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My annual Minnesota Holiday Lights Display Guide offers more than 100 places to see holiday lights. Many are free, but if you want to see a LOT of lights, you will need to pay a fee.
Here’s a roundup of the 9 biggest holiday light shows around Minnesota and western Wisconsin.
After seeing so many beautiful and dazzling lights, do you also want to have your own lights? You can customize your one-of-a-kind neon sign at customneonsigns.com with pictures of your favorite elements. These custom neon signs come in a variety of styles and are of great quality. Whether you place them indoors or outdoors, they can add light and color to your space and create a fun atmosphere.
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To view the 2023 Minnesota Holiday Lights Display Guide, click here
2023 Big Light Show Guide
1. Shakopee
Sever’s Holiday Lights
3121 150th Street W
Shakopee, MN 55379
November 22-December 31, 2023
Open 7 nights a week. Hours vary by night: check their website for details
2,500,000 lights
Tickets: $30-60 per vehicle
Drive-thru display
WHO IT’S BEST FOR: Sever’s Holiday Lights is best if you want a locally owned LED light show synched to music. The display, right off of Highway 169 in Shakopee, looks impressive off the road. At $25 for a full car, it’s the best bargain of the Twin Cities light shows, too.
In 2020, the Sever family quickly knew they needed to adapt their ticket procedure because of long lines. Instead of buying a ticket that you can use anytime, you now buy tickets for a specific time slot, just like Christmas in Color. Bravo to them for adjusting.
The show features “new age” lights, so it’s bright.
2. St. Croix Falls, WI
Miracle at Big Rock
1674 State Highway 87
St. Croix Falls, WI 54024
November 24-December 31, 2023
Monday-Tuesday 5:00-9:00 P.M., Wednesday-Thursday 4:00-9:00 P.M., Friday-Saturday 4:00-10:00 P.M., Sunday 4:00-9:00 P.M.
Drive-through Monday-Tuesday nights. All other nights are walk-through
12 million lights
Drive-through tickets: $12 per person
Walk-through tickets: $20 adults ($25 at the door), $15 ages 4-12, free ages 3 and under
$15 tickets for members of the military and seniors (bring your ID)
Free parking
WHO IT’S BEST FOR: Miracle at Big Rock is like walking onto a Hallmark movie set. It’s great for a date night since it’s so spread out and picturesque. They also have a bar (spiked hot chocolate!).
Miracle is also a good spot for the kids, but it does turn into the most expensive light display on this list rather quickly. Make sure to buy tickets in advance or you’ll really overpay.
Don’t miss the vendor market on the upper level of the barn. It’s inside and you can shop for holiday gifts from a curated list of small businesses.
3. Somerset, WI
Sam’s Christmas Village and Light Tour
710 Spring Street
Somerset, WI 54025
November 24-December 31, 2023 (closed Christmas Eve)
Sunday-Thursday 5:00-9:00 P.M. (must arrive by 8:00 P.M.), Friday-Saturday 5:00-10:00 P.M. (must arrive by 9:00 P.M.). Click here for details
Drive-through available November 27-28, December 4-5, December 11-12. All other nights are walk-through
12 million lights
Walk-through tickets: $15 adults, $10 kids ages 3-10, free kids 2 and under (available at entrance, cash or credit card)
Drive-through tickets: $20 adults, $10 kids ages 3-10, free kids 2 and under (available at entrance, cash or credit card)
50% off for members of the military (bring your military ID)
$10 parking on walk-through nights (cash only)
Includes on-site vendor market
WHO IT’S BEST FOR: Sam’s Christmas Village is for those who want to make looking at lights a full-evening holiday experience. You’re able to buy snacks, beverages, and if you wanted to park your car, you could find yourself in your own s’mores cabin complete with bonfire and a visit from Santa.
2023 marks Sam’s fifth season.
Note that only select Mondays and Tuesdays are drive-thru nights at Sam’s, and personally, I feel that Sam’s is best as a walk-thru experience.
Do your math before you head out to Sam’s. They are doing tickets by person, and not by vehicle like the other displays. If you have a big family with a bunch of kiddos, Sam’s or Miracle at Big Rock easily could be the most expensive option. On the other hand, it’s reasonable for a date night. I should note they charge $10 to park your car (cash only) if you go on a walk-thru night.
4. Baxter
Sertoma Winter Wonderland
14250 Conservation Drive
Baxter, MN 56425
November 23-December 31, 2023
Thursday-Saturday from 5:30-8:00 P.M. (also open every night between December 21-31)
Tickets: $15 per vehicle in advance, $20 at the gate (cash or check only)
5. St. Paul
GLOW Holiday Festival
CHS Field
360 N Broadway Street
St. Paul, MN 55101
November 16-December 31, 2023
Thursday-Sunday, then daily starting December 14
5:00-9:00 P.M.
1,000,000 lights
Tickets: $20.75 adults, $12.75 kids 4-12, children 3 and under free
GLOW is now at CHS Field in Lowertown St. Paul, the ballpark home to the St. Paul Saints. It is now a walk-thru only display. It was at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds in past years.
At the State Fairgrounds, GLOW was mediocre at best. It was really expensive and you were stuck in your car. Plus, they had a poor selection of food vendors. I feel it could excel as a walk-thru experience.
I’d love to hear what you think of the new setup for GLOW. Email me or message me on Facebook.
6. Duluth
Bentleyville Tour of Lights
700 Railroad Street
Duluth, MN 55802
November 18-December 26, 2023
Sunday-Thursday 5:00-9:00 P.M., Friday-Saturday 5:00-10:00 P.M.
5,000,000 lights
Free, parking is $10 per vehicle
WHO IT’S BEST FOR: Bentleyville is for the rugged families who don’t mind whatever weather Duluth has coming its way.
It’s a spectacle. I went in 2020 when it was a drive-thru format and was definitely impressed. There was no ‘dark space’. No matter where you looked, there was light.
However, it’s busy. Like, really busy. The line to get in stretched for blocks on the Saturday night I showed up. Bentleyville is now a walk-thru only display, and you’ll pay $10 to park your car. But as they say, “pack your patience” when you arrive.
7. Mankato
Kiwanis Holiday Lights
Sibley Park
900 Mound Avenue
Mankato, MN 56001
November 24-December 31, 2023
Sunday-Thursday 5:00-9:00 P.M., Friday-Saturday 5:00-10:00 P.M.
1,800,000 lights
Collecting cash and non-perishable food donations
Drive-thru or walk-thru display
Free
8. Waconia
The Spirit of Winter: Festival of Lights
The Winery at Sovereign Estate
9950 North Shore Road
Waconia, MN 55387
November 17-December 30, 2023
Tuesday-Sunday from 4:00-8:00 P.M.
Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve & Christmas Day
1,000,000 lights
The Estate is transformed into an illuminated winter wonderland, with over twenty miles of musical synchronized lights strung over 20 acres of lakeshore property. This outdoor walking experience permits guests to stroll the vineyards and grounds and enjoy a variety of attractions like Candy Cane Lane, lifesize Nativity scene, photo opportunity at Santa’s Sleigh, real live winter llamas, inflatable Snowman Ball, children’s Snow Maze, kids Boot Hockey Arena, and Nana’s Gingerbread House! Once you arrive, guests also have the opportunity to purchase Holly Trolley rides in the Wine Store for a special guided tour of the decorated grounds.
Santa will arrive every night from November 17th-December 23rd from 5:00-7:30 P.M. during the Christmas season. All guests will enjoy the pleasure of meeting the famous Mr. Claus as he wanders the Spirit of Winter event. Grab a hot chocolate, cookies, or roast a s’more at the S’more Station! Adults can enjoy mulled wine, boozy hot cocoa, local brews, and our full range of wine at the Polar Bear Bar! And the Blizzard Bistro will also be serving up items like chili and flatbreads. Be sure to check out the Wine Store for the perfect holiday gift including holiday and Sovereign merchandise, stuffed Christmas llamas, and, of course, bottles of Sovereign Estate Wine!
Tickets: $10 ages 5 and older
9. La Crosse, WI
Rotary Lights
410 E Veterans Memorial Blvd
La Crosse, WI 54601
November 24-December 31, 2023
7 nights a week from 5:00-10:00 P.M.
3,000,000 lights
Drive-thru or walk-thru display
Free
