There are many holiday lights events throughout Minnesota, which I put together in my complete guide here. But there are also many that are drive-thru only.
Drive-thru events were super popular during COVID, but with the cold outside, and viruses that peak at this time of year, I’m thrilled to put together this list of drive-thru events.
These are perfect for our family because not only can it get really cold here in Minnesota, but some family members can’t walk very well, so everyone can enjoy these!
If you are looking for drive-thru events, this list is for you.
Thank you to the Minnesota Children’s Museum in St. Paul for sponsoring this guide!
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FREE EVENTS
Celebrate the Light of the World -Willmar
(FREE – donations requested)
Thanksgiving – December 31
5:00pm – 10:00pm each night
Willmar is about 1 hour west of the Twin Cities, on highway 12. Celebrate the Light of the World kicks off on Thanksgiving: Thursday, November 28th!! The show will run every night from 5:00pm – 10:00pm from Thanksgiving through December 31st.
Havana Lights Drive-Thru Display – Owatonna
(Free – donations requested)
November 28 – after New Years
2048 Havana Road
Owatonna, MN 55060
Open every day from dusk – 10:00 p.m. There is a free will donation of money, or cat/dog food, kitty litter. Place in the containers provided.
Holiday Lights on York Avenue – St. Paul
(FREE- donations requested for Merrick Food Shelf)
November 29 – December 31
5:00pm – 10:00pm each night
This is a big light display on a residential block that you can drive through in St. Paul. Their lights start on Friday, November 29th! Check their website for updates.
Kiwanis Holiday Lights – Mankato
(Free, but cash and nonperishable donations requested for those in need)
Sibley Park
November 29th – December 31, 2024
Sunday–Thursday 5:00–9:00 PM
Friday & Saturday 5:00–10:00 PM
Free and open to the public! This is BOTH a walk-through and a drive-through event. You can just drive through it if you wish. Busses are welcome too!
Lights in the Pines – Grand Rapids
Itasca County Fairgrounds
1336 Fairgrounds Rd
Grand Rapids, MN 55744
November 22 – December 23
Northern Minnesota’s largest drive through light displays open on Friday and Saturday evenings November 22nd through December 23rd. Gate opens at 5:00 and closes at 9:00pm.
Light Up the Night – Marshall (Free – donations requested)
Independence Park
1300 E Lyon St.
Marshall, MN 56258
Opens Friday, November 29th
Light Up the Night is at Independence Park in Marshall.
Walking, hay rides, trolley rides or carriage rides through the winter wonderland of lights. The holiday carolers, concessions, Santa, Elves, skating, sledding. This is a walk-through AND drive-thru event. Drive thru option available only on Saturday and Sunday evenings from 5:00pm-7:00pm (weather permitting).
Donations requested for Prairie Home Hospice.
Valley Lights Drive-Thru Display – Lake Elmo
(FREE)
Rockpoint Church
November 28 – December 31
5:00-10:00pm
The drive-thru takes about 4 minutes.
Come out and enjoy this spectacular Christmas display! Enjoy 100,000+ LED lights while you hear and experience the Christmas story. Valley Lights is open to all and is an awesome opportunity for you to invite your family, friends, and neighbors. Who doesn’t love a great light show during Christmas time?
AT-COST EVENTS
Magic of Lights – Eagan
Viking Lakes
668 O’Neill Drive
Eagan, MN
November 22, 2024 – January 5, 2025
Magic of Lights is “dazzling, drive-through holiday lights experience featuring favorite holiday scenes and characters of the season using the latest LED technology and digital animations.”
Tickets are valid for your car (everyone inside, up to 3 rows), not per person, and are good through January 5th.
Magic of Lights is open 7 days a week:
Monday to Thursday: 5:30pm – 9:00pm
Friday – Sunday: 5:30pm – 10:00pm
Tickets and DISCOUNTS!
It’s cheapest to get tickets online! Regular priced tickets are $20 per car if purchased online, $35 – $40 in person.
They also have specials:
Military Monday: $5 off with military ID at gate
Tuesday: Double Drive Through Night
Wednesdays: First Responders save $5 with ID at gate
(It’s still cheaper to buy tickets online)
Sertoma Winter Wonderland Drive-Thru – Baxter
Northland Arboretum
November: 28-30
December: 5-7, 12-14,19-21, 24-31
Most nights, 5:30 – 8:00pm
The Brainerd Area Sertoma Club presents this annual winter wonderland drive-thru experience! General admission is $20 per vehicle. $15 per vehicle in advance, plus $1 fee. Discounted advance tickets are available online and at Cub Foods in Brainerd and Baxter. 
Sever’s Holiday Lights Drive-Thru – Shakopee, MN
November 28, 2024 – December 25, 2024
Sun – Thurs 5:00pm – 9:00pm
Fri to Sat 5:00pm – 10:00pm
Looking for a holiday tradition the whole family will love? This massive 2,500,000+ holiday light display dances in time to the best songs of the season, and with festive food & drink vendors, it’s pretty much guaranteed to be merry. So go ahead, pile into the car—this is one show everyone will want to see.
We went and here’s a review of our visit from a previous year with a video!
Pricing:
Sunday-Thursday 5:00pm – 9:00pm
Friday-Saturday 5:00pm – 10:00pm
Tickets: $30 – 45 per car at non-peak times
$45 – 60 per car at peak times
However, they now have announced $10 Tuesdays! Sever’s Holiday Lights is offering $10 admission on Tuesday nights! (Except 2 Tuesdays)
Wisconsin Light Displays
Miracle at Big Rock – St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin
November 29th, 2024 through January 4th, 2025
Walk through or drive through!
Walk Through WED-SUN. It costs: $15 KIDS (3 and under free) and $20 Adults (or $25 at the door). Veterans and seniors are $15.
DRIVE Thru MON-TUES. $15/person
They have so much! Fireworks shows too.
Sam’s Christmas Village & Light Tour – Somerset, Wisconsin
November 29, 2024 – January 1, 2025
Sun to Thurs, 5:00pm – 8:00pm, and
Fri & Sat, 5:00pm – 9:00pm
This one alternates drive-through nights with walk-through nights. Families have been loving it! Check their schedule for drive-through and walk-through times.
To walk through: Cost is $22 for adults, $19 for kids ages 4 – 10, free for kids 3 and under, and 1/2 off with military ID. Parking is $10 cash for walk through nights.
To drive through: $15 for age 4 and up; FREE for age 3 and under
Want more?
Check out my other guide:
Holiday Lights & Events in Minnesota 2024 (& Discounts!)
Plus, be sure to join my Facebook group, Minnesota Holiday Lights!
There are many postings of light displays all around the state!
Are there other light displays you know of that should be added to this list?