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Duluth Minnesota - Christmas & Holiday Events

Santa and kids by the Fitgers Inn Christmas Tree.
Santa Claus arrived on the Christmas City Express the Friday after Thanksgiving.

The Duluth holiday season's biggest attraction is Duluth's Bentleyville Tour of Lights Christmas Theme Park, one of the largest outdoor holiday lights displays in the USA.

Close behind is Duluth's version of the Polar Express - Christmas City Express; it begins running November 25th.

See the complete calendar of Duluth Holiday events lower down this page.

2022 Bentleyville Tour of Lights
opens November 19, 2022

The Christmas Holiday season usually begins the second weekend in November with the Duluth's Junior Leagues annual "Festival of Trees." In addition to the hand-decorated trees there are over a 100 craft vendors participating as well as a visit from Santa Claus. The following Friday is the annual "Christmas City of the North" Christmas Parade. That same weekend, the fantastic Bentleyville Christmas Lights Village opens.

Over Thanksgiving weekend the Christmas City Express (Duluth's version of the Polar Express Train) begins running and continues on weekends until Christmas. A special Christmas theme train travels from the Fitgers railway stop to the Duluth Depot where kids and their parents are treated to a special Christmas Show. Model train lovers will enjoy seeing the Lionel Train layout running and decorated for Christmas. On Thanksgiving Day some Duluth Restaurants are open with a Thanksgiving dinner (we had a great one in 2017 at the historic Pickwick Restaurant). The next day on Friday, Santa sets up shop at the Fitgers Brewery Complex to entertain kids and their Christmas wishes.

Other Duluth holiday events

Christmas exhibits and tours at the Glensheen Mansion, the Fairlawn Mansion, a Christmas Crafts Winter Village, Downtown Duluth Christmas Window decoration contest, and more. (see list and events calendar lower down this page)

christmas city express

lionel trains

Model Trains at the Duluth Depot

christmas windows

santa visit

We had a great Thanksgiving Dinner at the historic Pickwick Restaurant & Pub

fitgers inn and brewery

The historic Fitgers Brewery complex decorated for the holidays.

Holiday and Winter Events 2022
Things to Do and See in Duluth MN

We are in the process of confirming this season's dates but the following will give you an idea of what to expect

Halloween Haunted Ship October 4 - 31
Duluth National Snowcross Race - TBA
Christmas City of the North Parade - Nov 19, 2021
Festival of Trees - Cancelled for 2021
Duluth Winter Village - Dec 4, 2021
Bentleyville Tour of Lights - November 19 - Dec 26, 2022
Christmas City Polar Express Train - Nov 25 - Dec 18, 2022 weekends
Santa Visit Fitgers - TBA
See Video of Santa's Visit here
Glensheen Mansion Spirit of Lights Tour - Nov 26 - Jan 1, 2022
Superior Fairlawn Holiday Events -

See our Videos from our Thanksgiving visit to Bentleyville and Santa's Visit on The Christmas City Express.

See More Duluth MN Winter & Holiday Events
See Other Wintertime Events along the North Shore

The entrance to the Bentleyville Tour of Lights,
Duluth's huge Christmas Lights Village
whose displays are illuminated by over 5 million lights.

Duluth, Mn Visitor & Travel Information

Thompson Hill Information Center -
Info on Duluth, the North Shore & the Boundary Waters Canoe Area
Duluth Convention & Visitors Bureau
The Duluth Chamber of Commerce Website
Downtown Duluth Activity/Event Calendar
Duluth Camping & Campgrounds
Duluth municipal campgrounds
Information on Duluth Area streams, creeks, and rivers from Lakesuperiorstreams.org
Spirit Mountain Ski and Snowboard Area - Duluth, MN

Also see ScenicPathways.com - keyword search Duluth for recent updates on interesting things to see and do in the Duluth Minnesota area.

Links to Attractions of Interest along the Lakewalk

Lake Superior Marine Museum
Duluth Shipping News
Bayfront Park Festival Schedule
Fitger's Brewery Complex (some say Fitzger's but the "z" isn't there)

Continuing your Travel & Trekking
Around Lake Superior
Superior Trails Lake Superior Circle Tour

SuperiorTrails.com - Reinhold Development - 2023

Scenic Fall Color
Train Ride

Lake Superior Camping
& Campground Directory
Best Camping along Lake Superior. Camping along the Lake Superior Circle Drive.

Burlington Bay Campground, Two Harbors, MN
Top North Shore Campgrounds

Duluth's Enger Park and Enger Park Tower.

Tall Ships Festival

Santa Visit & Duluth
Christmas Train

Where can I get the
Best Pub Burgers
in Duluth, Minnesota.

Things to Do and See in Duluth, Minnesota

Enjoying lake breezes and views at the Canal Park Brewery Beer Garden - Canal Park.

Gooseberry Falls
State Park

Hiking and Camping Guides & Books

Skyline Drive offers best views of Fall Color in Duluth