A giant illuminated Santa towers over visitors at Sam's Christmas Village in Somerset, WI.
Updated Nov. 6, 2026
This 2026 guide compares 13 major Christmas light displays, from Twin Cities outings to displays worth a road trip. Find drive-thru Christmas lights, walk-thru experiences and free displays, with dates, hours and admission information to help plan your visit.
Explore options near Minneapolis and St. Paul, including GLOW Holiday Festival in St. Paul, Trista Lights at Sever’s in Shakopee and Magic of Lights in Eagan. Farther afield, compare Bentleyville in Duluth, Kiwanis Holiday Lights in Mankato and Christmas light shows across western Wisconsin.
If you’re looking for neighborhood Christmas lights, check out my annual Minnesota Holiday Lights Guide for residential displays and an interactive map of holiday lights across Minnesota. The 2026 edition goes live November 19.
Compare 2026 Christmas Light Shows: Dates and Admission
Compare dates, admission and walk-thru or drive-thru options for major holiday light shows in Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Click the name of the holiday light show in the table to learn more.
| Holiday light show | Location | Dates | Experience | Admission |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GLOW Holiday Festival | St. Paul, MN | Select dates Nov. 19, 2026–Jan. 3, 2027 | Walk-thru | $22.75 ages 13 and older, $12.75 ages 3–12, free for ages 2 and younger. Taxes and fees extra. |
| Northern Lights at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum | Chaska, MN | Nov. 20, 2026–Jan. 3, 2027 | Walk-thru | $25 for members, $35 for nonmembers, free for ages 15 and younger with a reserved ticket and accompanying adult. |
| Magic of Lights | Eagan, MN | Nov. 20, 2026–Jan. 2, 2027 | Drive-thru | Priced per vehicle. November-only standard-car tickets are $21.99 online or $25 at the gate. |
| Bentleyville Tour of Lights | Duluth, MN | Nov. 21–Dec. 26, 2026 | Walk-thru | Free admission. On-site parking is $12 per vehicle or $10 cash. |
| The Spirit of Winter | Waconia, MN | Select dates Nov. 21–Dec. 31, 2026 | Walk-thru | $10 ages 3 and older, free for ages 2 and younger. Taxes and fees extra. |
| Sertoma Winter Wonderland | Baxter, MN | Nov. 26–Dec. 31, 2026 | Drive-thru | 2026 prices to be announced. |
| Trista Lights at Sever’s | Shakopee, MN | Nov. 26, 2026–Jan. 3, 2027 | Drive-thru | $15–$50 per vehicle before tax, depending on date and passenger count. Advance tickets required. |
| Celebrate the Light of the World | Willmar, MN | Nov. 26–Dec. 31, 2026 | Drive-thru | Free. Donations accepted. |
| Rotary Lights | La Crosse, WI | Nov. 27–Dec. 31, 2026 | Walk-thru or drive-thru | Free. Food and cash donations accepted. |
| Kiwanis Holiday Lights | Mankato, MN | Nov. 27–Dec. 31, 2026 | Walk-thru or drive-thru | Free. Cash and nonperishable food donations accepted. |
| Sam’s Christmas Village & Light Tour | Somerset, WI | Select dates Nov. 27, 2026–Jan. 3, 2027 | Walk-thru most nights. Drive-thru Dec. 14–15, 2026. | Walk-thru is $25 for adults and $20 for ages 4–10. Drive-thru is $15 per person. Ages 3 and younger are free. Walk-thru parking is $10 cash. |
| Miracle at Big Rock | St. Croix Falls, WI | Select dates Nov. 27, 2026–Jan. 2, 2027 | Drive-thru and walk-thru on separate nights | Online prices for ages 12 and older are $17 for drive-thru, $22 for regular walk-thru and $27 on Friday fireworks nights. Ages 2 and younger are free. |
| Meet Me Under the Mistletoe | Gaylord, MN | Nov. 28, 2026–Jan. 15, 2027 | Drive-thru or walk-thru | Free. |
Christmas Light Shows in Minnesota and Western Wisconsin
Sam’s Christmas Village & Light Tour — Somerset, Wisconsin
Location: 710 Spring St., Somerset, WI 54025
Dates: Nov. 27, 2026–Jan. 3, 2027. Closed Nov. 30–Dec. 2, Dec. 7–9 and Dec. 24, 2026.
Hours: Gates are open 5–8 p.m. Sundays–Thursdays and 5–9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. On Sunday, Jan. 3, 2027, gates are open 5–9 p.m. Lights stay on for one hour after the gates close.
Experience: Walk-thru most nights; drive-thru December 14-15
Number of lights: More than 26 million
Admission: Regular walk-thru admission is $25 for adults and $20 for children ages 4-10. Children 3 and younger are free. Military admission is $12 with a valid ID. Drive-thru admission on December 14-15 is $15 per person, with children 3 and younger free.
Parking: $10 per vehicle on walk-thru nights. Cash only.
Best for: Families looking for a large-scale Christmas light attraction that can fill an entire evening with lights, food, activities and visits with Santa.
Good to know: Sam’s Christmas Village covers 80 acres and includes a European-style Christmas market, live reindeer, free tubing on its sledding hill, food and drinks, bonfires and reservable heated S’more Cabins. Santa will greet visitors in the Christmas Market nightly through December 27, while Santa visits S’more Cabins through Christmas Day. Market vendors are scheduled Thursday-Sunday. Sam’s is closed Christmas Eve but open Christmas Day.
Miracle at Big Rock — St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin
Location: 1674 State Highway 87, St. Croix Falls, WI 54024
Dates: Nov. 27, 2026–Jan. 2, 2027. Closed Nov. 30–Dec. 1, 2026
Hours: 5–9 p.m. Sundays–Thursdays and 5–10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Open 5–10 p.m. on New Year’s Eve.
Experience: Drive-thru Monday-Tuesday; walk-thru Wednesday-Sunday. Special schedule changes include drive-thru nights December 2, 3 and 24 and a walk-thru night December 22.
Number of lights: More than 25 million
Admission: Drive-thru tickets are $17 per person for adults and children ages 3-11, $15 for seniors and veterans, and free for children 2 and younger. Regular walk-thru tickets purchased online are $22 for adults, $17 for children ages 3-11 and $17 for seniors and veterans. Friday fireworks nights are $27 online for adults and $20 for children, seniors and veterans. Walk-thru and fireworks tickets cost slightly more when purchased at the gate.
Parking: General parking is free. VIP parking in the main barn lot is $20 per vehicle.
Best for: Families and couples looking for a large Christmas light attraction with much more than lights, including food, entertainment and outdoor holiday activities.
Good to know: Miracle at Big Rock features more than a mile of holiday displays along with food trucks, a Miracle Market, sledding, s’mores, train rides, live reindeer and live music. Fireworks are scheduled for November 27; December 4, 11, 18, 25 and 31; and January 1. Special theme nights are also planned throughout the season, including Dog Nights, Veterans Night, Faith Night and educator and youth discount nights.
Trista Lights at Sever’s — Shakopee, Minnesota
Location: 3121 150th St. W., Shakopee, MN 55379
Dates: Nov. 26, 2026–Jan. 3, 2027
Hours: 5–10 p.m. nightly, including holidays. Last arrival is at 9 p.m.
Experience: Drive-thru
Number of lights: 2 million
Music: Tune your car radio to 88.1 FM.
Admission: Tickets start at $15 per vehicle on Tuesdays, except Dec. 22. On Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays outside Dec. 20–24, admission is $25 for vehicles carrying up to eight passengers and $35 for vehicles carrying more than eight. On Fridays, Saturdays and every night from Dec. 20–24, admission is $35 for up to eight passengers and $50 for more than eight. Prices are before sales tax.
Purchase tickets online in advance and select a date and one-hour arrival window. Each ticket admits one vehicle for one trip through the display. Have your confirmation email’s QR code ready at the entrance. Tickets are transferable. If the show closes because of weather, you can request a refund or reschedule.
Best for: Families looking for a drive-thru Christmas light show near Minneapolis and St. Paul, with per-vehicle pricing and the comfort of staying in the car.
Good to know: Trista Lights at Sever’s brings a new name and new operators to the Shakopee Christmas light show formerly known as Sever’s Holiday Lights. The team behind the former Trista Lights display in Minnetrista is taking over the attraction for 2026. See what’s changing at Trista Lights at Sever’s.
The Spirit of Winter: Festival of Lights — Waconia, Minnesota
Location: Sovereign Estate Winery, 9950 North Shore Road, Waconia, MN 55387
Dates: Select dates Nov. 21–Dec. 31, 2026
Hours: 4–9 p.m.
Experience: Walk-thru
Number of lights: Not specified; the display covers more than 20 acres of Sovereign Estate’s lakeside property
Admission: $10 for ages 3 and older before taxes and fees. Children 2 and younger are free.
Parking: Free
Best for: Families and couples looking to combine a walk-thru Christmas light display with food, drinks and a visit to a Minnesota winery.
Good to know: Spirit of Winter transforms Sovereign Estate’s 20-acre property along Lake Waconia with synchronized holiday lights and seasonal attractions. The most recent festival included Candy Cane Lane, a life-size Nativity scene, Santa’s Sleigh photo opportunities, winter llamas, a children’s snow maze, boot hockey, Nana’s Gingerbread House and indoor food and drink options. Those attractions have not yet been confirmed for 2026.
Bentleyville Tour of Lights — Duluth, Minnesota
Location: Bayfront Festival Park, 700 W. Railroad St., Duluth, MN 55802
Dates: Nov. 21–Dec. 26, 2026
Hours: 5–9 p.m. Sundays–Thursdays and 5–10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Regular hours apply on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Experience: Walk-thru
Number of lights: More than 5 million
Admission: Free
Parking: $12 per vehicle or $10 when paying with cash. The Bentleyville lots open at 4 p.m.
Best for: Families looking for a massive, free walk-thru Christmas light experience and anyone willing to bundle up for a winter evening along Lake Superior.
Good to know: Bentleyville celebrates its 23rd season in 2026. The approximately three-quarter-mile route takes about 30-45 minutes to walk. Complimentary hot chocolate, coffee, cookies, popcorn and marshmallows for roasting are available along the route. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be at Bentleyville nightly November 21-December 23 from 5-9 p.m. and children 12 and younger who visit Santa receive a free Bentleyville knit hat and bag of cookies. Bentleyville is open on holidays, including Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Meet Me Under the Mistletoe — Gaylord, Minnesota
Location: 640 Third St., Gaylord, MN 55334
Dates: Nov. 28, 2026–Jan. 15, 2027
Hours: 4–10 p.m. seven nights a week
Experience: Drive-thru or walk-thru
Number of lights: 1 million
Admission: Free
Parking: Free
Best for: Families looking for a large, community-run Christmas light display in south-central Minnesota that can be enjoyed either by car or on foot.
Good to know: Visitors can enjoy drive-thru and walk-thru viewing, Candy Cane Lane and photo props. The Nov. 28 kickoff includes Santa visits, a Minnesota hotdish competition, food trucks, trolley rides, carolers, bingo, live holiday music and a bake sale at the Sweet Shoppe.
Sertoma Winter Wonderland — Baxter, Minnesota
Location: Northland Arboretum, 14250 Conservation Drive, Baxter, MN 56425
Dates: Nov. 26–Dec. 31, 2026; Thursday–Saturday, plus every night Dec. 24–31
Hours: 5:30–8 p.m.
Experience: Drive-thru
Number of lights: More than 80 colorful and animated holiday light displays
Admission: 2026 admission prices have not yet been announced. Most recently, advance tickets were $15 per vehicle and admission at the gate was $20 per vehicle.
Best for: Families in the Brainerd Lakes Area looking for an affordable drive-thru Christmas light experience that lets everyone stay warm inside the vehicle.
Good to know: Make plans to visit in 2026 if Sertoma Winter Wonderland is part of your holiday tradition — this will be its final season. The Brainerd Noon Sertoma Club is retiring the display after 21 years. The volunteer-run attraction has distributed approximately $500,000 to local nonprofits over its history. The route typically takes about 15-30 minutes to complete. Visitors should turn off their headlights and use parking lights while traveling through.
GLOW Holiday Festival — St. Paul, Minnesota
Location: CHS Field, 360 N. Broadway St., St. Paul, MN 55101
Dates: Select dates Nov. 19, 2026–Jan. 3, 2027
Hours: 5–9 p.m. on scheduled dates. Timed entry is available hourly from 5–8 p.m.
Experience: Walk-thru
Number of lights: More than 1 million
Admission: $22.75 for adults and $12.75 for children ages 3-12. Children 2 and younger are free. Tickets are subject to additional fees and must be purchased online in advance.
Parking: Metered street parking, surface lots and parking ramps are available near CHS Field in Lowertown St. Paul. Rates vary by location.
Best for: Twin Cities families looking for a large walk-thru Christmas light attraction without leaving the metro.
Good to know: GLOW returns to CHS Field for its sixth year in 2026. This year’s festival will feature a new Merry Carousel ride and new light displays, along with returning attractions including Vixen’s Zip Line and the Snowy Slide. Most of the festival is outdoors, although warming areas are available. GLOW is cashless, and guests typically spend 60-90 minutes exploring the festival.
Kiwanis Holiday Lights — Mankato, Minnesota
Location: Sibley Park, 900 Mound Ave., Mankato, MN 56001
Dates: Nov. 27–Dec. 31, 2026
Hours: 5–9 p.m. Sundays–Thursdays and 5–10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
Experience: Drive-thru or walk-thru
Number of lights: More than 2 million
Admission: Free; cash and nonperishable food donations are accepted
Parking: Free parking is available in several areas for walk-thru visitors, including the CHS parking lots, near the ball fields, inside Sibley Park when space is available and on nearby streets where permitted.
Best for: Families looking for a large, free Christmas light display in southern Minnesota that can be experienced either on foot or from the car.
Good to know: The 2026 season begins with an opening-night parade at 6 p.m. on Friday, November 27. Santa will be there Friday-Sunday from November 27-December 20, and live reindeer are scheduled nightly through December 31. Organizers recommend visiting on a weeknight to avoid the longest lines. Dogs are not allowed in Sibley Park, but they can ride along in vehicles during the drive-thru experience.
Rotary Lights — La Crosse, Wisconsin
Location: Riverside Park, 410 Veteran Memorial Drive, La Crosse, WI 54601
Dates: Nov. 27–Dec. 31, 2026
Hours: 5–10 p.m. seven nights a week. Open 5–9 p.m. on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day and 5–11 p.m. on New Year’s Eve.
Experience: Drive-thru or walk-thru
Number of lights: More than 3 million
Admission: Free; voluntary cash and nonperishable food donations are accepted
Parking: Street parking and downtown ramps are within walking distance of Riverside Park. City ramps generally charge $1 per hour Mondays–Saturdays until 10 p.m. Event rates may apply.
Best for: Families looking for a large, free Christmas light display in western Wisconsin that can be experienced either on foot or from the car.
Good to know: Opening night on November 27 includes a 5 p.m. parade, followed by an opening ceremony and fireworks. Santa and his reindeer will be at the park nightly through December 23. Free s’mores are available each night, while carriage rides, hayrides and a live Nativity are offered on select dates. Rotary Lights will also hold an All Abilities Night from 5-8 p.m. on November 30, when the lights and music will be subdued for visitors sensitive to flashing lights and loud sounds. An ice rink with free skate rentals is available when weather permits.
Celebrate the Light of the World — Willmar, Minnesota
Location: Robbins Island Regional Park, 945 US-71 BUS, Willmar, MN 56201
Dates: Nov. 26–Dec. 31, 2026
Hours: 5–10 p.m. seven nights a week
Experience: Drive-thru
Number of lights: Nearly 900,000
Admission: Free; cash and Venmo donations are accepted
Parking: This is primarily a drive-thru display, but there are areas along the route where visitors can park temporarily and enjoy the dancing lights before carefully reentering traffic.
Best for: Families looking for a free drive-thru Christmas light display in west-central Minnesota.
Good to know: Celebrate the Light of the World runs every night from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Eve. The display uses about seven miles of extension cords and takes more than 1,000 volunteer hours to assemble. Donations collected near the Koosman Chapel support four local nonprofits: The Salvation Army in Willmar, Habitat for Humanity of West Central Minnesota, Kandiyohi County Food Shelf and United Way of West Central Minnesota.
Northern Lights at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum — Chaska, Minnesota
Location: Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, 3675 Arboretum Drive, Chaska, MN 55318
Dates: Nov. 20, 2026–Jan. 3, 2027. Closed Nov. 26 and Dec. 24–25, 2026.
Hours: 4:30–9:30 p.m.
Experience: Walk-thru
Number of lights: Not specified; the experience features 18 new interactive light installations
Admission: $25 for Arboretum members and $35 for nonmembers. Children 15 and younger are free but still require a ticket and must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets purchased at the gate, if available, cost an additional $10 per ticket.
Parking: Free
Best for: Families and couples looking for an immersive walk-thru light experience that combines nature, art, music and modern lighting technology.
Good to know: Northern Lights replaces the Arboretum’s previous Winter Lights event with an entirely new experience. The one-way walking route features professionally designed lighting synchronized with music and movement, including illuminated trees, large-scale geometric sculptures and a 60-foot interactive shadow wall. Indoor portions of the Oswald Visitor Center and Snyder Building are also part of the experience, with food, drinks, shopping and warming opportunities available inside.
Magic of Lights — Eagan, Minnesota
Location: Viking Lakes, 2685 Vikings Circle, Eagan, MN 55121
Dates: Nov. 20, 2026–Jan. 2, 2027
Hours: 5:30–9 p.m. Sundays–Thursdays and 5:30–10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays
Experience: Drive-thru
Number of lights: More than 2 million
Admission: Priced per vehicle. November-only standard-car tickets are $21.99 online or $25 at the gate.
Best for: Twin Cities families looking for a large Christmas light show they can experience entirely from the comfort of their vehicle.
Good to know: Magic of Lights features more than a mile of drive-thru holiday displays created with LED lights and digital animations. Past Viking Lakes attractions have included a 200-foot light tunnel, Christmas Barbie, a Bigfoot monster truck and a Prehistoric Christmas display with illuminated dinosaurs.
Christmas Light Shows FAQ
Where Can I See Christmas Lights Near Minneapolis and St. Paul?
Twin Cities options include GLOW Holiday Festival in St. Paul, Magic of Lights in Eagan, Trista Lights at Sever’s in Shakopee, Northern Lights at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chaska and The Spirit of Winter in Waconia.
Which Minnesota Christmas Light Shows Have Drive-Thru Options?
Drive-thru options include Trista Lights at Sever’s in Shakopee, Magic of Lights in Eagan, Sertoma Winter Wonderland in Baxter and Celebrate the Light of the World in Willmar. Kiwanis Holiday Lights in Mankato and Meet Me Under the Mistletoe in Gaylord offer both driving and walking options.
Which Christmas Light Displays Are Free?
Minnesota displays with free admission include Bentleyville in Duluth, Kiwanis Holiday Lights in Mankato, Celebrate the Light of the World in Willmar and Meet Me Under the Mistletoe in Gaylord. Rotary Lights in La Crosse, Wisconsin, also offers free admission. Parking may cost extra, and several displays accept donations.
While you’re here, take a moment to read how I adapted after losing both parents before I was 25 years old and my journey with epilepsy.
If you want more, sign up for my monthly e-newsletter!