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Ogle A Whole Town Decked To The Nines On This Holiday Lights Tour In Minnesota

Dalton, Minnesota, hosts an annual Christmas Fest featuring a holiday lights tour, historic buildings, and festive activities.

Published Dec 6, 2022

Written by 

Trent Jonas

For one sweet holiday lights tour in Minnesota, head out west to Dalton for its annual Christmas Fest. With a population of just over 200, the town may be small in size, but it's huge in holiday spirit.

Every year, the Lake Region Pioneer Threshermen's Association ("LRPTA") hosts the Dalton Christmas Fest at its showgrounds.

Aerial view of a snowy village illuminated with colorful holiday lights, showcasing festive decorations on buildings.
Dalton Christmas Fest/Google

The showgrounds comprise a living history museum with several historic buildings - and take up almost a quarter of the town of Dalton.

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Members of the LRPTA and community volunteers deck the showgrounds' buildings to the nines.

Glowing ice lanterns line a snowy path in front of a house decorated with colorful lights at dusk.
Dalton Christmas Fest/Facebook

Of course, holiday spirit isn't limited to the showgrounds. The whole town gets in on the action, with many other homes and businesses getting decked out for the holidays.

And between Thanksgiving and New Year's, visitors come to marvel at more than two blocks of holiday spirit.

A festive scene of a log cabin and a general store, both adorned with colorful holiday lights at night.
Dalton Christmas Fest/Google

More than 40 of the showgrounds' buildings are bedecked and bedazzled with thousands of lights.

A cozy building adorned with colorful Christmas lights, featuring a vintage gas station sign and festive decorations.
Dalton Christmas Fest/Google

Even the historic farming and threshing implements exude festivity.

A brightly lit farm machine decorated with colorful Christmas lights, set against a gray sky and a metal shed.
Dalton Christmas Fest/Facebook

But Dalton Christmas Fest is more than just a festive holiday lights tour in Minnesota.

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A horse-drawn sleigh with two horses and a driver travels down a snowy path at sunset. Trees line the background.
Dalton Christmas Fest/Facebook

On weekend during December, folks can enjoy activities, like horse-drawn sleigh and "trackless" train rides, as well as refreshments and other holiday fun.

Kids of all ages can even phone or email Santa for a Christmas message.

A festive phone booth with Santa inside, surrounded by colorful lights and a sign inviting calls to Santa.
Dalton Christmas Fest/Faceook

What's truly amazing is that the entire festival is accomplished through the work of volunteers.

A brightly lit donation box outside a garage, decorated with colorful lights against a night sky.
Dalton Christmas Fest/Facebook

It's free to the public and funded by donations.

Have you had a chance to tour Dalton's Christmas Fest or attend any of its events? What other small, Minnesota towns go all-out for the holidays?

While you're in the region, be sure to visit Fergus Falls and its historic downtown area, as well. Pay a visit to Broken Down Dam Park for a short hike, or stop in at Dining Car #423 - a restaurant in a railroad depot - for a bite to eat.

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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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