Bentleyville in Duluth is back!

I grew up in Duluth, and having family and friends to visit there, our family has visited Bentleyville since it began in its current location in November 2009. We love how it’s grown and has become truly a destination for visitors throughout the region and beyond.

Bentleyville is located in Bayfront Park in Duluth and it’s open November 22nd through December 27th, 2025!

And did you know it’s America’s Largest Free Walk-Through Lighting Display?!?!? It’s right near the highway as you drive into the city. Admission is FREE and always has been, which makes it even more popular and loved. If you park in their lot though bring cash as you can expect to pay $10, which goes to the nonprofit attraction. If you don’t have cash, it’s $12 for parking.

This is a huge walk-through light display with scenes including Disney movies, kids’ cartoons and other familiar stories. There are over 5 million lights in a 20-acre park right by Lake Superior.

You can get free hot chocolate or cider, free cookies, free popcorn and roasted marshmallows that you can roast yourself. Santa and other characters are there for photo opportunities.

Events:

They have Santa! And other events as well. Kids who visit Santa, which is free, get a Bentleyville knit hat and a bag of cookies.

Accessibility:

They do have strollers and wheelchairs for use! The whole thing is level and disability friendly. But it is a long walk and gets crowded.

Tips:

Bentleyville can get CRAZY busy. Check their calendar which shows how busy each day gets. Weekends of course are the busiest. There was actually one year we were going to go, the line of cars went so long that we changed our minds and didn’t go. But the next year we came on a weeknight BEFORE it opened. And that was so cool because we got to see the daily countdown to their turning on the lights!

Check their Crowd-o-Meter to plan your visit too. And bundle up!

They’re open: November 22 – December 27, 2025

Their hours are:

Sunday – Thursday

Open 5 – 9 pm

Friday – Saturday

Open 5 – 10 pm

And some of our favorite destinations are nearby:

Spirit Mountain
AmericInn of Proctor
Inn on Lake Superior (within walking distance of Bentleyville)