the trail in the Arctic Glacier Winter Park at The Forks in Winnipeg, Canada, on Dec. 28, 2018.

Here's where you can find lights, community events, parades and more events in Northern Minnesota to keep you entertained throughout the holiday season.

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

More information

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

More information

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

More information

Biwabik

Weihnachtsfest

What: Holiday festival

When: Dec. 7

Where: Carl Shuster Park

More information

Bovey

Small Town Vintage Christmas

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

More information

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

More information

Chisholm

Bringing Light to Chisholm

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

More information

Kiwanis Club's Holly Jolly

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

More information

Cohasset

Light the Night

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

More information

Deer River

Winterfest

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

More information

Detroit Lakes

Parade of Lights

What: Tree lighting and parade

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

Where: Downtown Detroit Lakes

Cost: Free

More information

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

More information

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

More information

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

More information

Grand Marais

Oh Ole Night

What: Holiday festival

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

Where: Downtown Grand Marais

Cost: Free

More information

Holiday Harbor Village

What: Holiday festival

When: Dec. 6-7

Where: Downtown Grand Marais

More information

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

More information

Hibbing

Winter Wonderland Yuletide Festival

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

More information

Nisswa

City of Lights

What: Holiday festival

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

Where: Downtown Nisswa

Cost: Free

More information

Northome

5th Annual Christmas Parade

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

More information

Park Rapids

Heartland Lakes Yuletide Sampler and Community Tree Lighting

What: Holiday festival

When: Nov. 29

Where: Downtown Park Rapids

More information

Local News
Workforce, senior housing projects break ground in Grand Rapids area
Foxhaven in La Prairie will offer maintenance-free living for those 55+ as soon as November. Mill + Miss near West Rapids Elementary will start renting in spring 2027.
Bemidji teacher faces 7 felonies for child sex abuse material; Cass County determines murder-suicide in Outing fire
Plus: Gov. Tim Walz authorized Beltrami County's request to use the state's disaster relief account; Anderson Brothers Construction in Brainerd can no longer bid on major government projects; and over $1 million in federal funds are earmarked for Northern Minnesota child care organizations.
Bemidji teacher faces 7 felonies over child sex abuse material
Austin Claseman, 30, is charged in Beltrami County. He was a teacher and board member at the charter high school, Voyageurs Expeditionary School.
Northern MN water emergencies claim 2 more lives; Cass County IDs motorcycle crash victim
And: 15-year-old girl raped by a stranger in International Falls, charges say; Crow Wing County appoints first new attorney in decades and first female in role.
Area listening sessions aim to guide future of DECC in Duluth
The sessions in Silver Bay, Virginia and Duluth will gather input on the future direction for programming and investment at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center.
Walz approves state disaster assistance for Beltrami County
The authorization allows Beltrami County to access the state's disaster assistance contingency account, which reimburses the county 75% of the costs to repair public infrastructure.
Crow Wing County appoints 1st woman to ever serve as county attorney
Assistant County Attorney Kelsey Hopps will replace County Attorney Don Ryan when he retires in mid-September 2025, after nearly 31 years in the office.
MnDOT to host open house ahead of Hwy 2 project in downtown Crookston
The Aug. 20, 2025, open house will detail the planned reconstruction project slated for 2027.
1st of 2 Hwy 2 detours near Bemidji starts Aug. 18
The Minnesota Department of Transportation estimated the westbound detour between Washington Avenue Southeast and Division Street will last four days.
Staples-Motley awarded $50K to establish butchery program
The funding comes from a Minnesota Department of Agriculture grant that helps schools establish or maintain meat cutting and butchery training programs.

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

More information

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

More information

Walker

Festival of Lights

What: Holiday festival

When: Nov. 29-30

Where: Downtown Walker

More information