Minnesota
Experiences|Events

Minnesota’s Glowing Pumpkin Trail Is A Great Way To Celebrate Fall

The Minnesota Zoo hosts the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular, featuring over 5,000 uniquely carved pumpkins and various fall-themed activities.

Updated Sep 25, 2021

Written by 

Betsy Rathburn

With cooler air and autumn vibes just around the corner, it's time to start planning for some epic Halloween festivities! If you choose to go the spooky route, there are plenty of scary haunted houses and eerie corn mazes for you to explore. But if you prefer something a bit tamer, we've got you covered. Head on out to the Minnesota Zoo for the best pumpkin glow in Minnesota. Wondering what the heck a pumpkin glow even is? Get ready to have your mind blown...

The Minnesota Zoo is a southern Minnesota hotspot for anyone who wants to spend an afternoon outdoors enjoying some of the best of what our state has to offer.

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Brett Johnson/Google

This year, the zoo will be transformed into a fall wonderland known as the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular.

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Minnesota Zoo/Facebook

The event is modeled after the Jack O' Lantern Spectacular in Louisville, Kentucky. It was named one of the best fall activities in the Midwest, and a similar event was started a few years ago in Minnesota!

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Minnesota Zoo/Facebook

More than 5,000 uniquely carved jack-o'-lanterns will be on display in the trees, on the ground, and everywhere in between. It's one of the best Halloween events in Minnesota.

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Minnesota Zoo/Facebook

The pumpkins will be carved with all kinds of unique designs, from celebrities and pop culture to the animals that call the zoo home.

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Minnesota Zoo/Facebook

This event will illuminate your night like nothing else. Musical vignettes and fog machines will help set the mood to a crisp fall night, no matter the weather.

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Minnesota Zoo/Facebook

Other activities, such as musicians and magicians, will be on site on certain days as well. Your best bet for seeing one of these special events is on a weekend day.

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Minnesota Zoo/Facebook

The Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular will run every day from October 1st through November 7th.

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Minnesota Zoo/Facebook

The hours are Sunday through Thursday 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. On Friday and Saturday, the spectacular runs an extra hour until 11 p.m.

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Minnesota Zoo/Facebook

Admission ranges from $16 to $24 depending on age and date. Zoo members can also get a discount.

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Minnesota Zoo/Facebook

All in all, this magical event is a must-do activity this fall. It's the best pumpkin glow in Minnesota!

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Minnesota Zoo/Facebook

Do you plan on visiting the Minnesota Zoo's Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular, the best pumpkin glow in Minnesota? Do you have any other fall festivities planned? Let us know in the comments below! For more information and to purchase your tickets in advance, visit the Minnesota Zoo website and Facebook page.

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Experiences|Events

Take a Dreamy Ride Through the Largest Drive-Thru Light Show in Minnesota, Kiwanis Holiday Lights

Kiwanis Holiday Lights in Sibley Park, Mankato, Minnesota, offers the largest drive-thru Christmas light display in the state, featuring creative and charming displays.

Updated Oct 29, 2024

Written by 

Betsy Rathburn

The holiday season is quickly approaching, which means that soon, cities and towns across Minnesota will be turning into a beautiful winter wonderland all decked out for the season with an endless array of twinkling lights and holiday displays. Here in Minnesota, we have plenty of ways to enjoy the holiday lights. Aside from neighborhood light displays, we have huge events such as Bentleyville to help us get into the holiday spirit. But you aren't out of luck if you're not able to brave the cold for a peek at the lights. Stay warm and take a ride through the largest drive-thru lights in Minnesota, Kiwanis Holiday Lights in Sibley Park. Grab the kids and gas up the car, because this is one holiday display you're not going to want to miss this year.

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Kiwanis Holiday Lights is an annual event held in Sibley Park in Mankato, Minnesota. Back for another year and bigger than ever, the event will run from Nov. 29 through Dec. 31, 2024.

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christmas tree at night

The display is a huge, colorful array of twinkling Christmas lights. People drive from miles around to see the sight offering some of the best Christmas lights in Minnesota. Charming and creative displays mean there's always something fun to look at. You'll be delighted by the creativity of the displays.

While the event is free to enter, donations are accepted and encouraged. You are invited to bring canned food and cash or check donations. In 2016, 11.5 tons of food were donated!

If you don't mind braving the cold, there are other events at Kiwanis Holiday Lights as well. Santa visits and the holiday parade are popular. The ice sculpture competition is also a fun way to see festivity - and creativity - in action.

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A path covered by lights created during the Christmas celebrations in Stillwater, by the shore of the St. Croix river.

If you're in Mankato this holiday season, be sure to head out to Sibley Park for Kiwanis Holiday Lights MN, the most spectacular drive-thru Christmas lights in Minnesota. It's open Sunday-Thursday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. On Fridays and Saturdays, it stays open until 10 p.m. Whether you choose to walk it or drive through, this is one event that would put even the Grinch in the holiday spirit and is known as the largest drive-thru Christmas lights in Minnesota.

For more information, check out their Kiwanis Holiday Lights website or Kiwanis Holiday Lights Facebook page.

Have you ever visited the Kiwanis Holiday Lights Display, the largest drive-thru lights in Minnesota? Share your experience with us in the comments below! And if you're looking for unique gifts this holiday season, check out our holiday gift guide for ideas!

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Experiences|Events

Ride a Christmas Train, Then Enjoy a Christmas-Themed View for a Holly Jolly Minnesota Adventure

Board a Christmas train in Minnesota and then stay the night inside a waterfront hotel with a front-row view of 5 million Christmas lights.

Updated Oct 17, 2024

Written by 

Trent Jonas

What's your favorite part about spending the holidays in Minnesota? Do you enjoy embracing all that the season has to offer in the way of festive activities, holiday lights, and family-friendly outings? Well, you're in luck, because we've got the perfect holiday itinerary lined up. Head to Duluth this holiday season, and there you'll find all the ingredients for the perfect Minnesota holiday adventure, including a holiday-themed train courtesy of the North Star Scenic Railroad, a waterfront hotel, and the North Star State's premier holiday lights attraction.

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Train Tracks and Railroad Ties in winter Landscape

The North Star Scenic Railroad is one of the - if not the - most popular tourist train operators in Minnesota. Every year, the railroad hosts a holiday celebration called Christmas City Express. The celebration includes an unforgettable reading of a Christmas City Express story and live music by carolers. After the performance, take some time to explore the train museum, which the railroad decks out for the holidays.

Of course, the real excitement starts when the conductor calls, "All aboard!" You'll ride behind the light-bedazzled locomotive, enjoying cookies, cocoa, and Christmas carols, as it takes you on a short trip along Lake Superior. It's a 30-minute ride, which is perfect for little ones in your crew.

After your winter train ride excursion, we recommend staying at the Pier B Resort Hotel, which is located right on the harbor. Not only is it waterfront, but Pier B also happens to be right next door to Bentleyville and its display of 5 million holiday lights.

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Christmas/Holiday lights in Canal Park in Duluth

Book in advance to ensure a Bentleyville view, and be sure to ask about available packages. You’ll even have a festive view of the holiday splendor when dining at Silos, Pier B’s in-house restaurant. Pier B embraces its location and treats its guests to plenty of holiday festivities, mindful of the backdrop Bentleyville provides. Bonfires and s’mores are always popular.

Bentleyville really is just across the dock from the resort. It's within easy walking distance, or, if you prefer, Pier B offers wagon rides that will take you right up to the entrance. In fact, you could even take a North Shore Scenic Railroad train to Bentleyville USA.

When you head to Duluth and Bentleyville USA, don't forget that they tend to be busy during the holiday season, so be sure to plan your adventure in advance. Do you have a favorite winter destination in the Land of 10,000 Lakes? Be sure to share your favorite holiday memories with us!

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